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I’m back in CA and it is raining. This is the rainiest it’s been since we’ve moved here. They’re expecting flooding in Napa and Sonoma in the next few days. I don’t mind the rain unless I’m stuck on the highway or driving in the city. Otherwise, it’s quite pleasant. I especially like listening to it as I drift off to sleep.

In other news, the rest of my trip to Austin went well. I had intended to see more people while I was there but I had a great time just spending some quality time with my family. After leaving JC on Tuesday, mom, Daniel and I caught up on our drinking and late-night partying. Granted, we did the PG version but it was still fun. I also went bike riding with Daniel who mercifully picked the route so as to avoid hills. The funniest thing? I had to buy some shorts. I packed t-shirts but I really didn’t think it would be 80 degrees over Xmas. Obviously, I learned nothing about weather while living in Texas. It’s 40 one year. The next year it’s 80.

The bike ride was fun. I rode my bro’s friend’s bike. It’s a perfectly nice bike, but my butt was not used to cruising on a hard bike seat for more than 30 minutes. I got to ride my bro’s bike some and his seat is much much more comfortable. Beggars can’t be choosers though. I skipped bike riding for the rest of the trip because A: i’m lazy and B: my butt was sore. It wasn’t “can’t sit down” sore but I did feel kinda funny. And I thought that I had enough natural cushion to avoid any pain.

Now I’m back in CA and I have a full weekend of laziness to look forward to. Aasma is in SF with her bf, so maybe we’ll all get together before work starts up again on Tuesday.

I’m in Austin. Yay! Now I can play around and do all the stuff (translation: eat all the stuff) I’ve wanted to for the last four months. Danny got a lot of queso and burritos during his short trip and he is now safely back in CA. It is 60 there. It is 80 here. Hmm…I’m pretty sure it was colder here last year.

Here’s a quick recap of what I’ve done so far:

ate at taco cabana
stayed with Mike and Alba on Friday
ate at Chuys
drove to JC
visited Dad
went to the Xmas eve party
ate lots of tamales
had christmas morning with mom
drove to dallas
did Xmas night with Dad in Dallas
saw the grandparents
drove back to JC on Monday
hung out with Dad
stayed with mom
met dad for lunch on Tuesday
packed up and drove to Austin

Now, I get to be lazy and just think of fun stuff to do with my brother and mom while they’re off work. Right now, it’s laundry time.

If you’re not into Chrismahanakwanzaka, it’s time for Festivus!

from Wikipedia…

According to Seinfeld, Festivus is celebrated each year on December 23, but many people celebrate it other times, often in early December. Its slogan is “A Festivus for the rest of us!” An aluminum pole is generally used in lieu of a Christmas tree or other holiday decoration. Those attending participate in the “Airing of Grievances” which is an opportunity for all to vent their hostilities toward each other, and after a Festivus dinner, The Feats of Strength are performed. Traditionally, Festivus is not over until the head of the household is wrestled to the floor and “pinned.”

Get out yer festivus poles and get ta wrasslin! Yeehaw!

I just found out that Lisa’s oldest kittycat Meggie passed away yesterday. She was put to sleep after suffering from an increasingly painful liver disease. I’ve lost a few pets in my lifetime but I think maybe I managed to block out the pain or find a way to fill the hole in my heart that they left. I know it will take time and that Lisa will be fine, but right now it must really really hurt.

Two years ago, when Danny was still in school, I asked him what he wanted to do the week I was off work between Christmas and New Years. His answer: stay home, eat candy and watch cartoons. This was the greatest idea ever. Not only was it fun in the third grade, but it’s fun as a working adult, especially if you can watch Futurama, the Simpsons, Cowboy Bebop, and the Family Guy instead of horrible Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle reruns (not that I ever saw those, mind you). I have next week off work, but Danny has to return to CA and go into the office. This sucks. I mean, I guess it’s normal but I’ve really gotten used to having a week of Christmas vacation and I’m sorry that he won’t get to participate this year.

Instead of returning with him, I’m staying in Austin with my brother who also has the week off. Our schedule will be a little more ambitious than the “cartoon-watching, candy-eating” party of past years. My plan is to do some after xmas shopping, see some matinees, and eat at all of my favorite Austin restaurants. I’d like to visit some of my friends too. I think my mom will take a day or two off to bum around with us. It will be nice to have a mini Austin vacation.

Cold update: I still have it but it’s not debilitating. I’m hoarse but I’m not coughing much and my head isn’t stuffy. This is a very important change since I have a three hour flight home tomorrow. I won’t be sorry to leave CA behind for a week. It has been raining almost non-stop since last Monday. I like the rain, but a week is enough for me. Plus, going to work in the rain when you’re sick is not fun at all.

One more random comment: For the last few years, I’ve been sending occasional donations to SARA: Southern Animal Rescue Association. It is a no-kill animal “ranch” near Seguin. The reason I found out about this is because one of my former neighbors got SARA to adopt two very sweet stray kitties that lived on our block. When I moved, I couldn’t take them with me. They were both outdoor cats and might not have adjusted to my new neighborhood. Still, I felt so guilty leaving them behind. My neighbor fed them, but the kitties were on their own on nights when it froze outside.

A month after I moved, I found out that the kitties had been taken to SARA and one of them, the big, fluffy white cat, had been adopted within a week. Ever since then, I’ve tried to support this organization. I don’t shower them with money, but I like the concept and it seems like a really good place for animals. I’ve never actually visited though. I thought about going with my brother when I’m in Austin next week, but I KNOW I would convince him to bring home a pet or two and I don’t think that’s a good idea right now. I dunno. Maybe he’s ready for another pet. My mom adopted his cat when he lived in Lubbock. The cat wasn’t happy “indoors.” Still, he’s an awesome pet but Daniel didn’t want to stick him in another one bedroom apt when he’s used to having playmates and five acres in the country in which to frolick.

Anyway, does anyone else have any favorite charities? Besides the redcross? Just curious.

So, I thought I had gotten over the hacking coughing sneezy stuffy head so you can rest part of my illness when bam! It came back for a second round. Was it brought on by my staying out and partying all night? No! Instead, it festered and grew while I slept. Slept! I slept all weekend to get rid of it and I felt worse this morning. Granted, it is a Monday and Mondays make any illness feel ten times worse but seriously, aside from a little bit of a runny nose last night I felt fine! I even went for a walk.

I got up this morning, got dressed, was ten minutes from walking out the door when I realized I felt A: dizzy and B: super congested and scratchy-voiced. I knew I would only feel worse in 70 minutes when I got to my desk. Ugh…. So, I performed the ultimate unselfish act and stayed home from work. I know you’re tearing your hair and wringing your hands at the mention of my sacrifice but really, it’s okay. I’ll survive. Somehow…..

Tomorrow: Sarah vs. the lingering cold.

Last night, I had all of the symptoms: chills, aches, sore throat, sweaty, and phlegmy. I swore there was no way I was going to work today.

When I woke up at 6:30 I felt…better? It’s weird, but I do feel much better. My throat is a little tender but I’m not nearly as snotty and I don’t have chills.

Danny started feeling bad yesterday morning, so I thought I would be taking care of him. Instead, I was the one on the sofa asking for vitamin C tablets and water. I hope he feels better when he gets up. I might feel worse this afternoon but I’m okay for now. Keep your fingers crossed.

Danny and I went and saw the latest Harry Potter movie last night. You know you’re in for it when the only thing you’re craving is a big tub o’ buttery popcorn and there’s only one good way to git it.

The movie was probably the best one. I’ve never read any of the books, but the movies are fun to watch. I also want to see The Chronicles of Narnia and I don’t even care about the blatant Christian message.

In other news, I’ve been a busy bee. I spent all weekend working on my take-home final for statistics and I turned it in tonight. Whew…I did enjoy that class. The content was good but the 3.5 hours after work on Monday nights killed. I’m glad it’s over.

Now, I can focus on the pressing matter at hand: Christmas shopping. I’ve done a bit of it with the help of Danny and Daniel back in Texas. I’m not shopping for as many people this year which is somewhat unusual. Maybe it’s because, in the back of my mind, I’m working out the logistics of getting all of my gifts to Texas in one suitcase.

Right now, Danny is asleep on the sofa and the cats are sleeping on different levels of their kitten castle. Life is rough. Time for me to play online with a glass of wine.

I know: I’m a fruitcake.

Sadly, I knew it all along (and I totally had a crush on him in the seventh grade).

And now….

Whew, this week has been busy even though it’s only Wednesday. You know how when you have a lot to do you keep putting it off because the thought of tackling such an immense task is intimidating and depressing at the same time? I have a take-home final due on Monday and I haven’t started on it. I know I still have time to do it but I keep putting off starting. Granted, Monday night I had class until 9:30 and didn’t eat dinner until 11. That was okay. Last night, I had choir practice (I’m singing in my church’s Christmas pageant) from 7:30 to 8:30. Normally, I would go home, eat dinner, take a shower, watch some TV and maybe get started on my final. Last night, I went home, laid down with the kitties for a “minute” and was out like a light. I woke up at 2am to remove my contacts, brush my teeth and drink some water. Know what sucks the most about this? I was still tired when I woke up! I slept from 9:30pm until 7am and I was still tired!

I think the extra sleep was just what I needed. After getting out of bed and getting to SF this morning, I was in a good mood. I even had a spring in my step as I walked to work. Usually, I’m not awake until I have a cup of coffee and read the morning’s headlines (such as “cat disaster”).

Tonight, I have no plans other than to have a nice dinner with Danny who I haven’t seen much of since last week because of my busy schedule, and begin working on my take-home test. The thing is that once I start something and get into it, I start to enjoy it. It’s just the starting point that’s hard.