Homesick and Guilty

My trips to Idaho are filled to the brim with loving people. Seriously! I cannot tell you how many times I’ve had my nieces and nephews say they love me. Give hugs. Kisses. Cry when I’m leaving their presence. Ask parents if they can sit by me. Etc. Etc. It’s sweet and it is endearing. And I love them all so much. But it’s not only the children that are loving and expressive. My sister, sister-in-law and brother all tell me how wonderful it is I’m here – with them. And I’m so happy to see them all – to be known. I love to snuggle up and read books, to touch pets and visit gardens, to see dances and play games. It’s wonderful! The only thing is – I’m knee deep in full blown homesickness.

Like, I mean that in a major way.

 

I miss the farm and the animals. 

I miss my friends. 

I miss my little brother (like crazy). 

And my other family too. But it’s not just that. (And I know that I’ll be home soon.) 

I’m also missing the beautiful sky. And the green trees. 

 

And the moisture in the air. And well, I suppose it’d be enough to say the climate in general. I feel a little guilty, but I love Santa Cruz. And that’s that.

Scarf, Mirror Mirror and the Odyssey

Sunday afternoon I asked my brother if he thought my hair scarf was cool. He said it was interesting. Finally, after much persuasion, he agreed that it was kind of cool. Then he asked, “But what is it?” I told him it was a scarf. He said “But what is it for real?” I again said it was a scarf. And he said – “Oh, it looks like you cut the end off a tablecloth or something.” What a silly boy! I really do love my brother. It is good to be with him again.

The first night I was here we watched Mirror Mirror (which I could not recommend to anyone!) It was still very fun to go to the theater with all five of my brother and sister-in-laws children and watch a film. We got popcorn and rootbeer. Going to the theater makes me just feels like I need that stuff! When we were leaving my brother said the end credits reminded him of Slumdog Millionaire. I said, “That makes sense, they were directed by the same person.” Aaron said something to the effect of that is weird but interesting. I started laughing and said it was a joke. Kelsey, my sister-in-law, looked at Aaron and said “She does the same thing you do.” I am so amused when I say a random thing that doesn’t really make sense. Anyone else?

I’m reading a lot. Very nearly finished with the Odyssey –finally – I’ve gotten super into it and keep thinking about it. Must finish!

p.s. Mirror Mirror and the Odyssey should not be in the same title. Sorry!

Brown's House

I'm visiting at the Brown's home and really enjoying it. They made over their large closet into a really nice guest room. I love the bed in particular. Today I took two naps and actually got to read in my book quite a bit. I'm trying to finish the Odyssey. (This is a secret - I've been reading it for over two years! I think it's the longest time I've ever been reading a book.) I only brought the Odyssey for "fun reading" so I should be able to finish it this trip! Over two weeks.

No Picture - But Still Good

Talking about the paper I am working on with my mom and Uriah.

My title is “The New American Dream: Consumption” 

Uriah is writing about the same subject. His title “Wal-Mart is Our Friend: And Other Lies”

I said: “Uriah, your title is so good. You’re really good at writing.”

Uriah: “You take someone else’s idea and parody it.”

Me: “I’m not good at that.”

Mom: “Actually, your title is more intellectual Osanna, all grammatical with the colon and everything.”

Uriah: “Oh, mine has a colon in it too.”

Alison Returned

At the Airport!

Publishable Quotes

 Dad walks into the kitchen. Ivanna, Uriah and I are there already. 

Dad: "Cute haircut." Everyone looks around at each other. 

Ivanna (confused): "You mean Uriah's haircut?" 

Dad: "No, Osanna's haircut. It's cute."  Mom walks in now.  

Me: "Ummm... I didn't get a haircut." 

Mom (happily): "See, it looks different, I thought you got a haircut on Wednesday!"

Uriah and I have been tired. On Mother's Day, we both fell asleep in Ivanna's living room. Talking about that. 

Me: I think I've been too tired lately. I don't get enough sleep. When I'm falling asleep in peoples living room, there's a problem. 

Ivanna: I thought it was just a nice comfortable day. Uriah fell asleep too.

Uriah: Yeah, I was just enjoying the day and relaxing.

Adam: Jesus fell asleep on a boat.

Everyone: Cracking up laughing!

Playing Catch Phrase. (After being not on Ivanna's team and knowing the answers from her super quick - but not getting to say them.)

Ivanna: If you bind the strong man then you can _______ his house." 

People on her team: {not good answers}

Me (not on her team): Plunder guys!

Ivanna: Yep! (passes Catch Phrase to Adam)

Adam: Well, good job Osanna.

Me: We weren't going to be playing much longer anyway.

Fun with the Family!

I came over to my sister's house in San Jose last night. She and her husband Adam were going out of town, leaving a quiet house to ME. So I could get homework finished up before Finals next week. (Okay, they weren't leaving for that purpose... but you know it just fell together.) When I decided that I was going to come over and STAY over for the weekend, she thought it'd be a good idea to have the family come over for dinner on Friday. Here are a few pictures for your enjoyment.

Dinner was scrumptious!

Dad and Mom

Adam and Ivanna

Me

 

 

 

 

 

Uriah

 

 

 

 

 

Uriah