2008 Christmas...

With my mind still on American time and my body just not coping with thinking it's going to work at 4am on a Friday morning, I cannot work, alas I fear I cannot blog. But despite the fact my Math teacher isn't too bright and gave us exactly the same question for our assignment that he did for our work in class, I still cannot work.


Returning from America, people expected me to have many new anecdotes and stories, but I really don't! I had a wonderful Christmas with the in-laws and met some wonderful new brothers and sisters-in-law, and it was just lovely being with Liz's family, on their terms, where they are comfortable. But there were no exciting adventures, I just felt at home and chilaxed American style- which is very similar to English style and which I'm pretty adept at.


Not being with my family for the first Christmas ever was a real strain, almost willing them not to call up because of worry that it would be too emotional. I'm so glad they did though, my affection for my parents is only second to my wife, and hearing their voices was a real godsend. My in-laws gave me many highlights to remember:

Playing in the snow. We get coatings of snow in Britain, flashings of snow, if you will. It was great to have about a foot of snow for the majority of time we were there. It was so much fun to be able to hurl myself to the ground, or simply trip up spectacularly in front of my mother and sister-in-law just before the entrance of the Carousel Shopping Mall, and feel like I'm falling on pillows and marshmallows. I even enjoyed feeling like my face was going to freeze off just so that I could stand amidst a snow storm.


Meeting new family. We had a wonderful wedding celebration while in America- hosted by Loretta- in which 30 or 40 new people (cousins, uncles, aunts and close friends) came along and I had to meet each one and try in vain to remember each one. It was quite the day! But luckily I had Brad, Brad, Bobby and Bob to keep me company and save my bacon, especially Mindy's Brad! I was able to cling on by having fun with a great brother-in-law who had this same initiation only a few years back. Thanks Brad Mac!


Pride FM- where they play Star Spangled Banner and Proud to be an American all day long, non-stop.


Gaining a niece! As mad as I have been getting at Liz for having too many pictures of her (now our) niece around the flat, upon meeting her, I instantly knew why. She was adorable and we had a lot of fun together. Teaching children naughty things that I know I won't have to deal with is something of a speciality of mine, this was no different. We learnt that picking your nose and eating it was fun, that bouncing on sofa's and beds is not wrong, and that hitting people in the face is hilarious. T'was wicked. But I'm not broody just yet. Honest?


Nintendo Wii. Bobby and I ruled the Wii, or the Olympic Games at least- beating each other to World Records was the new Beer Pong. Fencing was a particular highlight, with Bob and I locked into what seemed like a genuine duel of hatred, getting steadily closer to each other and the TV screen while slashing violently, but accurately. My arms are now stacked. Although I'm not sure what's more frightening, how much I unexpectedly enjoyed it, or that my sister also received a Wii and apparently is kicking butt at WWE!


Food. This will be a surprise to no one. If anyone stays with the Watkins' you have to request Loretta's pulled pork and chicken. I will leave it there, it's making me hungry.


Overall, the best thing was seeing where my lovely wife grew up, the sights and sounds of Canastota and the surrounding area's. Meeting her influences, seeing how she is around her family in a comfortable environment. Observing as she engages in conversation with older and wiser generations of her family. How she is the same with me as with them and knowing that I've fallen in in love with someone genuine to the highest degree. I have married a truly remarkable woman and into a great family.


God bless America.