Let's see several months back, I went to Sydney, Australia for the first time ever. I got to reunite with some family members and meet other relatives for the very first time, including my 2-year-old niece (Is it still your niece/nephew when they are your cousin's kids? *shrugs*), who is just the most perfect kid ever (Don't ask me why). The main purpose of my being there was for a funeral. I won't get into that, because it does make me sad, even though I did not know her well and we had only met once before. Despite the sad occasion, it was just so nice to be with so many relatives, all at the same time. It was almost a legitimate vacation, despite some circumstances I could not change. But that's just like life, you have to take the good with the bad, and rarely do we get the chance to pluck out imperfections we don't want. Next time I visit, I'll make sure I actually see more attractions, do more touristy things. I did see the main spots, such as the Opera House, of course, Darling Harbor, Manly Harbor, Queen Victoria Building, ate at a lovely restaurant with my beautiful cousin.
A few weeks after I returned we celebrated Tim's 25th birthday, sort of... but he didn't feel like celebrating actually. Doesn't matter, I'm happy to do whatever he wishes on his birthday as long as he wishes to spend it with me. I still feel like it's weird that we're not teenagers anymore, or not adolescents anymore...when did that happen? I actually did not get him a birthday gift, since I purchased a new laptop for him a few weeks prior to him actually turning 25. I wish I could have done more, but oh well...that time has passed and new opportunities will be seized.
Few weeks after that, I was summoned for jury duty. Oh lord...my excuses did not suffice. My travel date would not coincide with the end of the case, nor were my past experiences enough of a bias to get myself out of there. It was also the week of Thanksgiving...bummer, but at least the first week of jury duty, I only had to be there for 3 days, the rest of the week was closed due to Thanksgiving holiday.
I am somewhat ashamed that I spent my Black Friday snuggled up in bed purchasing things I did not need through the internet. Luckily, I also snagged a bunch of items that could be used for Christmas gifts. I think I may have been extra generous this year to some people, and my bank account balance can attest to that. I was saddened to see that I'm not saving as much as I intended, but I'm glad it's because I'm doing something nice for other people and I'm not being 100% selfish. I digress...
So even though jury duty is exhausting in the sense that I cannot talk to anyone while court is in session and no one to really communicate with during recess and the breaks are so long with nowhere to go, it was depressing, even though I was forced to put up with that, I was still glad to be out of the office and have a valid excuse, and I didn't even feel up to showing up after court most days. -_-
Once the case was over, I'm not disappointed that I was selected as a juror. I learned a thing or two, such as the difference between assault and battery. According to the DA, battery means that physical abuse had occurred and the victim had come into contact with weapon, or said abuse, whereas assault does not necessarily include coming into contact with anything, but an intent to harm did occur. I may have just gotten all that wrong... I also feel like we all need to be more active about protecting our community, because when people are harassed or victimized, or if rudeness just exists, and we all act complacently towards it or ignore it or wish it away, it is the same thing as accepting wrongdoing in our own lives.
So, while that was going on, celebrated Thanksgiving with my parents. I bought her a pearl necklace from prizedpearls.com. All I know is they're supposed to be quality, freshwater pearls. The only reason why I chose to purchase from them is because jlovesmac1 had a coupon code for 75% off, so a necklace near $150 became $40 something. I don't feel bad about budgeting for my mother, because I often feel bad about not being appreciated for the gifts I give...so yeah... I don't remember as most encounters are uncomfortable and often unpleasant. Black Friday was also my mom's birthday. I managed to drag Tim along with me, because I'm too weak to survive two nights in a row on my own. It's hard for me, because there's never anyone on my side or anyone in my age range to talk to. If there's other people around, I'm either making awkward conversation with an elderly person or babysitting or watching the young'ns play with their ipods. (Why do kids have these? o.O I swear...back in my day...) Anyhoodillyoooo.....That was actually the last time I saw my parents, I feel bad I don't call or visit more often...I guess my instincts prevent me from doing something I don't want to do, but I really should...because they are my parents and I need to be a good daughter...if anything, just to ease my own conscience, so I have no regrets about my being a good person. =\ Damn you, conscience.
More recently, Tim and I went to Disneyland! It was so festive with all the twinkly lights and the holiday-themed castle. Is it worth going all the way there just for the decorations? No. It's pretty, but heck, you can look up the pictures on the internet, and they'll probably be better than the pictures you take with your own camera, because it's too hard to Photoshop the hoards of people out of your shot. It also takes way too long for other people to move out of the way, so you can wait your turn to take a photo in front of the castle, or other photo spots. How frustrating. Now, is it worth it to take time off and enjoy a 3-day weekend with your loved ones/significant other in the happiest place on Earth? Yep! The memories began and now they're over and I've captured them in my digital camera and I will save them to my hard drive and forever they will remain, or until the files get corrupted or I forget about them entirely and then the memory fades into oblivion, but still more reliable than our own human brain memories. World of Color is still my favorite show out of all the ones that Disney puts out, including the ones at Disney World in Florida. Even though we bought a 3-course dining option at Ariel's Grotto that came with Reserved Seating for World of Color, my view of the show was more limited than last year when we somehow magically ended up right in front of the water (Maybe we just snuck up there and nobody complained, miraculously.) I had a great time and now I'm back.
Since then, I have turned 24. Aging...I don't like it, I do feel a quarter-life crisis coming on. I'll save that whining for another time. After considering what I wanted, I decided I wanted to have a steak dinner with Tim. We ended up at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. I wanted to go out and do something special, even though he could care less. Tim's just very low maintenance. I hardly ever go out anymore, so I wanted to do it for my birthday and I asked for just that. Now that I'm older (if not wiser), I just feel like I got to ask for what I want and just do it, no more being overly demure and accepting what is offered, if not too forward. I'll miss out on so much if I don't just say what I want. Claude Kelly's Forever: ["You gotta say what you want."]. Tim's family also took me out for tapas on the actual evening of my birthday. It was lovely, like actually being with a normal family with a normal amount of dysfunction, as opposed to a fully dysfunctional family.
Now Christmas is upon us. Tonight is the eve of Christmas Eve.
Honestly, I'm dreading Christmas. I've always kind of thought that the holidays were a time of obligation. You're obligated to be a better person than you normally are throughout the rest of the year, obligated to spend time with your family, even the relatives you don't like, just obligated to show up, because that's what you're 'supposed to do.' I know that all sounds wrong, because it should be a happy time to spend with your family and really appreciate what you've got. I do appreciate what I have and I'm glad I'm able to live as comfortably as I do, but I can't deny that sometimes the holidays just make me a little depressed. I almost wish I could sleep through the weekend, wake up on Monday and find myself with that day off from work and...*sigh of relief.* Aside from that depressing note, I find myself really in the giving spirit. I've caught the gift-shopping bug, and I'm kind of glad the holidays will soon be over, so I can go back to saving my hard-earned chump change. =D
