Happy New Year everyone, this last one has definitely been quite a ride for me.

The holiday season started off with end of classes and Jon staying with me in Philadelphia for a couple of days. We did the usual and made good gluttons and sloths of ourselves.

Then it was up to NYC to see the family, which did not go quite as planned. Mother has been and still is her usual self. I gave her a couple weeks notice that I was hoping to drive up with Jon, and I wanted her and my father to meet him (because the last time was not so great…). She ignored me, and Jon didn't want to push the subject by paying an unwelcome visit. So I went alone, and we had family members over. The house was full with 12 people instead of the usual few and all 8 bedrooms were occupied for a couple of days. This year really pushed the notion of going off on my own and not seeing family for holidays from now on. We'll see what happens, maybe I'll get lucky and move to the west coast, or another country.

I got to see the baby cousin, who isn't quite a baby any longer. He insists on using his proper age of three and a half at all times, and has picked up using the word cross, as in "I'm very cross with you right now" from somewhere. Probably the international school he goes to. My uncle and aunt were supportive as always, and are probably the only people in my entire family that support me in my relationship with Jon. They definitely helped to get me into a better mindset for when I confronted Mom. I brought it up in person when the extended family wasn't in the house, and she gave me some answers that didn't mean anything. She said she couldn't control what other people/I did, and that life just isn't fair, and I asked her why she specifically treats my relationship differently (especially when the 16 year old brother brings his 13 year old girlfriend home and holes up in his room with the door closed every other day). To which she did not reply. I then asked her if I was wasting my time, and If it was even worth trying. Her reply: You do what ever you need to do.

I wish things could have ended up differently, but maybe I was just dreaming. Again, she threw money at the situation, and since I have not been financially dependent on them for years, it didn't work. Logic and reason just don't seem to apply.

After xmas, I went up to CT and stayed with Jon for a couple of days. It was great to spend time with his sister and mother. They joke that I'm the third child that MIL never had. Met some of Jon's old friends, and had a great time with the second family.

New Years Eve was back in NYC, more people came to the house, and I caught up with some cousins.
Soon after New Years, one of the best friends was celebrating her birthday. We went out to dinner, and then stayed up into the morning just goofing around. She has been a pillar of strength this year, and I don't know how she does it, but she is amazing.
Back in Philadelphia now. Work is well, and I'm slowly but surely getting back to a normal sleeping schedule. Gym will start next week, when more of the new years resolution people start giving up.

For photo essays from previous months, check out the archives, or click on the tags.

Instructions can be found on Chad Darnell's Blog. Photos click for a medium version. Large via flickr.

1) Had a cinnamon bun for breakfast. nom.

2) Made up for the food by spending an hour at the gym. Definitely feel the soreness all over. Then off to school and work...

3) After work, met up with Kevy and headed to the Comcast Center to pick up Dee (the roomies), then off to happy hour and dinner.

4) Plans were to go out after happy hour, but it got colder, rainier, and windier, so we headed home. Set up the new xbox! Ordered it on Tuesday, got it on Wednesday, and got the promotional credit for $100 off today!

5) After setting Dee up with an xbox live account so that she could play Castle Crashers with me, it was time to start packing for my weekend. Zooming up to CT for my other half's birthday then to NYC for mom's birthday.

6) It's been a little while since I've brought such a full weekend bag for a trip, but its getting so cold, and its time for layers.

7) Next was toiletries- Hair wax, cologne, saline solution spray, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste... all into a ziplock bag.

8) Re watched last nights episode of Glee so that Kev could catch up. Also got the soundtrack last week :-D

9) Also replaced the crappy white headphones that came with the ipod after my second pair broke... Got a pair that has a microphone/remote/volume control combo. The click/double click/triple click play/pause/forward/backward function is so convenient! This week was a busy week for the front desk of my building since 6 packages came within 2 days for me :-X.

10) Yes, I am a nerd, and not a very good one, because it takes me about 3 days to catch up and finish listening to podcasts from earlier in the week. Tomorrow is tekzilla for the metro north ride.

11) Some warm tea during the podcast, almost time for bed.

12) Speaking of bed, heres a picture of mine! Got it last year after moving into this apartment/condo and it was probably my best purchase ever. I don't know how I ever lived without a queen sized pillow top.

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These last couple of months have really been a jolt to the system for me.

For photo essays from previous months, check out the archives, or click on the tags.

Instructions can be found on Chad Darnell's Blog. Photos click for a medium version. Large via flickr.

1) Right after a shower in the morning, squeegee time.

2) Throat felt a little itchy and dry, so I gargled some salt water.

3) Here's the result from that little tease in April. All healed up, and ready for action ; ).

4) Had to start dressing in layers because I need to go clothes shopping :-X. I think I have 2 sweaters that fit... and the rest are in a closet in New York because they aren't the right size. I don't really understand how I got a sweater in size large... if it was a gift, which family member would think that I could even fit into it?

5) breakfast... mmm limited seasonal donuts.

6) My room is in disarray because I had to move the couch to the center so that the condo maintenance guy can come in and fix the ceiling/roof, ugh.

7) Packing the bag, gotta bring an umbrella cause its gonna rain, probably for the rest of the week too :-( I want summer back.

8) Since its so cold, the heavier coats have come out. What happened to fall?

9) Jailbreak! I love the customization part! oh, and the background tasks too.

10) Late night in the lab = take out! Looks like the domino's tracker is incorrect because it took the delivery guy an extra 20 mins from the time it said my order was delivered and when he actually got here. Then when he did get here, he forgot the soda, and it took him an extra hour from that point to get it and come back and the bottle he brought wasn't even cold! I bet it would have been faster if he walked 2 blocks to CVS and got one. Total delivery time: 1 hour 45 minutes. Never ordering from this place again. epic fail.

11) Bleh, I had also forgotten how the pizza wasn't very good... the breadsticks made up for a little bit.

12) Back home, and preparing for the season, the tissues are anti-viral because they have a center layer with little beads. Pretty nifty.

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These photos are also in my photostream, for any flickr users- send me a friend request/email to be added.

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Life has been busy lately, work, school, play, and other stuff has just gotten in the way and blogging has been getting a little harder to get into.

Why have I got a crush on Hamish Macdonald, the presenter on Aljazeera?

It's been a little while since my last post. Mad Men took up some time and I missed my 12 of 12 :-X. Guess there's next month.

For photo essays from previous months, check out the archives, or click on the tags.

Instructions can be found on Chad Darnell's Blog. Photos click for a medium version. Large via flickr.

1) Jon has come down to Philadelphia for the weekend! Sometime this morning/early afternoon when he was fiddling on his computer.

2) He was making a new ringtone for his phone in garageband. I still prefer audacity, mainly because of the open file formats.

3) After going grocery shopping, he wanted to play with kitty, who doesn't look too pleased in this shot.

4) Mmmmmm... Chicken.

5) A DC Cised request- Jon eating.

6) After dinner, Jon started his drive back to his new place in CT. Time for some laundry.

7) After laundry, everything got put away...

8) My closets look so empty now :-( The entire right side used to hold Jonny's things.

9) After laundry, more cleaning. This is the lineup of supplies for the bath tub, shower, toilet and sinks.

10) Eek! I'm starting to peel from the sunny days in California. Lotion, lotion, lotion.

11) A little dessert + snacks to pack for tomorrow.

12) Another 12 of 12 is over, time to change the calendar.

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These photos are also in my photostream, for any flickr users- send me a friend request/email to be added.

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