Christmas Time is Coming

Thanksgiving was thoroughly enjoyable this year. It was spent with my dad's family which consists of my grandma, my uncle and my cousin. I always liked spending time with this particular group of family. We also have good conversation, lots of laughs, and lots of nice memories. We had a lovely home cooked meal thanks to my grandma. I must note that I did make the sweet potato casserole which was pretty damn good. After the yummy food I retreated to watch some Dexter as the rest of the family watched the Godfather Part 2 (they started watching in the middle of the film and I still haven't seen it hence me being antisocial). It was a great day with special people. Like I said before there's nothing like family.

It just so happens that Thanksgiving fell on the 25th which marked one month to Christmas! Out of all of the holidays Christmas is by far my favorite. I love the music, the lights, the window displays, the cheer, and the sentiment. Today I kicked off the holiday season with my parents by going to a matinee of The Nutcracker. It was performed at Lincoln Center by the New York City Ballet. Let me say that my first ballet experience was extremely positive. I cannot begin to describe how spectacular The Nutcracker was. The costumes were absolutely gorgeous, the dancing was phenomenal and the music was perfect. I would go see it again in a heartbeat and I hope it is the first of many ballets to come.

Tomorrow my roommates and I will be decorating the apartment which will be a complete winter wonderland. It adds a nice homey touch to the place.

Well this post is kind of pointless. I just needed an outlet to share my teeming excitement over the upcoming month. I hope everyone is excited about the holiday season like I am. If not, I suggest that you buck up and find some goodness within all of this time of year.

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving! Talk to you guys in December.

Be good kids, and embrace everything that comes your way.

-Catherine

Family Sundays

Growing up, Sundays were family days. The folks and I would go to church in the morning, then in the afternoon have all the family over for a big pasta dinner and then end the day with a bit of homework. A lot has changed since those Sundays.

After starting college I didn't think I would really miss home. But from time to time nostalgia creeps up on me and my heart aches for those loud, laughter filled dinner conversations.

Today was one of those nostalgic filled days. I couldn't help but wonder if my dad and uncle were watching the football game or if my grandpa was watching some cheesy Italian game show. I wondered if my mom made meatballs with the pasta today or if she opted for something else.

I do try to keep up some of the Sunday traditions. I go to church every week. I check up on the football scores. And maybe once a month I'll cook myself a bit of pasta. I do what I can.

The thing about being away from my family is that I feel I'm missing out making memories with them. That's why I secretly like going home even though I complain about it all of the time.

With recent events I've learned it's really important to cherish the times you have with the people you love because one day you can wake up and it'll all be gone.

People are here one minute and the next they're gone. You never know what life is going to throw at you. Believe me, I'd never thought I would have to go through the stuff that I've been dealt. But it happens.

There was a quote from the book, "The Road" and it goes, "You forget what you want to remember and you remember what you want to forget." Try not to let that happen to you, kids. It's happened to me and it's a struggle.

It's ok to be nostalgic, it's ok to miss the ones you love, and it's ok to go home.

Before I sign off, give your parents a call. They'll love hearing from you and it'll make you feel better, I promise.

-Catherine

About Last Night...

The Lower East Side has always been, to put it nicely, an interesting place. I never been down there at night time until last night. Boy was that interesting.

One thing I noticed which kind of surprised me was that there were a lot of british people down there. Secondly, the homeless people there do not mess around. One homeless man was shouting sexual slurs to another male passerby. Thirdly, lots and lots of bars which creates lots and lots of drunk people who drunkly say/yell things.

For instance. I was walking with my friends to a restaurant walking towards us was a belligerently drunk man. He pointed to me, drink in hand, and said, "hey you, I like you. You're sexy. I have a video camera, (then yells) we can make a lot of money." I cannot describe how mortified, creeped out and disgusted I was. I can only imagine the expression on my face. I just kept walking and wanted to get the hell out of there.

I realized two things. One, I felt like a 60 year old yuppie who was appalled by the people and behavior of the Lower East Side. This further proves that an old woman inhibits my body. Two, at least I come off as attractive. Just saying. I sound so narcissistic but I don't get that affirmation a lot. I'm a sad person. I know. I can live with that.

It's safe to say last night was quite an adventure. I'm not sure if Granny Catherine can go for another right away. Maybe next month. Yup, that sounds good. For now I'll eat my early bird special dinners, go to the movies at a reasonable hour, and retire to bed around midnight.

Be safe kids, I know I'll try.

-Catherine

Feeling Fall

I have been loving this fall weather lately. I live for the cold weather. For me there is something romantic about bundling up. I honestly think that everyone's mood change for the better too, well, I like to believe that.

The holidays are coming up and my inner child is jumping up and down with pure joy. Just thinking about Christmas music and decorations makes me beam with happiness.

The other thing about the fall and approaching winter is that I have some sort of weird creative boost. There's something truly inspirational during this time of year for me. I don't know what it is but everywhere I seem to go I always feel inspired.

I've been taking more pictures lately and I've been really into my art class that I've been taking this semester. I even have been journaling more often than usual. Grant it, a lot of personal issues of arose in the past 2 months but since the last post I have found a sort of sense of peace.

I'm not completely put back together but I'm definitely not in the million pieces I was before. Things have a funny of working out. Through all the darkness I've been facing, through all the negativity and sheer ignorance, I have managed to find this glimmer of hope.

Just this past Tuesday I felt genuine happiness for the first time in a very long time. I think I have realized that people change for better or worse and through that change they either fall out of synch with you or remain your friend. It's a constant cycle that people circulate in and out of. I trust that I will always be surrounded by those who truly love me. I deserve nothing less. And, that's not a selfish thing to say. No one deserves people in their lives who will be a negative, emotional drain. Everyone deserves good, loving people.

Things are looking up. I hope I don't jinx it.

I hope y'all are enjoying this fall season as much as I am. Truly enjoy the people that love you and revel in every minute of time spent with them. You never know, they can be your inspiration.

Be good, kids.

-Catherine