We're still in Manhattan. Patiently waiting. The paperwork is in and we're primed to be prodded. We should be hearing about our interview with the co-op board shortly, so please cross your digits for us.
In the mean, we are looking for furniture and trying to come up with some sort of theme to appease our varied tastes. I am kinda glad we aren't getting a full blown house because, while fun, it's a fairly daunting task to decorate something so big. In the mean time, this is going to be very fun practice.
I must admit, Ji is the one with the knack for finding all kinds of interesting items. Not sure how she does it, but I am glad she does. Don't underestimate me though. I am sure to come up with some good stuff.
-------
Milestones were passed the last couple of weeks. We successfully pulled off the daunting Quest for Christmas. What is that you ask. It is the gauntlet of celebrating the holiday with both families in a neat 60 hour pocket. This is how you do it:
DAY 1:
1 - Work Christmas Eve and then jump on New Jersey Transit to Trenton
2 - Transfer to SEPTA and head to 30th Street Station
3 - Last minute shopping, wrapping, shower, and show up.
4 - Celebrate Christmas Eve with the Lee Family. Gorge yourself with delicious food, watch the kids open innumerable gifts, consume copious amounts of wine, exchange presents, win fabulous prizes, and enjoy your first holiday as a member of a newly inherited family. Laugh at unwarranted warnings of impending insanity.
5 - Go back to my in-laws house and exchange more presents. I think everyone was surprised by their gifts which is quite a feat to pull off. That everyone had huge smiles after opening the presents is an even greater success story.
SLEEP!
DAY 2:
1 - Ride back to Philly and get back on SEPTA (which had the wrong times on-line) bound for Trenton.
2 - Miss connecting NJ Transit train. Wait for next one and back on our way.
3 - Arrive at Penn Station. Walk up the block and catch the Q to Brooklyn.
4 - Walk 13 blocks to my grandparent's house to surprise everyone with unexpected appearance.
5 - Eat clearly labeled roasted potatoes and other explicitly named food items. Socialize and watch more children open more gifts. Get some CBS swag from Cranberry Vodka drinking Santa Claus. Consume delicious biscotti.
6 - Say goodbye to gracious family who are still surprised at our arrival and get back on the Q. Transfer to the 6 and then board the M86 bus to home sweet home.
SLEEP!
DAY 3:
1 - Go to work. Both of us. Get out early, jump on the subway and meet at Penn Station. Off to Long Island. Oh yeah. I was late and we had to wait for the next train.
2 - Arrive at Suss house and I forget what happened next. Eventually there was pizza and for the third day in a row, presents were opened. Drinks were consumed. Tomorrow we would rock.
It was a crazy hectic wonderful holiday journey through three states and four different transit systems. It meant a lot that we got to experience it all and share it with both of our families. Will we ever do it again? I dunno. We didn't initially think so, but we pulled it off and after a year break who knows. It's not like we did
this.
We also came across another memorable anniversary on New Year's Eve. It was one year prior that I proposed to my wife. In the one year since, we've planned a wedding, successfully (with LOTS of help) pulled it off, took the vacation of a lifetime, and took major steps in becoming homeowners. Not bad huh?
So now it's 2009 and there is so much to be done. Hopefully fill out those change of address cards soon, remodel and decorate, new car (maybe?...mine has finally give up), find new jobs, new business opportunities, and many surprises for sure. The best part is that we'll do it together.
-----------
Sorry again for the lack of updates. Excuses of business are lame. So all I'm going to say is that our Smoked Meat via Kite Delivery company is all systems go! Please stay tuned. More adventures to come.
P.S. Does anyone know any good bands. After the busy year we don't know anything about music anymore. Sad. Sad. Sad.
P.P.S. Has anyone seen our photographer?
