Auld Lang Syne

It's the end of the year when people start thinking about what to do in the next one and try not to think about all they didn't do in the past one. For possibly the first time in my life, I'm not irritated by the past year or remotely exhasperated with all that I did not accomplish. This past year was also the first time I had moments where I wasn't looking to the future and thinking about how great my life is going to be. Rather, these were moments of joy with the present. For the first time in my life, I was happy with my life at the exact moment I was living it. Not in retrospect, not in some abstract future, but in the wonderful present.

2006 was the first year I can look back on without regret or unhappiness over some unfulfilled resolution. Since I haven't made any formal resolutions since possibly middle school, the year becomes less about attaining some set goal than about simply taking what comes my way and living as happily and as fully as I can. This year I feel I did. There were so many things I did this year that, if you had told me I would be doing them in, say, January, I never would have believed it. I would have thought it would be nice if that were my life, but unlikely that it would ever occur. But now I've made it my life. The misty ideal in my head has become reality more than ever before and I'm able to both enjoy my present life and still plan ahead for all the amazing things of my future.

Before this year, I was always looking forward and not stopping to take stock of the moment I was living in. College, according to practically any adult you ask, is the best four years of your life. Up until Junior year, I was dimly aware of this and perfectly content to be at college. I loved Smith, I was happy with my classes and my friends didn't trouble me overmuch. But this past semester, I really do think this is the time. This is it. This is quite possibly as good as it gets. Which isn't as depressing as it sounds. I'm not despairing of the future when all will be dull and taxes. It can be great, too. But right now is the time I'm really savouring. Right now I'm living my life and, for the first time, in 2006, I'm completely, divinely and giddily in love with it. I love my life! If I got nothing else out of 2006, that effervescent joy would be enough. But, of course, I got other, equally wonderful things out of the past year and that just adds another layer.

On home for the holidays

Driving home Friday was a little difficult since it rained the entire state of New York and that particular state's size is nothing to sneeze at. It was a complete downpour the whole ride and only let up a little bit as we neared Williamsville. Even then there were semis to contend with and the spray from their wheels was even worse than the actual rain. But made it we did and in time for Friday night pizza with Dad, too! We capped off the evening with our annual watching of "White Christmas," me mocking the widescreen VHS the whole way in my efforts to attain the new, shiny DVD. (Mission accomplished, by the by.)

Saturday was superlative. I spent the morning alone at home taking care of some little, pleasant chores. I put out our nutcracker collection on the shelf by the stairs and then attempted to give Posie a bath. She was very adverse to this idea but I managed to shampoo her back before giving up entirely and letting her run around to dry off. After this, I settled down to read "King Solomon's Mines," since it is my J-term book goal. Possibly others, but mainly "Solomon." After reading for a little bit, Emily finally called me back. Earlier in the morning, I had rung up both Emily and Katie only to be put off by both (the former being in Kenmore and the latter being simply too busy). Thus, it was quite nice to hear back from Emily and we immediately decided upon taking my dad's new Prius out for a spin to Barnes and Noble (!) and the village.

So I spent most of my day inside of Barnes and Noble with Emily which, in my opinion, is one of the absolute best ways to spend a day. Emily is my best for-all-our-lives friend and I don't get to see her a lot so this was really nice. Add Barnes and Noble to the mix and I was a happy camper. After BN, we headed up to the village to hit Starbucks (to buy the aforementioned "White Christmas" DVD) and the little antique shop nearby. The shop is tiny, like I kept hitting my purse on wreaths tiny, but it was chock-a-block full of great old stuff. I ended up getting a spoon and some little ceramic dishes for my mother.

And now I would just like to take a moment to mention how completely rockin' the Prius is. It's like driving a spaceship. It's just so space-y and futuristic; I love it! Also, unlike my car, the gears switch without complaint and you don't have to be careful while you're speeding up after turning and such. It's incredible. You don't need a key! You just have this little stick and you approach the car, it unlocks and then you just press the "Power" button and off you go! Emily and I were in awe basically the entire afternoon.

We got back to my house and, happily, it was the last night of Hannukah. This, of course, means latkes! My mom's latkes are so good, Bubbie actually asked for the recipe. That blows my mind a little bit but, suffice to say, I was quite excited about the prospect of them when we got back. So, despite our lack of Hannukah candles, we all (Mom, Dad, Emily and I) exchanged gifts and had our festive Hannukah meal of brisket, latkes and apple sauce. After dinner, Emily and I did the lights on the Christmas tree and, once that was done, Mom joined in to put the ornaments up. I don't know if I've mentioned this, but Mom is very specific about the tree and what goes on and where it goes. Thus, both Dad and I have stepped off from actually putting ornaments on the tree and have been relegated to simply handing them to Mom. It was okay, excepting the excile of all my ornaments to a shoebox, but the tree looks gorgeous (of course).

Emily hung out for a little bit more and then I drove her home. Christmas Eve was less exciting but there was lots of present-wrapping and Katie found time in her schedule to stop by. I get the distinct feeling she likes her "college" friends more much of the time. It could just be a mood, of course. In any event, it was good and mildly awkward to talk to her. I wanted to hear all about Ireland (since she is newly returned) but it's hard for anyone to just go when asked about "Ireland" so generally. So I got some stories and I caught her up on "Grey's Anatomy."

Christmas Eve evening we had our traditional dinner at Gramma's, roast beef for Dad, Mom and Gramma, ham for me. Then we headed over to my cousin Beth's house since she was having pre-Mass desserts and such. I never want to go to these things and I feel pretty ridiculous about it. I don't dread family get-togethers because there will be some painful drama or two family members hate each other or anything, I dislike them simply because they are so boring and awkward. I guess I'm just not as happy to see my extended family as I should be. I love seeing and catching up with my parents and my grandmother, but beyond that I'm afraid I'm just not that interested no matter how nice my other relations are. But we went and I had some conversation with a distracted Aunt Janet and Kate and some actual conversation about whether or not Google is evil with Uncle Jim. I watched snippets of "Snow White" with Callie et al and then we were all ushered out to Mass.

We got there a mere ten minutes early so there was no room. Tons of people always turn out for Christmas Eve Mass so Dad and I were stuck in a foyer, thoroughly bored and unable to see a thing. So that was a painful hour and a half. We drove Gramma home, came home, waited the few minutes until midnight, proclaimed it Christmas and went to bed. It was an excellent two days.