Cousins! And Tucker the dog
Yesterday I came home from a wonderfully exhausting trip back to the east coast. I initially decided to buy the plane tickets so I could see one of my dearest friends get married, but it also happened to be American Thanksgiving that same weekend! I managed to see a lot of my family and some of my closest friends while I was home, and feel like it was probably one of the most satisfying and productive trips I've had home.
After reflecting on this trip soon after I got home, I realized that I have a hard time recognizing my need to be sad. I like to distract, deny, "be strong," and make excuses to not be sad. When my sister and I hugged goodbye, we both got teary-eyed, and while she admitted it, I hurried off and turned on emotionless business mode for the next 12 hours. It wasn't until I became upset with Jon for not changing the (admittedly very smelly) cat litter that I realized that something was off. I felt like I wanted to cry without knowing why, but realized (after I thought of Kate, Rachel, and I laughing about stupid youtube videos and started crying) that I needed to be upset and I needed to cry about leaving home again. Just that small recognition, awareness, and leaky eyes made me feel a hell of a lot better, and I feel much more settled.
Delayed layover in Toronto. They stamped by boarding pass instead of my passport!
Beginning of Thanksgiving with our first (of many!) guest, Aunt Mary!
Getting our nails did before Tara's wedding!
Getting all done up!
<3 <3
This trip also resulted in finding out that Jon and I have quite a few visitors coming around our way in the next few months! Jon's sister and father will be joining us for Christmas, my mom and dad will be coming in March, my Uncle will be in Portland in May, and my Aunt may be following him in the summer! But most recently, my good friend Dana is hoping to come over soon after the new year because of Alaskan Airlines' current promotion: $200 round trip tickets from Philly to Seattle (scoop 'em up while you can, it ends Dec 9th)!
More awkward photo opps to be had soon!!
<3 <3 Ah, the O'Brien emotional oppression! It took my GPS wanting to send me over and over to W 4th St in Florence rather than our home address (even after putting in the zip it still did the same thing!) for me to cry like a baby. I boo hooed all the way home. Hahah Also, Rachel's dog is named Tucker, not Toby or whatever you named him. :p
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