Post-Thanksgiving Report

Hello Loyal Fan Base!

Sorry for the long absence, but there wasn't anything exciting to write about between my birthday and Thanksgiving, so I decided I'd just wait until the Turkey Day festivities were over to write.

For the few weeks leading to Thanksgiving, I had been stocking up on all the staples of a good turkey dinner.  This would by my first Thanksgiving to host and cook, so I wanted to make sure that everything was perfect.  I also wanted everything to be spot on for my family.  My mom, dad and brother were all driving up to New Jersey from Kansas to visit for the Thanksgiving weekend and I was VERY excited to see them.  After all, it had been three months since I'd last seen them and that's the longest I've ever gone without my family.

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving, I rigorously cleaned the apartment from top to bottom so that it would pass my mother's white glove test (love you, Moogi!) and then waited.  At 3:30, I stood outside my apartment waiting eagerly.  Finally, I saw the familiar seafoam green Yaris pull around the corner.  I don't think I stopped jumping up and down until I was across the street and in the loving arms of my mom, dad and brother.  It was the best feeling in the world!  I helped them upstairs with the bags and gave Mom and John the official tour and showed Dad what had changed since he had left.  We sat chatting for a while and then went to the Gaslight Brewery for dinner.

On Thanksgiving morning, we ate cinnamon rolls and watched the parade and made fun of Al Roker, as is Keckeisen tradition.  Mom and Dad helped me get the turkey into the oven and then we all took a walk around the SHU campus.  It was raining, but that never stops a pre-Thanksgiving dinner walk.  I showed the family where I work and where I have my classes.  Once back at home, we finished cooking the rest of the dinner and set the lovely table.  The dinner was a huge success and the turkey was cooked perfectly (which was a great, considering it took up the entirety of the oven).  After dinner, we had pie that Mom and Dad had brought from Topeka and watched 'It's A Wonderful Life'.  As is tradition, we had to listen to Dad bitch and moan about George Bailey's anger issues and how he should still go to prison at the end of the movie.  He does this every year, so we've learned to just tune him out and/or laugh at him.  (Love you Daddy!)

The next day, we were up bright and early to get on the train to NYC.  At Mom and John's insistence, we went into Macy's just to say we had gone in the day after Thanksgiving.  It was a HUGE mistake.  People were everywhere and there was even a line to go up the escalator.  We left as quickly as the crowd would allow us.  We made our way up to Times Square, which was eerily devoid of people, and decided to eat lunch at Sardi's.  It was delicious, as always.  Then it was time for our first show, 'Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson'.  It was great, especially for the four history buffs sitting in the balcony who found all the vague history references hilarious.  After that, we had some time to kill before our next show, so we went to our deli that is right next to the Edison Hotel and had some snacks.  Then we went to see 'Next to Normal'.  I was really glad that I got to see the show a second time with the family, especially John, since we both love that show.  Afterwards, John managed to get the entire cast to sign his Playbill, which made his night.  Then we all limped back to the station and caught the late train out.

Saturday was our last day together, so Mom and Dad took us out to buy some little necessities that I needed.  We then had lunch at Five Guys Burgers and Fries and went home.  They all got packed up and ready to go.  I hugged everyone twice and we all assured ourselves that three weeks was nothing and I'd be home soon.  Then they drove home.  

After that, life has been pretty dull.  The semester is quickly winding down and I can't believe I've survived my first semester 1) of grad school and 2) away from home.  I'm still counting down the days til I go home for the holidays, but there is plenty to keep me busy and occupied til then. 

Hopefully, I'll have something exciting to write about before I go home.  I'll keep you posted, as always!

Until next time, readers,

XOXO,
K