bugsii

Yesterday the big snowstorm descended on Columbus.  We were supposed to get 8 or 9 inches, but downtown only ended up getting about 4.  I decided that this meant it was safe enough for me to drive to the rec, so I did.  But, I forgot about that cleaning off the car business, which was a workout in itself.  I couldn’t get the very top of the car, so I left the neighborhood with 4 inches of snow on my roof, in addition to really wet gloves.  I hate that.  The streets were pretty clear and there were lots of parking spaces at the rec, so that was nice.  And, on the way home I saw a snowman Brutus!  The face was carved perfectly and it even had flexing arms.  I was going to turn around and take a picture, but I’m trying to make my car a “no phone zone” like Oprah told me to.  My apologies.  Also on the way home, that 4 inches of snow that was on my roof loosened up enough that when I stopped at a red light, it all slid onto my windshield.  Awesome.  No worries though, the windshield wipers did the trick.

I did schoolwork all afternoon until it was time to go out to dinner for Ben’s birthday part two.  We went to Gameworks at Easton.  Gameworks has this deal where if you eat a 1.25 lb burger, then you get a free $10 game card.  You have to eat the WHOLE burger and the side.  Everyone tried the challenge (but me), and though there was some grimacing and deep breathing (well, except for Matt), everyone finished and received their prize.  Here we all are, ridonculous burgers in hand.

That's a lot of meat!

After that, we played some games… while trying to keep down those big burgers.

Look at that face!

This is a familar scene... from Tokyo to Columbus.

And, now we’re back at Ben’s house watching some UFC.  Happy Birthday, Ben!

Let the celebrating of Ben’s birthday begin!  Ben’s my little brother.  He’ll be 24 in a few days, which really only makes me think, “1986 was 24 years ago?”  Dang.  Anyway, last night Mom, Guido and the Rossetti’s came down to the ‘bus to kick off the celebrations.  Next weekend is the real party (you know, Gameworks, UFC, and the Superbowl, every female graduate student’s dream), but for now, we ate some pizza and chatted. Happy almost-Birthday, Ben!  But don’t think I’m getting you two gifts.

Ben and Rachael

Today, we drove down to Cincinnati to celebrate Jess’s birthday.  We brought her her favorite pizza, adriatico’s, all the way from Columbus and she got a Wii and Wii Fit!  We spent the rest of the night hanging out and catching up.  Good times!  There are a few more pictures on the piictures tab!

This morning I made myself get out bed by about 8.  I got ready and drove to the rec center to run.  It was nice and quiet there.  All of the undergrads like to sleep in on Saturday.  I vaguely remember those days.  After the run, I came home and started in on some school work.  I think I’m ready to teach on Monday (my first “lecture” on my own… though, I won’t actually lecture, we’ll be doing some inquiry work instead!) and I read for one class.  It took me about four hours to read three chapters.  I don’t know why I was so slow.  This was definitely not Foucault, but it took awhile.  Afterward, Ben and Rachael came over and we went to get some Northstar (why do I keep forgetting to take pictures for my blog?).  I hadn’t been there in a long time and it was really delicious!  Then, we came home and watched a movie and chilled out.  It was a good night.  More work tomorrow. 

The past few days have been kind of nice. We’ve left the house as little as possible and slept more than we should. Neither of us are 100% yet, but we are getting there. Last night, we did take a break from nothingness to go to Ben and Matt’s house for UFC and Matt’s birthday. We played some games with Matt’s family and chatted and hung out. It was nice. Today, Ben and Matt came over for dinner. I took down Christmas decorations. Dan tried to go buy his new TV unsuccessfully (I think it’s a sign). Now, I’m trying to face the fact that I have to go to work early tomorrow morning. This is gonna be a little rough.

I am the confirmation sponsor for my niece Katie.  When I signed up, I received a sheet saying that I should take her out and chat one-on-one.  This morning before I left Canton, I got the chance to do that.  We went to Perkins and got some breakfast and had a really nice talk.  I’m so proud of my niece and who she is becoming.  I think I’d like to spend time like that more often.

Afterward, Dan and I loaded up the very full car.  It had become messy and unwieldy in the last week and half and I was no longer interested in packing things neatly.  We just threw it all in and went home.  It felt so nice to unpack and clean up my own house.  Dan and I ordered some food and watched movies for the rest of the night.  Ah, home.

This morning Julie took me out for my Christmas present, an outing with my sister (that would be Julie)!  First, we went to watch a Central basketball game, then we went out to lunch for some Japanese food, and then we went shopping.  We both ended up with some jeans from Ann Taylor and some smelly stuff from Bed, Bath and Beyond.  Good sales, good times!  Thanks, Julie!

Julie making good use of her chopsticks.

This evening, Dan and I headed up to Medina to visit Todd and Marcy.  They made us spaghetti and meatballs and we had a great time touring the new house, talking, exchanging gifts, and Dan and Todd even got to play some rock band together (they were a good duo).  Getting to hang out with Marcy always makes me wish that we still lived ten minutes away from each other and had 6th period together every day.  Oh, how times change.  Thanks, Marcy!

All grown up!

This morning, Dan and I slowly got up and hung around my mom’s house until it was time for the family party at Grandma’s.  Dan and I got there at around 1pm and the dining room was totally packed.  All nine remaining kids were there and lots of grandkids and great grandkids.  I was able to catch up with a few of my cousins.  Angelika, who is about my age, has a nine-month-old named Nicolas.  I got to tote him around for awhile and smell his nice fuzzy baby head.  It was awesome.

After lunch was served my Uncle Kent had a special announcement.  My Uncle Kent is retired from the army and his son Karl is currently in the army.  Apparently, Uncle Kent had written to see if Grandpa Richards had been overlooked in receiving any medals from his time in WWII.  He had written to the army over three years ago and just this August, he received a letter back stating that, sure enough, my grandfather should have received the bronze star for bravery.  I’m not sure of the circumstances, but the bronze star is the fourth-highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces.  Uncle Kent presented it to my grandma and it had my grandpa’s name engraved on the back.  Karl had also put together a special frame with all of my grandpa’s medals and gave it to Grandma as well, explaining each one before handing it over.  There were quite a few tears shed as this is the first Christmas we celebrated without Grandpa at the head of the table.  “Grandpa would have been so pleased.  He would have been so pleased, he wouldn’t have been able to stand it,” Grandma said.

Karl presenting Grandma with Grandpa's medals.

For more pictures from the party, check out the piictures tab!

This morning, I got up early to do a five mile run.  The sun was just starting to come up and the neighborhood was silent, likely nestled in after an exciting day yesterday.  The air was nice and clear and cold and I enjoyed my post-Christmas run very much.  Afterward, Dan and I ate breakfast with Pete, Joyce, and Ray, packed up the car, and headed north.  We stopped in Columbus to drop off some gifts and pick up a few more before landing in Akron at my Mom’s house.  We were the first ones there, followed by Ben, Julie and company, and Mike and Kelly.  First we snacked and caught up, then we opened gifts and then we ate.  Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the day.  There are more under the piictures tab!

The Mokros family taking it all in!

Dan likes this one because he thinks I look ADD.

I made Ben an awesome book from our trip to Japan.

Mom loved this homemade ornament from Katie and Marky.

Katie with her Ikea finger puppets (for movie making).

Guido feeling excited and apprehensive about his new iPod.

Now we’re relaxing and watching some football with Guido.  Goodnight!

This morning, Dan and I woke up and exchanged our gifts to each other.  My most exciting gift is an updated Garmin running watch!  Dan’s is most likely his new server (tech geek that he is)!  Then, we got ready for the day and for Jess, Jeff and kids to arrive.  Here’s the scene before the living room was a war zone of paper and boxes.

Look at all the loot!

Diego amongst the gifts.

Dan and I ready to unwrap.

When everyone was there, we all tore into our gifts.

Grandma helping Katie and Cole.

And Ray and Pete took lots of pictures.

Smile!

And then we played.

Katie's new DS.

Uncle Ray helping Cole.

The adult kids playing a riveting game of Catan!

Now, the house has calmed down a bit and I am listening to Pete play his new Beatles’ Rockband.  My new favorite song is Come Together (any song that uses the words joo-joo eyeball and toe-jam football are definitely my style).  Oh, and check out the piictures tab for the officially sanctioned pictures from today (many more than I included here).  Merry Christmas!