I have done it. I have finished my first quarter at UC Davis! Now, with all of my newfound freedom, I remember those of you who still remember I have blog (Mom) and am updating it with all of the details of the holiday festivities which have commenced since before my birthday.
The Highlights: My parents and sister visited for my birthday and we stayed at an AWESOME bed and breakfast, I spent Thanksgiving with Blake's family, Blake took me to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's holiday concert, Blake, Emily and I went to the Dickens' Christmas Fair, I finished my first quarter at Davis, and I am hosting a Chaunukah party tomorrow night.
The Details:
My Birthday Weekend: I arrived at the Bed and Breakfast before my parents and checked us in. The steward (named Stewart I think- you can't make this stuff up!) brought coffee and chocolate chip cookies to my room to snack on while I finished my Greek homework. After my parents and sister arrived we talked for awhile, and then retired to our rooms where I spent no less than half an hour submerged in the largest whirlpool tub I have ever seen, much less had the pleasure of soaking in. On Saturday we had breakfast, lingered awhile, and then went into Davis. I hadn't yet set my alarm code, so I could not get my family in to the lab to show them my desk, but they were able to see my house and the campus. Mom kept the Davis economy going with Aggie gear purchases in the bookstore. Saturday afternoon was spent playing Scrabble and double solitare with Mom and Blake, and then Saturday night we went to Piatti's for an incredible meal. The chef shared his recipe for short ribs and I intend to make them! On Sunday we had breakfast and lazed around until it was time for my parents and sister to take off. Then Blake and I browsed in a couple of comic book stores in midtown.
Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving dinner was at Blake's house at 2:00. I made a cake with a Dalek and turkey on it (look up Daleks if you have no idea what I am talking about), and have only afterwards reflected that, had the Dalek exterminated the turkey, it (the turkey) would have vaporized and we would have had no turkey for Thanksgiving. After typing that sentence I realize why Greek has so many cases and word endings- that sentence would have been so much more clear if there were a way to make "the turkey" and "it" agree in gender number and case, or if there were a "ho de" to change the subject of the second clause...but I digress... Where was I? Oh! Thanksgiving. Blake's mom made an amazing squash dish (I still need to remember to get the recipe) and after we ate we went to the park and took some pictures. Yes, Mom, I will send you copies soon. You too, Squirt. You too, Ira. Amanda by extension. And Grandpa, if you are reading this I will make sure you get them too. Anyway, then we all walked back to Blake's and played Quiddler (like Scrabble and Phase 10 had a love child) (yes, Squirt, I just said "love child"- no, I am not turning into a hippie), Poker and Monopoly. I won Quiddler and Poker, but Blake won Monopoly. Clearly, Blake and I are more brilliant than his other family members, even if Jessie's potatoes did win the potato contest. Your potatoes were so much better, baby! Did I forget to mention that Blake and Jessie had a mashed potato cook-off? Technically Jessie won, but hers were the only leftover potatoes. She puts sour cream and scallions and ranch dressing and other unholy things in her mashed potatoes. :-/ It was a great Thanksgiving.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: On Saturday night of Thanksgiving weekend, Blake took me to see the Trans-Siberian orchestra at the Arco Arena. The light show was amazing (of course) and the music was wonderful. They had a reader whose voice was like James Earl Jones'- deep, rich and full. Blake leaned over and told me he would listen to that man read the newspaper. One woman sang a melody in a freakishly high voice, but she sounded incredible. It was a wonderful evening. The best part was having Blake hold my hand during the whole concert. We were dressed up and looking fabulous. Again, pictures were taken and, again, yes eager family members, I will send them to you.
Dickens' Fair: Last weekend, Blake, Emily and I went to the Dickens' Faire. Yes, my dress was lovely, and yes, I will send pictures- though Em has a shaky hand and several of the pictures of Blake and I were blurry. We walked about for a bit, and Emily took me into a harp store where the men let you play the harps. I sat down and began to pluck out "Deck the Halls" by ear. The harp master came over to chat with me and began the conversation by saying, "So, you've had a few harp lessons", and I said, "Um, no. I've never touched a harp before in my life!" He looked taken aback and proceeded to tell me that the way I was holding my hands when I plucked the strings is how harpists are supposed to hold them, and that he usually spends a month teaching his students to hold their hands that way, so when he saw me playing he assumed I'd had a few lessons. :-D I did eventually pluck out most of the melody of Deck the Halls. How cool is that?! after that Em spent awhile in Feziwig's Warehouse dancing and Blake and I sauntered around looking fabulous and commenting to one another on the costumes, identifying the various characters from Dickens' novels and the various scenes they were acting out. He got pictures with Charles Dickens and we snuck one of Scrooge at one point. I had a roast beef sandwich for lunch (would have had bangers and mash had there been room for it in my corset) and Blake had yorkshire pudding and roast beef. We were sitting across from a couple whom I decided would be Blake and I in 30 years (he said more like 50)- they were a riot to listen to. Then we browsed shops and at the end of the night I had a pocket of chesnuts and Blake and I watched the dancing at Feziwig's. He wasn't up for a turn about the floor but I danced a couple of times. They have several trained dancers there- male and female- who lead people in the dances. There were very few set dances and a lot of waltzing. The costumes were wonderful. I met one woman named Jane who had the most beautiful dress and hair there. A couple other women had hair to their thighs, thick the whole way down. Another awesome thing about Blake being Blake? I could share all of these observations and he would reciprocate since he actually has an appreciation for the Fair- he didn't just go to "make me happy". I think he actually told me about it last Summer. It was a lovely day!!
My First Quarter: Well, after a Greek final and three term papers this quarter has come to close. I know I have an "A" in my SLA class because the professor already sent back my paper with my course grade, and now it just remains to be seen how I do in my other classes. I have books to return to the library still, and I just got my textbook list for next quarter. I am just glad my time is my own again for a little while.
Chaunukah: Happy Chaunukah everyone! I will be making latkes and soup and knaidel tomorrow for colleagues, church friends, and friend friends- whoever wants to come and unwind after a very stressful quarter. On Sunday, Matt, Rachel, Blake and I will be going to Apple Hill- at least we will if Matt can still go after having part of his finger re-attached. Don't ask. I have no idea what happened.
Well, that is all for now. I will be leaving for LA a week from tomorrow to stay there thru New Years' Day.
Ciao!
