so this is Christmas, what have you done?

…me? I’ve been relaxing at home and getting fat. Our family celebrated the holiday as we do every year. We have our big dinner during Christmas Eve, which is more or less my responsibility. Although I used to be semi-decent at cooking, after moving to the city my kitchen repertoire consisted of well-organized delivery menus and recipes that involve either a microwave or toaster oven. So then my repressed inner chef breaks out every year during the holidays, when I temporarily take over my parents’ full-sized suburban kitchen and cook up a storm.

This year was no different – in fact, after being out of the country for so long, I spent half a day walking up and down the aisles of Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, ogling at the perfectly shaped produce from every season, and at the endless varieties of every kind of food. After I thoroughly amused myself by looking at all 200 types of of snack bars that has surfaced since I last stepped foot inside an American supermarket, I managed to drag myself back home and put together a pleasantly delicious, mostly organic Christmas Eve Dinner menu:

• L’Antipasto
  • Tossed Mesclun Salad with Chili Italian Dressing
  • Baked Whole Wheat Rolls
• Il Primo
  • Green Apple and Blue/Cran-berry Stuffing
• Il Secondo
  • Herb-Encrusted Prime Rib Roast
  • Apple and Pecan stuffed Chicken Breast
• Il Contorno
  • Chili-Sauteed Broccoli
  • Oven-Roasted Baby Potatoes with Garlic and Herbs
  • Seafood Casserole
• Il Dolce
  • Almond Parfait with Peaches and Mixed Berries
  • Jamaican Rum with Berry Compote (after-dinner drink)

And on Christmas day, we followed our yearly family tradition by going out to watch a movie – Juno, which by the way, is an excellent film that had me laughing and tearing simultaneously without feeling odd since everyone in the theater was doing the exact same thing.

and now, another Christmas is about to be over. Soon it will be New Year’s Eve, during which I’m assuming I will spend several hours at some cafe, writing about this past year and thoughts for the next year, as I do every year. And pretty soon, even that will be over. Ever since I’ve come back home, time seems to be moving at an incredibly fast speed. It has been a good year. And if I can help it, next year will be a great one.

suburban mornings

I’m at home in the Maryland suburbs, visiting family for the holidays. Except I’m not – I’m actually sitting at a Starbucks, with my tall Americano and a “maple oat nut” scone, reading a sprinkling of news articles from the WSJ, Economist, and NYTimes.

Since I’ve come back, I’ve woken up every morning, gotten in the car, and driven 10 minutes down the road to this single Starbucks within pretty much a 15-20 mile radius to have a cup of coffee and read the morning news.

This drives my parents insane – but there’s coffee and internet connection at home! But it’s not that. And it’s not specifically Starbucks either, not really. Old habits die hard. I love/have to start my mornings at a cafe, and in New York, this would be nothing out of the ordinary. I guess it’s the smell of roasted beans, and the routine bustling amongst familiar strangers in the morning. On a good day, I’d hop out of bed and out for a short morning jog, then drop by the cafe next door for a morning fix. Or on a sluggish day, I’d roll out of bed, and drag myself down to the cafe – the best part of waking up. Everyone does this!

But as I sit here and watch the empty tree-lined streets, it is slowly occurring to me just how odd this habit would be if I actually lived here – to make an entire trip out of a simple morning routine (which makes me realize that the baristas here must wonder why I’m here so often!) Morning activity happens within the privacy of one’s own home, nothing is left out to the public until all is washed, polished, and ready to be presented. So suburban.

Man, I miss New York.

Tea Party!

(One of the things I’ve done since coming back, besides attempting to overcome jet-lag and contracting a cold virus, is catching up on half a year’s worth of news. And of all the newsworthy events, Ron Paul’s campaign is at the top of my list. I’m captivated not only by the man’s beliefs, but by the amount of energy the American people have generated in showing their support.)

Today is the Ron Paul Tea Party, a campaign fundraising event that has been creating completely by the general public, with a goal to drastically increase Paul’s donations through the internet. it’s currently 7pm EST, which means there is 5 hours left before midnight. I have my fingers crossed – Ron Paul is going to cross 4 million in one day… again!

I have previously not been too active in politics, but after listening to his positions, I feel almost as if I had an obligation as a patriotic American to do my part to push for his candidacy. This man may just be what our country desperately needs right now.

Go Ron Paul!

-edit- nevermind, he’s crossed $6 million – this now officially surpasses John Kerry’s record of $5.7 million one-day fundraiser in 2004. What a Revolution. May the energy continue!

where the heart is

I’m back! After being abroad for almost 7 months, it feels surreal to be back in my old room, and comforting to walk around the streets and realize that after circling around for so long, I’ve returned to familiar sights and sounds and smells. And yet, it’s no longer summer, and autumn has come and gone away. I’ve come home to holiday lights. To red Starbucks cups. To busy streets with busy strangers wrapped tightly in scarves and wool coats. Yes, things have changed, but they are still the same.

The mystery and intrigue of the outside world will continue to tempt my vagabond tendencies. But as my plane swooped above green fields and city buildings against the blue sky, and as I hold on to my navy blue passport and the packet of airplane peanuts I’ve long since given up on trying to open, the only sounds I heard were the words from Michael Buble’s “Home” on my iPod, the only thing on my mind was how happy I am to be home.

Another aeroplane
Another sunny place
I’m lucky I know
But I want to go home

I’ve had my run
Baby, I’m done
I’ve got to go home

It will all be alright
I’ll be home tonight
I’m coming back home