November

Since I haven't posted anything for a while, I'm calling this one "November" so that I can accurately describe for you the goings-on of the month since the illnesses.

Health Update: It seems that jumper boy and I are both well. We are no longer sick or chugging Airborne or going through a box of Kleenex a day. It took some time, but we have healed. I got hit much worse than he did. After recovering from the flu, I had another short series of colds worsened by the fact that I had the strong urge to go to the gym after being sedentary for so long.

Thanksgiving week: I had arrived in Everett on Tuesday evening and we ate an absolutely fantastic spicy pasta with vegetables. We watched movies, we slept in, we cooked dinners and ate homemade soups... it was lovely. Black Friday consisted of lunch and walking around a drizzly Boston before going to see the movie "men who stare at goats". We generally stayed away from the shopping crowds and relaxed instead. We did some homework and reading for work, but only minimally since we really both needed to take time to relax after being stressed out and sick.

Next up: Thanksgiving. Ok. Well, jumper boy has "family" in Pembroke, MA. "Family" is a loose term because really it's the family of his grandfather's sister... I think. Anyhow, they are connected so we drove out there for the party. Let me just say this: if there are any Riel's reading this, do not, in any way/shape/form, have any sympathy for this boy when he eventually meets the Riel's. I'll just stop there. I will say however that I was very warmly welcomed into the home (I'm not sure whose it was, many people said it was their house). Dinner was a bit of a whirlwind- not quite sure when it started or ended... but it was fast. After some time, a long long time considering the duration of dinner, we went to another house of someone else related who also lived in Pembroke. That's where we kicked off the crazy party which included karaoke. Yes, you heard me correctly. Karaoke. I did not participate in this event, but I did continue to drink the sweet sangria-like wine that they kept filling my glass with. I was exhausted after this day but I now know how outsiders can feel while at the Riel Bowl on New Year's Day. I felt a bit overwhelmed... but I survived and the next time I meet them, it will be easier.

The end.