Blake and I decided to spend some serious dollaz (RIP money) and go home for the holidays. Maybe it was the months of cafeteria food, maybe it was because we missed maple syrup, maybe it was because I missed my NS people more than I even missed maple syrup, but we decided to book the flights. I was pumped to be home for the holidays.
Then, in an unexpected turn of events, my beautiful, wise, truly amazing grandmother passed away right before I was set to come back.
She was 96, the mother of 15 children, the grandmother of ~45 grandchildren, the great-grandmother of another ~50 great-grandchildren, and the great-great-grandmother of two great-great-grandchildren. If that isn't impressive, I don't know what is. But she was a lot more than just a caretaker. She managed to keep hip and with it, progressive and forward-thinking, until the very end of her life. She was an avid reader. She was the most generous woman I ever met. She supported me in more ways than I can count. It was a big loss for all of us.
After two days of no sleep (the 13 hour time difference is rough when you need to get things done at home) and HOURS on hold with airlines, I managed to fly back in the nick of time for the memorial, a mere four days earlier than my original plan. I was jet lagged and exhausted but decided to make a family tree as a contribution to the event. The sheer number of names is AMAZING to me, and apparently this has been a useful tool to non-Grants, since our family can be HELLA confusing.
Rory was amazingly helpful especially in light of me being a braindead zombie at that point. The final product:
I was so thankful that I able to be there for it all. It was basically a huge family reunion and I was so happy to see everyone and get the hugs I needed.
After a couple days of family things, I finally settled into vacation-mode and my heart lightened. The rest of break was a ball! It was MEGA indulgent (my favourite way to be) and I mostly did the following:
- I ate ALL the things (burgers, chocolate, coffee, and ZILLIONS of other amazing holiday treats)
- I cuddled ALL the people (seriously most of my pictures are me cuddling people)
- I sang/played in SUPER FUN covers:
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
What Are You Doing NYE
aaaaand a super fun BACKSTREET BOYS throwback
- I left society and lived in a cabin for four days (we could all use a little RnR, amirite?)
- I did my annual new years day polar dip
- I caught up with ALL the wonderful people
- For the first time in five months, I blended right in
It was cozy, it was delicious, it was festive, and I love everyone. I love Halifax. I just love it all.
But alas, nothing lasts forever, and Korea was calling! I have kids to care for! I made it back in one piece, and I am resisting daytime jet lag naps like a CHAMP. I'm glad to be back at it and look forward to the next 5 months here. Fingers crossed for more adventures!
Here are some shots from break:
I was stoked to be flying for 22 hours with spacious seating and gourmet meals.
Mom's Christmas deco was on point.
A snuggly Christmas eve with the Coburg dream team!
MEWWY KWISTMAS!
I gave Denique the best gift: a sushi-cat keychain. SO RANDOM, SO KOREAN. Meow!
Then we left civilization and came to this little cabin.
The Great Canadian Christmas chocolate windfall!!!!!!
When we got back to the city Old Man Winter was like, HOLLA.
Then on new year's day, Chengcheng and I did our annual polar dip. May the record show that Cheng is the best human.
Post dunk action shot.
RETREAT!
I wasn't kidding about the "polar" part
We lived to tell the tale. We dodged heart attacks and mortal error ice slips with style.
Seriously though.
NYE with the best company!
We rang it in with (very classy) shots of Korean soju.
Stopping in BC on the way to Korea- not a bad view!
Some rockies on the way out. Au revoir Canada, annyeonghaseyo Korea!!
No comments:
Post a Comment