Family Times

So immediately after leaving my job, I left for Massachusetts where I spent four days running around like a crazy person seeing family and friends. The first night included a spectacularly good time with 5 friends at Bugaboo Creek in Braintree where I managed to alienate a bar tender, make our waiter jealous, and caused a hysterical laughing fit by imitating how my mother sneezes (we love you, ma). Sunday afternoon was one of the best afternoons I've had in a long time. My Aunt Judy, being the great person she is, pulled the whole family together for a bbq in honor of my abandoning them for the west coast. We had a blast - I even played croquet, which was quite possibly the first sporting activity I've ever seen through from start to finish, not to mention the first one I've even attempted in 15 years. That same night I the last Massachusetts contingent of my mom's family. I spent some time with my cousins and had my first introduction to the Nintendo Wii - damn you, Chris! Monday was divided into two. First, some quality time with my friend Natalie, who I was fortunate enough to meet through my cousin some years ago. Cheesesteaks, Nantasket Beach, and The Force Unleased for Playstation made for a fantastic afternoon. Then it was off to Southie for some qt with Mary - I've known her and her family since second grade. We walked around her neighborhood, which is lovey, had a wonderful dinner, then joined her brother Tim in Quincy for some tunes at the Bar. There I saw another cousin, Mike, and we were able to catch up for a bit. Tuesday it was back to NYC. 

Wednesday began round two. My parents arrived from Florida for a fun-filled five days. We took a two-day trip to Pennsylvania to see our relatives who live out there. When I was a kid our entire family would caravan 7 hours from MA every year to spend fourth of July out there. 

I hadn't been out there in over 6 years, and let me tell you the memories all came flooding back. We went and saw my great grandmother's house, which I only have vague memories of from when I was very very young.  I would love to include pictures of it, but they are on my desktop, which is currently packed tightly away in an enormous box shown to the left. My parents proved to 

be quite a big help in getting this place packed up. We got all kinds of crap sealed up, which was fantastic.

All in all it was a really incredible week of family fun time. Now just one more week until the moving truck comes. Holy crap!