I went to my first Chanukah party last night. Lots of traditional Jewish food, spiced cider on the stove, and the lighting of the candles, Hebrew songs sung in the next room. It was a really nice night, quiet, and a little bit reverent. I wonder if I'll have moments like that at the Christmas parties I'm attending this weekend, as we drink our egg nog and toast the new year. I'm really excited about seeing my family next week - there's a party on Christmas night at my aunt's house and according to my mom, everyone will be there. It will be like family reunion to the tenth power.
Speaking of the mom, she started her job on Monday. Hooray for mom! She's a funny duck - decided to go back to school and become an accountant, managed to get through her undergrad and masters in five years with a 4.0. Tell me I don't come by my neuroses honestly. But she has a whole week off so we can make merry together as a family. Looking forward to seeing Opa and having him brush up my German. Even the little brother will be in attendance, murmuring from the back seat in monosyllables. Isn't family fun?
I turned in my grades today. After picking up last-minute assignments from my students and updating my database, I am free from the fetters of this semester. Husband says that this may have been the worst ever, in terms of the auditions and the workload of my courses and my jobs, but amazingly enough, we survived.
The computer lab here at school closes in twenty minutes, and then I will have to walk away and find something to do for the next four hours till choir practice starts. It seems like a holiday, but not. I have a role to learn, family to see, and many miles to drive in the process. I keep telling myself that a vacation will be in order soon, but it seems to me that I need a vacation from my vacation.
Miles to go before I sleep. Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and to all a good night.
