Hardcore Apples to Apples

When you get down to it, I am a lazy brat.  I can admit it.  But for someone who puts in so little sometimes, wow, I certainly have been getting a lot back lately.  I can’t believe how generous people have been with their time.  I have been trying to get together with with everyone who makes it difficult for me to leave for China.  Even though I barely get to see some of these people each year, they are doing their best to make sure that we get to meet up before Denis and I leave.   It is warming my heart (ewww).

Against ALL odds, a group of Whippany Park teachers were actually able to meet in one place at one time.  I never thought we would pull this off, but there we were, all enjoying a delicious lunch at Margherita’s on Thursday.

I am seriously going to miss my co-workers.  I only wish that we started hanging out regularly earlier.  What will lunch be like without you guys?  Probably pretty boring (and not controversial in the least : )

Denis and I were finally able to catch up with Laura and Eamonn that same evening–who knew it could be so hard to find time to meet up when you live down the street from each other (oops, I think that laziness comes into play there–sorry about that : )  At least we have two more definite meetings before we go.

I can’t wait to see everyone else in the 21 days we have left.

Although I have known all along that I will miss my family, our get together tonight made me realize just how much it will be.  My sister drove home from DC for an unexpected visit, and she asked if Denis and I wanted to meet up with her and my parents for dinner.  I suggested that we include my mom’s twin brother’s family in this, too.  After a dinner filled with great (meaning silly) conversation, we went over to their house for “just a little bit.”  Three hours later and I am second guessing my trip–not in any real sense, but just in recognizing how lucky I am to have gotten stuck with the monkeys that I call family.  I can’t imagine not being able to see them on Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and all those other “just because” meetings in between.  I couldn’t have asked for a better bunch of people to be stuck hanging out with for my whole life : )

Playing Apples to Apples with my mom, dad, sister, Aunt Faith, Uncle Bill, Kim, and Denis was truly hysterical.  (Some of our partners in crime were missing though . . . Just wait till the going away party : )

My mom went nuts . . . this is what most of her cards ended up looking like.

My mom wasn’t the only freak, though, we all had our moments.

They look like some sort of non-gangster gangsters (okay, not really, but in my head, it works)

Neither these pictures nor my words do this evening justice . . . When times are tough in Shanghai, these will be the memories that I look to in order to keep a smile on my face.  I love you guys!

(hope your sweater is okay, Kim : )