#302

It is for sure cancer. I feel a lot calmer knowing but I think I am the only one. My mom is really off her game and it's weird. We find out what kind and course of treatment on Wednesday so for now, it's just more waiting.

I introduced the boyfriend (I cannot think of a nickname for him at all) to my dad's side of family this weekend. It was a lot easier than I expected. My grandma was cranky wanted to know why was he dating me because it sure wasn't for my high paying job but everyone else seemed really nice. AUNT and Cogene took the initiative and decided to invite him for Christmas and a camping trip in the fall. And then he accepted so I guess we're spending Christmas in Michigan.

#301

Getting a phone call from home at work is never good especially when it's your mom letting you know that your grandpa might have oral cancer. They find out for sure on friday. Normally when this stuff happens, my mom is totally cool and explains everything in her nurse like way. But this time it was different. She sounded worried and unsure and scared.
The cancer I can deal with, it's happened before with other grandparents. But she told me if he has it, it is going to require major facial surgery and that really gets me. Just the fact that my grandpa may not look the way he has always looked before seems totally bizarre.

I'm just really sick of cancer. It's been popping up a lot lately and I could use a break from it.

#243

My mother called tonight. She was watching Wedding Daze and she thought one of the wedding dresses would be perfect for me...

And then she informed me that she has a huge pile of my old baby clothes waiting for me. You know, for my daughter, the daughter I don't even have. That isn't even a twinkle in my eye because omg! so much work and I'm too young, tooooooooo young.

She's scaring me.

#242

I skipped #238. My bad.

ETA: I did write #238! I just never pushed publish. So whoops! my bad again.

I talked to my cousin yesterday and it turns out she has been diagnosed with Celiac Disease. So on top of not being able to eat red meat or pork due to other medical conditions, she can no longer eat bread, pasta, or any dairy. I think that leaves her with fruits, veggies and rice. And that just totally sucks.

#236

My mom called to tell me that my cousin is engaged and is getting married February 20th. So I'll be in MI that weekend. Now I just need an outfit. I always end up over dressed at weddings in the Thumb. The people who show up in jeans just boggle my mind. So I'll have to find something fun and dressy casual. Maybe something from modcloth?

This is the first family wedding where I can legally drink! Woo. At the last one, I was a few months shy of 21 and it caused some issues. As did my v-necked dress. I didn't really get it.

I think I will be home in mid-October. I'm hoping it will be for at least week and I am going to try to get to Grand Rapids, Lansing and Ann Arbor. So over the next few months, I will be spending a fair amount of time in the mitten. I'm just not looking forward to all that time on the Ohio turnpike, ick!

#235

I think my grandpa has a spy or mole in the 'burgh.

Or at the very least he has me bugged. Its all very weird especially since I haven't seen him since April and we were never that close.

But somehow he knows details of my life out here that I haven't shared with anyone. It totally defeats the purpose of moving 6 hours away if I can't hide anything.

#223

Moving closer to home had been really appealing lately. Then within the last 24 hours, the random family drama I had to deal with made me rethink. Granted, it has just been people (my mom and some cousins) calling to complain about their family which can happen wherever I live. But that also means I have the ability to turn off the phone and embrace the silence. Some times families can just suck.

#212

I'm in the middle of working 8 days straight without a day off. It sorta sucks but oh well, what can you do? 

Today, a customer asked my name and then asked if it ended in an A or an I. After all that, he kissed my hand and walked away. 

My new cousin arrived this morning. I think she's pretty cute!

Did you guys know the Tour de France goes through Perpignan this year? That leg is dedicated to Dali and according to the Tour de France website "If [Dali's] influence inspires the pack in the Corbières or along the seaside, anything will be possible." Hahaha, how utterly French!

#211

Oh man, what is with this week? Could it be over any faster?

This pang of homesickness is the biggest one I've felt since moving here. I don't know what it is. But all I can think about it being home right now, my bedroom, hanging out with my brothers, playing with my dog. Its all I want yet so far away. It sucks.

#210

Update:

• My family came to visit. It was really nice to hang out with them. Though, I wished they hadn't brought my grandparents. They are getting mean and called me fat about 3 times.
• I saw No Doubt in concert. It was amazing.
• Its official! I'm going to visit Pomme in July! I am so so so excited!
• I am one Italian Ice purchase away from a free one. I am also really excited about that.
• I now own a George Foreman grill. I finally made it to the 90's.
• I think I want to own my own used bookstore with a small cafe.
• I discovered PNC Park sells Oberon. I may have to go to more baseball games.
• I think I could live in a large city for the rest of my life as long as I have a cabin to escape to in the country.

#194

So last night, I was bored. Really bored. Sure there were things I could have been doing but I had absolutely no energy to do them. Instead, I sat on the couch and watched TV. Eventually, I worked up enough motivation to get up and get a slice of pizza. 

And just when I got back to the couch, this commercial started playing and basically its whole message was I was just eating because I was bored and how would I ever lose weight if I was bored all the time and therefore just shoveling food into my mouth. BLAH BLAH BLAH Damn TV commercial. It was totally uncalled for and whatever. I turned off the TV and went to bed at 10:30 because seriously? nothing else to do. 

My phone, the new one I got in October, broke. The microphone where I talk into just stopped working. At first, I thought it was just the people I was talking to. And then I thought maybe I had just stopped speaking English like this episode of House I just saw. But logic caught up with me and I realized the phone wasn't working. Well I could still text and really what else do I need the phone for? However, after calling home to wish my mom a Happy Mother's Day and my father flipping out because HE COULD NOT HEAR ME AND OMG ARE YOU HURT? ARE YOU IN TROUBLE? WHERE ARE YOU???????? I took the phone to Verizon where they confirmed that 'Yup, its not working. Here is a new one. Have a nice day.' So that was nice especially since my old one was a bit beat up as I have dropped it numerous times and thrown it in the washing machine.

Ummm....so like for the last 3 weeks, I wake up with a sore throat. I thought maybe I was getting a cold but all the other symptoms went away. Now its just a sore throat every morning. I blame Toi.

#184

I have finally made it to Grand Rapids after an unexpected night in Cleveland. The hotel was really nice but I forgot to take pictures like I told Toi I would. It all worked out and I made it here. The whole thing made my parents decide that I really really need a car out here in Pittsburgh so we shall see.

I am currently hanging at Frances' apartment until she come back from class. And then, I'm not sure what exactly we will do but it should be awesome. Later tonight, I will be dining with MMM. After, I will be heading to Saginaw for a couple of days of family fun including a bowl-a-thon, a baby shower and a belated Easter celebration. Woo!!

#183

I worked yesterday. Then I came home and Buddy had made dinner. It was delightful. We had roasted chicken, rice pilaf and roasted asparagus. For dessert, she made bread pudding. I had never had bread pudding before but it was delicious. She used the pioneer woman's recipe. In fact, I think almost all the recipes from yesterday's dinner were from that website. It was so nice to come home and have dinner waiting for me. 

We hardly ever eat dinner together. We all have such different schedules. I miss it. I really do. Plus, it sucks cooking for just one person and having all those leftovers. And as my grandma told me on the phone this weekend, "When you eat all the time, you really pack on those pounds and thats just not good. Can't wait to see you next weekend!" Oh yes, going home to see my family should be a rocking good time.

One of the many, many things I want for my birthday was a Punchline concert on my birthday. I mean Buddy got one and she isn't even that big of a fan. It was looking pretty slim that I would get one. And then! BART alerted me to their announcement on twitter. It turns out they are doing a show on the 25th which yes is one day after my birthday but! they will be recording the concert for their new DVD and its supposed to include all their greatest hits! So hopefully, they will play The Getaway and it will be awesome. 

#179

I was informed today that I already have plans for NYE '10. My cousin and his fiancee are getting married that day. So I have almost 2 years to find a date. I think I can do it.

#174

This has been a weird week and I'm glad its over. I haven't been homesick but Pittsburgh hasn't exactly been a ton of fun. So I really think I just want to get away from here and go on a vacation or something. Just not have to be me for a little bit. It would be nice.

My mom's mom has been in and out of the hospital all week. Its something to do with her blood pressure and now she is going to see a cardiologist. Its frustrating not being home, not being able to do anything, not understanding any of the medical terms. I'm not very patient when it comes to these things. I just want them to find out what is wrong and fix it. I don't think it seems that difficult. I think the worst part is hearing my mom's voice on the phone. She sounds uncertain and scared. I haven't heard that in her voice before. 

#170

Its foggy here today.

The dictionary defines adorable as "inspiring great affection; delightful; charming." I get called adorable a lot here. I guess its a good thing?

Rita's is a Italian ice and custard shop that has officially opened for the summer. I've been 3 times since they opened on friday. I even have a cool card that once I buy 10 things, I can get one for free. This is dangerous. I think I will be eating a lot of their gelatis this summer.

My mom just called and my cousin had her baby this morning. Its a girl. Yay! Only one more cousin is pregnant at the moment and then this baby fever will be over. Even more YAY! Babies are cute and all but I think 4 in one year is a little bit much. 

#135

Our guests rolled out of town this morning. Buddy's mood did not improve. Perhaps a visit from her other roomies would be the best approach? BART and I have a plan for this. I think its fool poof and there is no way it wont work. 

I was lazy and slept in til about 10 before a huge boom woke me up. I love with that happens but its ok I took a nap this afternoon. Tomorrow, 3 of us need to be up and out the door by 6 am. We have one bathroom. I think it should be pretty interesting. 

I've come to the realization that my life is very slowly turning into a sitcom. My mom just called because one of my cousin's has a rather depressing facebook status up at the moment. My other cousin is extremely worried about it which led to a bunch of my aunts calling each other. Now they are trying to get ahold of my grandpa for some reason. My mom doesn't get why I am just not that concerned about it. I don't know. I figure its a facebook status. Maybe I should be concerned?

I need to practice saying No to people and not feeling bad about it. I mean if I don't have the same feelings. It makes the most sense to say hey, I think we are just better being friends. I just sorta feel like a bitch. Or maybe I just don't want him thinking I'm a bitch. I don't really like it when other people don't like me. As I am typing this, I realize that its not that big of a deal. I just need to do it. And we'll all move on.

#123

I messed up on the numbers but its only my second time. I think its okay. Life has been crazy lately but I don't feel like writing about it right now so here are some pictures!

"A very Moi Christmas" by Moi
Photo Essay

These are some of my cousins except that one boy closest to the camera. His name is either Tim or Bob and he is dating my cousin. He is only 15 and cannot drive when they go on dates. Really? I think if you cannot drive its too soon to be bringing a significant other to large family functions. Unless as Toi and BART pointed out, he may not have a family to celebrate and in that case, I think its ok that he is allowed to come but if he could just lay off the rubbing of her leg. dear god.

This is the giant group I was forced to stand in front of and talk about my life. I did not like it. If this happens next year, I am done with family christmas. I will celebrate Christmas Eve with Chinese food and repeat viewings of Love Actually.

This is my father after it was announced that we had to stand up and pretend we were at a really bad AA meeting. He was super happy that he did not have to participate. 

Cogene and Monkey! Monkey was rather crabby the entire night but it was fabulous meeting him. I like this picture. I think she's really happy being a mom.

Here are Thing 1 and Thing 2. I don't quite remember what was happening here. Things are a bit blurry for me at this point. But while we waited for dinner and for Cogene to show up, we had an impromptu photo shoot. I'm not sure whose pose scares me more Thing 1 or Thing 2? But I do know I blame Miley Cyrus. Its always her fault.

Thing 1

Thing 2

#125

I don't even know where to begin. My first Christmas was ok except for the part where they made all the grandchildren stand up and say their name, grade, school and what not. So I ended up standing up in front of 40 people and telling them that I wasn't going back to grad school and blah, blah, blah. It was horrifying and scary and I had to answer a million questions about my future plans. I hated it. And my 16! year old cousin brought her boyfriend back to Christmas to celebrate with us. I've never once brought anyone and she's brought her boyfriend twice to a family gathering. This is weird to me.

And then we moved on to the other side's Christmas. I had a feeling that this might be a bit tense but I honestly had no idea it was going to be like this. Cogene and her family showed up a bit late and brought with them 4 extra courses to my grandma's carefully planned dinner. They insist that my grandma knew this; My grandma insists that she knew no such thing. Pasta spoons were tossed, words were exchanged and I ended up eating angel hair pasta in an upstairs bedroom to avoid the tension. I wasn't even sad that I missed out on all the family traditions.

So far this Christmas has really made me realize that I'm grown up, that my little cousins are at least 13 and time will not stand still anymore. I thought it would make me sad but it doesn't. I'm ready for the future and even I dare say a bit excited for it.

OH, and I met Monkey for the first time. Honestly, I didn't think he was that cute but holding him tonight as he had the hick-ups, he was sooooooo adorable and I was introduced as Aunt Moi and it made me tear up. Sure I had been drinking since 1 and I was a bit tipsy, pleasantly buzzed, a little too far gone, but it thrilled me and made me want to have a baby because OMG that baby smell is just sooo wonderful. Also, this Christmas Mass was the shortest I have ever been to or it just seemed that way. I remember very little besides the Priest's homily which I'm pretty sure was about how cute babies are and Toi finding me through the crowd and me CRACKING up because LOOK! its Toi!!!!

Hi Toi!

#124

I had completely forgotten what winters are like in Michigan. On one hand, the snow is so pretty and there is this sense of peace that comes with it. On the other, its cold and miserable to drive and the wind. If I could somehow figure out to get the snow with out the bitter cold, I'd be happy.

With the all the upcoming storms, my mom has started to prep us for the fact that we might not make it out to the farm for Christmas Eve. It would be only the second time that we wont spend the 24th out there since I can remember. I'm perfectly okay with bumming around the house all day before we have to spend the evening with my dad's side. So that being said, the storms wont come and we'll all have to venture out to the farm where we are trapped with our family for hours without cell phone reception. Although, I have heard that our phones worked the last time they all went out. I know I bought an outfit to wear and I should be excited to see people I haven't seen since June or meet the new family members but I'm not. It just seems like so much work and drama and just not fitting in with the people out there.

Woie cleaned out his closet this weekend and I acquired piles of sweatshirts and sweatpants. They are huge on me but they are so so so COMFY. I am so warm and cozy and I think I may never wear real clothes again. Don't judge me.