Christmas Magic

Christmas found me.

I talked to my Mom on Christmas Eve. She said my previous blog broke her heart! She did like, however, my resolve to be happy. She told me that when you make the effort to try and be in good spirits, it usually happens! She was right.

Christmas Eve there were 4 of us in the crash pad. Val, Chris, Fran, and myself. We decided to have a Christmas Eve Feast!! I defrosted salmon fillets, Val made herbed roasted potatoes, Chris made crescent rolls and asparagus, and Fran brought wine and dessert. We lit candles, got lit ourselves on the wine, and had a wonderful, civilized dinner. Afterwards, Val took pictures of me ... um.... interacting with the air-filled phallus next door. Seriously..... that thing looks like a red rocket. It is supposed to be Sponge Bob jumping out of a Christmas present and wearing a Santa Hat. To me, because of the awkward angle, flesh-coloring, and red tip.... it looks like a penis. I call it the "Christmas Cock."

Is that lawn ornament happy to see me?

Anyway.....

I woke up early Christmas Day, letting Val (my FO for the trip) sleep while I took my shower, got pretty, made coffee, and ate breakfast to the Christmas Carols of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I even plugged in the Christmas tree........ briefly checking underneath to see if Santa had made a stop. What can I say, I will always believe. By the time Val woke up, I had switched the tv to "A Christmas Story." I felt the sting of tears, a pang of sadness, and longing for my family as Ralphie was opening his Red Ryder BB Gun, but I thought, "NO... I am not going to cry today. Today, I will be happy!"

Val and I had a lot of fun on our day trip. It was 4 legs. Cleveland - New York (LGA) - Manchester NH, New York, then back to Cleveland. It is routine for airports to broadcast their weather conditions and special notices on a frequency, then dedicate a special alphanumeric letter that you are supposed to tell Air Traffic Control when you check in, so that they know you have the most up-to-date information for that airport. Normally, these alphanumerics are Alpha, Bravo, Delta.... blah blah blah. Well, we decided to use Christmasy alphanumerics like "Grinch, Jingle, Noel, Santa, etc", in an effort to add a little fun and to make ATC laugh. It was kind of hit and miss with ATC, but it made us laugh!! During the welcome aboard announcement, I would introduce the flight attendant as "Mrs. Claus," or "Santa's little helper, sent to us straight from the North Pole." I was feeling especially bold by the go-home leg, and heard myself say, "She sees you when you're sleeping, she knows when you're awake. She has important safety information for you, so pay attention for goodness sake!"

In each case, I concluded with, "Merry Christmas to all.... and to all a good FLIGHT!" 

I even got applause on one occasion! I dare say..... we really had a lot of fun. Working with an awesome crew takes a great deal of sting out of being away on the holidays.

We borrowed this ornament from our Christmas Tree

Remember how I said in my previous entry, "All I want for Christmas is to be home"? Well, Val and I each experienced our own Christmas miracles. We each had to 2-leg it. Me through Washington DC Dulles, and her through Chicago O'Hare. Both of our flights were delayed, which was great news for us because it would have been next to impossible to make our commutes home. Both of our commutes were full, but due to some miracle, we each got seats in the back. Even though both of my flights were delayed (actually, my connecting flight in Dulles returned to the gate because of an anti-ice system problem, and I thought my world was ending), I dragged myself in the door to my house at 4:00am. I figured it was still Christmas in Hawaii (where I was born).


Long story short, I got what I wanted for Christmas!!!!! We both made it home.

Now it's New Year's Eve. Once again, I am in the Crash Pad. I have a day trip tomorrow. Although I wish I was at home (another first for me to be away on this holiday), I am not nearly as blue as I was a week ago. The snow is really coming down outside! I have my New Year's Hoppin' John (a kind of Cajun black-eyed peas and ham) on the stove, and a proscuitto-wrapped pork loin roasting in the oven - the one I was going to make for Christmas. The crash pad smells like Heaven. I have my wine next to me as I write this blog. Later, I plan on tuning in to New Year's Rockin' Eve, and although Dick Clark isn't with us anymore, I can't imagine New Year's without watching the ball drop. Roommates Meaghan and a really nice ExpressJet Captain whose name totally, inexcusably escapes me now (thank you California, for your wine) are my company tonight. I will force them to eat black-eyed peas and ham for the sake of their 2013, because the damn yankees have never heard of that tradition and I care about their futures! It's not the wild New Year's Eves from my youth, but it'll do.

So, here's to the end of 2012, and to whatever 2013 brings! Happy New Year's to all, and to all a speedy hangover recovery!!

Cheers.