Home for Christmas

Of course we went home for Christmas!  How could we not? 


This was the best trip home.  Everything worked out beautifully.  No delays in Queenstown, no missing ugly Christmas sweater party, no arguing about where to go and what to do.  Christmas this year was bliss.


It is just Ron's and my luck that we tend to fly the day after big events or holidays.  We flew from LA to Sydney on July 5th 2008 (after spending the entire day/night in PB celebrating 4th of July).  We flew out from Sydney this year on Christmas Eve, which wouldn't have been too bad, except for the fact that our company Christmas party was the night before!  Thankfully our flight was at a reasonable 11.50am and we didn't have to leave the house until just before 9am.  But I will say that it was a bit difficult getting up after a night of flowing free champagne.  The real kicker was flying from LA to Tokyo on New Years day.  Yes, that is right, after spending NYE in downtown SD at the Hard Rock Hotel.  Did I mention that our flight was at 10am in LA?  Up at 6am, shower, coffee and out the door by 6.30am.  That was painful.


But back to Christmas in California.  We arrived at 6am on Christmas Eve to LAX.  Being very fortunately, we have loving parents that got up at 5am to pick us up (thank you Mom and Dad Kahler).  I stepped out of the airport and into the freezing cold.  Although it was Southern California, it was 6.30am and the temp in the car said it was 40F (it did warm up to high 50'sF - low 60'sF throughout the day).  Please keep in mind that we were coming from summer in Sydney, the morning we left was around 75F at 9am.  The drive down to San Diego was easy, no traffic and we made it in good time.  We didn't even make it home before we took a detour and made our way to a Mexican taco stand for breakfast burritos.  $3.20 for a burrito! Beat that Mad Mex, I dare you.


The rest of the day was spent hanging out with the Kahler family.  We did a quick stop at the mall, where Ron and I single handedly tried to reivive the US economy.  Ron went a bit crazy in the Macy's Men's department, puchasing numerous work shirts and ties.  Granted, I was there saying for $19.95 buy 5 of them!  We also bought American Eagle jeans, Ron's at $29.95 and mine at $19.95.  I didn't need another pair of jeans, but at $19.95 how can you not?  I normally do not shop at Gap (I prefer Banana Republic) but I peeked my head in and saw nice work pants on the clearance rack.  I walked out with 2 pairs (1 black and 1 tan/brown design) for $35 after tax.  Personally, I wanted to shop more but I noticed that the rest of my party was a bit tired (or bored) so we decided to call it a day.


The next morning was spent opening presents and eating home made waffles.  I received everything I asked for on my wish list.  I must have been a very good girl last year.  To be honest, I really didn't ask for much but I was very surprised to get it all.  Nail polish, Carrie Underwood's new cd, Sephora gift card (thanks Rob and Nicole), yoga ball, pajama bottoms and the list goes on. 


We drove up to Orange County to spend Christmas with my family.  It kicked off with a bbq lunch and fresh crabs (my daddy got up early to buy them just for me).  Afterwards, the Lakers game was on which diverted some of Ron's attention away.  We then took a stroll around the backyard, admiring my parents garden.  Fruits and vegetables everywhere.  I was pretty jealous considering I can barely keep my herb plants alive. 


Then it was time for Christmas dinner, which my sister, Great Aunt Anna and a couple family friends joined.  By this time, I had caught the flu and was seriously miserable on the couch.  With a Christmas fest in front of me (including the mashed potatoes that Ron made) I was only able to eat a few pieces of melon for dinner.  Afterwards, we played the white elephant game which was hilarious.  Ron pulled the gift from my great aunt (which she was hoping would go to me).  It was one of those Japanese cats that waves it's arm, with little cats at the bottom.  It is a good fortune statue for fertility!  Christmas gifts were next, I recieved a wallet and suitcase.  Ron was given a messenger bag (which I've already stollen and used while in Japan!).


As I was not feeling well, I called it an early night.  Also, I had to get my rest before I braved the after Christmas crowd at the mall.  Again, I tried to revive the US economy 1 store at a time.