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Published: June 22nd 2008
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Gakkou no toki
Recent picture of myself in a cosplay of Psycho le Cemu's "Roman Hikou" music video Tomorrow will be an extremely difficult day. As much as I love revisiting the town I grew up in, it always causes me to become a bit nostalgic over my Grandmother and Grandfather that are since deceased. Really, it’s been quite many years since either of them have been in my life.. My Grandfather passed away when I was only eight, and my Grandmother shortly before I turned fourteen. But even still, their involvement in my life has influenced a lot of who I am now. For many years I always thought about them and missed them, but never really applied the lessons and morals they wanted me to know until just recently. Kansai Gaidai was a wake up call for that, I believe. Now, I am glad to say that I think they will be proud of me. The story is complicated, probably a bit too depressing for something such as a travel blog.. If you ever care to know then please ask, I'm really an open book. But for the moment I will leave it at this: I loved them dearly, and through the years they have continued to be close to my heart. I sorely miss having them
here with me.
Perhaps some of my most fond childhood memories were made with them. My love for baking and cooking comes directly from my Grandmother. She would always let me help her make breakfast, or roll out biscuit dough even when I was too young to understand what exactly was going on. As I grew she invited me into the kitchen more often, encouraged me to stir the pots of stewing broths and simmering vegetables, let me stack cake layers and then frost them with however much icing I desired. When Christmas or Thanksgiving - any holiday, really - would come around she’d always let me be involved in whatever meal planning took place. For me, baking is like a tribute to her. She’s always on my mind, whether I’m making a cake and cookies, or some sort of formal dinner to entertain my friends with. Then my Grandfather.. really, he was and still is my best friend. I remember several things about him very clearly. But he always liked to surprise me by taking me places. Like this one time, I remember that he took me to this really small store close by to my Uncle Prentice’s
Reunion
Picture of my Aunt and older sister from last year's reunion home.. It sold teddy bears. Big ones, small ones, some that were odd colors and the regular image of a teddy bear.. I don’t know why that memory stands out most in my mind. There’s something about seeing him pointing out each individual stuffed animal, asking me what color it was or what size it was, that really speaks out in my heart and mind.
What role they play in my life tomorrow is that of visitation and remembrance. On the way to my living Grandmother’s family reunion my sister and I plan to stop at their grave site. The last chance I’ve had to pay them any honor or tribute was before I went to Japan.. so it’s long been time that I go back to see them. I purchased some silk flowers that I thought would withstand the wind to place on the headstone, and hopefully bring a bit of cheer to a place so many hate to be at.
But the reunion itself will be quite lovely, I'm sure. The thing about Southern reunions is.. well, you’ll never really know everyone that is there. The older generation of course knows each and every person, their
Grandmother
My Grandmother, and my younger cousin from last year's reunion children, their children’s children.. And I think the importance of being there lies in the fact and knowledge that they will recognize you. It is a very important day to my Grandmother especially considering that she has already lost a husband and two children. I am always glad that I can go, though I have to confess to not knowing hardly anyone there. Some faces always stand out, and of course there are my cousins and other immediate family. This year will be a bit sad, though; my cousin Justin passed away this past summer in July, and I know he'll be on my Grandmother’s mind. I hate that there has been so much death on either side of my family, and that there is little to nothing that I can do than offer my care and support.. I wish there was more that one person, some ordinary human being, could do to mend a broken heart.
So that will end my North Carolina vacation, and tomorrow night I'll be back in Maryland for what will be probably two weeks. I’ve got an in-person interview this Wednesday, though - keep your fingers crossed for me! I’m really hoping to
Doc Holiday
My dog, and the love of my life :P We named him after a cowboy in the movie "Tombstone", as well as the historical figure. He's,. special, haha. I love him and miss him terribly when I'm in Maryland get to Europe for a visit before December, and this and Sora’s wedding cake will be the bridges that make it a possibility. I’ve also started trying to teach myself Swedish through online dictionaries and download programs. I would really love to buy a textbook, so I might stop in at the University of Maryland one day this week and see what they suggest. That or purchase the Rosetta Stone learning software. Right now I’m at a point where I can recognize a few words right off, and I think.. well, it’s definitely a start. These are my biggest successes so far (with many great thanks given to my brothers, mi esposo and Sofia):
Jag är en sexig nalle björn = I am a sexy teddy bear
Bögjävel = Fucking faggot
Hora = Whore
Jag vill ha en katt = I want a cat
Jag har en kuk = I have a cock
Sluta prata svenska = Stop speaking Swedish
Sluta sprida naken = Stop running naked
Natti natti = Good night!
I think I’ll be okay. You think?
I've had the best dreams lately about Kansai Gaidai.. We're always doing something extraordinary, that could have likely
North Carolina
..My father's liquor cabinet. We know how to party right in North Carolina :P taken place at Kansai Gaidai yet it's always happening in America or elsewhere. We go to the beach, or we're sitting in a circle playing drinking games and making jokes; random things, but it always tugs on my heartstrings a little. I also baked an entire batch of oreo chocolate chip cookies today, with full intention that I'd take them next door to Seminar House II for Felix and Vincent. By the time I reached the door I finally realized I was in North Carolina, though. Suppose I'll just box them up and ship them out in any case :P Anyone interested?
It's almost July, though. Time has really flown from the end of May until now.. I hope it keeps up.
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Vince
non-member comment
"sluta prata svenska" hahah. brings backs memories ^^