The emphasis here is “meet the family” as I spent this holiday season with the lovely Anastasia. Tuesday I played chess and backgammon with Jess, then in the afternoon went shopping with Jules at the mall as she wanted to “shop” otherwise known as “wander around and look at pretty stuff but get jack all” then spent the evening watching movies.

On Christmas Eve Anastasia baked more pies and pinwheels, then we visited Jen and family to say Merry Christmas, deliver last presents and holiday hugs. Then to Jules’ place for delivery of presents and promise of pie to come. We did some last minute shopping for some of Anastasia’s cousins and I rang my family to wish them a Merry Christmas as it was Christmas in New Zealand. Anastasia and I then got ready and went to see the Spanish side of her family. Lots of little people and lots of food. Chatty older generations of people looking spiffy (including the thrice-changed Anastasia) along with bubbling younger cousins. I had fun (and some dizzy nausea) running around and spinning small children in circles. I made a stunning first impression on Anastasia’s cousin Vincent as I managed to trip up while carrying him. Eep! Luckily for me however he was with the rest of them demanding to be spun in circles some more moments later.

Christmas was initially spent lazing around and waiting for Chris to come over (but he didn’t show up). Then it was off to Anastasia’s great-grandmothers where we had chitchat and Christmas dinner eventually after mishaps in the kitchen and a landmass comparison between New Zealand and the state of Maine?! After lots of food and fun it was then off to Uncle Vince and Aunt Connie’s place to see little cousins Vincent and Trinity. Jokes, video games, open presents and declined food later, it was home briefly before going on a pie delivery run spreading “Christmas cheer”. After that we then went out and saw Paycheck before coming home.

During the days after Christmas, we did many things. One time while we were at AMC, Chris showed us around the back, the projection rooms and so on. Anastasia and I took pictures, had a barbeque and swim at Jess’ on Sunday. We’ve played video games, had a Lethal Weapon marathon and lazed about. All in all my Christmas season has been a lot like the rest of my vacation – a lot of relaxing punctuated by instances of fun and good cheer!

Slept in today, lazed around and Anastasia made ‘breakfast’ at around two. More lazing ensued, then off to pick up Jess. We then went to Publix for drinks and Taco Bell for dinner for the three of us. We sat around talking and goofing, waiting for Jen and Chris to show up, as they had been at a Christmas do for Chris’ work. General chat and some no few number of pillows being biffed at my head later, Chris had to leave while I was playing chess with Jess, then the girls set in to watch the Last Castle in sleepover style. Adding a brief note to my online journal, meditating as well earlier, the off to bed… then I remembered to actually write in my paper diary. Hey, at least I remembered to write, even if not a hell of a lot is going on!

A lazy morning, complete with another fabulous big breakfast cooked by the lovely Anastasia! Lounged watching a movie for a bit then went out to Angel Heart again, this time to meet Richard and Janet before getting some grocery stuff including stuff to make pies. I ate my bat leftovers (chicken, steak, rice and veges) and had a soda (oh the Americanism) while Anastasia began her pie crusade. She’s making pies for Jen’s family and her friend Dan tonight, then even more pies tomorrow! We went on pie delivery mission to Dan’s, then off to Jen’s for a while to chat with the family before heading back (after exchanging some Christmas prezzies) to vege out on the couch and crash.

Today was my second football game and I forgot my camera. I had it out and ready and I thought “I mustn’t forget it” before promptly forgetting it. Ah well. It was pretty cold in the stadium where we were seated, but we were right by the Buc’s players entrance, which was cool. Game was a bit depressing mostly as we were getting thrashed, with six minutes on the clock we were down 14-30, coming back with three recovered onside kicks and two touch downs, it came down to the Bucs needing to make the two point conversion but the pass to the end zone was blocked and the Atlanta Falcons claimed possession and ran the clock out. No overtime for a fab finish, but it was screaming and nail biting all round for the end minute. I managed to get some beads, too – the crowd rilers throw them into the crowd. Went to Anastasia’s friend Dan’s for dinner and chat. Met Dan’s friend Megan. We came home and watched The Art of War.

Today I have been in Tampa for a month! I didn’t do a hell of a lot today though, I slept in. Elicia packed up to go to Fort Lauderdale to visit her best friend for Christmas and have a bit of a rest. I carried her luggage from her room (in a towel… again) then proceeded to give me the “Don’t have sex with my daughter while I’m away… you’re a good guy and all, but I will kill you.” There was a bit more to it, but that was the main drive of it. Still in a towel… now I can go get dressed as she’s leaving. Went out with Anastasia to a Japanese Hibachi restaurant, which was very flash and entertaining, the chef cooking right in front of you, making fire leap and showing off for the kids in the family at our table. Then the leftovers were folded into tinfoil origami (of sorts) – I got a foil bat and Anastasia got a rose. After going out to dinner I met some of Anastasia’s extended family who we would be seeing for Christmas. I met her great-grandmother, great aunt and uncle (who have been to New Zealand, yay!) and lots of little cousins. When we got home we watched A Knights Tale before hitting the hay.