Christmas Eve--> NYE 2007

I was in Chicago for a day or two before leaving for Poland. I was really excited to see my parents- they look great! We had a good time doing lots of nothing (mmm) at home and then we headed over to my Mom's best friend's house for Christmas Eve dinner. My mamacita looked super hot because she was rocking a new outfit we picked out for her at Old Orchard-pants! We had a good time catching up with them and it was really nice to see how things have been going. (Ciocia Malgosia quit smoking- Horray!) It was also nice to see my cousin Tina doing well in college and very happy. :)

The next day we headed out for Poland. There was quite a bit of drama at the airport, mostly my fault and I really regret losing it. The drama started because the flight was overbooked so I volunteered our family to take the next flight out to Poland (and fly first class in return!). When Tata found out he got really panicky and angry because he wanted to leave at the time we had scheduled. I shouldn't have lost my temper with him. I guess it's really hard for me to realize that he is getting older and that I have to interact with him differently. It's especially hard for me to see the man who expected perfection from me, to be making irrational decisions. I was fuming the whole flight that we didn't get to take the next flight out (first class!!) but luckily, the flight attendants separated us by nearly 10 rows on the airplane; 10 hours later, I had calmed down a little. When we landed, I realized how vulnerable my dad looked- like a little kid- and I felt bad for him and was angry at myself. I realize he is getting older, but I'm struggling to accept it and adapt. I don't want to have strain between us, especially as we both get older, because I know that we both value each other and love each other... we just but heads a lot. That said, it's hard not to get annoyed by a 64+ year old when you see him 24/7 for two weeks!


Once we got to Poland, it was shocking to see my grandma. She looked so healthy and fresh when we last saw her over the summer. Since she moved back to Poland, she looks unhealthy, much older, swollen, and just plain bad. I was really frustrated by the medical care she had been receiving here in Poland and how malnourished she looked. I don't know a lot of medicine, but the little that I know would have really helped her out. She started to look better after she calmed down a bit later on in the week. I hope that she comes to visit us again in the US.

We spent the next week or so visiting from one family to the next. I'll post more about visiting my dad's sisters later!

For NYE, my cousins and I stayed in the city and went to a house party "impreza." It was a casino night and we had so much fun! Rysio won the most money! I really love seeing my cousins. We always get along well and catch up quickly. I love em!