New Years Eve was no big horrah--it never really has been for me. (When I was younger I remember spending New Years with my grandparents and being so bored that I went to bed at 11 even though I wasn't tired). Maybe it will be when I'm 22 (by that time, someone else will be 21...). Travis had to work, Helen had to get up early, so we played it low key and had a good time nonetheless. I began my year off right with my first resolution: learn how to cook. I tried making grandma's meatballs; I almost got it right. It turned into meat sauce in the end, which turned out fine because everyone seemed to enjoy the meat sauce more than they would have liked the meatballs. AND, they all said it tasted delicious (which it did). So I cooked that and brought it to Helen and Erin's new condo. They had just begun to move in so after we ate I helped Helen unpack a bit while she got cleaned up. It's a nice place--plenty of space--but I am worried that Helen is working too much and too hard. I haven't seen her much lately and when I have, she always looks so exhausted. I just don't want her burning herself out. She's very talented and very smart, but she also has a lot of responsibility weighing on her shoulders. Anyway, to progress, Andrew, Helen, Kris and I went to Game Works, a top-notch arcade that seems much bigger when you're ten years old and not as cool when you're 20. Two hours there and we were done; 11:00pm and headed home. Kris and I snuggled into bed with hot chocolate and "Sleepless in Seattle" and by 12:03, he was snoring. Actually, it was a very enjoyable evening. I like it very much when Bear and I can just snuggle and relax. It's actually weird being home and going to bed without him there. He pointed that out. I'm aching just about from head to toe (including mouth). Kris and I returned today from our snowboarding trip and after some good tumbles and some really good bruises, I can honestly say that my snowboarding ego has been damaged and we had a great time. Like always, we somehow managed to get the best on a minimal budget, thanks again to people we know. Nick's uncle was able to get us a free hotel room for two nights--a very nice hotel suite, actually, with a fake fire and leather sofas. An hour drive to the slopes was worth the great (and free!) hotel room. Anyway, even with the lousy snowfall we still had a great time. We consider it good practice for our next trip when we go to Colorado--real snow! When I got home, the cleaning ladies were here. Reyna had some help today, and a tag-a-long named Gloria. She's a little girl, maybe 9 years old, still on winter break. Grandma and I entertained her while they were here. Nice girl, very well-mannered. We like Reyna and her family; they're very kind and respectable people, and very loving. As Grandma put it, it's probably the Spanish in them. Grandma's been taking Spanish lessons at church so she practiced with the ladies. She also baked bread; it was quite the American household here today. After I had some lunch and we all had a piece of steaming white bread, we played Kings in the Corner, Grandma, Gloria and me. And after they left, Grandma and I played a bit longer. It was nice. It's sad to say, but I often have to remind my self that she's there and always hoping someone will come over and play games with her. And I promised when we came home that we would play. Add that to my list of resolutions: play more games with Grandma. I met my friend Aaron for coffee later on. Aaron and I met in 8th grade; he moved from NY and was a very quiet, reserved creature that rescued me from a very horrible year. We became good friends that year--along with Mike and Ian--and it was one of the best experiences of my life. We've drifted and reunited a few times, dated twice, and have a hard time keeping the promise that we'll hang out again soon. Aaron broke out of his shell in high school and is now working towards a theater major. He's very good with costume designs and is a blooming actor. I believe he will make it. I also highly admire his courage for trying. I miss acting terribly, but could never trust that I'd succeed at it enough to pursue it as a career. I've been brought up to create safety nets, see, and there's no safety in theater. Anyway, we sat in the wine bar/coffee shop for three hours in that little back room and talked and talked and talked. Aaron is one of those friends I have that, even though I really care about him, I rarely see him, but when I do, we have a great reunion and talk up a storm and promise to hang out again soon. I have a fair number of friends like that. People I see once every...3...6...9 months? People I can begin a conversation with without bothering with hello, but rather, pick up as if we had never said goodbye. Some of these friends I can tell a great deal to, and others I limit my conversations to thoughts and discussions of philosophy, art, life; things not so personal. I'm adding to my list of resolutions to see these people more often. There is no excuse not to. Maybe I'll learn to like coffee. Carrie