It's Emily again, apparently I am going to write the Christmas letter every year. If you noticed, last year's letter wasn't as good as the year before, so obviously this year's will be the worst yet. I haven't even been talking to my family that much lately, so I might just have to make some things up. This past year has been a little weird for my family, because we are all grown up, well, besides Maddy, but she likes to pretend she is grown up, and I think my parents would like her to be grown up, but that's just the vibe I get.
Evidently, my dad has a renewed interest in home improvement. The only reason I know this is because when I get home late at night, sometimes my dad will be up and he'll tell me to go look at something he finished that day, I usually decline, because unlike my dad—I have no interest in home improvement. Although, I was pleasantly surprised when I got home one night and the baseboards were finished (only because we had been without them for five years or so.). Oh, and he is still working at the Water District.
Another reason I don't really talk to my family is because they are never home, well, at least it seems that way. My parents keep going to concerts, which leads me to believe that they are going through a midlife crisis. I'm glad they can experience this part of life together. I think they saw Jason Mraz twice, and half of Peter Frampton, because it was rained out (guess who picked which concert).
More on the midlife crisis, my mom took two road trips with me this year, one to Santa Barbra for the International Film Festival, and the other for her birthday. We drove to Orange County, met up with some friends, and went to Disneyland, which was as magical as ever. She thought about applying for a job this year, perhaps Ann Taylor Loft—you know, for the discount, but that would be too much work. To her credit, she has not forgotten duties appropriate to her age, and baby-sits the grandkids every Tuesday afternoon.
Speaking of the grandkids, Liv is in 2nd grade, and I'm told she is at a superior reading level (as are all with Sandberg blood), and likes to trade books with Madeline (who obviously does not have Sandberg blood, or she would be trading books with me). Mel started preschool, and enjoys it very much, except when her classmate, Henry, cuts her in line. Will is very much into super heroes, and will often associate the color green with The Hulk, or red with Spiderman. Kids have to learn their colors someway I suppose.
From what I read on facebook, Britt and Nate are keeping busy with their kids, and socializing with other people who have kids. Nate just started a new job (as to how he got this job during the economic crisis, I'll never know), but that is exciting for him. Britt is still teaching piano, and keeping her home happy and healthy.
Out of all my family, I talk to my sister Rachel the most, but only over the internet, because she still lives in freaking Dominica (Mom, can I say "freaking" in the Christmas letter? Is that okay? It's not a real swear). She just branded and launched PiNG!, a new cable/broadband/phone company in Dominica. I don't actually know what that means, so I just use a lot of smiley faces when we chat. Rachel tells me Joel is teaching English and Speech at the Jr. College on the island, he is teaching eight classes, and will soon be starting a drama club.
The one family member I wish I spent more time with is my brother, Stephen, because he and Heather put a swimming pool in their backyard earlier this year. They did host a few family barbeques this summer, but not enough in my opinion. Heather has been teaching voice like a mad woman, which I get to hear about because we go to the gym together every morning. She also tells me that Stephen is walking ten miles a day for his job, which allows him to eat things like Twinkies and Slurpees, and at seven o'clock in the morning, while doing crunches, I have nothing but angry feelings toward him.
I know what Madeline has been doing this year, because she blogs about it (if you want to read for yourself go to: www.wheredoesinfinityend.b
logspot.com). Apparently, she stopped going to her Classical Home School co-op this year, and is doing some more self-paced curriculum at home (self-paced just means she is too smart to be with other children). However, before quitting CHD she roped me into an 1800s living history field trip at Sutter's Fort that involved me parting my hair in the middle and taking out my nose ring. I haven't quite forgiven her for this. Since she is not taking Latin anymore, she has been studying Swedish, and has also been taking piano lessons from Brittany.
I guess that just leaves me, geez louise, where to begin. I finished what I thought to be my last semester at DVC in the spring, and intended to be a student at Cal State Fullerton this fall. Upon arrival in August, I attended the first day of classes and realized that I really had no liking of the school, and that I wanted to change my major. So my poor grandparents saw me move in one week, and out the next. I was lucky enough to get my old job back, and I have been working a lot since becoming a college drop out. Never fear, I have applied to San Francisco State and UC Berkeley for this upcoming fall, and will be going back to DVC this January. I also had a man to come home to, and I suppose he is a big reason that I don't talk to my family as much, because if I'm not working you will most likely find me and him at Peet's Coffee or indulging in frozen yogurt, the guilt free dessert. Oh, and every Tuesday we have dinner with my parents and Britt and Nate, so I might be lying when I say that I never talk to my family anymore. It just seems like it sometimes.
I hope that this year has brought you the same happiness and striving to be together, as this year has brought us. Have a very Merry Christmas, and please, if you did not actually make it through this whole letter, let us know so that we don't waste the postage on you next year.
Love,
Emily
