A major milestone.

After six years with R, I finally met his family yesterday. Those of you who know me have probably heard me talk about how R's mother has shown no interest in meeting me over the years despite multiple efforts by R. But that all changed yesterday. Too bad that it had to be at his grandfather's funeral, but I was touched that his mom said that I should come.

So instead of turkey and pumpkin pie, my Thanksgiving was spent at a funeral home dressed in head-to-toe black surrounded by mourners crying for man I have never met. The feeling of gratitude that I experienced, however, was appropriate for the day. Thankful to R's grandfather for bringing R's family together for a day. Thankful to R's relatives for molding and shaping him into the person he is today. And thankful to R's mother, brother, and sister for being so welcoming of me on what must have been a very sad day for them. It meant a lot to me.

Bad news.

R's grandfather passed away.
We're going to have to cancel the Beijing trip.

Of course the loss of a human being is much, much more important than this trip, and it's only natural that we cancel.

But this was the last trip we were going to be able to take for the foreseeable future...probably for the next year. I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed.

Between my disappointment at the cancellation of the trip and my sadness for R's loss of his grandfather (I have never met R's grandfather, or any of his family, for that matter, but that is another post in and of itself), I am feeling quite down right now.

What an awful week.

The only thing getting me through this week.

It's been a rough week. Between being flat on my back two days sick, having a lot of work waiting for me at the office, and having to cancel on plans with friends because of my fever, this week is one that I will be glad to have over. But there is something that is getting me through this week:

In less than one week from today, I'll be in Beijing! YAY! R and I are going for a whirlwind four-day trip, which really means two days since the first and last days are spent getting there and back. But I am really looking forward to it...The Great Wall! Tienamen Square! The Forbidden City! YAY! It's going to be cold, but it's going to be a lot of fun. I just hope it's not raining.

I really MUST get rid of this cold before I step on that plane next week. Lots of sleep is on the agenda for this weekend!

Sicker.

It just keeps getting worse. I haven't been this sick in a long time.

I am finally back at work, though, after having been out sick for two days. Tari, I'm sorry I had to cancel on the Sri Lankan food! I hope we can go soon.

I really would like to go home early (i.e. on time) tonight, but my boss has asked me to stay late to make phone calls to London. ARGH.

Sick.

Friday night I was feeling great. Didn't have to work too late, had a fun dinner with R, and it was a beautiful evening. But about 11:30pm, I felt a sharp pain my right ear. I took some Vitamin C and prepared to get ready for bed, but it just kept getting worse.

Saturday morning I woke to a raw sore throat and more pain in my ear. I went to the doctor and got medicine, but I still don't feel like myself.

Ugh.

Things are looking up.

Hallelujah!!