Ok, I'm stealing the title from Sam's Known and Unknown format - but it is oh so fitting.
Before I even start let me say that I know my brother will probably comment that I am being a baby and I already know that I am one. I live in a family filled with babies. So it cannot be helped.
My parents and brothers leave tomorrow to come visit in Ontario. How long they will stay is anyone's guess. First, they were to stay until August 9th -- but that's the day I move into my new apartment, so I said, "why don't you leave on the 12th -- that way you can actually see my place, help us out AND be here for my 30th birthday." My mom gives the standard hmm and haw, but acknowledges that she has holidays until August 21st. In my mind, I was sure that meant: Done Deal.
Well in talking to my sister last night -- she claims it is impossible for them to stay until my birthday because they have to be back to watch her son on the 14th. I was like -- well they'll be back Tuesday, find a sitter. Well that's just impossible (why?) and "Krista what are you three -- why do you need mommy and daddy to be there for your birthday anyway?" I again, had to bite my tongue at the many retorts that came to mind and still do. I could get into the details of why she is just as big a baby as me, but what's the point.
Maybe turning thirty will require quiet contemplation. Yes, I should be glad they won't be here.
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When I post this they will all shit their pants thinking it is an attack on them but it isn't -- it is free therapy for me.
Ok Krista -- Here is the real reason why we simply cannot stay the extra few days:The main reason is me. The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR) is funding me over the summer. A contract which I signed stated that I am allowed to take a max. of 2 weeks vacation. As it stands, this vacation is 2-1/2 weeks, already surpassing the 2 week maximum. If this isn't enough, as well, I have a paper that was accepted at a conference. The deadline to submit the final draft is August 20th. As this stands, I will already have to give up 3-4 days on my "vacation" to devote to getting a good chunk of the paper done as there will only be 7 days when we get back that I will have to complete it (receiving feedback from both Daryl and Dominik - who is in China right now and the time zone changes will post a challenge, in that time and revising the paper accordingly)I really need a vacation as I have been going to school non-stop since January 1, 2000 (fall, winter, spring, summer... concurently). Last year when I came out to visit you for a week in Vancouver I also had to devote a huge chunk of that vacation to writing a paper as well. This sucks! ...but, it needs to be done so I suck it up and forge onwards...We will be there visiting you for almost 12 days...since 3-4 of those days I have to devote to work that leaves 8 days of "vacation". If you want us to stay longer, I would have to devote more of my "vacation" to work...I don't want to do this....I need a break....dad needs a break.....mom needs a breakHopefully this helps you see why we cannot stay...I have quite the busy schedule when I get back and I don't want to devote the majority of my "vacation" to working...perhaps I'm being selfish, but....~T
Ok Krista -- Here is the real reason why we simply cannot stay the extra few days:The main reason is me. The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR) is funding me over the summer. A contract which I signed stated that I am allowed to take a max. of 2 weeks vacation. As it stands, this vacation is 2-1/2 weeks, already surpassing the 2 week maximum. If this isn't enough, as well, I have a paper that was accepted at a conference. The deadline to submit the final draft is August 20th. As this stands, I will already have to give up 3-4 days on my "vacation" to devote to getting a good chunk of the paper done as there will only be 7 days when we get back that I will have to complete it (receiving feedback from both Daryl and Dominik - who is in China right now and the time zone changes will post a challenge, in that time and revising the paper accordingly)I really need a vacation as I have been going to school non-stop since January 1, 2000 (fall, winter, spring, summer... concurently). Last year when I came out to visit you for a week in Vancouver I also had to devote a huge chunk of that vacation to writing a paper as well. This sucks! ...but, it needs to be done so I suck it up and forge onwards...We will be there visiting you for almost 12 days...since 3-4 of those days I have to devote to work that leaves 8 days of "vacation". If you want us to stay longer, I would have to devote more of my "vacation" to work...I don't want to do this....I need a break....dad needs a break.....mom needs a breakHopefully this helps you see why we cannot stay...I have quite the busy schedule when I get back and I don't want to devote the majority of my "vacation" to working...perhaps I'm being selfish, but....~T
Isn't family fun?My family pulled a similar stunt when they told me they were going to come for my university graduation this June. Which surprised the hell out of me since they didn't want to come to the first one AND told me not to bother inviting other family because nobody was interested. And then the day before they cancelled. In my case, I wanted my 30th to be very low key. Which wasn't such a bad thing. But then again, I found the whole thing traumatic.... It's such a weird thing living away from your family. Something that I don't think people understand when they live close to family. I guess if you see them all the time it really doesn't matter...but when you're away from your family it becomes more important that they are around for "special" things. Especially when you are the person in a different place. If you were in Regina and for some reason your parents were out of town for your birthday it would be different....hard to explain but I know EXACTLY where you're coming from....Hope it all works out....
Isn't family fun?My family pulled a similar stunt when they told me they were going to come for my university graduation this June. Which surprised the hell out of me since they didn't want to come to the first one AND told me not to bother inviting other family because nobody was interested. And then the day before they cancelled. In my case, I wanted my 30th to be very low key. Which wasn't such a bad thing. But then again, I found the whole thing traumatic.... It's such a weird thing living away from your family. Something that I don't think people understand when they live close to family. I guess if you see them all the time it really doesn't matter...but when you're away from your family it becomes more important that they are around for "special" things. Especially when you are the person in a different place. If you were in Regina and for some reason your parents were out of town for your birthday it would be different....hard to explain but I know EXACTLY where you're coming from....Hope it all works out....
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