Leah goes home

Leah, my cousin, left last night after our family dinner of faj-rittos (fajita/burrito combo) to head back to Uzbekistan. She has a long trip ahead since she has a long layover in Moscow. At least she has a friend in Moscow so she will be able to leave the airport and see a little bit of Moscow before she gets back on the plane. It was a real pleasure having her here. She was a very easy guest. I didn't have to entertain her at all and she did all the dishes! As I have said before (I think) it was the first time we have ever hung out without the parental units in attendance. While we love our parents it is definitely a different dynamic. We laughed and joked and learned things about the family and each other. We realized we needed to clarify our "end of the world" plan. For those of you who don't know, our family has always had this "end of the world" plan . . . if something happened in the US in RI where would we meet up with the family? or if the US was not an option where would we meet up internationally? I know it is bizarre and it is of course said mostly joking but what Leah and I realized was that the places had changed and we each had different locations. So much for meeting up with the family in a catastrophe!! Also being together with another member of my mother's family makes me realize how much of that family is in me. I would notice Leah doing things that I do. For example, the kids would say something and I would start to sing and Leah would join in the song or Leah would be doing dishes and she would be singing. This is something our parents do. I remember saying to my Mom, "Why do you have a song for everything I say?". Now I, as well as Leah, do the same thing! I am also happy to report I am passing this trait down to my girls. Sofia asked me something the other day and I sang the reply back to her. To my surprised she responded by singing her answer.