I think I'll call her Julia

My sister's name is Mara Cruz. She was named after my dad's grandmother Cruz Della Cruz. My brother's name is Jeshua David. He was named after my dad. My name is Emily Elizabeth. I was named after Emily Elizabeth the owner of Clifford the Big Red Dog, you know the children's books. I find it fitting that my mom was the one who picked my name and I was named after a fictional children's book character. It's pretty much the same as being named after my mom, and my life has been just the adventure such a name should bring.

As I was reading Julia Child's book My Life in France, I decided that my first daughter would be named Julia. Go ahead and laugh, but it's Christmas so I can have my epitomes about whatever I like. Emily Elizabeth was so brave and wonderful and she had that big red dog named Clifford. Julia Childs was equally brave and wonderful. She was the Barbara Walters of food. She believed in the American housewife when everyone else was trying to sell them boxed cake mixes. While all of those things are great, I think the most important thing about Julia Childs (and the reason I would name my daughter after her) was that she believed in herself. That sounds so silly and Halmark-esque, but she didn't believe in herself in the self-help gimicky sort of way. She really knew that she could do something great, and she got stuff done.

I was hoping to find out the happily-ever-after in Julia Childs' book today, but instead I had wonderful conversations with people in the airport and with the two people next to me on my flight. I didn't put on my ipod once, and it was wonderful how much human contact I had. Technology is great, but there are definitely times when too much technology causes you to miss the woman bitching out her husband because he didn't get in the wrong line. It's not a secret I'm nosy, but when you can't actually hear anything but The Mamas and The Papas singing about Monday the nosy me gets sadly ignored. I think I really need to stop doing that; nosy me is way more fun.

I am so thankful to be home. My dad went out and bought me a new phone to replace the phone I had that dies every two seconds. I love my dad! My mom and I went grocery shopping. When I was little, this was one of those pretend-to-be-a-big-person tasks. I would remember our weekly list of meals and help make sure mom did not forget bread for my dad for work. I felt very important. Now that I live on my own, going grocery shopping with my mom is one more reminder that I can't pretend to be grown up anymore, because in many ways I am grown up. I check price tags and disclose my thriftiest secrets. Oddly this feels completely natural. Life is strange like that.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. My sister is planning a romantic breakfast of bacon and eggs for her boyfriend and her. Bacon is involved so I'll definitely be there. Hope you are just as actively embarrassing your family on this lovely holiday.

Happy Eating!!!

Emily