Saturday – my mom’s graduation.  The day of my unveiling.  She basically almost pooped her pants when she saw me.  I called out her name “Judy Judy” as she descended the stage after receiving her degree, and, with a blank stare on her face she waved vaguely in my direction – like Miss America being blinded by too many hard questions.  I called again, “This way – Judy!”  She briefly smiled until it came “Oh My God!  What are you doing here?!!” she screamed.  The arms fluttered up and down as if she were a bird being shot at, and she ran over to me enveloping me in her arms.  We both got teary eyed, and I suddenly realized Uncle Bobby wanted me to take some pictures of her shocked reaction.  I fumbled with the camera trying to sputter out “Act surprised – need picture” and got an extreme close up of her face instead – at least she was smiling wide.  She then had to re-enter the queue to go back to her seat.  She said she cried at her seat.  Good job everyone who knew and kept the secret this time!  It worked!

I have returned from the United States – barely.  I know, I know.  I never mentioned I was going to the United States in the first place.  I went for about ten days – four of which I was in hiding at my sister’s house.  My Uncle Bobby called me a couple of months ago to discuss a trip to Baltimore for my mother’s graduation from college at Community College of Baltimore County – Essex.  He wanted it to be a surprise for her.  The entire family has not been together in one room since before I was born, so I knew this would mean a lot to everyone.

Apparently, she found out about the surprise three weeks in. So, we double surprised her by telling her I could no longer come due to unforeseen circumstances.  She admitted to knowing I was coming, and now was more upset that I couldn’t come.  I felt bad, but it had to be done.  She had to be tricked.

Surprise set in place.

Forward to May 26th when I landed in Baltimore.

It was so nice to be back to where I grew up. The longer I was there, the more I realized I hadn’t been back for a significant amount of time in nine years, and didn’t really know Baltimore anymore.  Since I had to be conspicuous for four days before my mom’s graduation, I ran Lake Montebello around my sisters house, roamed through the haunted cobblestone Thames Street of Fells Point and took in the rancid smell of the dead fish killed by algae in the inner harbor.  I was able to catch up with my Best Friend since I was 5 – Courtney!  I also found out how popular soccer is in Baltimore when I tried to watch the Champions League Final at the Slainte Pub and realized I had no chance of fitting in that tiny bar.  Luckily, Koopers Tavern next door was the secret spot to be – empty and with good food.  I also applied for a UK Visa – we’ll come back to this bad idea later.

Thursday night Courtney took me out to dinner at Carrabba’s in Hunt Valley, MD.  A nice chain restaurant that she had left over gift cards for.  I forgot how big the portions are in America – and how good the service is!  We really are spoiled.

Friday evening my Uncle took my sister and I out for crabs at Ocean Pride Restaurant – one of the staples of crab picking restaurants in Baltimore. My absolute favorite type of eating – picking apart the entire animal to get to the meat on the inside…slaving through the intestines, poop, and eyeballs are just a few of the things that tickle my fancy when eating crabs.  Honestly, I love it.  There is no other animal I would enjoy doing this to, but I always say “You aren’t a Baltimoron unless you know how to pick a crab, hon.”  While Brayden, my nephew, banged on the table with his mallet and entertained the father next to us who kept saying ‘Oh, how he reminds me of my boy,’ and ‘he’s a handful, isn’t he?’ but at the end said ‘Well, now I can walk away.  Just wait til he’s a teenager – that’ll be some trouble’ (we didn’t know whether to laugh or be insulted) – Uncle Bobby, my sister and I stuffed our faces with crab meat.  Although, that’s the problem with crab – you work so hard to get to the meat that you end up working off all the calories you’re putting in.

I love my sister and my relationship now.  It’s so easy with her, and we can just be.  With a bit of knowledge that I am sounding completely cheesy, I have to say it – she’s the greatest sister any sister could ask for.

Monday we headed to Cape May – the WHOLE family.  My mom, my two uncles Bobby and Jimmy, Jimmy’s girlfriend Kathy, my aunt Donna and her husband Larry, my sister Amanda and her son Brayden, my grandmother Lee, and my two cousins Becky and Sam with Becky’s boyfriend Sean.  Little drama, lots of alcohol and good times had by all!

Bad idea this whole applying for a visitor Visa for longer than six months, I found out.  I got refused entry.  But now I am back in the UK for a bit until we figure out what’s next!

Oh, and thanks to Phil and Alison for letting us stay in their house back in February!  We really enjoyed the alone time!