Second, if it were me, I wouldn't tell them. I'd just tell them I couldn't get the extra time off. That way, you get the time you need without hurting their feelings. But I lie to my parents in those sorts of ways with regularity, so I don't know if my lying ways would suit you.

Yeah, I feel like I should try to curb the amount I lie to my parents, but...I've been doing it for a long time too. And I hate it. I mean, really, it's a Thursday and Friday at the end of the year. What could they possibly need me to be here for? I'll have to make stuff up and, heh, tell her I can't be more specific because of confidentiality agreements!

Tell her that you're dating a nice Indian girl from your region with an appropriate value system and you can't come home on those days because you might be getting a special doctorate that week.

Heh. Yesterday, she asked me if I'd found an Indian girl yet, and I said no, and she said good, well, not good, but you know. I told her I have no time for girls, and I need to find a couch. It was a nice conversation that ended with our both saying we love each other.

Also, she wants an entertainment center and TV for her bedroom. That's the gift she's asking for.

Tell her that you're dating a nice Indian girl from your region with an appropriate value system and you can't come home on those days because you might be getting a special doctorate that week

don't you mean "special doctorate"

I mean, really, it's a Thursday and Friday at the end of the year. What could they possibly need me to be here for?

Office coverage. Somebody has to be there.

It's a great time to get caught up (almost as good as the day after Thanksgiving). Or goof off if you're already caught up.

Parents always want you to stay longer. At least mine does.

What could they possibly need me to be here for?

They don't. But they want you there. They're your parents. They will always want as much time as possible with you. And that's great that they love you like that. It really really is.

on edit: I think I read that wrong. Do you mean, what could work need you there for or what do your parents need you there for?

But you wanting time for yourself and/or your friends doesn't make you suck. It makes you normal. As adults, we have to balance our wants/needs with our family's wants/needs and our job's wants/needs and our SO's wants/needs, etc, etc, etc.

ack! I have to go to school. Like 10 minutes ago.

Blech.

Do you mean, what could work need you there for or what do your parents need you there for?

Work. Obviously, my parents want me to stay with them FOREVER.

Sorry you're ailing, Hecubot. Erin, send me the school's addy again, as I got the box back. My attendant hates my hair, but she does not get a vote as she could not get through H:LOTS season one, and that is now a prereq for running my life. Good night and good luck.

But how do I tell her that I don't want to spend five extra days with them? I want time for me. I suck.

I'd just say I don't want to take extra time, this early on in the new job.

Am home. Have cleaned up dog barf and have taken some pain meds. Am feeling loopy, but can't sleep.

I don't think I need to sleep under a rock, I think someone needs to hit me in the head with one so I can sleep.

My nose feels funny. Kinda like when I'm drunk.