I'm slipping in this world called blogging. I maintain my LJ far more productively than I do this one. I'm not sure why. I used to keep this journal for serious writing, but I think maybe it's because I don't have the energy for serious writing anymore that keeps me from it. Perhaps that should be read as 'Maya is lazy'. And yet, I find the time to write about all kinds of trivial matters in the other. I don't know.

I've recently returned from the UK. If possible, I had a better time on this visit than the one in April of last year. The Griffiths clan seems to have accepted me into the fold, whereas last year I think I was being tested out. I'm the real thing, now, I guess. And if my travelling-to-see-Gareth incured debt is any indicator, I'm very, very serious about him, or very much the real thing.

This is not to say that Rick's family did not accept me or treat me like one of them, because they did. And over the years with Rick, I developed a strong relationship with, in particular, his mother. I never really felt embraced by the whole gang, though, even if I think they liked me well enough. In that regard, I feel very embraced by the Griffiths. They're an all-or-nothing kind of group, I think. And on this holiday, I was feeling the love from all sides.

Much like my relationship with Gareth, in that I feel like we've known each other for years and years, rather than less than two, I feel that same ease of communication and fellowship with his family. His mother and I are more alike than maybe he would wish and I really enjoy the company of his brother and sister, but more than that, I feel at home with them. This is a new experience for me.

They are comfortable enough leaving me to amuse myself, to wander around and make myself comfy, and I don't feel the need to ask permission all the time. This is not to say I don't ask for permission, because I do ! My mother raised me well enough to know one shouldn't rummage through cabinets and refridgerators without asking, first. But I get the sense that if I wanted to, that would be okay.