'Chittii and Matt', she wrote, and that is very telling. She did NOT use the Tamil word for UNCLE in reference to Matt. Astin must be too young to notice that when he goes to great-auntie's houses or other family member's houses, Tamil family words are used to refer to them, which is not the case with Matt. Matt is just Matt, not a Tamil family member word is used to refer to him. Tiffany is correct to write 'Matt ' because she is isn't married to Matt nor is she in a civil partnership with him that we know of.
About Astin's expressions being 'nightmare material,' I noted that he wasn't happy to return home. I wonder if that says something about his home environment. Tiffany told him that he could return whenever he wants. Astin's expression in the car was especially grouchy. Why is he so grumpy?
Also, Tiffany is UNABLE to prepare RICE without a rice cooker! Folks, I am not of Indian or Chinese origin (that I know of! Though, I'd like to take a DNA test but haven't yet honed in on which one...) I am able to prepare rice in a casserole, for the most part Basmati rice, or any other rice in a casserole, and do not use a rice cooker.
So, Matt and Tiffany miss rice because they don't have a rice cooker! She could learn to make rice in a casserole, and it is really not difficult at all. (and NO, the rice doesn't stick to the bottom of the stainless steel casserole, doesn't burn, and I don't use Teflon-coated casseroles nor do I add oil to it !) All it takes is practice, the correct setting of the burner so the rice won't stick to the bottom, and to remove the heat when the water is absorbed and let the hot rice sit for a few minutes.