Day 254: Joyeux Noel, Mes Amis

So...I attempted to call all my friends and wish them a Merry Christmas. Josh, that weird half-baked message on the machine at home wherein some strange girl identifies herself before she is rudely cut off - that was from me. I tried to call Del as well. I managed to catch BenTen and Alex, who took a moment before he realized who I was.

Christmas was awesome. We didn't start opening presents till half past two in the afternoon. I expect I am receiving horrified expressions, same as the ones I get when I tell people I download music using a wireless connection. I do love Christmas, but I find that the older I get the more patient I become. About many things. Except, perhaps, receiving my grades. By the way, freaks and geeks, that Latin class is online and open for registration, so get on it as soon as you can! Church was only an hour, and mostly singing Christmas carols, which I loved. Nick called right before we went to open presents, which was really nice. The phone connection cut out about halfway through our call, so he had to call again, but it was nice to hear from him. SHGP, all the way! But we didn't start opening presents till Shaz got home from work. Yes. Poor girl worked on Christmas day. But I loved it (Christmas Day, I mean). My mom is always worried that we won't like our presents or something, but I don't think I've ever had a year in my life when my presents were an utter disappointment. Most of mine was books - additions to bolster my membership in the cult of Neil, and some awesome graphic novels. I have decided to lay them aside and try to get that American Lit reading done first, though. Like I said - I work well on reward systems. My sister got me a pretty blouse and a black scarf that goes with everything. Yes. A scarf. All of you can laugh now. Because I suspect that I may need a scarf the way BenTen has needed a scarf in the past. *smirk* I got a pretty illuminated letter kit, so all that newspaper I've been saving as a dropcloth for my calligraphy will finally pay off. If only I could draw. Oh well. Expect to be guinea pigs, kids of clan scooby. I also got some opera CD's, so people may also want to avoid my room when Verdi is on the loose. My parents got me an awesome mug with a lid, so I can drink hot things (hot cocoa and horror movies at my place again? *wicked grin*). Del was sweet and got me some card protectors, which is great because I built a new Magic deck. A bruiser. With some flying. BenTen got me a toy and some pretty girly things (are you trying to tell me something? Or is my boyfriend trying to tell me something?). They also got me a cellphone with some phone cards to go with it - a sort of pay as you go thing. Dad insists that a monthly plan would be cheaper. As much as a cellphone would be nice, really, how often would I use it? And you all know how I hate electronic leashes...I'll really have to think about this one. When we were all done opening presents, cleaning up, and Shaz and Sid were home to set up their new toys (we have lost them to the world of Mario Party 7) the doorbell rang. When I went to answer it, there was this blond bloke with a little blond toddler in his arms. It took me a moment, but it was my Cousin John! He married a girl from Vegas, and even though they usually live in England (and Wales for a while) they came over to visit her in-laws, who moved from Vegas up here to Washington County, so we visited with him for a while. It was nice to see him again. His little boy was so cute. I sort of kept an eye on him while he wandered around the house. I was always afraid he was going to hurt himself. I fear I will be a terribly over-protective mother when I finally have children. After John left, we had Christmas dinner.

Wow. I've been eating way too much the past week or so. I'm going to have to play some serious DDR to work it all off. I think I've gained two pounds in the space of a week. Baaaaaaad Nagi.

But I just thought I'd post and say hi, Merry Christmas to all my friends.