(no subject)
I swear Christmas is always the same in this family. I love it, and I love my crazy relatives (mostly). I love our traditional Boxing Day test match (ie. barefoot touch match at the park followed by a trip to the beach when we overheat) the most.
One thing though - if anything can make you paranoid about never marrying and never having kids, it's my two single aunts. Seriously, they're so morose. Every year, they show up, drink lots of champagne, complain about life and fall asleep. They remind me of Marge's sisters on the Simpsons.
Also, just before I took off for work on Christmas Eve (nice timing, Dad!) I get the news that Grandad's probably not going to last another year. Kidney failure, and when you're 80 and have had two heart attacks, apparently it's not as simple as doing a Jonah Lomu, having a transplant and getting back on the rugby field the next season. He's going on dialysis, but he's dying and you can tell. I've never experienced a family member dying, and I don't feel ready to, but I guess nobody ever does. Enough of that!
My gift list isn't so very exciting seeing as the one thing I wanted was for my parents to pay for my new glasses. Oh-so-practical, but I love them so much I've only worn my contacts once since I got them. The gift of sight. Pete got me my favourite perfume (okay, the only one that doesn't give me a migraine when I wear it), and I got various books, CDs and jewellery items I don't particularly like. My family still hasn't figured out the concept of gift exchange cards.
I worked Boxing Day night - it was horrible dragging myself off to work on such a nice day, but it was so quiet and I decided I really can't ever complain about getting paid $40 an hour to read a book. Hooray for double pay and a day in lieu. I should do it more often!
Yesterday Abby, Stef and I spent most of the day at the beach - I hadn't been yet this summer, and it was so nice. I bought a new swimsuit, and now I'm going a delicious toasty shade of tan.
My friends are all going camping for a few days over New Year. I'm working, so I'll only get to go for the last night they're planning on being there for - and I fully predict they'll pike before then.
Everyone have an excellent New Year!
One thing though - if anything can make you paranoid about never marrying and never having kids, it's my two single aunts. Seriously, they're so morose. Every year, they show up, drink lots of champagne, complain about life and fall asleep. They remind me of Marge's sisters on the Simpsons.
Also, just before I took off for work on Christmas Eve (nice timing, Dad!) I get the news that Grandad's probably not going to last another year. Kidney failure, and when you're 80 and have had two heart attacks, apparently it's not as simple as doing a Jonah Lomu, having a transplant and getting back on the rugby field the next season. He's going on dialysis, but he's dying and you can tell. I've never experienced a family member dying, and I don't feel ready to, but I guess nobody ever does. Enough of that!
My gift list isn't so very exciting seeing as the one thing I wanted was for my parents to pay for my new glasses. Oh-so-practical, but I love them so much I've only worn my contacts once since I got them. The gift of sight. Pete got me my favourite perfume (okay, the only one that doesn't give me a migraine when I wear it), and I got various books, CDs and jewellery items I don't particularly like. My family still hasn't figured out the concept of gift exchange cards.
I worked Boxing Day night - it was horrible dragging myself off to work on such a nice day, but it was so quiet and I decided I really can't ever complain about getting paid $40 an hour to read a book. Hooray for double pay and a day in lieu. I should do it more often!
Yesterday Abby, Stef and I spent most of the day at the beach - I hadn't been yet this summer, and it was so nice. I bought a new swimsuit, and now I'm going a delicious toasty shade of tan.
My friends are all going camping for a few days over New Year. I'm working, so I'll only get to go for the last night they're planning on being there for - and I fully predict they'll pike before then.
Everyone have an excellent New Year!