Christmas trees were a bit different.....

Thanks Mom for this lovely tree, stocking and gifts!!!

This was our pitiful tree at work....true story....

Better late than never...

I wrote this post a long time ago, just never published it....


Christmas is my favorite time of year. I love the chilly weather, wearing boots and scarves and being bundled up. I love the smell of a fresh Christmas tree, the ceiling of lights on Dauphin Street and the decorations all around my neighborhood. I love waking up and being able to wander around the house in slippers. I love spending Christmas Eve with the Schneiders, Looneys and Uncle Donnie. I love having Christmas brunch at the Atchisons. All that being said, this Christmas was much different. This Christmas was in the middle of summer. There weren’t any of those traditions. It was exciting though. It was different. Opening the packages my mom sent me made me really appreciate everything a bit more. She put thought into everything she bought. I asked for a few small things, but the rest she came up with on her own. It was fun to get things that I would have never packed in my backpack. I got some real girly things, like a purse, some jewelry and some makeup. She was also quite entertained with herself by sending me a bike helmet. I got some good magazines and a vegetable peeler. I got a candle that smells like a Christmas tree. I worked with my friends that were in the same position I was in. It was nice to all be together. People that came in to eat were not our regular customers, so that was a nice change of pace as well. We offered a large Christmas buffet. People were much more thankful and smiling and I can actually say I was thankful to be able to serve them a Christmas meal and be quite chipper whilst doing so. After work we had a big party at our boss’ house. It never quite felt like Christmas, but it didn’t feel like an ordinary day. I am very thankful for my Christmas experience this year, even if it wasn’t the same as being with my family!

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News Flash: Carol and Pete arrive in the land of the kiwis on February 11th and I am SOOOOO excited!!!! They will be here for 2 weeks and I am sure spending endless time together we will bicker and drive each other nuts, but I am still SUPER excited to see them, for them to see where I live and enjoy the beauty that NZ has to offer!

Sunsets...

Make the walk home quite peaceful. It's after 9 in both pics, 2 different locations on different days, both equally stunning! I'm grateful for this amazing place I live in!

A merry cultural christmas....

From the Argentinian, the American and the Malaysian! Thanks mom for the antlers! They spruced up working on Xmas day!