Xmas

Xmas was fun, as always, Brian got me the most thoughtful gifts and even one big item from my list -- a pink iPod Nano! I just loaded it up with all my favourite bands and am now going to test it out with a work out at the gym.

This year we did the usual Bauman christmas rituals, such as decorating the tree, xmas eve dinner with the Rambins, and opening presents on xmas eve. But we added a new tradition this year, just me and Brian. While I'm thankful to be included in the Bauman traditions, my family tradition is that we don't open gifts until xmas day, and it just doesn't feel right to me to open everything on xmas eve, so Brian and I reserved some gifts for xmas morning and opened them in private. Another new development this year, usually we open my parents gifts early because we have to go to Houston for xmas, but we took them with us this year, and I got an international calling plan on my mobile phone especially so that I could call my parents from anywhere. At 2:30am on xmas morning we called my parents and opened gifts over the phone. I was so happy to talk to them on xmas day for a change. Next year will be extra special because they are spending xmas with us! For once, I'm actually excited about xmas. The bad thing is that it's a whole year away!

New year's is just around the corner. It's my favourite holiday. To me it symbolizes new beginnings, self improvement, and hope for the future. I like to reflect on the past year, and this year has been the best one of my life so far. It seems hard to top the events of this past year, but I have a feeling that next year will be even better.