Showing posts with label secret santa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label secret santa. Show all posts

Monday, December 20, 2010

Arriving Home and Secret Santa

So, as sometimes happens, I completely disappeared from the blogging world last week, and for this, I am sorry. It was the last week of classes before break, and I found myself actually STUDYING for the huge test that I had Wednesday. And then there was a mad rush to say goodbye to everyone and get my things together to come home for Christmas.

Now I am in Louisiana (arrived yesterday afternoon) and jet-lagged to the extreme. But I am excited to be home and to get to spend Christmas with the family.
I'll be a little bit here and there and everywhere over the next month before I head back to Japan, but I'm going to do my best to keep the blog updated and check out all of your blogs as much as possible.

In other news, before I left, I was SO excited to receive a fabulous present from my Secret Santa!
The chocolates and the teddy grahams were vegan (yay!!!!), and they were all devoured on the plane ride home.
My secret santa herself ended up being not so secret, which I was quite happy about. Because that means I can say a HUGE thank you to Simcha of SFF Chat. Thank you, Simcha!
It's especially nice because I feel like Simcha is already a friend, and so I was thrilled that she decided to pick out books not on my list that she thought I would like. I absolutely trust her taste, and the books she picked look FABULOUS! I can't wait to read them when I get back to Japan!
I also got some cute fairy pins, a beautiful bookmark, and an Israel towel. Oh, and a driedel, which I am super excited about, because I have always wanted one.

So yes, it was an asbolutely FABULOUS first gift of the year, and I am thrilled about it!

Now, I'm off to wrap presents, and hopefully you'll have some awesome reviews heading your way soon!

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Home and Presents

First of all, before anything, I forgot to mention that I guest blogged about my favorite Christmas Eve traditions over at Book Blather last week. Go check it out here if you haven't already!

Second of all, I want to say a HUGE thank you to all of your comments of consolation with regards to my last post about the closing book store. I really appreciate all of your sympathy, and I was SO sad to hear that similar things have happened to some of you. It's really just a horrible feeling. So again, thank you all SO much!

Now, before I get to the PRESENTS, I've got a small update for you guys.
On Monday, I am headed home to Louisiana for the holidays, and I'll be there until December 30th. I have NO idea what my internet situation will be like there, but my fingers are crossed that I'll have access. Because, starting next Wednesday, I've got something Christmasy planned for you guys every day up until Christmas.
I AM SO EXCITED! I L<3VE Christmas, and I can't wait to get home and spend time with my family!! :-)
Apparently it even snowed at home last week and stuck for almost an hour. This is the first time this has happened, well, ever in my lifetime. So I might even get a white Christmas this year. Which would be totally awesome! I've never had that before in my life. :-P

Now I get to the point in which I admit that I signed up for both Secret Santa and The Holiday Swap. I couldn't help myself! I just love presents so much!!!! Both giving them and receiving them!
I received my Holiday Swap gift about a week ago and my Secret Santa present on Thursday. They had been sitting patiently wrapped under my (fake) tree until this morning, when I finally opened them!!



My Holiday Swap partner was Annabel from Gaskella.




From Annabel, along with an adorable card, I got the CUTEST little felt booty ornaments ever! They're on of my favorite shades of pink, and I absolutely LOVE them! I am planning on hanging them on my mom's tree the second I get home. :-)
I also received an ARC of "the Unicorn Road" by Martin Davies. This is not only the first ARC I have ever even SEEN. Which makes it more than awesome. It's also got unicorn in the title, and I LOVE unicorns. And it's about Asia, and I am obsessed with books about Asia. Total awesomeness! I absolutely can't WAIT to read it!
THANK YOU, ANNABEL!!!!




My Secret Santa partner was Charlotte from The Book On the Hill. I actually also had her. Hmmmm. . .




From Charlotte, I received first off some cookies that she bought without thinking I was vegan. They're not in the picture because I gave them to my friend Tatsuya, who devoured them, saying they were some of the best cookies he ever tasted. Tatsuya te remercie, Charlotte. :-)
I also got "Island of the Sequined Love Nun" by Christopher Moore, which was on my wishlist. I ADORE Christopher Moore, so I am super looking forward to reading this.
I also got the "Vampire Kisses" by Ellen Schreiber box set, which was also on my wish list. I have been wanting to read these for ages!!!!
Since she knows I love Japan, I also got the coolest looking picture book called "Travelling Solo in Japan." I have been thumbing through it, and it looks totally rad. Oh so very me.
You'll notice that the card also has a Japanese theme! So cool - I'm planning on hanging it up on my wall. :-)
The little ladybug you see attached is the most adorable magnetic bookmark.
THANK YOU, CHARLOTTE!!!!

You're jealous, right? It makes me sad that I have to wait until I get back from the holidays to start my fantastic new books!
And, if you haven't already, you should go check out both blogs. The Book On the Hill is an old favorite of mine, but Gaskella was new to me, and I've been really enjoying it since my discovery.

My Contests

None for now!