Quite the haul of virtual gifts...

Lunch with the family at Chen's Noodle House was all right - Steph's up at Whistler with Rachel, and will be back in Regina with friends later. She's already taught a young punk a lesson, according to Jon - HAHAHA! Mom got me Ripley's Believe It Or Not!: Prepare to Be Shocked!, two notebooks, and a Chapters coupon; Grandma just gave me $30, which was fine. When it came time for pictures, Jon and I took a "typical" picture which included weird facial expressions! We posed normally with Grandma, but she looked horrified to be included in a photo! (Mom says it's because she doesn't look pretty anymore... oh, and she won't eat "low-class / peasant" food, but it's fine with the rest of US! "I'm a British noblewoman: that food is BENEATH me!")

Had surfboard noodles, hot and sour soup, eels, SLB, other buns, and very mild tea. Discussed some Chinese banquet dinner that the Hos are hosting for a grandpa's 90th birthday next week... I guess I'm in. Jon said that Peter was the only one who sounded awake when he called at 11:30, and thinks that certain people doing a wedding slideshow would NOT be a good idea! Maybe if Nathan and Steph work together... Nathan alone would be kinda amusingly weird, heh. Bantered about snow, Henry, Mark Ho, the anime redrum picture, and more. Got home to find a cool YM message from Dan - damn the economy, indeed. Should have used THAT as an excuse way back in the summer, haha.


I've received at least 50 (virtual) gifts from friends, too:

* Sherrie H.: Nano armband, Chanel sunglasses, Dark Knight DVD
* Natalie H.: a box of chocolates, baby Smurf, Snoopy, Addams Family DVD, a train Christmas cookie, a red-and-pink scarf
* Julie S.: banana split, purple carnations
* Brenton L.: Maltese puppy, a "puppy love" animation
* Billie E.: banana split, a ring with a pink rose on it, Vera Wang princess perfume
* Michael B.: James Bond, a star Christmas cookie, a silver cross ornament, a Christmas bell cookie, champagne bottle in ice bucket, an angel with green wings / a purple skirt
* Michael M.: ornament with Santa / a Christmas tree / a snowman
* Pat K.: Frosty the Snowman (complete with top hat)
* George M.: a White Russian, large diva necklace, Snoopy and Woodstock "BIG HUG"
* Gretchen L.: Santa ornament, Santa stocking, a Cosmopolitan (the alcoholic drink)
* Kitty B.: a horse Christmas cookie
* Toussaint F.: a golden angel, Santa with a tree in his workshop
* Sharlene M.: a Christmas tree cookie, fuzzy silver ornament
* Morgana F.: Nano armband, pink dragon toy
* Veronica H.: two red-and-green stockings
* Karla M.: Darling red bag, girl Santa suit
* Ankh S.: blue dragon toy
* Alexander W.: red roses
* Cathy B.: a snowflake ornament, a heart-shaped necklace
* Chuck C.: blue diamonds
* Flora G.: ornament with winter scene
* Danielle L.: champagne bottle in ice bucket (2)
* someone who doesn't show up: a heart-shaped necklace