Wrapping Gifts

Do you ever have those days where you simply take forever just to get going? No? Just me? Ah well.

The funny thing is, I didn't even get up at a terribly late hour. I just couldn't get moving! The winter haze is starting to creep up on me, and it's not a good thing. Still, I am sticking to my guns and trying to be productive.

Today's productive task? Wrapping Christmas presents.

Actually probably some of my better work.

I told my mom that I'd be happy to wrap the Christmas presents this year, saving her the work. Honestly it doesn't take much effort, but it's just time-consuming. I'm happy to wrap Christmas presents, but there's just one little problem I have: I'm terrible at it.

Will your gift get covered in festive paper? Yes indeed. Will it also have huge chunks of paper sticking messily out the side? Yup.

I can still get a gift wrapped though. I think that's all that really matters because in the end, we just want to rip some paper off of a box.

Are you good at wrapping?

Shopping for Christmas

The day after I talk about being frugal with money, what do I do? I help my mom go on a shopping spree. Ha I kid, but I helped her buy Christmas gifts today. Including my Christmas gifts. Yeah, it's a little odd.

There are pros and cons to knowing what gifts you're going to get for Christmas/Birthdays/etc. The obvious pro is that you'll get what you want. The con? The surprise is gone.

I think the thing with surprise is that it's a little like magic. Sound goofy? What's the biggest thing needed for magic tricks? The element of surprise. You don't know how they pulled that rabbit out of the hat, and once you do it's not exciting. Personally, I love surprises. One of the coolest birthdays I had was getting a surprise party. (It would have been awesome, if not for the fact that I was feeling super sick right before getting surprise. Ew.)
Still, despite the surprise being gone I'm okay with it. Sure surprise is nice, but my mom needed help with her shopping. I just don't want to wrap my own Christmas presents is all I'm saying.

Truth is, there are things that I'd like. The thing is I'm always thinking, "I don't really need it." It kind of goes in a terrible circle though. I feel guilty about having money spent on me, but by explaining this, I make my mother feel guilty about spending money. I'm not trying to make her feel guilty, I'm the one who feels guilty. Oy. I just have psychological issues with money I suppose.

One of the funny things about shopping is how tired it makes you feel. I suppose it's because you're on your feet all day, but it simply doesn't register.

That was my shopping day. Yup.

Do you like knowing your gifts? Or would you rather be surprised by a gift you might not want?

Ugly Sweaters and White Elephant Gifts

As usual, December 1st is when I finally start getting into the Christmas spirit. Play your Christmas music to me now, because then it won't get old too early. Christmas movies? I shall get into watching you now. Well once finals are over. Whatever.
Anywho, as the holiday celebrations have begun, that mean holiday parties are happening too! I happened to go to my first of the season, the Chrismahanakwanzakah party help by the APO fellowship chair. Pretty much ugly sweaters and white elephant.

I didn't win ugliest sweater, but I think I had a pretty spiffy one.

Sadly enough, this is one of my mom's old sweaters. It's just... the colors. No.

I've never really done a White Elephant before, but I've heard that you're supposed to get simply ridiculous gifts. That meant perusing the RV Garage. Where junk goes to live. I managed to grab a Harlequin romance novel courtesy of my mom, and an old beanie baby shark. It was bizarre, and delightful. Hell, I didn't even read what the book was about but when the person who got it did... it was ridiculous.

My gift? A reversible sweatshirt thing. Huh. All I know is that I have to wash it, but it actually could be nice to wear for lazy day wear. Maybe.

Oh goodness, I need to go to bed. Excited that tomorrow is Friday, but that means finals are that much closer. Ew.

Have you ever been to a White Elephant? What's a ridiculous gift that you've received?

Wish Lists are Boring

I'm procrastinating getting in the shower. What is going on? I used to love showers. I suppose that's what happens when you have to fight against the clock for a warm shower. Goodness.

As we are getting closer and closer to the holiday season, it's around this time that we start asking the people around us, "What do you want for Christmas/Hanukkah/WhateverDecemberholidayyoucelebratethatyouhavetoshopfor?" Let's face it, you're getting/giving gifts in December no matter what you celebrate. It's just how the world works now.

The thing is, there are phases of gift-receiving that we all go through. The biggest and main one comes when we're kids. When we're kids, we want EVERYTHING. Our lists are a mile long, or really expensive. Either way, the more gifts mean the more exciting your morning is going to be. Then there's the phase that I'm currently in. It's called, "I don't really want any gifts, because I would rather have money so I'm not broke." This phase isn't fun for anyone. This phase may also mix with the "practical gift phase", because at this point that's what we need. Toys are a waste of money and space. We adults do not need trinkets, they are useless. (I keep on wanting to call myself a teenager lately. Good lord, I'm twenty. How did that happen?)

I admit, there's nothing I really need but that's not the main reason I've said, "I don't need anything for Christmas just money." The biggest reason I've been asking for money is because of the (hopefully) studying abroad. The last few days all I've done is apply for scholarships and jobs, but I like easy gift money.
On the other hand, I've been thinking about gifts lately. I realized that yes, there are a few things that I actually would like. I'm only reluctant to ask, because I'd rather have cash. Eh. Yes, I know that wish lists make for obnoxious posts, but I'm going to do it anyways. Anywho, I present to you my Christmas Wish List.

Source

1. Microsoft Office
Did I say fun gifts? Because I meant gifts that I need. Yes, my computer doesn't have Microsoft Word. It's got some default program that comes on the computer. Did you know that Microsoft Office doesn't come with all computers? I certainly did not when I got my computer as a graduation gift. I've been able to handle documents just fine without it, but it's annoying, and files don't send right. I just would like to be with modern times.

Source

2. Cellphone GPS holder
Don't worry, I have some fun holiday wishes but in reality I want this. I get lost all of the time, so I use the GPS on my phone. It's useful, but I have to look at the phone in my lap for directions. Not so useful. I saw that my aunt has one of these, and they seem really awesome.

3. Community Season 1
For all of my Community praise, I have to admit I haven't seen all of the first season. This was at a time when I didn't know what a Hulu was (Now my terrible addiction), so I always missed it when it was on. I only started watching it online when I saw the 1st paintball episode.Usually, I'm a watch an episode only once type of girl and then I'm done, but Community is one of those shows where I can watch certain ones a few times. Like the zombie Halloween episode. Arrested Development falls into this category as well.

4.Itunes
Itunes are boring. But I want music. Mainly The Lonely Island. Apparently all I listen to is fake rap.

That's my list. Like I said, older kids? Boring lists. I've always sucked to shop for, in case you're wondering.

What's on your Holiday Wish List?

Christmas Loot, Running With Bad Fuel, and Old Friends

How was Christmas day for everyone? Or, how was yesterday in general? I had a lovely day, in case you were wondering. I also received many lovely gifts. Some things that I got I didn't even know I wanted, but as soon as I unwrapped them I thought, "Oh my gosh I needed this!" Well... maybe I didn't really need it, but I really liked.
In my family, we actually enjoy receiving clothing so I got quite a few clothing items. I won't show the clothes, but I will show you some of my other gifts.

My grandma gave me Apples to Apples, and I am seriously glad she did. It is one of the funniest games to play ever in my personal opinion.
I asked specifically for the three books on the right. My personal library now has a touch more of Internet-based literature via The Book of Awesome and Stuff White People Like. I am currently trying to see just how white I actually am.
I also asked for that harmonica necklace, and it is a pretty cool necklace. People notice it and it's fun to play with.
The running calendars are really cool. I can't wait for January to start recording in the book! Right now I use my school planner.
The tea set is from my aunt, who I didn't even know was getting me a present! How sweet!
Other gifts not pictured include some head wear (hats), a necklace from my sister and the game Balderdash from my sister. I had never played Balderdash before, but it is hilarious. I suggest you play it.
Yes, I realize I'm pretty spoiled. At least I admit it, right?

Christmas isn't all about gifts of course. We had a lovely day with some of my family and played games until late in the night. No one knew that it was 1 am by the time we were done! Simply put, it was high up there on the good Christmases scale.

I went on a run today, and boy my body let me know it was not pleased. My body hasn't seen a decent amount of fruits and veggies in days. I honestly haven't been eating extremely large quantities, but it's only been pretty much sugar. A chocolate Santa for breakfast on Christmas day? Nuh uh.
During the run, the body bitched me out. Oh, it moved perfectly fine. However, the stomach was screaming. I did manage to get 10 miles in! I'm happy about that.

I visited one of my best friends from high school this evening! It felt kind of weird though. Mainly because she has a boyfriend and acts a bit like she's married now. Not something I'm used to. Well, she's still herself. Funny thing, we got the exact same GPA for our first term/semester at college! We rock.

I hope my rambling wasn't too much for y'all out there! I hope you all enjoyed your lovely holidays!

What's an interesting gift you received this year?

Errands, Eyes and Effort

Can you believe that it's already the 15th? I cannot. Christmas is coming closer and closer, which means gifts need to be bought. Luckily, I got most of my Christmas shopping done today! Lovely lovely.

This was simply an errand running day. I got my eyes checked out. Those tests always make me think my eyes are terrible, but then they tell me my eyes are in excellent condition. Huh. The eye exam also included getting my eyes dilated. Oof. Getting my eyes dilated messes with half my day because my sight is blurry, causing me to be dizzy.

Just found out my grades! I'm not sure if I'm pleased or slightly annoyed. For instance, I'm actually happy with the B that I received in English. I was worried that my grade in that class was going to be low. The one grade that I was annoyed with was my B+ in History. Yes, that may sound like that annoying kid in class, whining about why they got the score 96/100 instead of 99/100. However, I did EVERYTHING right! I participated in every class discussion, read every reading! For goodness sakes, I wrote for two hours straight for the final! The main point is I feel like I gave 100%, but got 85% back.

Not much to say today. I need to stop writing these entries with distractions, I can never actually comprehend what I'm writing.

How do you feel when you get your eyes dilated?