Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

So another year nearly comes to a close.

I made it through the semester, even passing the class that I had to retake this term. (Two A-'s and a B - not bad) Next semester will see four 400-level computer science courses and a distinct lack of free time, I'm betting. But, all things being fair, I ought to be graduating in May. Hoorah!

Let's see, Christmas was full of ups and downs this year. Kate and I visited my folks and sister down in Colorado Springs and that was awesome! I'll have to post some pictures eventually. A couple of Kate's co-workers offered to work a little extra so that Kate could leave work early and thus we were able to outrun the winter storm that swept in that weekend. Since we both had to work on Christmas Eve (just the morning though), we returned for Fort Collins the previous night.

On Christmas Eve, I spent most of the day in a bout of stomach pain thanks to an ill-advised morning meal of breakfast burritos from 7-Eleven. I wasn't able to eat anything most of day and wasn't able to do much of anything except curl up in bed feeling miserable. By Christmas morning I was better but I hadn't slept well so I was sore and tired. I must not have been all-together there because while I was setting up my new digital camera for a holiday photo of me and Kate, I dropped it and bounced it off of the coffee table. Now the lens won't extend or retract and the camera won't operate with the lens stuck like it is. Aargh! It was brand-new camera that my parents gave me too! (Fortunately, I think I can replace it for a decent price through Amazon.com so I'll be saving up for that - I just felt like a complete klutz and moron for breaking such a nice present!)

By Christmas evening, I had started to settle a bit. Kate and I opened our presents from friends, family, and each other and that helped lift my spirits. After taking care of a couple errands around the house, we headed down to join our friends Bill and Tammy (along with Ron) in Johnstown for Christmas dinner. Thankfully, my stomach was recovered by then so I was able to enjoy the amazing meal that Bill and Tammy put together for us. We played a couple of games then headed off for an early night.

I had the next few days off so I was able to get a few things done around the house that needing doing, as well as finish configuring the new laptop my folks bought for me for Christmas. (Thanks, Mom and Dad!) The laptop came installed with Windows Vista, which was a bit of disappointment, but I'm learning how to make the OS do what I tell it to do (even when it doesn't want to). :-)

I just finished my last day of work for the year - all before my vacation starts. Yep, the city library where I work turns into an independent library district come the first of 2008 year...and I'm spending my first two weeks as a District employee on vacation! Ha!

Vacation consists of a trip up to Washington state to see my in-laws, the O'Connells. Assuming the weather doesn't leave us stranded in Seattle or something, I'm hoping for a relaxing week and a half. Maybe I can even get caught up on some reading or webpage updating!

We planning to spend New Year's Eve down at Bill and Tammy's place again. We're dragging along a few co-workers from the library that may or may not have better things to do. Bill's planning on making some white or green chili and the rest of us are bringing snackables, drinkables, and other edibles. Then it's games all night 'til we ring in the New Year!

That's it for now. As always, thanks so much for reading.

Wishing you and yours the very best for both this holiday and the coming New Year!