Well, I guess the holidays aren't technically over, are they? But, hope everyone got what they wanted! Hope everyone had a good time with family and friends, and that life is treating you well! I know things in this economy aren't easy for many people.

As for myself, I've been out skiing So awesome... except it hasn't snowed nearly as much as last year... which is too bad, because I'm a huge fan of snow (not ice, not slush, just snow). Other than that, grad school is same as ever (sometimes fun, often painful, just like this girl I once dated)...

What's new and exciting with you? I know some of you went on awesome vacations!

cheers,

-avatar!

When it comes to winter sports, skiing is not my forte.  I recall taking a trip to Lake Placid a few years back.  The ice-skating, snowboarding, and snowmobiling were all excellent fun.  But the skiing..... even on the beginner's hills, I managed to crash into a wall, twice get tangled in someone else's skis, and almost broke a leg when I lost balance and was sliding down on one foot.  I think I became much less of a hazard to myself and others when I stuck to the cross-country.

Learned a new lesson: talk with other gift givers! No one (my mother) needs four George Forman Grills.

On the fourth day of christmas my true love gave to me... four forman grills.

hehe, funny
That brings up a good question, what's a good way to purchase presents? I have a friend who says a present should be something that someone would enjoy, but not purchase his or herself. I always try to purchase crafts, high-quality books, local music, or something "nice" that isn't so readily available. That is, you won't find it at Wal-Mart!

As for skiing, I should clarify that I do mostly cross-country. I have gone downhill skiing, but I don't think its as fun. Also, as Angela pointed out, it is somewhat dangerous. I've known a number of people who have broken bones due to skiing. The only accident I ever had while downhill skiing is when a snowboarder ran into me while I admiring the view (I wasn't even moving, and it's not like I was hard to notice)! Fortunately I wasn't hurt, but apparently snowboarders tend to be a menace, or so I've heard.

cheers,

-avatar!

Work, as ever, but holiday hours are done and tomorrow's my last shift of the year thanks to holiday time-off. Whee!

I hope to use the time for gaming. I got a 360 for Christmas and am saving it for tomorrow night, but bought a handful of games before work today in anticipation (more on that in another thread shortly).

Aside from that, not much. I finally got my belated CT preorder disc (yay) and some coughing and post-nasal drip to go with it (boo). So it balances.

No, this crappy economy sure isn't making my life any easier, but I'll deal.  I did have a pretty good holiday with family and friends, so that was nice.

I've been studying... as usual. Economics becomes easy to get into once I overcome differentiation. Determinant still bugs me an awful lot though

We somewhat follow this idea in my family, my list containing items I'd like or have caught my eye but haven't made an effort to obtain. I know it seems kind of tacky trading lists when everyone is over 25, but the holidays are already stressful as it is. At the very least we try to get each person one thing that isn't on there list.

I don't think it's that important where a gift comes from per say but there are times were I wish the person giving the gift would actually shop around for the gift in order to save money. For example, my mother always waits until the last minute to buy everything so she always buys a ton of stuff at FYE a.k.a ripoff central. It's not that I want her to be able to get me more stuff but I hate seeing her spend more money on stuff than she has to.

lol, I actually did quite a bit of shopping there this year...Their "buy 1 get 1 free" deal on TV series boxsets was something I went to a lot for gift-giving (as well as personal acquisitions, heh). They had good stuff too...The Simpsons, Married With Children, the SNL sets, Saved by the Bell. Their CD prices had baby jesus crying all the way through the holidays though...

Yeah, I nabbed South Park Seasons 7 and 8 when this promotion started but by Christmas the selection was so horribly picked over all they had was stuff I wouldn't dream of buying on DVD - Married With Children being one of them. I remember watching that show when it was on the air but like Roseanne and Full House watching it now gives me the shudders.