Christmas 2015 is over and I’m in denial so I’m going to re-live the past few days through photos. But, let’s be honest, I’ll end up keeping Chester around until the end of January and we have the annual “Long Live Christmas Party!” to keep the holiday spirit going.

Thursday:

Hemie and I met up with Nitasha in Santa Monica for coffee and conversation. And cuddles. [Hema, the alliteration is for you].

We went to Lo-Cal Coffee on Pico Blvd.

After grabbing some coffee and making friends with the barista, we went for a walk near the water.

It made me miss my LA days. When I used to go for a post-work run near the beach. Or hang out at 3rd Street Promenade. It seems like ages ago. So much has changed about this place, but so much is also exactly how I left it.

After our walk and photo sesh, our tummies were grumbling so we walked toward 3rd Street and ended up stopping at the first place we saw. Healthy bowls from Taco Libre!

After lunch, we parted ways and Hemie and I went to go pick Sister up from the airport. Immediately after getting home, we set up the dominoes. Obviously.

It took a while to get the game going. There were a lot of Facetime interruptions, people getting up to pee, and side conversations that took everyone off track.

At first, I was not a happy camper. I take my Mexican Train Dominoes game very seriously.

But I got over it real quick. That’s my family. Always a million things going on at once. I just have to embrace the crazy. They’re mine forever.

Eventually, everyone settled down and we got a few good rounds in. I didn’t win. And I had to exert a LOT of self-control to not pick up the game and throw it in the fireplace.

Luckily, Sister distracted me and suggested we go to the grocery store to pick up some brownie mix.

Sissy loves brownies.

Friday:

We all woke up pretty early and decided to go for a walk near the water.

There’s something oddly entertaining about a Christmas tree on the sand. The tree-stump reindeers are a new addition to the beach this year.

When we got home, the cousins had their annual Just Cuz’ Secret Santa exchange via Google Video chat. I picked Sister and I bought her a onesie. It was a stressful purchase because Sister is honestly the best gift-giver I know and I always want her gifts to be perfect.

She could have been pretending for my sake, but I think she liked her gift.

There was a lot of hopping and bouncing and shaking her booty in her new onesie.

Bhav had me and she gave me one of the best gifts I’ve ever received!

I’ve already downloaded 5 new books on my Kindle. AND the entire Harry Potter series is available through Kindle Unlimited so I’ll be pretty occupied for the rest of break. Such a thoughtful, practical gift.

Thanks, Bhav <3

After the exchange, Hemie made some of her V-Chai and then we were off for Walk #2 to the grocery store.

We stopped at Starbucks to get some coffee and when I took out my phone to pay, the barista said, “It was covered by the customer before you. Pay it forward.” 

I was so blown away by the gesture. I tried to pay for the guy behind me. He thanked me but said to save it for another time since he wanted to use a free reward he had.

I decided that I want to do more random acts of kindness like this more often.

It completely made my day.

When we got home, Hemie and I opened up our gifts from Tash. They were absolutely PERFECT for us. I can’t wait to start writing in this journal. I know I have my blog, but sometimes there’s stuff that I don’t always share on here, so it’s nice to have another outlet – a little more private – to write about things going on in my life.

Thank you Tash for yet another thoughtful gift.

Earlier this week, I was thinking about how it hasn’t really felt much like Christmas because it’s sunny outside, Chester is up in the Bay Area, and we have zero decorations up at home. But then I remember that Christmas is so much more than all of those things. It’s about family. It’s about friends. It’s about the Christmas spirit.

And, boy oh boy, the spirit is strong.

Thank you to my family and friends who make my life so happy and warm and fuzzy and mushy and love-y.

I love you all the most.

Questions of the Day:

• Current board game obsession?
  
• How did you celebrate Christmas this year?