JCBDAY2K5

Dec25

We started off the day by going to church. Not a big fan of the church, but I went for my mom.

Next we (we being my mom, stepdad, and step-grandmother) came back home and opened Christmas presents. Here's what I got the First round:

• Money - parents always give money when they're either to lazy to get something or ran out of time to get something.
• Toiletries - The mom gave me a bath scrubber dealie, floss (because I'm a floss addict), and a toothbrush
• Guitar picks- got 10 of them. The grey ones from Jim Dunlop .88mm, just the right size!
• Shirt 1 - A blue, longsleeve, old navy shirt. This was given by my dad's eldest son. I usually get weird gifts from them. I don't know what they're thinking when they get it. For instance, one year I got a pen that lit up and change different colors. The next year I got a AM/FM radio pen. Seriously. who uses that stuff. But it did make a good conversation piece.
• Shirt 2 - A black polo 70% silk and 30% cotton. Nice blend! This was given by my stepdad's youngest son. Always gives shirts that would look really good on him. But they are generally things I would wear.
• Books - Books were what I wanted most this Christmas. I could have gotten nothing but books and I would have been perfectly fine.
  • Book 1: The Sivananda Companion to Yoga: A Complete Guide to the Physical Postures, Breathing Exercises, Diet, Relaxation, and Meditation Techniques of Yoga
  • Book 2: Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
  • Book 3: The New Well-Tempered Sentence : A Punctuation Handbook for the Innocent, the Eager, and the Doomed

Then, we travelled on over to the rodriguez house where our family would gather to celebrate the birth of christ. Yet, the only thing that dealt with Christ that family visit was the prayer prior to dinner time. Strange. Anyway, we watched a little of the Heat vs Lakers; then we ate and watched Elf; next, it was singing time; then White Elephant/gift giving time:

• CDRs - I originally got stuck with flashlights but my uncle chris was glad to trade me for CDRs.

next it was Game Time!

My cousin Andy works at Jefferson HS so he and cousin Mike suggested a little family BBall. So we all got on our gear and headed over to the gym @ 8ish. We played for a good two hours which resulted in me being sore the next day.

After finishing family basketball, cousin Andy and I went out for a few drinks. We've been going out the past few times and it has been enjoyable every single time! Most of the time we get trashed.

Dec26

The next day was rest and relaxation day. I could have opted to go to work but i chose to stay at home. At night I went and got my father a gift and finished the cards for my two sisters. I went over @ 8pm-ish and gave out the gifts. My youngest sister jackie got a $20 candy gift certificate and 20 bucks; my oldest sister Katherine got a $25 Hollister Gift card and 20 bucks. I got my dad the super cool book 1776. Although I haven't read it, I've heard many good things about it. This is what I got from my dad.

• Money. Plain and simple. no funking around.

Then I treated the fam to a wendy's frostie which was quite a delight. Hung out for a little while longer and then ventured back on home.

Dec27

I don't recall what I did this day... It was probably nothing.

Dec28

Did a whole lot of nothing in the morning. I went into work @ 4:30 to pick up my paycheck. A pretty uneventful day except for the evening. My girlfriend returned from her holidays in ElPaso, TX other wise known as Chucotown. I brought her some bean and cheese nachos from Taco Cabana's and we had a wonderful Christmas Dinner. Then we exchanged gifts. I finished giving her the presents I had got her. Something from VS and Aveda in addition to a little something from my mom. Then she gave me the following:

• Gap Sweater
• CDR's
• John Lennon Post Card
• Paul McCartny's Chaos in the Back Yard - I haven't heard all of it but Sir PMcC is awesome. the first four tracks have been quite delightful especially Jenny Wren.
• Aveda Purifying Gel Cleanser: Aveda has awesome products. They're organic products with no chemicals etc. All natural. They would be the best products in the word if they weren't so pricey. Example: Chapstick = $8.50!!!
• Aveda Tea - I forgot what kind of tea this was but they gave it out at the stores. Pretty Delish.
• Jansport Backpack: I definitely needed a new backpack. My old one had been in use since 8th grade. It had a hole in the leather bottom that was gradually getting wider and wider. The bagpack contained the following two items.
• Books:
  • Chord Progressions for Songwriters - My brain dies when I try to write new stuff so I needed a little help from this book.
  • Posture Alignment - If anyone knows me they know I have a problem standing up straight. It's not that I don't want to. It's just that I forget. Perhaps some exercises will help.

Dec29

I've just awoke a couple of hours ago and printed out the e-Tickets for the misses and I. We're travelling to NYC to visit Mr. Dennis for his birthday Extravaganza and newyearseve!