Merry Christmas!!

We just wanted to wish all our friends and family a very Merry Christmas. We wish you all a holiday filled with love, joy, and happiness. We miss you all and are sad we aren't able to see you this Christmas, but you are in our thoughts and in our hearts.

Christmas comes but once a year

Wow, it's almost Christmas (T-10 days, or T-6 days of work). It just doesn't feel like it, probably because it rains all the time here, has been surprisingly mild, and we're away from our families and friends. However, we are trying to get into the holiday spirit and have put up some decorations, lights, and our tree. So I thought I'd take this opportunity to show all of you what Christmas looks like at our place:

Our tree (it's small, but it's there)

Our living room window (inside the house)

Our Christmas corner in our living room

Our living room window (outside)

Our front door

Our front entrance window

Semester one is done!

Well Chris finished his first semester of grad school yesterday. It actually feels like it went by quickly, which is good because we'd really like to get back to Toronto and our family (well Bambie's) and friends. Now he has 3 weeks off before second semester starts, however it won't all be spent playing Xbox (contrary to popular belief). He has to start working on his thesis idea and doing some research for a class he has. On top of that, I keeps bugging him to get a seasonal job. No rest for the wicked!

Oh, as a follow up to all those following the shingles saga, I'm back at work now and have been for a week. The shingles are stubborn little fellas and are still there, healing, but not causing any pain or itchiness (thank goodness!).

Yay and nay

Yay - I have a couple days off work!!! Get to sleep in, wear sweatpants all day, it's pretty sweet. Why, do you ask? Because...
Nay - the shingles are still here, and progressing slowly at that. I go to have them looked at on Wednesday morning to see if I can work, but a doctor at work that's been monitoring them thinks I'll be off all week. You see, they're still in the 'contagious' stage and since we see lots of children and pregnant women, the clinic just doesn't want to risk me giving someone chicken pox. So I've got xylocaine ointment now for both the pain (which has been at an all-time high) and the itching (not too bad anymore and I guess it helps that it hurts when I itch so I just don't do it). Just numbs the area. I must say, it works, and feels tingly in the process!