Okay, so it's been a while since I've updated my journal, so I figured tonight would be a good time to do it.

My Christmas list included lots of things I wanted but didn't actually need, and for the most part I got things that were more practical or, even better, totally unexpected.

1st off, this past week I've been taking care of my fish, a present from Xenobody and his brother! Their names are: Goldie (fantail goldfish), Onyxia (black moor [another goldfish species]), and Plecy (plecostomus [a type of catfish, actually]). The plecostomus are the ones that eat the algae off the tank. In fact, in some Asian countries, they're called janitor fish or municipal fish because of how well they keep the tank clean. Overall, the fish are very photogenic when they sit still, which is never. Hopefully soon I'll get some decent pictures up to show the rest of the world. Unfortunately, I need to replace one fish, guess the move from the store to our tank was too much for her, she didn't make it. *mourn for Ebony the fish*

2ndly, my parents got/are getting me responsible things. Some clothes from my dad, and a nice coat from my mom.

3rdly, my younger brother and I visited my grandmother's on Christmas Eve, and came home with two collie puppies. Totally unexpected! Even our mom, who the puppies will live with, didn't survive the call of the cuteness! Missy and Brownie are going to be a handful and we're trying to train them as indoor dogs. Wish me luck!

Those are the major gifts. I'm sure I'm forgetting something else, but I apologize up front and everybody who knows me knows my memory can be a bit flaky. Anyhow, this weekend, I'm heading to my uncle and cousin's house to visit for my last Christmas dinner. There are likely more presents there for the taking.

A few thanks: Thanks for all the gifts, everybody. Special thanks to Xenobody for everything and to my Mom, who bought my first Christmas tree after I left the nest. I love you, Mom! And last, but definitely not least, many thanks to all my friends and family for everything along the way, and a Merry Christmas / Happy Holidays to everybody on dA. You're all great, keep it up.