Yes, 2004 is almost upon us! I can’t believe the year is almost over. It has gone by so fast! I’m having a few people over to celebrate, and lots of fireworks (heck ya!), so it should be fun.

I’ll give a big update on my trip to Canada later on this week, perhaps tomorrow, as well as plenty of pictures that I took while out of the country. I had a wonderful time visiting with tons of family; it was my first real Christmas.

Well, let the festivities begin! See ya next year.

I finally tracked down some internet access up here! It’s hard to get a broadband line run to these igloos. Actually, I’m writing from the suburbs of Toronto, a quite excellent city. I’ve been here many times before, but each time I notice more and more eccentricities about the place. Here are just a few:

Everyone talks with a weird accent and uses funny words; it’s almost like I’m in a different country, eh?

I’ve been having a great time since I got here. As soon as I stepped into the door of my Great-Uncle Steve’s house, I was bombarded with loads of our family’s Hungarian sausage; so good! And I spent last night at my Cousin Roger’s house with lots of family, eating dinner, giving gifts, and singing carols. It was so wonderful to get to have my first family Christmas, gathered aroudn the piano and other instruments, singing out. I loved it!

Earlier today, I had lunch at my Cousin Steve’s place with family, and we opened our presents. The best gift of all wasn’t even wrapped; it started to snow! That’s right, I had a white Christmas! I am lovin’ it! Tonight I am heading over to my Great-Aunt Mandy’s house to have another dinner and meet with even more family.

I will be sure and write more about it after I get home. I’ll also have pictures to upload and be able to tell you about my party. Until then, Merry Christmas!

Yes, it’s that time of year again, when people travel absurd lengths around the globe to visit with loved ones. I will be flying with my brothers and father to Canada in order to see my dad’s side of the family. We will be staying primarily in Toronto, although I’m sure I’ll get a chance to see Niagra Falls. Perhaps I’ll jump over the edge and see if Superman will come and save the day… hmmm.

My return flight is on the 31st, and I don’t expect to be able to update the blog until then, although I will try! I am carrying along my digital camera, so expect a picture set as well. Don’t forget about my New Year’s Eve party (arrive at 9pm!). All I can say is, lots and lots of fireworks!

I got around to visiting my friends’ families’ tonight, bringing cards and sharing in the warmth of the season. It was good to renew ties and affirm affection with everyone. Ah, I am loved! What a wonderful thing.

Anyways, enough with the mushy sentiments. Hope I don’t freeze, and come to the party!

Tonight I attended Holly’s Christmas party, per invite by Caroline. I arrived and found myself to be alone with 6 girls. Now, at first this may sound like a very, very appealing situation, but not when they are all sitting around watching Titannic, of all movies! Oh, the horror… And then three other guys showed up, and we left (with Caroline in tow) to find gifts for the white elephant exchange to be had later in the evening.

We returned in roughly 15 minutes, carrying a box full of door knobs out of the trash and a pair of Caroline’s dad’s old sandals, wrapped, of course. The festivities began with a hardy game of Catch Phrase (who knows who won), and then a small war was waged over the rules of the gift exchange. When all was said and done, I walked away with an orange construction barrel, and many other wacky gifts were recieved. My own bag of flower was not without use.

Nature: you either love it, or hate it. I am a bit of both; let me explain. I went camping yesterday and today with about 15 of the guys, and had a great time. When we arrived mid-afternoon, the weather was wonderful, bright and sunny. We goofed off until dark, then I built a big fire so we could keep warm and cook hot dogs and s’mores – and they were good! Anyways, even later in the evening it still wasn’t that cold outside, say 45 degrees or so. Then trouble hit.

I slept a little, but woke up about an hour later. I fought the cold all night long, until I couldn’t take it anymore. I got out of the tent, which was frozen, ran across the ice-covered grass to my truck, and jumped inside. The windshield was covered in ice, so I had to defrost it before I could drive around to get more heat. That’s when I realized that my toes had practically frozen! The cold had become unbearable in the middle of the night. As I drove around, I noticed many of my friends had also decided to do the same thing with their cars. Smart guys!

The rest of the day was wonderful, though. It warmed up significantly to 65 degrees for lunchtime. We all gathered in a circle and had a bunch of boxing matches. It was my first time to actually box, as I usually just street fight, but I did pretty well. I had two matches against the same guy, apparently one of the most experienced of the group. Basically, he knew much more technical details, but I had way more endurance, and when I landed my punches (few, I admit), he had to take a break to gather his sense. Fun stuff!

Now I am sitting at home, eating tons of food and painkillers, typing on my computer in the luxury of my own home. What a contrast between 10 hours ago! Before I forget, I’d like to say thanks to Caroline for introducing my to the commenting system, and Ash for being a fun person.