2008!?
Wow... it really has been a while, hasn't it?
Since my last entry, my group 1·2·3 HUSH was getting ready for NYAF back on Dec 7-9. We did okay in the artist alley, though I can't say for sure since we haven't had a meeting since then to see how much we actually made (though I hear we at least broke even). The con itself had bad timing in general... opened late and closed early, holiday shopping season, and finals week. It really could've had more people attending/spending, but we didn't think anyone would really want to spend a lot of money on themselves when Christmas is around the corner.
It's hard to believe that the holidays are finally over. Felt like a blur with all that running around I've been doing for the past couple of months. This is probably the most expensive holiday for me yet, though I feel kinda good being able to spend money for presents this time. Before I got that job, I was pretty hesitant on spending in general. I'm glad that even though I'm not earning that much, I can save and splurge equally without a long "lag" in between. But getting back about the holidays, it all went by pretty fast. All I remember is being out shopping to get ideas for presents, then BAM. It's already over. I can barely even remember what I did for Christmas (Sarah visited on Christmas Eve, and we went out shopping. Then I hung out with her the next day at her aunt's house). Next thing I know, it's already this past weekend... and off snowboarding with a fairly large group...
I took my last couple of sick days of the year to get ready for the trip. Dropped off presents, took my car over to the body shop for repairs, and then rented a car. I was aiming to rent a compact car, but all Enterprise had in the area was a full sized car (Kia Optima). I didn't really mind, since all I wanted was something to drive over to Pennsylvania (I couldn't borrow my parents' car, since mine was going to be in the shop and we didn't have a "spare car"). I've almost forgotten what it was like to drive a new car... that wasn't low to the ground... and wobbled because of unbalanced tires (oh god, I hope that's all that is with my car)... and automatic transmission... :X
The group that went consisted of myself, Sarah, Ping, Angela (Ping's new-ish girlfriend :O ), Justin, Tasha, Alyse, Brittany, Cecily, Sean, and Arbie. I think if we had about 4 more people we could've been able to get a group rate for skiing/snowboarding. Sean, Arbie, Ping and I went snowboarding while Sarah was the lone skiier (though Alyse, Brittany, and Cecily tried skiing on the first day), then the rest opted for snow tubing. I'm quite impressed with Ping and Sarah's progression. It's been a full year since Ping snowboarded, and he still took a shot at the blue square trails (intermediate). He did really well from what I hear. Sarah actually started beating me downhill after some advice/encouragement (though she tells me that she spied on a group lesson at one point). As for me? I gained a bit of confidence back thanks to better conditions and a rented helmet :X I'm almost ashamed to admit it, but I'm still afraid of gaining speed downhill ever since a couple years ago when I got mild whiplash (though I shouldn't be the one to talk... apparently Ping had a mild concussion that same time. Without letting anyone know until well after the incident). At least I didn't fall as much as I usually did. Not counting the times I fell because of people not clearing the area by the lift and hearing girls screaming "OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGOD" behind me, I only fell 2(?) times. Who knows? Maybe I'll take on the blue squares next year, when I learn more control and feel more confident.
I don't know what it was, but this weekend really felt like a vacation for me. I don't know if it's the pacing, the people, or what... but I haven't had a relaxing vacation like that in a long time. Heck, I'm not even as sore as I thought I would be today. I can't wait for next year's trip! Maybe I should try going snowboarding again this season...why wait...?
X-Mas loot for the year:
iPod shuffle
Contra 4
Transformers Alternator: Ricochet
bath robe
pajamas
sweaters
gift cards
money
Bruce Lee sticker
electronic bubble wrap thing...?
Ah, it's almost midnight...
HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!
"Sorry we're late... we kept hitting traffic lights on the way"
Since my last entry, my group 1·2·3 HUSH was getting ready for NYAF back on Dec 7-9. We did okay in the artist alley, though I can't say for sure since we haven't had a meeting since then to see how much we actually made (though I hear we at least broke even). The con itself had bad timing in general... opened late and closed early, holiday shopping season, and finals week. It really could've had more people attending/spending, but we didn't think anyone would really want to spend a lot of money on themselves when Christmas is around the corner.
It's hard to believe that the holidays are finally over. Felt like a blur with all that running around I've been doing for the past couple of months. This is probably the most expensive holiday for me yet, though I feel kinda good being able to spend money for presents this time. Before I got that job, I was pretty hesitant on spending in general. I'm glad that even though I'm not earning that much, I can save and splurge equally without a long "lag" in between. But getting back about the holidays, it all went by pretty fast. All I remember is being out shopping to get ideas for presents, then BAM. It's already over. I can barely even remember what I did for Christmas (Sarah visited on Christmas Eve, and we went out shopping. Then I hung out with her the next day at her aunt's house). Next thing I know, it's already this past weekend... and off snowboarding with a fairly large group...
I took my last couple of sick days of the year to get ready for the trip. Dropped off presents, took my car over to the body shop for repairs, and then rented a car. I was aiming to rent a compact car, but all Enterprise had in the area was a full sized car (Kia Optima). I didn't really mind, since all I wanted was something to drive over to Pennsylvania (I couldn't borrow my parents' car, since mine was going to be in the shop and we didn't have a "spare car"). I've almost forgotten what it was like to drive a new car... that wasn't low to the ground... and wobbled because of unbalanced tires (oh god, I hope that's all that is with my car)... and automatic transmission... :X
The group that went consisted of myself, Sarah, Ping, Angela (Ping's new-ish girlfriend :O ), Justin, Tasha, Alyse, Brittany, Cecily, Sean, and Arbie. I think if we had about 4 more people we could've been able to get a group rate for skiing/snowboarding. Sean, Arbie, Ping and I went snowboarding while Sarah was the lone skiier (though Alyse, Brittany, and Cecily tried skiing on the first day), then the rest opted for snow tubing. I'm quite impressed with Ping and Sarah's progression. It's been a full year since Ping snowboarded, and he still took a shot at the blue square trails (intermediate). He did really well from what I hear. Sarah actually started beating me downhill after some advice/encouragement (though she tells me that she spied on a group lesson at one point). As for me? I gained a bit of confidence back thanks to better conditions and a rented helmet :X I'm almost ashamed to admit it, but I'm still afraid of gaining speed downhill ever since a couple years ago when I got mild whiplash (though I shouldn't be the one to talk... apparently Ping had a mild concussion that same time. Without letting anyone know until well after the incident). At least I didn't fall as much as I usually did. Not counting the times I fell because of people not clearing the area by the lift and hearing girls screaming "OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGOD" behind me, I only fell 2(?) times. Who knows? Maybe I'll take on the blue squares next year, when I learn more control and feel more confident.
I don't know what it was, but this weekend really felt like a vacation for me. I don't know if it's the pacing, the people, or what... but I haven't had a relaxing vacation like that in a long time. Heck, I'm not even as sore as I thought I would be today. I can't wait for next year's trip! Maybe I should try going snowboarding again this season...why wait...?
X-Mas loot for the year:
iPod shuffle
Contra 4
Transformers Alternator: Ricochet
bath robe
pajamas
sweaters
gift cards
money
Bruce Lee sticker
electronic bubble wrap thing...?
Ah, it's almost midnight...
HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!
"Sorry we're late... we kept hitting traffic lights on the way"