So I bought my tickets! Will be gone from 12/24 through 1/7 - weird dates because this way I got really cheap tickets, less than half the price of what it would have been to travel during the high peak times. I have to take three days off but it is still cheaper to not receive wages for three days than to pay for the full price ticket. Plus, I do not do well with the jet lag, not at all, so I need a longer vacation to get adjusted.

I will be staying with D, and he and I, and possibly bff if she finds a way to leave her two kids with husband or relatives, will take a three day trip together in the countryside.

A close friend just celebrated the first birthday of her twin boys (twins because she had gone through grueling IVF with many many failures before she finally conceived them - she gave birth at 40!) and for those kids, I will buy cute presents from HA: the friend always showers me with gifts such as perfume etc. and I would love to reciprocate in the form of brightly colored high quality clothing. But this cute dress won't do: the twins are boys!

D. will take me to a play he particularly like, bff has sent her list of recommended plays, and I have just spotted a still life exhibition (I love still life) which will be ongoing around the Christmas time. So I am slowly getting prepared. This should be a fun time, except for the jet lag and the waiting in lines in the airports, of course. I wish I could just have the airline teleport me over there!