For those who don't know, my immediate family and I (that is, my mother, stepfather, brother, and me), we celebrate the winter holidays a tad early. Officially, we celebrate the Winter Solstice, which is the shortest day of the year. It's a Pagan holiday, so, boo, I dun care if that upsets you. 'cause you know what? I get to open my presents early~! *raspberry*

But in all seriousness, we also do celebrate Christmas with the rest of the family, and have a Christmas Eve party every year (though at whose house is always a toss-up. lol), and it ALWAYS includes tamales.

Unfortunately, up until a couple years ago, the tamales were homemade, and there was actually a PRE Christmas Eve party PARTY, in which all the women of the family would gather around and actually make the tamales. I never did, since I was kind of too young, and I kinda really do miss the homemade tamales. I mean, the ones we've been getting every year are still pretty damn good.

Oh, and in case ya'll are wondering, the Christmas Eve party fare every year is: chicken and rice, beans, tortillas, mini sausages (ALWAYS my favorite!), and tamales (of course). There's other stuff, too, of course, but as far back as I can remember, those listed above have always been a Christmas Eve staple (even if I didn't eat most of it! Hah!).

So, really, my immediate family may celebrate the Winter Solstice above Christmas, but it doesn't take one bit out of the spirit of the holidays, since the purpose of the winter holidays is to spend time with family.

On a little sidenote: since we started celebrating the solstice, our dinner has always been vegetarian, in honor of the holiday. This year, I was finally able to go ALL DAY without eating a SHRED of meat~! I normally don't do this, since not eating meat makes me a little cranky.

Now, on to the holiday movies that are ALWAYS a staple in my holiday experience:

How The Grinch Stole Christmas (Honestly, how could anyone NOT watch this every year?)
The Muppets Christmas Carole (One of the very first Christmas movies that I can remember. NOTHING outdoes this movie. NOTHING. )

And newly added to my list of movies to watch during the winter holidays:

The Snow Queen (I have this on VHS. Egads, I even still have a VHS player to play it on~! Crazy, huh? Especially since The Snow Queen came out in 2002. But, honestly, I've always loved the fairytale, mainly because the poor little girl in the beginning winds up being the hero in the end. And also because she goes through such hardships, just so she can rescue the boy from the clutches of the Snow Queen.)
The Little Matchstick Girl (I recently saw this on Youtube, and it is apparently released on an edition of the Little Mermaid (dvd, of course). It's one of my favorite winter-themed fairytales, and I almost ALWAYS cry at the end of it. But the way Disney has done it, the ending is bittersweet, rather than just sad. I highly recommend seeing this!)



And now...last but not least...I CAN FINALLY PLAY MY AVATAR GAME AS SOON AS MY BROTHER FINISHES FIXING UP MY NEW GAMING COMPUTER~!!!!! *DANCES AROUND HAPPILY* AND I CAN FINALLY GET A NOOK 'CAUSE MY FAMILY GAVE ME A LOTTA MONEY TO GET IT~! HOLYSHIT, THEY ARE EFFINGLY, UNBELIEVABLY SWEET AND NICE TO GIVE ME SO MUCH~!!!!

*wipes a teary eye* I hope everyone's winter holidays are going good so far, no matter what holiday you celebrate.

I went to see Avatar today...after it was over, and we were walking to the car, my legs felt...long, and yet short... In all honesty, the world of Avatar felt more real than reality... And I actually did cry at parts in the movie... Suffice to say, I want to go see it again, right now. It's...the kind of movie that I can get lost in...that I actually feel bad when it's over...

The movie...I can't even begin to describe just how amazingly wonderful it is. It's just the kind of thing you have to experience for yourself...in 3D.

(Die, you're gonna go see it, even if I have to make you.)

I'm currently working on stuff...

1. Die's Xmas Gift -- 75% complete
2. MeWindy's Xmas/Bday Gift -- 25% complete
3. Acclimation chapter 5
4. Chris's Xmas Gift -- i has an idea...mwahaha...
5. Rina-chan's Xmas Gift -- IDEATIEMNOWPLZ
6. Noddle's Xmas Gift -- IDEATIEMNOWPLZ
7. Berry X Karek sketches


and holycrackerjacks, I got a work featured. DX [link] (not a DA feature, but a club feature). Yea...I'm a little "OMGWTFHOLYEFFINSHITMOTHERCRACKERJACKS" at the moment. ^^U

First three people to comment (besides Die and Noodle) can get a pic of their choice for the winter holidays (I technically don't celebrate Christmas). Just, uh, remember that I'm not THAT entirely talented?

Also, I reserve the right to not do an Xmas pic. 'cause, uh, I'm a bitch like that? Mwahaha. <3

There's a Star Trek MMO coming out February next year. It is seriously making me drool.

>> Anyone wanna join it with me, I will love you forever. Seriously.

Just thought to announce this...still not really sticking on this account.

Also, I do believe I'm trying to hack up a lung. I've had a cough since Sunday. It's still here. Was coughing so hard that I tasted my dinner a second time last night. I'm loving my inhaler.