Another Santa?!?!

So the in-laws are here today. I did my part by cleaning their bathroom a bit (as well as the kitchen and other stuff...what a great son-in-law, eh?). I noticed these bottles in there. Ok, one exfoliator should be plenty...maybe two, but three? Thing is, when you're over 55, as they are, you shouldn't even be using these things that much--seems it's fine when you're young and new skin is popping up everywhere, but when you're older it's not as good for you.


Just how many exfoliators does one person need?

Anyways, let's talk about me for a while (again). Ordered some 김말이떡볶이/gim-mali-ddeok-bok-ee (rice noodles and glass noodles wrapped in seaweed smothered in hot sauce) from the Korean place in a nearby mall's food fare. The first time I went there I just handed her the order (in Hanguel) but this time said the order. She was pretty impressed with my Korean (brutal as it is) and asked if I went to Seoul...ya, I was there 2 years. After we got our order Spencer got a lollipop. This wouldn't be such a big deal, but this gal seems to have a reputation for being shy and quiet...ah, my celebrity status may be blossoming here as in Yeouido (ya, right).

Had Subway for lunch as I waited for the in-laws. Ah, a Western Subway again. In Seoul (hey, here's my recurring theme: everything is different) you go to the order end of the counter and pay first then they put on whatever they figure you want (usually everything) but here (as some readers may know) you start on the other end and state what veggies and such you'd like and then pay last. I loved to watch newbie expats and tourists go into Subway in Korea and wait at the wrong end (where no one would serve them) and then bark out their order when they figure out the protocol only to have the 'sandwich artist' screw it up because their English ain't too hot. (I did step in a few times, too...but usually people didn't believe me and just tried their way, so I figured I might as well get some entertainment out of it...maybe this is why immigrants here keep with the old ways.)

Well, they did arrive and we got everything home (my days as a treeplanter and having to pack a whole camp into a 5-ton truck came in handy when I started cramming Koreans' suitcases into cars). Of course they brought presents: robots and lots of clothes for the boys. One thing for sure, these guys got lots of toys and an awesome wardrobe--thanks to both sets of grandparents.


Spencer has fun with his new, big robot...


...and he likes to play with Winston's little robot too.

Afterward we went to the strata Christmas party where Spencer tried something new: drinking from a waterfountain. Never occurred to me that he'd never done that. Another Santa showed up, too. I think Spencer is starting to think that this guy is always in Coquitlam or something.


His first drink from a waterfountain...what a natural.

When we got home it was time to get the tree ready...yee-ha! Spencer is really into the "Christmas is coming", "Santa will bring me presents" and "I eat candycanes" thing.


Now for a gazillion candycanes on the tree.


Finally, it's almost done.

Oh ya, on the job front I got a call from a headhunter in New York. She said not to expect much til the New Year as most on Wall Street need to get their bonuses and then decide whether to jet out of there (quit) or not...but in January and February it's like musical chairs so the good news is I can take it easy for the holidays and use this time to be sure that hiring firms and their consultants know that I am alive and looking.

Which reminds me, I have to send a couple out now...later.