After a five-day holiday break, I'm back at work again, in the Big Apple, with renewed vigor. Although I could've taken this week off as well, I decided that it would be nice to have a relaxing work week for a change. Normally, I receive new tasks daily, creating deadline after deadline. This week, since the office is almost deserted, I'll have a generous amount of time to finish up some documentation.

This Christmas was the first that I actually bought gifts for my family. It was heart-warming to see the younger kids enjoy a present I picked out, it was like winning a contest. My cousin, Jenny, a toddler of about three, wore a Snow White costume with her hair in a purple bow. She has plump cheeks and dime-sized eyes that gleam. Her midnight hair, with straight and steady bangs, ends just above her neck. When she runs, it's more like fast waddling, and she holds her arms out as if for balance. I dare say that she is the cutest girl to ever cross a poisoned apple.

I took Lisa skiing for the first time of her life last Friday. She fell and fell, more than pine in a deforestization. Still, with each crash she made progress. By the end of the day, she managed to ski down Snowflake without tumbling. Her frame ached for days afterwards.