So, after a trip from Greece to Indiana, and then from Indiana to Maryland, and then sitting in the Rental Office for a couple days, I have now opened my Secret Santa gift. AIFG!

My roommate can attest to my sqee-age.

A card (which I am taking to class tomorrow to have the Greek girl in my class translate the translation of. Because it's cool. Hush)! Candy (super-yummy candy, even)! A necklace (It's Athena, yes?)! Embassy T-Shirt (one of the top 5 coolest t-shirts ever. I'm washing it now so I can wear it tonight)! And a frakking comic book! Any of which would have been good giftage (Raq, this gives you a better "good gift" rate than anyone in my family, btw.)! Total squee-age. And? Even the postage is cool!

Thank you!

And here I was, reading Laura's and Abi's tales of Santa-age, when -- quite literally while I was reading Abi's post -- in walks co-worker with a big box all wrapped up in Christmas paper, with the mailing label printed in Buffy font, and the return address the Buffistas logo -- with a santa hat!

I started laughing like a drain, to use a Fay-ism.

I ripped open the paper to find a red box (with white polka dots!) that made 2 co-workers ask "Did you get a *hat*?" I said "I don't know yet -- that's the fun part!"

Inside, nestled in tissue paper, were individually wrapped prezzies with cute little snowflake tags. One prezzie was SUSHI ERASERS!!! They are super-cool, and caused envy among my co-workers. With the sushi erasers were 2 pencils -- in the shape of (and decorated like) chopsticks -- SO cool!

Another prezzie, whose tag said "Not Lush, but just as lucious...." was bath bombs in my favorite scents, that make me want to run home and take a bath right now. (And, well, since it's almost 5:00, I might just do that!)

Tucked in all the tissue paper that protected my prezzies from getting pulverized was a nifty, sparkly, bead-y/crystal-y dangle-y bauble that I thought at first might be a keyring, and which chatty!co-worker suggested was "a big-ass earring." Upon further reflection, I think it's a suncatcher, and since my apartment faces East, it will be perfect in my bedroom window.

At the bottom was a present whose tag said "A very Buffista book...." which turned out to be The Givenchy Code, whose title made me laugh and laugh (because of my extreme dislike for The DaVinci Code. (AND, I should add, it looks really interesting and fun and -- yes -- geeky. It *does* sound like the perfect Buffista book, and I'm ready to start reading it right this minute.)

I think my plan is to go home, take a bath with one of the yummy bath bombs, and start reading!

Secret Santa O' Mine -- who did not reveal him/herself -- I'm pretty sure I know who you are, and you've been so busy that I am *extra* appreciative of my prezzies. Thank you thank you thank you!!!

That sounds like a great present, Teppy. And I loved The Givenchy Code.

Oh, that does sound good.

Yay Abi! As you know, I was worried - I thought I'd timed it to arrive while you were at your folks', but APO mail is tricky to time, to say the least.

It's Athena, yes?

It is...it may not be the prettiest necklace, but as totems go, Athena is a good one. It is a replica (not to scale) of the statue of Athena that stood in the Parthenon in ancient times. (Although, the guy I bought it from has just been accused of espionage against Americans, so you might try speaking clearly and slowly into it.)

Laura -- I'm so glad you liked everything! I had so much fun shopping for you.

It got there the day I left. I just happened to be ather I left that day.

That's what Elsa (my Greek friend) told me, about the statue (she also told me that the chocolates were from a famous candy place, and very much enjoyed the piece I offered her) (How not to scale? Did she have a big head?)

I had no idea that the horseshoe thing wasn't American. Huh.

Well, they'll be learning a lot about American grammar. Later, there may be mathematics. Perhaps I should sit closer to SciFi Friday tonight. That would be funny intel.

Secret Santa O' Mine -- who did not reveal him/herself -- I'm pretty sure I know who you are, and you've been so busy that I am *extra* appreciative of my prezzies. Thank you thank you thank you!!!

you're welcome! yeah, after I'd sent the gift, I came home and found the fun card with the incredibly witty message on the floor next to the wrapping paper. sorry about that. the sparkly thing is technically an ornament, but I just loved the sparkliness, and I bought a few to add to presents instead of bows. hadn't thought of the suncatcher idea, that's awesome! Glad you liked it!

Many thanks to my secret Santa MFNLaw, who sent me a wonderful assortment of international foodie items including a rack with bottles of flavored olive oil and balsamic vinegar, caviar, seafood rub, and peppermint candy. Also a beautiful pair of wine goblets that are now occupying a place of honor front and center in my china cabinet.

Everybody to Matt's place for dinner!