Christmas in Madagascar

This year I drew the short straw and had to work over Christmas and will work through the New Year as well. It wasn't all bad news however as I was luckily able to get home at the beginning of December for my two week visit. In her awesome wife fashion, Lisa was wonderful enough to plan all sorts of totally awesome surprises for me. Christmas with both families, boxing day brunch, dinners, shows, new year party, a wonderful surprise from a bunch of awesome friends, all in all I was a pretty spoiled, lucky fellow.

But alas, despite all of her wonderfulness she wasn't able to bend time (work on that one, k dear?), and I had to fly back to work the week before Christmas. But not without one more surprise! Unbeknownst to me Lisa had hand decorated four stockings for the four of us roommates that live in 9A. They came complete with little gifts and goodies for each person and some fake snow to decorate. It was pretty spectacular and a hell of a way for us to feel like we had a touch of Christmas over here.

Rather than do the traditional Christmas stocking thing on Christmas morning, knowing that the guys would be busy skyping family, I asked them for 20 minutes of their time Christmas Eve. I think they thought it odd that once they were back to the villa I immediately asked them to remain in their rooms until I told them to come out, but they were genuinely surprised by Lisa's totally awesome final Christmas surprise.

Started the evening off right with a Malagasy brewed Guinness (great beer).

Ian celebrating pre-stockings as we awaited the return of roommate Bryce.

Things got a little out of hand fairly quickly... :)

My attempt at replicating a Christmas atmosphere. Ian suggested the fire log while we were pre-christmas drinking. Stockings laid out by Santa, complete with snow, and the miniature tree.

Ian's reaction. The double take when he came out of his room was quickly followed by a "NO WAY!" It was awesome.

Bryce's genuine look of surprise. :)

Passing out the stockings.

Bryce got Gingerbread Oreos! They lasted less than 10 minutes... It was a glorious bit of gluttony between the three.

Crib! Awesome!

Christmas smiles

I think this was me opening Minecraft and lamenting the loss of the free time I once had. :)

Christmas cheer!

MEAT! Beef Jerky is the favorite snack of our villa. So tasty and so rare here.

Two engineers trying to build gliders... this is the look you get when you tease them as the college educated IT guy whose already finished your own. :)

Glider ready for a test flight!

Ooops!

Christmas aftermath! We were spoiled!

And a shot of the weather. :)

A totally awesome Christmas eve spent with friends. Thanks be to the best wife ever for putting together something I don't think I'll ever be able to truly pay back.