Where to begin.. It began with me being shafted (says my original SS sent the gift as late as 24th of December, but haven't gotten anything yet), nonetheless someone was so kind enough to be re-matched and sent gifts to the shafteds (cool band-name if you think about it). Alas, I was one of them who got a new SS. and thus, the journey begins.

My SS seemed like the kindest person alive when she sent that my gift was on its way and explained the situation. I tracked the gift, it went from Portland to San Fransisco (I think) and then over here to Europe and to Denmark. On the tracking it said that the gift was "ready to be shipped to Finland", and so it stayed for several weeks, I got worried and called the Danish post-office (like a boss) and they told me that there had been a lot of difficulties but the gift should be on its way soonish. "Soonish", allright. I'll sit tight.

I logged in here and checked the tracking every other day, both the Finnish and the Danish online tracking. And then the needle dropped. Yesterday the package had arrived at the Finnish airport, I was in giggles (my gf asked "what's wrong with you, it's cute and all, but wtf"), then today it said that it had arrived at the main post office in Helsinki, I figured I would get a notice the same day that my baby had arrived. None came. So I hopped on the tram, went over there and asked if they had my package and if I can grab it. I was told it had been taken to customs, "customs, why the heck? It's a darn x-mas present". I was determined to get my gift, customs schmustoms, they had no right in holding it. It was MINE, and I came there to get it. I dragged myself over to the post-office customs department (it's like 10mt away, same building even) and asked: "I believe you are holding a present I'm expecting" Customs-lady: "We have it. What does it contain?" Me: "I have no idea, it's a x-mas present" CL: "Well, we need to know what's in it" Me: "That would kinda ruin the surprise for me wouldn't it?" CL: "K, just open the top so I can look into it" Cut cut cut, rip, open CL: "Fine. Sign here, here and here. Kthxbye"

I was the lords of lords. The thing was, that this was a pretty big package, I was expecting a letter or something. Anyway, I also had to pick up my snowboard my mom sent to me via another post-delivery service. So I was pretty popular on the tram, a huge box in one hand and on my back a snowboard.

One note: After I had dumped the snowboard and package from my SS, I decided to go buy a few beers to celebrate this day of joy. It was indeed a great day for me. I picked up two Belgians (naturally), two Orvals to be precise. Will make sense later, I assure you.

And so it began, my and my doggy (gf had to go work) decided to open it together (he loves new smells and stuff, he's a dog). First off, I read the beautiful letter from SYSLINKDOWN, very thoughtful and nice, personal and heartwarming. I Appreciate it a lot, thank you. Here's the huge box of wonder: http://i.imgur.com/zGDJ5.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/jS19e.jpg

Our dog Atlas amazed, and sligthly frightened, by the huge cardboard box: http://i.imgur.com/U93Vi.jpg

All the gifts neatly gathered: http://i.imgur.com/fysjy.jpg

And the first gift I opened was amazing, I actually LOL'd in real life. It looked hilarious, never seen anything like it :D Oh man, I'm smiling as I write this. Hilarious and amazing gift. This guy would've been enough for me, but no, there's a lot more. http://i.imgur.com/UXAap.jpg

And the back-side of the little guy: http://i.imgur.com/lAIUD.jpg

Atlas did not like the guy disturbing our peace at home: http://i.imgur.com/lAIUD.jpg

More ass-whopping: http://i.imgur.com/jLY04h.jpg

And then onto the next gift. Music and science? Yes. I've always actually been interested in how and why music affects people the way it does. Wonderful gift, I'll read this on my couch while relaxing. I've been lazy on my reading lately, but have been cranking it up a lot more. Instead of gaming L4D2, I pick up a book instead. Great! http://i.imgur.com/EfB5J.jpg

"And what's all this? Something for little me???" (My dog Atlas speaking), oh man, cinnamon and apple biscuits for him. And he loved it. I was trying to get a picture of him eating it but he wouldn't let me come to close to them, so the images got a bit blurry. :D http://i.imgur.com/QJLYX.jpg And http://i.imgur.com/2Dr6u.jpg

Even more gifts, this is getting out of hand, Carolyn! Magnets, how the heck do they work? Gadgets and gizmos, I love them. I've seen this thing here on reddit a couple of times, and on that shop ThinkGeek (or whatever it was called), and always wanted it. Didn't think it would be this fun to play with it though, amazing! http://i.imgur.com/GOhfN.jpg

Now, I'm thinking, please stop with the gifts. This is waaay to much, I almost feel spoiled. Too much amazing stuff, all of them, great and truly thought-out gifts. I don't remember when I've smiled this much, I'm grinning as I'm writing this. I feel ridiculously happy. I don't know what to say.

Stupid me though the happiness could not reach a new level. I saved the biggest gift for last, that's what you do right? And I had no idea what it could be. Pyjamas? A plant of some kind? WHAT? I open it, and what do I see??? (My dog is terrified of me at this point, I'm shouting out loud and in a state of shock, overwhelmed by emotion) I see two beautiful glimmering glasses, two amazingly crafted Duvel glasses designed for my Belgian beers. http://i.imgur.com/thqZW.jpg I'm about to cry. I love Belgian beers, you bastard, I wanted these for a long time. I've wanted real glasses, beautiful ones, made to hold my liquid passion within them. These are precisely them. They are the most beautiful thing I've seen in a long time. I am literally shaking from joy at this point. GODAMN IT! And me who just bought two Belgian beers before this to celebrate my gift finally arriving, like literally 15 minutes before opening the gift. The odds that this would happen, my friend, are slim. This is the greatest day in a long time, that I promise you. I cannot with mere words emphasize how amazingly wonderful these gifts are. You have won my heart, SS, it's yours. I am officially in heaven.

This is me being happy: http://i.imgur.com/yoon4.jpg

And here is the whole album with some additional pictures: http://imgur.com/a/OJ0f0#fysjy