A few weeks ago I received a riddle from my Secret Santa:

"This secret santa, a first of mine. Though lacking in my own free time, I write to you to let you know, a plan is hatched and on the go. You wanted something that's unique, solve this riddle and get a peek: A crown for monks, of long ago. Hidden dwellers of an ancient time. Though they fade away they still find use, for now and forevermore."

After a week of thinking about it, I was completely stumped, so my S.S. sent me a second part:

"The game has changed ever so slightly. The riddle holds but the context doesn't. To elaborate: Memory fades with the passing years, the crown of monks though old finds new life. Though all things pass away, the future is where our prospects lie. Is it improbable? Perhaps."

I still couldn't figure it out! Luckily the mysterious gift was soon on its way...

When the package arrived, I was just waking up and dreading another round of night shifts. I opened it up to find one of my all-time favorite books. I turned it over and shook the package out looking for a note or explanation, but couldn't find anything. Well, I thought, I guess this is an opportunity to re-read it. I opened it up and was delighted to find that the inside had been turned into a secret compartment. There was a note from my S.S. expressing how they wanted to make me something this year (I'd stated how much I liked handmade things in my "helpful tips"). There was also some wonderfully potent incense from a Tibetan giftshop that soon filled my house up with exotic aromas.

Thanks to my amazing S.S. for creating such a unique gift while battling finals! It really made my week and put me in a much better mood!