I can be over-analytic, and borderline paranoid about nonsignificant things sometimes. So naturally when no orange-red messages or reassuring acknowledgments showed up, i began to think 'hmm, i wonder if ill be the one this year who receives no gift, and must then contact magic Reddit to send an elf or something.'

I'm not too worried; todays the deadline for sending gifts, so its only natural for it to take another week or two to ship. If its even shipped...

And then, a feeling i have not felt since adolescence, of pure excituriosity. i know thats not a word (as is most of vocabulary as a child). Stopped, dead in my tracks, turning the corner to my apartment door, it's there. all bright and plump and rectangularly yellow. woah, say that five times fast.

The next thing i knew, i was savagely tearing it open. Pulled out two books... I love books. Its hard to explain, the way you hear about books and plan to read them, and make a list of books to cross off as you do. On the contrary, occasionally a book will show up you've never heard of by title nor author. and all of a sudden you've forgotten about your entire list completely, because you were going to read this new discovery immediately and nothing can get in the way. 'Numbers in the Dark and Other Stories' by Italo Calvino. This is a book i have never seen before, but its one of those discoveries that i know ill probably start right after i've written all of this out.

"-a volume of thirty-seven diabolically inventive stories, fables, and 'impossible interviews' from one of the great fantasists of the twentieth century, displaying the full breadth of his vision and wit." SOLD! its right up my alley and i cant wait to start it. Next book made my jaw drop...

'A feast of Ice & Fire The Official Companion Cookbook' based upon Martin's 'A Game of Thrones' and all the meals within the seven kingdoms. I have been intrigued by medieval style cooking, but have never heard of solid enough recipes or found a non-dull cookbook to help me learn to make it. this is amazing. there's beautiful pictures of every single recipe that will make you start to salivate. This type of cooking looks so fun and tasty.

I am overwhelmed with thankfulness, this was a fantastic year of secret santa, which couldn't have turned out better. I never should have doubted you, whoever you are, you fuckin' sweetheart, thank you. I hope your secret santa did you as much justice as you've done me :]