Temping and Christmas

I've been keeping Ann and Jon appraised of my job-hunting situation; they're aware that it's tough to find work as a temporary employee in an office due to stiff competition. At dinner tonight, Ann mentioned two more large companies going bankrupt and the thousands of people who will be laid off. Jon soberly said, "Yeah, and they're all temps."

I received word from a couple of temp agencies that they're already sending my CV out to companies... hopefully I get an offer soon!

Quite a few people have asked me about my Christmas plans. Most people assume I'll be heading home, but it's too expensive and I'll be going home in February for the wedding anyway. This is the first Christmas that one of the Piechnik kids will be missing on Christmas morning (queue my mom's tears). I'm not sure how I'll handle it. I've been away from home on my birthday, Easter and Thanksgiving, but Christmas is a big deal in my family and I love all the decorating, baking, piano playing, and shopping that goes along with it. I imagine there will be some tough moments being away from family traditions, but I'm curious to see how people here celebrate Christmas. I was so excited today to receive an invitation to spend Christmas with a friend near Eastbourne - and there will be kids too! (I think I'll need the distraction that comes from playing with kids.) I've never met the family before, but I'm told it'll be a "mad house" - those of you who know my family know a description like that is music to my ears.

My favourite Christmas photo.
Christmas morning with the Piechnik family - 2005.

L-R Back: Adam, Me, David, Jonathan, Dad, and Mom
Seated: Lisa and Yukiko (our Japanese exchange student)

Our neighbours two houses away told us later that the screaming was so loud as we ran around shooting at each other (windows and doors closed) that they almost came over to check on us.