Mmm... Dot points

• I've been on holidays from December 22nd, and won't return to work until the 8th of January. I've really faded into delightful obscurity during this time, but haven't wished anyone a merry Christmas, nor a happy New Year, though from the bottom of my heart I truly desire the best for each of my treasured friends, both those I know personally, and those who've warmed my heart through the magic of the internet. I think they know this, but are aware of my disappointing ability to become very introverted at the precise moment that I want to be social. Something to do with fear of rejection, I'm sure. I luff you all, really, truly.
  
• I've been promoted. I'm now a Senior Consultant. This means I am self-managed, so I don't report to a set manager, nor am I part of a 'team'. I'm really flattered by this, as I'm amongst the first few people to take these positions, and it's quite a vote of confidence, given the highly detailed nature of our work. I'm glad that they've put this rung on the ladder, as previously, the next step was straight into Team Leader. Whilst managers have been generous enough in saying that I could definitely aim for this, I feel I would want a bit more experience - so this is the perfect way for me to feel appreciated, without taking a whole team down with me in a ball of flames. They're talking about all kinds of incentives, ranging from extra dollars to company cars, but I won't get my hopes up until they are actually in my grasp. Remember what happened when my last employer started talking promotions? A tasty dollop of redundancy.
  
• For the first time, I went to a proper corporate function which was, of course, my work Christmas party (I've always avoided them in the past, but have been to a few of Stu's). It was a 'Gangsters and Glamours' ball, held at Red Scooter in St Kilda. It was about 36 degrees that day, so not an ideal evening for suits and feathers, however Stu looked great, all dressed up in suspenders (or braces if you want to call them that), fedora and pinstriped suit. I wore a black halterneck dress with a delicious teal fur stole, and to-die-for teal satin wedge-heeled peep-toes. Stu had on a teal coloured tie to match, which brought out the gorgeous blue/green shade of his eyes. I was given a nice bonus on the evening for being number one consultant at close of business that day, but really, some people had been on holidays, so I'm not running around blowing my trumpet!
  
• I made a special trip into the city (like a crazy person, on the Friday before Christmas), to buy a pair of Chanel sunglasses which I'd been coveting, only to find they'd just swapped over to the next range. Everything for the new season is so garish, dripping with bling, so it was quite a task to find anything to my tastes, but I'm quite liking my new Dior shades instead. They've released a range of the most popular classic designs from the beginning of the label, which are mostly inconspicuous, and very tasteful. Still a bit sad that I didn't get exactly what I went in for, so I cheered myself up with a new Tiffany charm. It's super cute!
  
• Christmas was busy but very enjoyable. I really enjoyed putting together all of the colour co-ordinated gifts, in shades of silver, with metallic sky and cobalt blue accents. We saw Stu's family (about 12 people) for lunch, and had a lovely 3 course meal. We then went to my parent's house for dinner with a total of seven people, for a veritable smorgasboard.
  
  I really liked this schedule, because I feel like I have to be on best behaviour around my future in-laws, and need to exert a lot of stamina to dodge some little barbed comments (about which I'm far too sensitive), and exude an aura of tolerance towards those I'd rather never have met. Really, 99% of the time they're a joy, and it's been a delight to get to know them and to become an adult in their midst, but I am engaged to their golden boy, so I want to represent him nicely. To go to my family's gathering second is great, because then I can let my hair down, eat and drink as much as I like, amongst those I am most familiar with. To arrive at the future in-laws drunk, and too full to appreciate the meal which had been slavishly prepared would be blasphemy. However, most years the order is my family first, and Stu's second, as some members on Stu's side prefer to gather later in the day, as they are unwell. I understand this, but it means that I probably don't enjoy the day to its fullest potential.
  
  I received gifts too numerous to detail, but standouts were jet black blown glass candlesticks from my brother, a tote bag handmade by my mum in Japanese fabrics, a Morroccan lantern from my sister (If you were to take Norway, and stand it up on its Southernmost point, and allowed it to fall forward in a southerly direction, where would it's Northernmost point land?), the rest of the Otori novels, plus a book on famous 'family trees' from Stu. Everyone was so generous and thoughtful, but most of all, they were in good spirits, and optimistic for a good year ahead, which is priceless.
  
• I have toothache, in both sides of my mouth. Just minor, but I always worry about my teeth, and am guilty of not flossing enough. I'm thinking of having some tooth whitening done, and am dreading having my wisdom teeth out this year. How interesting for you all to read my tooth blogging.
  
• We're going in on Thursday to Jalpak to discuss our honeymoon arrangements, as my insiders tell me that air fares to Japan are likely to be increasing significantly in the near future. We probably needed this to happen anyways, to encourage us to set some plans in stone. We're getting married this year!