Xmas is the time to give and reject gifts given

Well, la navidad is finally over, but work is still playing Christmas music over the speakers (and it is soooooooo annoying;  I mean how early are we starting to prepare for Christmas 2009??). 

Ago rejected my present.  And it hurt my feelings.  

I gave him a University of Texas jacket.  Actually it was a windbreaker in burnt orange with the logo in the corner and on the back of the neck.  It was a nice jacket for him to wear when we're going to the grocery store and it is raining.   He opened the box, took one look at it and clearly stated that he did not want it.  He then handed the box back at me.  

Everybody told me that he wouldn't like it, but i had hope, just a little hope, that he would come through and be elated that he could wear the colors of his granddaughter's school.  He didn't.  It is impossible for him to wear clothing that he didn't sew, mend, or buy.  I guess i'll just stick to magnets and bumper stickers for the carrito.  Pictures coming soon!!

consume. consume. consume.

Christmas. Is. In. Four. Days.  

Working these past few days I saw consumerism at its finest.  I have not finished my Christmas shopping and nor do I want to.  I ventured to the mall today, and today I decided that I am not going back!  What a crowd.  I work at a great store that sells equipment for the kitchen but I see people buy products that are such a waste!!!  This isn't just financially a waste, but some things will never be used again after they are opened.  Example: a Hot chocolate maker?  This is Texas!  After the first two weeks of January, it is going to be time to be putting that product away.  Example: Christmas themed pancake molds?  Just because they are on sale ($17.99) doesn't mean you have to buy it.  

All of this puts me out of the Christmas spirit.  However, what I am looking forward too is spending time with my small family, especially Ago.  As his gift, I got him a jacket with the UT logo on it and I am anxious to see his reaction.  I also got him a bumper sticker with "I'm a Longhorn Grandpa" on it and i rrrrrreeeaalllllllyyyyy want to put it on his wheels.  While this consumerism gets to me, I can't avoid it (I tend to do that about a lot of things) because whether I like it or not, it is a part of the Christmas spirit.  

More Agoisms (I don't know if I have listed any before this)

Three instances reminded me of Ago today!  First I was sitting in the Union, studying for my quiz, when the guy next to me pulled a coin purse(!) out of his backpack and dumped his change in it.  Ago is the only man I know that uses a coin purse.  Wait! I take that back AgoBen also uses one (but t it disappeared on his last trip down).  So, I didn't realize until just now that both of my grandfathers store their change in the same way.  Secondly, my friend went to my Middle Eastern Studies class today-on the last day of the Ottoman Empire lectures.  Today we highlighted the art and architecture of Istanbul, and has soon as she heard that the first thing that came out of her mouth was: "That's Ago's hometown!"  Why yes it is-I didn't even think that.  Maybe it's because I don't associate him from his birthplace or "hometown" and I explain his origin as a plethora of nations.  Lastly, and this is my favorite, I saw a girl sleeping sitting up.  Ago used to do this all the time when i was younger.  He would sit on the sofa in the living room and fall asleep.  My grandmother and I used to probe him to wake up!

Q's

Okay, so, if you look at my profile you'd see that under the "interests" I have listed Armenia and Armenian.   I've clicked on those and it brings me to pages filled with bloggers whose interests also include Armenia and Armenian.  Some of these bloggers are Armenian and some are not. I am curious of the non-Armenian bloggers.  Usually they are interested in the language or the literature.  While this is wonderful that people take interest in Armenia, my question is what motivates them to?  What motivates them to the Armenian aspect?  These are just some questions I have been pondering...if you have any reasons by all means, comment.