christmas eve; mistletoe and ?

I can't believe that it's Christmas Eve already. To be honest with you all, I do find it hard to remember what I did for last year, at Christmas time (not for all the wrong reasons- I just have a very poor memory!) But I can definitely remember earlier on this year, namely January, in a sense my mind has only just caught up with the fact that it's 2004, let alone December, let alone the eve of christmas day! I feel that this year has been so productive in many ways, but in others I feel that it has been somewhat of a waste of time and effort, people that know me, know that I don't need to explain the instances that have made me feel like this. I am so thankful that through God's grace, he has given me a place in Chester, and that fact alone has made me able to appreciate life again, all the little pleasures, even to the smallest ones like walking down a street in Chester, even getting up at 8 some mornings, when I feel like moaning about the seeming amount of work that I have got to hand in, I can't moan, I can't say I'm bored because I'm just really glad that I'm able to be doing what I am doing. I really want to understand more about God's grace, and by the conversations i've had this week alone, I am beginning to understand that this is going to be taught to me over a long period of time. I suppose I will have to learn patience too(!)
Not wanting in any way to sound like a tedious speech at an Oscar's awards ceremony... I just like to thank some people that have made this year special for me in so many ways, Rebecca, Becci, Rachel, Daniel, Matt, Jonathan and so many more people that have just been so supportive and helpful, and real rocks. Thanks guys, I seriously couldn't have got through the year without you all, some just by giving me advice, others talking with me, hugs, you've all just been amazing, and have really helped me to get back to who I am now, (which is me!) thank you for sticking by me, even when i've tried to get you to stop talking to me, and stop giving me advice, and to generally be on my own, thanks for not giving up on me, I love you all dearly. Thank you for all helping to see my dream and helping me to go for it too.
I just hope and pray that I will be able to reciprocate that to you all, by showing you how much I care for you all, and that I really do hope that you all have a fantastic Christmas Day, and even though some of you will have family that are away, I just pray that this would be a really good time of celebrating even when circumstances are difficult for you.
I just want to finish by sending a BIG HUG to all my friends!
XXX