It's Christmas time in the city

My finals are almost finished, our Christmas tree is trimmed and decorated, and I'm leaving for Kenya the day after Christmas. It's going to be a toasty New Years Eve--in the 90's--on the island of Lamu. Not to mention a dry New Years: Lamu is teetotaling destination! (Teetotaling--does that mean you totally drink tea?)

And here's M, keeping an eye on the street. He's originally from South Africa, and oh how he suffers during New York winters! He begged me to take him with me, but there isn't enough room in my backpack. Sorry, kitty.