Free At Last

Well I know I've been out of touch for a few days here, but hey, what would one expect as finals are upon us...

Now that finals are over.... That means the holiday season is upon us!

Anyone who knows me well knows that this is my absolute favorite time of the year. Eager to avoid succumbing to the dreariness of finals, over the last few days I have enjoyed some very fabulous moments amidst my studies.

Firstly, Katie Harris' cookie decorating party. It was divine. Sunday from 2-5 I designated those 3 small hours to gathering 'round the table for some real cookie decorating. There were approximately one million cookies to decorate and at the end fabulous little pastel boxes to pack them away in for study treats :) This was the much needed break to my weekend of studying I needed.

Then Monday night rolled around and the evening of Jingle Ball was upon us... We purchased our tickets months in advance so I knew that I would have to study in preparation for a night of loud music and beautiful men... ehhhemmm Chris Brown and TI... Let's be honest here, knowing my taste in men, obviously I was enthused. So the concert was lovely and TI was delicious and overall, my finals week from hell is over and I had some fabulous times to reflect upon.

Now, I am back in my bedroom in Shorewood and I am feeling ridiculously content as I type this using my WiFi and basking in the glow of my twinkle lights that decorate the window frame. I am done with another semester... It's amazing how fast the time goes. Honestly, this semester scholastically was not my favorite by far, but overall it was fabulous. I made so many new friends, experienced many new things and discovered just how absolutely wonderful my baby girls at AOII are.

It is the time at last to realize what I have been fantasizing about for the last two weeks, baking cookies with my mother while listening to Harry Connick Jr. Christmas music and settling in for White Christmas, my all time favorite holiday film.

Tonight I am thankful that I was able to go to my grandfather's house for dinner. My aunt made us stirfry and made me a vegetarian version. :) I feel like Karen would appreciate this as I am slowly but surely converting. I am thankful for my vibrant and amazingly chatty 5 year old cousin who I haven't seen since she was two. I was able to spend some quality time with her tonight, playing Go Fish, of course. What else would a 5 year old want to do? She is so fun and her Australian accent is adorable. The innocence of youth really is an inspiring thing. It always seems to renew my faith in the innate goodness of the world.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night,

Love and Peace,
Kate