One down, five to go

My first semester is just about over. I only have one exam left to take, Global Economic Management, and it's next Thursday. The next week will be spent mostly by studying but knowing that I am that much closer to a much needed break is making the time studying go much smoother.

I am also glad to say that I am much more in the holiday spirit as the holidays are getting closer. Today is the first day of Chanukah and I look forward to lighting my beautiful Tree of Life Menorah that my parents got me as a house warming gift from the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit in Raleigh last year. I am finally almost done with holiday shopping and most of the shopping I do have left does not bring me to the mall which makes me very happy. Plus I got to have a girl's night last night with two of my favorites, which was much needed....Wine, tofu parmigiana and laughing hysterically at the "Guidos and Guidettes" of Jersey Shore, especially "The Situation" and "Snooki", who my friends think I should dress as for Halloween next year.



"The Situation"____________"Snooki"

I also have somethings to look forward to such as the iContact holiday party next week, I got a really pretty dress that I love and cannot wait to wear. I am also looking forward to going to G105's Show Ho Ho Gram with Ryan next Friday, something I have always wanted to do. Last but not least, I am really looking forward to going to Connecticut after Christmas to see my family and friends~ especially the two new additions to our family that the storks will drop off on the 16th if not earlier.

I am no longer allowing myself to be a Scrooge.

Bah Humbug!

I have not written in so long, as my life has been complete and utter chaos! I am so ready for a break- which luckily, I will soon get, as my first semester of grad school is just about over. Truth be told, I cannot believe how quickly this semester went by. With the holidays fast approaching, I should be very excited. I only have one more actual class on Thursday night and then two finals and I can finally start to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Typically this is my favorite time of year...growing up celebrating "Christmakah" (Seth Cohen's coined phrase from The OC that I have adopted as my own as it is very appropriate)....Christmas trees and menorahs? Rock on...

This year however, is different. I cannot seem to get into the holiday spirit. I have decorated my house, watched holiday movies, gone shopping for gifts and have even force fed my ears with holiday music on XM Holly. However, with both my grandfather and dad in skilled nursing facilities, I am not looking forward to celebrating this year. Thanksgiving was really tough, even though Mom, Justin and I visited Dad before going to have Thanksgiving dinner with our neighbors, a tradition that was started about a decade ago with our other "transplant" neighbors with no family in the South...it just wasn't the same...Plus, I didn't realize until after the fact that there was no cranberry sauce with turkey dinner! Preposterous!!! That's my favorite part!!

I truly hope holiday cheer hits me soon...'til then I will be counting the days until 2010, wishing for a better year!

Sincerely,

SCROOGE