Nostalgia

I always feel a little nostalgic after Christmas, and this year is no different. But it seems this year I am really hanging on to the Christmas music, Christmas mugs, and, yes... Christmas treats. Maybe January 1 I'll be inspired to move on- "in with the new and out with the old." I'll definitely be ready/desperately need to get back on a normal eating regime. Since I've been home I've been eating whatever I wanted, and boy- I've wanted a lot. :-)

We've also been watching old home videos, which certainly adds to the nostalgia. We had so much fun as little kids and were so easily entertained. We didn't have to worry about dead car batteries, research projects, scholarships, or shoveling snow. Maybe that's another reason why I'm enjoying being home- far fewer responsibilities!

Welcome to the Pity Party!

Disclaimer: This post violates all the rules for the Christmas season, especially being grateful for what you have. I really have no reason to be complaining. I have heat in my house (knock on wood), a wonderful family, amazing friends, a car (...to malfunction. Read on.), etc. But I was inspired to write this blog while playing my 532th game of Solitaire this week, which I had switched to after playing my 343th game of Tetris (Freetetris.org. Knock yourself out!). So here it is... my ranting blog about my blessed life! Ridiculous, I know. But just humor me.


*******

These last several days have been quite exciting. Not exciting as in the "time flies when you're having fun" exciting. Exciting as in - could this week go any slower?! After having a somewhat boring couple of weeks due to finishing most of my assignments early (who said the early bird catches the worm?! They lied!), this last weekend I was more house-bound than I would have liked. I tried to study, listened to Christmas music 24/7, tried to practice self-control with all the Christmas goodies around, and yes, did manage to get out of the house a couple of times. But I was a little restless and the time did drag.

Yesterday morning, I found out at 6:45am (just as I was getting ready to head out the door) that school was delayed two hours, so our dreaded 8am final was moved to Wednesday. Today, as I have been doing the last several mornings, I woke up way before my alarm clock. I had a leisurely breakfast, did some exercises in the living room, watched The Today Show and an episode of The Cosby Show, did a little more cleaning up on my room, stopped the mail... finally, it was time to go to school to work out, go to work, and head to my final. Yippee! Something to do! I got all bundled up and almost cheerfully went out to "preheat" my car.

All would have been well if my car would have started! My battery is dead. That is why now, instead of exercising and/or working, I am STILL sitting on my butt, waiting for AAA to come and give me a jump start. Most of you know that I cannot tolerate car-related stress. My coping strategies include crying and calling my dad. Check, and check.

That being said, I am VERY grateful my battery died when I was home and not stranded somewhere (pretty much anywhere else would have been far worse). I could have locked my keys in my car and been locked out of my house on this lovely -30 degree weather. We may not have had AAA. My dad might have been out of the office, vacationing in Peru when I desperately needed his advice and encouragement. My 12pm final could have been one that I actually had to go to (we were just having a discussion- my professor said to "try my best to make it there."). Yes, things could be far, FAR worse.

Let's just take a minute to enjoy the irony, however. Just over 24 hours ago I called my dad and exclaimed "I LOVE MY CAR!" after it made it up the hill to school. As we trudged up the hill, I literally cooed to my car (aloud) "You can do it! You are such a good, good car!"

But I guess everyone has their "off" days.

Get it?! Off. Battery is dead... car is off.

I'm loopy.

Here' s hoping the crazy WA/OR weather doesn't interfere with my flight home tomorrow night.

Snow from West to Midwest

So yesterday, before our big "blizzard" hit (this is NOT the DQ Royal Treat), I was able to do some fun stuff. Today there is a lot of blowing snow and really poor visibility, so I'm nestled inside. I could attach a picture, but that would involve getting blasted with snow as I walk out the front door. Just imagine white. Lots and lots of white (it is pretty). We'll see what tomorrow brings, weather-wise. For once, I hope school is NOT cancelled because I want to get these finals out of the way. Shoveling my car out with my collapsable snow shovel (that doesn't appear to "lock" into extension) will be interesting.

Yesterday morning my friends Kacy, Cassie, and I volunteered at the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast with Santa. We served up pancakes and sausages for about three hours.

The rest of the afternoon I hemmed and hawed over whether or not we should cancel our OT Christmas party. They were predicting a huge winter storm this weekend and were advising against travel. It was supposed to be at a students' in-laws' "barn" (Ha. More on that later), and they had gone all out decorating the place for us, so I would have felt horrible canceling it. Not to mention the fact that we've been talking this Christmas party since- literally - the first week of school! After several hours of my phone becoming "Grand Central Station," we decided to have the party anyway.

This "barn"... was not a barn at all. Well, they claim it was three years ago, but you would never have believed it. I do believe they said it was **14,000** square feet (this is not a typo) and was FIVE STORIES. There were several bedrooms, a "loft" where there son lived, two bars, a basketball court, a weight room, numerous bathrooms, a kitchen, a big dining room, a (soon-to-be) movie theater... it was absurd. Here are a couple of pictures.




A modest little gym.





















Yes, they have a revolving door. And on the far left, that's a HUGE picture of Ashley (my OT friend) and her fiance after they got engaged.










The beautiful kitchen. And they don't even live here!













The pictures don't even do it justice. It was insane! Overall, I'm really glad we ended up having it (the weather wasn't even too bad last night- just a little slick). We had delicious food (college students CAN cook!) and did a gift exchange.

I lucked out and got an adorable cookie/bowl set. Polka Dot bowls are my FAVORITE! I can't wait to use the bowls. I think I was so attached, no one had the heart to steal them.

Part of our OT class (the ones brave enough to brave the elements)

Time to grab a cup of tea and try to study for finals. I make no guarantees.

I'm bored.

Usually I would kill to have that sentiment, but right now, it's just annoying.

Can't do too much studying for finals yet (need study guides, study buddies, etc).

I have a take-home final due next Monday that I started and have no motivation to continue.

Everyone else is swamped with homework (huh?).

There is nothing good on tv.

I have a week + 2 days to twiddle my thumbs and wait to go home.

Help!!!