Christmas Break

I took the two weeks right after my final off. It's the most time I've had off in over a year. So, what have I been up to? I got some Christmas shopping done, wrapped Christmas presents, mailed Christmas cards and presents, baked cookies, and went sledding (I've got bruises to prove it). I celebrated Christmas with the fam, made horseradish sauce for our prime rib, horseradish dressing, read, watched lots of TV, played Scrabble, and lounged. I still have another week off :)

Happy Happy Happy

All semester, all I wanted was to be done with the semester and able to read something for fun. I dreamed of curling up on the couch with a book. Thankfully, I finished the semester last week with a B. That was the hardest I've ever worked for a B! Anyway, I was able to finally read, Nicholas Sparks', new book The Longest Ride. I've read all of his books. This book came out in September. It took me one day to read it.

So, what's it about? Hmmm, where there are two stories that don't seem to intersect. One was with a couple during World War II. The other was a couple; a cowboy and a sorority girl. At the end, the two stories come together and it ends really well, so I was pretty happy.

Now, I'm going to try to finish Born to Run which I started this fall and had to stop because I ran out of time. My goal is to finish it this week. :)

Reviews

After my final, last night I stopped by Orangeleaf Frozen Yogurt; love that place! I didn't realize they had so many new flavors for winter. I tried English toffee, something peppermint (wow), and eggnog (yes, please). I thought I tried another seasonal flavor, but can't remember.

I finally got down to Grace's Asian Fusion Café; how refreshing and yummy! The café is sleek and modern, yet inviting. The food is out of this world! The portions are good and the prices reasonable. I ordered the lunch box. I got chicken and on the noodles I got the peanut sauce. I definitely plan on going back soon. Check it out for yourself here.

I also finally watched Halle Berry's movie, the Call. It's suspense, which generally isn't my thing, but my mom likes it so I rented it for her. It was actually really good and very intense. The more scared I am, the more I talk; poor mom. :) It also had Abigail Breslin in it (from Little Miss Sunshine). She's a really good actress. Hope I don't have nightmares tonight. ;)

Blessings

I am telling you, every time I have a need, God immediately fills it. Lately, He's been heaping blessings on me and I am overwhelmed with gratefulness. When things used to stress me, I'd become overwhelmed with worry and fear. Lately, I've been making a conscious decision not to worry about it. Phillipians 4:19, "My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Luke 12:24, "Look at the ravens. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!" Matthew 6:30, "And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?" It's going to be a great Christmas and a fantastic new year!

Praise the Lord, I'm finally done with my paper for class. Thankful God got me through it! With the help of God, I was able to raise my grade one whole letter. After the final and paper, I may have raised it two letter grades! God is good! Last thing left is my open book final tonight, then freedom!!! :)

I can't wait to finally read for fun! Just over a month until the next semester!

Be blessed! Merry Christmas!!!

Here's How it Goes...

Here's how it goes; if I like you and you suddenly start acting weird and disappear, don't expect to come around later and act like everything is normal. While you were gone living life and/or trying to decide if you actually like me, I got over you. Generally, if I get over you, there's no going back to liking you like that again. We can be friends, but that's it. So now you're smiling at me with that smile and I don't have those kind of feelings anymore. And since we're on the subject, I'm actually a little mad that you're back like nothing happened, but you know what? I'll get over that too.

Christmas 2

Thankfully, my grandma found me a small tree at the thrift shop she works at, so I'm set. I've been clothed by that place since childhood. Anyone in the Manhattan, KS area check it out, Seven Dolors Catholic Church Budget Shop. My tree is about four feet tall and has white, green, and red lights; so cute. I plan to decorate it after finals. Just remembered I don't have a tree topper. I may make one. I'm thinking cardboard, alumninum foil, a hot glue gun, and glitter. My masterpiece star from high school sits proudly on my parent's Christmas tree every year. It does the job.

I've purchased a couple Christmas gifts, so I am making some progress. I'll be done with school in half a week and able to shop, decorate, send cards, and bake.

I didn't win the Ugly Christmas Sweater contest, but I sure did try. :)

The vest has Christmas bears on it and the shirt underneath has Christmas trees. Felt pretty silly, but had lots of fun! In other news, at the party while dressed in my ugly Christmas outfit, I ran into the guy that wrecked into my car like 3+ years ago. The one I kinda went out with a few times back then. Kinda weird. He's air force, how the heck is he still stationed here?! Awkward!

Late Night Reflections

Somehow, I've gained a small, but faithful readership in Malaysia. Hello to my Malaysian readers! I don't know how you found me, but thanks for joining me on this journey through life. Can we trade weather?! It's supposed to snow here tomorrow and is currently 7 degrees.

As 30 quickly approaches, I've been thinking about how I'm not even near where I'd hoped to be. On the other hand, I've had some of the most amazing experiences. Things that I'll never forget and memories I'll reflect on with a smile for the rest of my life. So, as the months go by, I'll be adding to this list.

-I've been to Cancun and Monterey, CA for spring break trips
-I saw the actor, Bill Murray when I went out to dinner with friends once
-I've been to Italy
-I've been in a commercial
-I got to live on the lake one summer (priceless)
-I've been on a mission trip to Mexico (so rewarding)
-I've started grad school, which is more than I'd ever hoped to do. I've realized God has bigger plans for me than I have for myself.
-I've found what I'm passionate about and I'm working in my dream job
-I've found balance in work and life
-I've been on some epic trips with enough stories to fill a small book (lake trips are the best)
-I've learned which friendships are worth maintaining
-I've learned to laugh whenever I have the chance, to enjoy the sun on my skin, and the wind in my hair
-I've learned to navigate big cities and airports and through those experiences have learned that I've stronger than I think I am
-I've learned that I am resilient; I may fall a million times, but I still get up and have hope that maybe next time will be different
-My scars all have pretty great stories (scar on my elbow is from the ice cream vending machine from my senior trip to Daytona Beach. I claim the thick scar on my stomach is from a knife fight, but it's from my appendectomy)
-I've boxed, taken a knitting class, and taken ballroom dancing twice (love it and always looking for a partner)
-I've dipped my feet in several oceans
-I've learned to find my voice and stick up for myself
I've learned that God is so amazing, powerful, loving, forgiving, full of grace. I've come to realize this all so much more in the last couple of years. The journey has been rough, but what He's taught me has been priceless.
-I've learned to pray more and trust more; it's been a process
-I've learned to embrace myself, quirks and all
-I've realized how immensely blessed I am with the church family, parents, and family God has placed in my life; He gives me more than I deserve
-I've finally come to know and understand that I'm a processor and need time to figure out how I feel about things
-I've finally come to realize that just because I don't test well, it doesn't mean I'm dumb
-I'm finally admitting that I know I can't grow any taller, but it's still a decent excuse for why I don't drink coffee
-I'm still learning to live in the moment and take as much joy as I can from them

My 30th is still a ways off, what should I do for it? Unfortunately, it'll be in the middle of the semester, so no fun vacation destination options :(. I'm debating between doing something really small or doing nothing. What'd you do for your last big birthday?

Recipe #5 Meatloaf

I love meatloaf, but I just recently found my absolute favorite meatloaf recipe. I found it originally on Pinterest, click here for the recipe. This meatloaf is so yummy, it needs no extra ketchup after it's been cooked. We all know I tweak all my recipes, so here goes: I wouldn't ever add that much onion (1/4 cup total), start with adding 1/2 cup of milk and see how it looks from there, I hate mustard so I don't include that, and I mix bread crumbs or a puff cereal in the beef mix.
I ate my meatloaf with rice and sweet potato. Great dinner! I cut my remaining meatloaf in half and part will be eaten this week and the other is going in the freezer. The topping really makes this recipe. Try the recipe, you'll like it!

Yoga Pant Rant

Oh, dear friends. I'm starting to dread yoga class. Those pants you thought weren't see-through in fact are. Now, I'm seeing things no one other than your spouse should see. What to do, what to do?! I can't walk up randomly and say, "I just say everything God gave you and I'm frightened." BUT I AM frightened. Please try downward facing dog at home in front of a mirror or a honest friend.

I feel like these pants are not being advertised properly. People assume yoga pants are all safe to wear without undergarments. When in fact most aren't. I'd be mortified if I was wearing a pair like that. Furthermore, I'm not sure pants that tight should be worn, period. Guys have enough temptation and now EVERYTHING is on display. Please leave somethings to the imagination! Modesty, ladies!

That being said, I've decided to kick my workouts up a notch. I've got to get more toned and drop my summer weight gain. Eating a piece of fruit before my workout really helps give me energy to sustain me until dinner. I'm also working on stretching more and doing some form of ab exercises every day, as well as increasing my cardio. I'm combining this with watching my portions and sweet (love my sweets) intake. I can do this with God's help! :)

Weight off my shoulders

Whew, the thing I'd been dreading most this semester is now over. My hour-long group ethics presentation is over! I tried to stay calm, but was initially terrified. I only made it through prayer. Thanks everyone for praying for me!!! My new favorite song, Never Once by One Sonic Society helped me through it too; God is good! Oh, and I got an A on the presentation! AND I found a grading error on my last test and the whole class got two points back! This girl needs all the points back she can get! ;) Okay, enough exclamation points for one post. ;)