And my least favorite holiday has come and gone.

I am quite a scrooge when it comes to Christmas, but as always, I make it through with minimal distress. This year was very different and very mellow. I actually enjoyed the visits with family, and nothing destructive happened at any gathering. Lovely. I got a lot of nice stuff, but nothing too big. It's getting to the point where I don't even want or need anything for Christmas. Just the company of those I love is enough for me.

Anyhow, the new year is so close. I can't help it. Every year I make a nice little new year's resolution. This year I have a couple. The thing is, I don't make unrealistic promises. Rather, I really think about where I need to make some very necessary changes in my life, and I make them. For the most part, I make them work too. Hopefully this year brings some fresh air I desperately need. And it should because a lot of new experiences await me.

This past year has been filled with more adventure, sadness, happiness, and maturation than any other year. I've loved, been loved, lost someone I really loved, and gained some amazing friends. The relationships I have valued have not disappointed me, and my amazing friends have only moved closer to my heart. I feel like a lot of the toxic people have been removed from my life. In my daily life, I am genuinely happy and fulfilled with the people surrounding me. That was a big step for me. Then, I look at all I've accomplished this year, and I honestly could not be prouder of myself and my dedication. I went to Spain and have more memories and cultural knowledge than ever. My independence has grown more and more. After everything happening, I feel content. I am happy. There are only a couple things missing, but hopefully those will fall into place soon. Have you ever sat down or relaxed and your body finds the absolute perfect position? You don't want to move, you don't want to get up, and you can sit back and savor every bit of life around you? Well, here I am. I am in my perfect position and I don't feel like moving right now. So, all that's left to do this year is to sit back and breathe in the life around me until the new breeze of 2008 picks up and carries me away into a new year.

"People universally tend to think that happiness is a stroke of luck, something that will maybe descend upon you like fine weather if you’re fortunate enough. But that’s not how happiness works. Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world to look for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it, you must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it. If you don’t, you will leak away your innate contentment. It’s easy enough to pray when you’re in distress but continuing to pray even when your crisis has passed is like a sealing process, helping your soul hold tight to its good attainments." –Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat Pray Love

Poison kisses in the rain

I can't believe it is already so close to Christmas. So, like other breaks I have been playing hermit. I have finished one book, and I have three more I want to read before break is over. It looks like I will be getting much more quality reading time this break too.
For some reason, this whole year has been filled with disappointments. They keep coming and coming, and this break it seems like I am really getting hit hard with them. Apparently, 2007 has not filled her quota on disappointments, so she's trying extra hard to make sure she gets her last few in before the new year. I hope 2008 doesn't even have a quota for disappointments or I may not make it through. I am constantly working hard, trying harder, and swimming upstream all the while. I can't wait to reach land and relax for awhile...this hard work better pay off at some point. I just feel like in every single area of my life, I am not getting anywhere.
In other news, I went to some bars last night with some friends, and although it was fun, it still doesn't beat a good book, a glass of wine, and a comfy chair. I suppose I enjoy getting intellectually drunk rather than dancing like a moron drunk. Oh well.
I believe that is all I feel like writing at the moment. My bed looks inviting, and frankly, I've had enough of today...

"We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude."

I ate floam yesterday.

So, honestly, I do not understand the point of study days. Call me a dork, but I would much rather go straight from classes into final exams. The stuff is fresh in my head, I am in productive mode, and then I would get done way faster. But no, we have had study days since Friday, and by now I'm stir crazy and I have completely wiped my brain of all information. Now I am trying to jam it all back in there, and it is not working because procrastination is ruling my life.
Today I got inducted into a lovely little honor society which forced me to leave my room. I have only left once on Friday this entire weekend until today. I have been being a hermit and sleeping at least 10 hours per night. Sure, it sounds great. I am getting my body back to being happy. However, I would much rather do that after finals are over and everything is out of the way.
Well, the lovely Flyers beat Louisville (ranked #11) yesterday. It was quite exciting. However, today my Steelers lost to the Patriots. Looks like they are going to have an undefeated season. Bummer. And it wasn't even on regular television. So, I had to go to Bdubs and then Champps to watch it. What is that? I love watching football from the comfort of my couch. But what is even better is actually being at the game, and I get to be there next week! Yes! I cannot wait!
The past couple of months have been full of bad news and sad stories. Just a small reminder to make sure people know you care about them. And be careful. Be thoughtful. Be loving and caring and genuine. Who knows when everything can be taken away.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same"

101 Dalmations...NO SILLY! 101 Posts!

Welcome Christmas, Welcome December. Reasons why I am loving December? My LSAT is over. My applications will be completed soon. The busiest and most stressful semester yet will be finished soon. I get three whole weeks of pure relaxation!
So, this past week was supposed to be super easy and calm, but no. Professors do not believe in easy and calm in my life. Rather, hectic and difficult are important qualities for my life to have. But, like always, I'm getting through. Really, what else can you do? You can indeed surprise yourself with what your mind and body can handle.
We got a lovely little snowstorm, and no matter how much I hate the cold and snow, I have to admit that it is one of the most beautiful things mother nature gives us. The first snow is always the most beautiful too. Although, I would have preferred that my car not be buried under it. I had to scrape it all off today while the wind blew the snow right back in my face. Thanks a lot Snow Miser.
Tomorrow is the last day of classes, and believe me, it could not have come soon enough. Then I'm off to Columbus to visit my family for the weekend. It is very necessary, and I am really excited to get there. I try to make it a point to see them as much as possible, and it's been way too long for me since I've been there last.
Well, there's a little update, but I should be getting some rest. I'm still fighting off this preschool cough/cold thing.

"Many can rise to the occasion, but few know when to sit down."