Stranded in Vegas

It's past noon and I'm still in my pajamas...AGAIN. This Christmas vacation has been all about sleeping until I naturally wake up and staying in my pajamas all morning and thensome. Not too shabby. This is partially on purpose and partially because I'm without transportation, so what's the point of getting ready, right?? Right. I'm not complaining. I've been able to go through my boxes of stuff that I'm storing at my parents' house, reminiscing all the while. Journals, yearbooks, photo albums,my CD collection, etc. Good times.And now I'm stranded without transportation once more. Because of the crazy blizzard that happened out in NYC, this is the news I got when I checked my flight status:I had to call JetBlue to rebook and was on hold from 11:30 pm to 1:30 am. Luckily, I'm not in a rush to get back, so a flight back on Sunday will do just fine. I was planning on celebrating my last NYC New Year's Eve, but oh well. I had no set plans, though I was strongly considering Times Square since I probably won't be in New York for next year's. I'm happy to spend New Year's Eve here in Las Vegas, though. Come to think of it, I don't think I've been here for one since I moved away four years ago. Should be a good time.

On a different note, I've got Bieber fever. Totally jk. I really don't. But I couldn't resist when I saw this life-size cutout of him at the movie theater. Doesn't it look kinda real?! Ha.

So This is Christmas

I called "dibs" on this Nativity set of my mom's, but apparently two of my other sisters want it, too.If I have to claim ownership by stealing, I just might. My mom said she almost threw it away! I was the one who asked her to put it out with her many other Nativity sets. It's the best one, in my opinion. Maybe each child will get a piece and each Christmas we'll bring it together again. Wait, no. That's a dangerous plan. I'll just take care of it. No one has to worry.

I made another gingerbread house at my family's party...a big one, this time.
Too bad I never actually eat the candy. The photo below is random, but notice the similarities?

I have two, yes, two, pregnant sisters. I am in the middle of them in age. Yes, it makes me feel a little bit like a slacker. But not envious, no. I'm okay. They're due about one month apart from each other. Kinda crazy, but we've seen this kind of thing in my family before. One year, we had three babies born all within a month or two of each other. It's been 5 or 6 years since a wee babe has graced our family's presence. It's about time. The weather has been rainy consistently since I got here. I swear, the East Coast weather follows me every. single. time. Last month, when I was here for Thanksgiving it was in the 40s. Seriously? Above, you can see a faint rainbow in the sky, with a classic Vegas palm tree in the scene. Last, but not least of this random post, is Sawyer. He's a blond babe. He's the only one I care to take pictures of lately. Love him!

It's a Holly, Jolly Christmas

I went to a few Christmas parties this past weekend and even managed to throw a small one myself! A roommate is moving and we had a goodbye gingerbread house-making party! Except we used graham crackers. I made the frosting and we bought candy and wah-la!


My roof almost caved in, but still! It was fun.

The parties I went to were both on Saturday. The first was the ward party. It was ok. Then I went to the Todd's party (the fam I babysit for). The kids woke up sick, but I played with them anyway. I found myself playing with them while the adults were socializing. I preferred it that way.








Below is from Friday:








I love them so much!!!!

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

That may be an understatement for Westerners, like myself.


26 degrees is COLD!!! And this New York City weather couldn't be more unpredictable. At least it's the weekend that gets warmer! I leave Wednesday night for my Christmas break and couldn't be more excited! My excitement is currently being dampened by three finals hanging over my head. I don't know how I'm going to get it all done, but I know it will somehow.

Forgive My Absence

Yeah, I haven't had much extra time on my hands, as of late. I shouldn't even be posting this now. But, ya know, you can only work on a paper you're not sure about for so long. I know I've said this once, and I'll say it again...holy cow, this semester went by fast! This whole year! The whole year and a half!!!! Who am I kidding, time is not ever going to be the same again. I remember the days of being a Jr. High School student when I felt like I had all the time in the world to hang out with my friends (and i did), watch TV (and i did), and do absolutely nothing of importance every single weekend! What the?! Where the?! Man, growing up and becoming responsible is tough. See? here I am, talking like a 16-year old, instead of a soon-to-be 31-year old. For real. I'd like to go back to 1996, please. Thank you.

But instead, I'll just be proud of my accomplishments since then, and gaze upon things that are awesome, like this:I walked out of class on Tuesday night to the sounds of Christmas carolers. I followed their song and was not surprised where I found them gathered. The arch at Washington Square Park (center of NYU campus) is beautiful. I'm sure it has an official name, but I'm too tired to Google it right now. While it's beautiful to behold, I am THRILLED that I only have to see it one more time this year! Only one day of class to go to turn in my final papers. ONE! That's it! Five months from now, I'll be walking across a stage to receive my Master's degree in Social Work. Ha. I don't think I'll feel quite ready for that when it happens, but I'll work on that.

Grateful

I failed to post on Thanksgiving because I was too busy enjoying my many blessings that come in the form of family and friends. As I've become a student of social work, I've never been more thankful of my upbringing and the many relationships in my life. I've been exposed to some less than ideal situations as of late, and as my heart nearly breaks for the people I'm working with, I am reminded constantly to count my many blessings. No life is perfect; no, not even my own (contrary to popular belief). But a lot of trouble and woe can be avoided with some guidance, greater purpose, and willpower.

As President Hinckley used to always say, if we were all a little bit kinder, a little bit more prayerful, a little bit more like Jesus Christ, we would be happier. It's simple, really.