So this is Christmas...

Well not yet, but close.

I feel like now that the semester is over, and I'm not constantly doing homework or studying I feel like I can fully enjoy the holiday season.  On Friday after finals I went Christmas shopping and got most of it done.  Today I made Christmas cookies with my mom, and then there will be lots of preparation for the holiday this week and next week.  These past few Christmases have been a little different.  

When my brother and I were younger, Christmas Eve was always our night at home, just the four of us.  We would have a huge dinner, relax, watch Christmas movies, and I would wrap my dad's presents from my mom, and my mom's presents from my dad.  Then I would always wake up super early the next morning, wake up Sean which he wasn't very fond of, and then we would wait until our parents woke up to open our presents and our stockings.  We'd do the present thing and then rush to get ready to go my grandma's on the north side.  We would meet my family and have a huge breakfast and then open gifts.  Every year we were supposed to switch off between starting oldest to youngest, and then youngest to oldest.  But it being my dad's side and I'm the youngest we always started with me every year.  Right after gifts my parents, Sean and myself would leave and sprint out to Schaumburg to see my Great Aunt Marilyn.  We would hang out, open gifts from her, and then move onto to Elgin.  My uncle and my aunt (mom's side) had this huge gorgeous house.  And my mom's family is big and I mean big so there were always a ton of presents under the tree, and then they would make individual stockings with your names on them and fill them with candy and lottery tickets and then hang out across the railings and banisters on their stairs.  We would have dinner, dessert then presents.  After presents we would leave to get home and then usually play with our new toys or something until bed.

Within the past few years a lot has changed.  My aunt and uncle who lived in Elgin moved to New Mexico so that changed, my grandma moved to Wisconsin, different family members got married and had their own lives to lead with their new family traditions.  Now we just make Christmas Day our day, now the six of us mom, dad, Sean, Stephanie, myself, and Noelle (our dog).  We still get up and do presents, and then we do more presents when Sean and Stephanie come over, and whomever ever else, usually my brother's friends come over, and then we have dinner and just relax.  This year that's the plan but also I'm celebrating Christmas twice which is nice, and I'm really excited for.  Then on New Year's Eve my cousin is getting married at the Barn of Barrington.  There's the ceremony, dinner, dancing, and then the countdown at midnight.  I'm really excited for this wedding.  Chris taught me how to waltz and then we have also been practicing some other dance moves, according to him we have to show them what we got.  But the competition is going to be stiff, my parents are great dancers, and so is my brother so we will see.  But I'm excited that I get to spend New Year's Eve with my whole family, and Chris as well.  It's going to be a great night, and I cannot wait.  And like I said in a previous post, I am sure that I will have the best date there :].

I hope everyone's holidays go wonderfully, be safe, stay healthy, and I wish great things for everyone in the New Year.

Procrastination

I suppose I should start studying or do some work on my final papers but I'm not in the mood.  I kind of just want to take this last day of relaxation before I start really cracking down and begin preparing for next week.  I work from 4 to 9 today but then after work couch time with Chris. I love just sitting on the couch with him, watch tv or a movie.  I usually fall asleep or we both do but it's nice to just relax and forget about what needs to be done for a little while.  But I'm so glad that next week is the last week of school.  That month break is going to be great.  

So last week was Thanksgiving and there are many things I am thankful for.  To the basics to the little things in life.  Of course I'm thankful for my family, they shaped who I am and who I still continue to be.  They are there as constant support, when others crap out on you and you can't rely on anyone else.  They give you unconditional love all the time, no hesitations or questions asked.  I'm thankful for the friends I have.  Granted I only have a few but I like it better that way.  I'd rather have a few close friends than a ton of acquaintances.  They are there for when you need an outside perspective and the truth.  They are also there for support when you need them, but also to just be able to have fun with and relax.  Some friends are the sisters that I've never had but maybe it was planned to be that way.  I got a brother but it was made that was so I could meet friends who could be my sisters.  I'm thankful for my boyfriend.  He's not only a boyfriend but a friend as well.  We have our ups and downs but mostly up's.  I'm thankful that he can pull me out of the worse moods ever and just make me laugh.  I'm thankful for our couch time, car drives, and text messages.  I'm thankful that I can feel love from him, from my friends, from my family.  I'm thankful for the blessing of being able to wake up every morning, and have a new day.  Thankful for my job, my house, my education.  The basics but the most important.  Then there are the little things.  Vitamin Water, fresh coffee every morning, those caramel hot chocolates from Starbucks, sweater dresses with black opaque tights, Forever 21 in general, those World Market sea salt and cracked black pepper chips, being able to watched missed episodes of Gossip Girl online.  I think I need to learn to appreciate the little things in life a lot more, and not take so much for granted.  I think I also need to learn to relax a little bit more, and not let myself get so stressed out and crazy over things.  Maybe these could be my resolutions for 2009?

Clumsy

Just like my mom...

This morning I was going downstairs to shower, and still half asleep I slipped, and fell down the stairs.  The back of my head smacked every stair, and my back too.  So now I have a huge migraine, and walk like an old lady.  I didn't go to classes today, incase my headache got worse or if I had a concussion.  But Chris decided to call off work, to stay at my house with me to take care of me so I'm not by myself.  Which was very sweet of him.

On a lighter note... I'm really glad the semester is almost over.  I can't wait for Christmas Break.  That month off will be great.  I think this is one of the hardest semesters I've had at college.  And it's only about to get harder.  Next semester I take my teacher's qualifying exam so I can be certified and apply to the teacher's program at UIC.  It's a basic skills exam, math, reading, writing like an ACT.  I heard it wasn't too bad from other people I know.  

Thanksgiving this week! I'm excited, I love this time of year, and the holidays. I love the lights, and those Christmasy smells and I love Christmas shopping and wrapping presents. I'm happy that I get to spend Thanksgiving with Chris, and then see my family for Christmas.  Also this weekend is my cousin's wedding shower so I can see my aunts, and Grandma which I'm really happy about. I don't get to see them often since they live out in Crystal Lake/McHenry and that's not exactly very close.  

But time for me to go lay back down.  This week is going to be very sore for me.  And just like my mother I am so clumsy, ahh the genetics.

You know I could use somebody

"Someone like you, and all you know, and how you speak."

I love the new Kings of Leon album!  I've been listening to it nonstop since Chris gave me a copy (thanks baby!).  But I'm sort of disappointed, I was watching this week's Gossip Girl, and like half of the songs, were in the episode.  And I saw in the Red Eye, tickets at the House of Blues for them is 85 dollars! So dumb, and now all the teeny bopper, want to be hipsters are going to beg their parents to let them go.  

So tonight is finally a chance for me to sort of relax. This week has been filled with paper writing, and studying for exams.  All professors seem to pile it all on at the same time.  This past week my life was scheduled and organized by time, meetings, work etc is highlighted in pink and assignments are highlighted in yellow in my organizer.  Next week I get a small break but then it all starts back up again in time for finals.  I cannot wait until Christmas Break!  Just to be able to relax, work for a couple days, earn some money, and hang out with friends before the craziness of spring semester sneaks up on all of us.  But also I'm looking forward to lazy winter days, the kind where you just stay in your pj's or some type of comfortable wear, and watch television and movies all day especially when it's snowy or sleet type rain, and you just cuddle up on the couch.  Especially when you have someone who knows how to make really, really great hot chocolate (cough Chris cough).   I'm really looking forward to all the great things happening in these next couple of weeks.  I took the back up manager position at work, so I will have the opportunity to work and earn some money which will just be in time for Christmas shopping.  Then Thanksgiving, and spending it with Chris, my cousin's wedding shower, and then my mom's birthday, and then Christmas and New Year's Eve.  My dress came and its gorgeous and it fits, and I'm so excited, perfect party dress.  And in between those weeks, school will be extremely busy and stressful but it will be worth it in the end.  I switched majors to teaching of Spanish and I can be done in four semesters, so graduating in December 2010, seems so far away but it will be here so very soon.  But I just have to be grateful for everyday that comes to me, and for all the people in my life that care about me.  

But I've been thinking lately, just current life situations and I found a quote from Sex and the City that explains how I feel so much.  

"I make mistakes.  That's what I do.

I speak without thinking.  I act without knowing.

I drink so much that I can barely walk.

I'm a fantastic lover though, and an amazing friend.

God knows I mean well."

This is Halloween

This is Halloween, la la la.

Above are pictures I took after the photo shoot on Monday which went great.  After awhile I felt like it was the Mr. Roboto. "Stand toward me, put your left leg point away, hands on your hips, bend down, lower your chin, open your mouth but don't smile.  Awkward, but the pictures looked great. 

So back to the point of this blog. Halloween, day of candy, costumes, pumpkins, scary movies, and Rocky Horror Picture Show.  I usually stay home, pass out candy, and watch RHPS.  But this year is going to be different.  My parents decided to not pass out candy this year, due to having a two year old puppy who is extremely protective of her family, but also Halloween isn't the same anymore.  Which I can agree.  

When I was a kid, Halloween was great.  My mom made my costume every year, after school my brother would take me trick or treating.  And oh man did I think I was cool, MY older brother was taking me trick or treating while all my other friends had to go with their parents.  We would walk to every block, and go alot farther then we were allowed. Then we would come home, nice hot dinner to fill our cold and empty stomachs.  Cold because unlike today it's usually a bit chilly on Halloween, empty because we weren't allowed to eat any candy til we got home.  After dinner, and candy check, we would go to my grandparent's on the North side to visit for my grandpa's birthday (happy birthday, miss you).  And the best part is that we would always stop at the Mar's candy factory and get king sized Snickers, Milky Ways etc.  The night would end with a piece of candy, pj's and bed.  

Now Halloween is different.  In my neighborhood, parent's drop off their kids at one end of the block, have them walk to each house, and then scoop them up and drop them off at the next block.  Whatever happened to walking with your parents, and getting exercise (hmm candy and less walking on Halloween, rising childhood obesity rates anyone?).  And kids don't even say trick or treat! They walk up and say "Here."  And costumes, a mask and regular clothes not a costume!  Whatever happened to traditional, clever fun costumes?  Maybe it's jut now parents work and don't have time, to really think out a costume so they run to Walgreens and get one which I can understand due to time crunch and budget. But I can't help but feel like as adults get older, they get more clever and creative with their costumes.  But now a lot of the costumes we see at the shops are those sexy ones.  Like they said in Mean Girls "Halloween is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it."  Now I am not criticizing this, because I know sometime this weekend, I will be reusing my old catholic school girl uniform from 3 years ago.  Also my budget didn't allow for a Halloween costume this year.  But I've come to accept that times are different now, family values have changed.  But one thing I can say, when I'm older and the time is right, and I have children I will know what to do when it comes to Halloween.  My mom will make their costumes like she did mine, if she doesn't mind, I will take them from house to house, and make sure they say Trick or Treat!  And candy will be checked after a nice dinner.  I will be carrying on those traditions that I love and miss so much.

But everyone have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Oh man

I don't know how actual models do it.  I sat in a chair for 4 hours and got my hair done and then my makeup, and I got home and I was exhausted.  But Christine did an amazing job, and I'm so happy.  And I know this picture isn't the best, but it's what I could do and I was exhausted and so ready for bed by this point.  On Monday I'll take some after the shoot with a digital camera.  

But I am so looking forward to tonight.  Just to relax, eat some dinner, and just watch movies with Chris sounds amazing and I cannot wait.  

Next week is Halloween!  I love the fall but the best part is Halloween. I usually sit at home, pass out candy, and watch The Rocky Horror Picture Show but I think this year is going to be different.  Still not sure of what plans, and I don't even have a costume.  But it will fall together probably the day of, but before I can think of plans, I have an Art History exam and some other things to work on next week.  And I have my review at work to get a raise, hurray!  

And I have decided to go to Barcelona this summer.  I love the program and the other day in Art History we talked about two mosques that I visited in Granada and it made me realize how much I loved it there.  And seeing those buildings in person are so much better than just photos.  I'll be missing my 21st birthday in the states but I know we will celebrate before I leave and when I get home.  But time to relax and do some laundry to help out the momma, she's been so unbelievably busy lately, I do not know how she does it, and still does everything else.  But she's still super woman in my eyes, mom's always here to save the day.  A huge advantage of living at home, and I have the best mentor at all times.

Why?

So I've been contemplating starting a blog for awhile. 

It seems to be the new bandwagon again, but also as every week passes I get busier and busier.

And time is spent less on facebook and AIM to chat and catch up with friends and family.

So I figured I would start a blog, and put the link on facebook etc and whomever can read it, and then when I do get the opportunity to catch up (hence the title) there will be less time spent trying to fill everyone in.  

So school has been kicking my butt to no end.  This semester has been one of the most challenging.  I think it's because I am starting my major Spanish courses, which require papers which are longer than 2 pages in Spanish.  And it is quite difficult to think in another language.  After I'm done with a paper, I am so exhausted you would have thought I ran 5 miles.  Then even though I only work two nights a week, and Saturday mornings, work is just so long and after you've been up since the early hours in the morning and going to class all day you're already tired and work just adds to it.  And then my remaining nights are spent budgeting my time between homework, studying, and being able to maintain some sort of good family time, and social life.  Whether it's just having the opportunity to sit at the dinner table with my parents, or literally falling asleep on the couch at 10pm with Chris (wonderful favorite) that's just how the cookie crumbles.

Saturday nights are some of my most cherished nights because I spend them with Sam and Jessica.  Without these two in the city, I would probably have one of the most boring lives ever.  I'm looking forward to Christmas Break because my other saviour, Jen will be home again!  

But in the next couple months I'm quite excited for.  Here's the catch up sort part.  Christine, an amazing hairstyle, and a great friend of Sam's, needs a hair model and asked me to do it.  This week I'm getting my hair colored, styled, cut and whatever else and my make up trial run by a MAC professional.  Then Monday the 27th I have a photoshoot for a book that will be in salons across the United States.  Yikes! I'm excited, but so nervous.  It's like that Sex and the City episode,  Carrie claimed "I'm not a model!" And then backstage Samantha tells her "Oh honey, you're a model."  Then she realizes she is, with her fabulous high heels, and jeweled panties. That was my reaction when I first heard, but the more I think about it, and hopefully the support with text messages (hint hint!) I can have my Carrie moment.  

New Year's Eve, my cousin Erin is getting married, and I'm so excited.  It will be fun to spend the night with my family, and just have great time.  Also I can pretty much say with a lot of confidence that my date will be the best dancer there :].  

Also in these next couple months I will be starting my planning for studying abroad this summer.  I'm still debating between Barcelona, Spain and Buenos Aires, Argentina.  There's a lot of factors that I have to think about.  Finances, economy, the courses, education and just experience in general.  The biggest thing out of that list that is really making me think is the finances part.  The economy is horrible right now, and just even trying to shop around for flights is going to be a challenge and a struggle.  And the debate between the Euro and american dollar.  More pros and cons lists to come to make.  

But that's all for now, I feel like I'm always on the go, I'm surprised I got these few minutes to start this blog, but we will see how far it goes.