"Insanity laughs. Under pressure, we're cracking." - David Bowie

It's currently 2:07 AM on a Thursday morning. I have my psychology final exam in roughly six hours. Did I mention it's optional? If this grade is higher than my lowest test grade, then my professor will replace it. Well, by the looks of how the night is going, I'm not sure it will be worth it, but I am still taking it!

I'm just taking a break from studying. My eyes hurt from reading and my fingers ache from typing, but nonetheless, I am very glad that I have not succumbed to the college student that turns to energy drinks or worse, Adderall, to stay up and study. I just have a lot of Christmas candy (chocolate, candy canes, you name it) and I'm good to go.

Wish me luck!

"Do this thing, this type of thing. Put a little money in this type of thing. I got nothing to worry about. " - Peter Bjorn and John

Today marks the beginning of finals week, and I just got done with my first final in What It Means to be Human. I'm happy to report that I did very well! My professor complimented me multiple times on my oral presentation... *sigh of relief*. Now I can relax for a few hours, go Christmas shopping downtown, and then tackle my next assignment.

Surprisingly, I've been handling the preparation of finals week quite well. Watching movies, eating all my food in my care package from my parents, and reading The Time Traveler's Wife... time well spent, wouldn't you say so? I have one final every day this week, besides Friday, so I get to go home one day early (I'm definitely using that as motivation to kick some ass on these finals). I have confidence that I will do alright, if not great... although I do want to believe I will do great! Just have to keep the positivity level up and I'm good to go.

And besides... Christmas is only 11 days away!

"The night is here, and the day is gone, and the world spins madly on" - The Weepies

AWESOME!

I read this blog, "1000 Awesome Things" every few days. It's a great blog to read when you're feeling down, because the things that the blogger mentions are truly awesome.

Well, I stumbled across Awesome Thing #625 and knew I had to refer to it immediately.

Although some of it isn't exactly true. I haven't been turned away from a roller coaster yet (not like I would go on most of them in the first place -- exception being any roller coaster at Disney World). I've been to 7 concerts and I could see just fine. I also plan on receiving my master's degree, and possibly doctorate's degree, thus making me MORE educated, thank you very much!

So what if I won't look like the next Taylor Swift (6'1")... at least I can look NOT UP, but straight in the eyes to powerful women like Dr. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson's character on Grey's) and Shawn Johnson.

:)

"Fall is gone... winter is here" - Chase Coy

Thanksgiving break was simply wonderful... and too short! I did a lot of reuniting with friends & family... and a lot of shopping. This was the first year that my mom and I did not wake up early to go shopping on Black Friday. In fact, we didn't even buy a lot this year, but it was still great to continue our tradition. I got to pick out my Christmas present... and my mom even bought me a new pair of Uggs for my belated birthday (I ended up returning the Vera bag that I received. I decided the colors were overwhelming and am currently waiting for the new prints to come out in a couple of months!).

Classic short Uggs in gray

Christmas present!! -- Return to Tiffany bead bracelet
(The charm matches my earrings that I received for graduation
and my necklace that I received last Christmas)

Friday night, I attended a party with all my co-workers. It was very fun to catch up, especially since I haven't seen most of them since the end of the summer!! I also got to hang out with my best friends from home a few times. It was like nothing has changed, even if we were separated for a few months. I could tell the parents loved seeing us together again, and of course we loved seeing the parents too!

Now backtracking a little... on Thanksgiving morning, I attended the football game in Abington against Whitman-Hanson. It was the 99th annual game between the two teams! Of course (sorry RER :)) we won, 20-0. At halftime, the baseball team received their state championship rings and they look awesome! It was really great to see everyone together. Later that afternoon, we had our Thanksgiving dinner. This year, my parents hosted the holiday dinner and we ended up having 25 people in our dining room, each with his or her own chinaware and utensils (my mom likes to go all out for these occasions). Good thing we renovated a few years ago! Thanksgiving dinner was so delicious, comprised of not one but two turkeys, ham, homemade mashed and roasted potatoes, and the usual... completed by a homemade cheesecake with berries on top. YUMMY.

And although I had such a wonderful break, there are no words to describe how excited I am that it is finally December! The Christmas decorations are up, the iTunes is blaring the Christmas playlist (on repeat), and the Secret Santa plans are underway! Tonight is the annual lighting of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Plaza.


YES!