"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!

"And even though we all can still do more, there's so much to be thankful for" - Josh Groban

The countdown officially begins, since there are only 7 days left until Thanksgiving break starts, and only 9 days until the holiday! I thought this week was going to go by so slowly (and maybe it's too early to tell) but it's going by pretty quickly in my opinion. I have no more exams to study for and one 4-page paper to write until break, so I am very relieved!

Since it is Thanksgiving season and all, I am thankful for many things:

[Family]
I am thankful for having two wonderful parents, who always put their children's needs in front of themselves. I can be a (spoiled) brat sometimes, but they always make sure I am content and will do whatever it takes. I'm thankful for their ridiculous hard work, dedication, and love... not to mention their willingness to pick me up from school at any time. I am also thankful for my brother (although we act like we hate each other half the time) and I am so proud of how smart he is.

[Abington friends]
Regardless of the distances between us, I know I can always turn to them for a good laugh or time. They all have helped shape me into the person I am today and I would be nothing without them!


[Salve friends]
They have helped me feel comfortable here when I wasn't so sure at first. I love our Monday television nights and the fact that we can laugh at each other for no reason at all.

[PCC friends]

They have given me the best laughs, the best times, and the best memories. I am relieved that a lot of us have managed to stay in touch over the years, and I will always believe that Abington & Middleboro were destined to be one town!

[co-workers]

They are 50 of the craziest, funniest, and friendliest people I have ever met. I had the best summer, thanks to them, and I always look forward to our reunions!

[#1 best friend]

I am thankful for his compassion, kindness, thoughtfulness, and especially for the way he believes in me.

[Panera Bread (not kidding)]
I am thankful for their You-Pick-Two deals (half broccoli cheddar soup, half caesar salad), $0.99 Chocolate Chipper cookie, Cinnamon Crunch bagels, and lemonade. Whether I'm at school or home, I am thankful that there is always at least one Panera that is 15 minutes or less away.

[AHS Track & Field]
I am thankful for the dedication and self-esteem that I gained from being a runner. I am actually thankful that I was forced to be a 400m runner last year, because it pushed me to believe in myself (thank you, Mr. Lanner & Mr. Duggan).

[Jason Mraz & John Mayer (and music in general)]
When the rest of the world fails me, these are the two men that I turn to. I am thankful for the "We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things" and "Continuum" albums. I am thankful that they are two absolute geniuses. I am thankful for music for being a wonderful foundation for friendship. I am thankful that I am a musician.

[Salve Regina University]
I am thankful for Salve Regina for providing me with a college education. I am thankful for their overwhelming generosity in financial aid, and I am thankful (and proud) that I am a first-generation college student.

[James Lafferty & One Tree Hill]
You know where to find me on a Monday night at 8PM... parked in front of the television, drooling over the hotness that is James Lafferty/Nathan Scott. I am an avid fan of One Tree Hill (I've seen every episode aired since the pilot episode in September 2004!) and I like to think I can vicariously live through their more-than-necessary drama...

And of course, I am thankful for good health and all that jazz, but here are a few other miscellaneous things...

- Hooded sweatshirts
- Jim & Pam's romance on The Office
- Pandora Radio
- the shuffle option on iTunes
- FML.com
- Disney movies
- New England weather (most of the time)
- LIFE!! <3

"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough" - Oprah Winfrey

"You just can't beat the weather here in autumn" - Chase Coy

I can't believe November is already here! Where did the month of October go!?

The rest of October was wonderful. I went home the weekend of the 24th to spend some quality time with my family. My parents and I sat down by the fireplace, roasted marshmallows, and watched a movie together. That Saturday, my mom and I went to the Natick Collection and I hung out with my Abington friends! For Halloween, my best friend here at Salve and I stayed at Massart with her twin sister (also one of my best friends). We ended up at a party in Brighton and we went back to her dorm and hung out afterwards. It was a very fun Halloween. Not too crazy, and very laid-back... just the way I like it.

Last weekend, the same friend and I went to see A Christmas Carol 3D in IMAX at the Providence Place! I was expecting it to be as good as The Polar Express (one of my two favorite Christmas movies) because it's directed by the same person; however, I found it to be slightly disappointing. It was cute (and somewhat frightening at the same time) though.

Speaking of Christmas... I am already looking forward to the Christmas season! It puts me in the best mood. I was at Derby Street on the first of November and they were already playing Christmas music! Here at Salve, my friends and I have already busted out the *NSYNC Christmas album (the best Christmas album ever). We went to Starbucks last week and got the Caramel Apple Spice... mmm. I love walking into Starbucks and smelling all the different, delicious aromas in the air. I love the little red Christmas cups too. I also cannot wait to go ice-skating in Newport, especially with one of my good friends who is coming down next month. She's been going to school in Wilmington, NC so I am very excited to see her! Ice-skating has always been one of my favorite things to do since I was little (I used to take figure skating lessons several years ago and wanted to continue, but unfortunately, it got to be too expensive). I'm so excited!

... Not to mention that the infamous Christmas tree has already arrived in NYC at the Rockerfeller Plaza! I have seen the Christmas tree here in all its glory before... absolutely gorgeous.

I'm getting a little ahead of myself though... let us get to Thanksgiving first!! Two more weeks until... all of my friends come home from college (especially those @ Syracuse, D.C., North Carolina, and Florida)... I have Thanksgiving dinner with my family... the annual Abington-Whitman-Hanson football game (GWP)... the Christmas tree is put up... lots of baked goods & desserts... PCC reunions... Black Friday for shopping... and many more fun-filled events in just a short weekend!