CHRISTMAS!!!!

Wow, what a great Christmas! I am seriously in shock from all the good times and surprising presents.

Christmas Eve was grand. We finished shopping, did the Nativity play and How The Grinch Stole Christmas at Grandma's house (I was Mary and a Who) with all the little cousins, which was really funny and cute. I love Grandma Joyce, and really admire her, and I LOVE spending time at her house. I feel like I partially grew up there--I'm very lucky to have both sets of grandparents live so close to me. Christmas Eve wouldn't be Christmas Eve without performing the Nativity at Grandma Joyce's house!

Then we ate a gooooood Christmas Eve dinner at home--our traditional meal of roast beast, Yorkshire pudding (not a pudding), and mashed potatoes! It's even better now that I've discovered how much I like mashed potatoes. We opened our Christmas Eve pajamas, and this year we are all matching, which is really cute. I'm sad we didn't take a picture of all of us in our jammies, even Dad and Danny! But it's just as well, because I couldn't post it anyways because Kyle hasn't opened his yet and I don't want him to see what they look like. It was so exciting to see Lucy open her first Christmas present of her whole entire life! She was darling in her Christmas jammies. And THEN we watched the ultimate Christmas movie--THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL!!!!!! It was SO fun, and really got everyone feeing Christmasy. Michael Caine has done it again. And yeah of COURSE I cried!

Christmas morning was exciting. I thought I knew what my big exciting Santa present was--an amazing red coat from Urban Outfitters (I'm obsessed with coats and Urban Outfitters). BUT when we all filed downstairs to see what Santa left us, I saw the coat PLUS the best gift I've ever gotten in my whole life! ALL 9 SEASONS OF THE X-FILES!!!!!!!!!!!!! In an attractive box set! My shock was EXTREME. In a million years, I never dreamed that I would ever own it, even though I've longed for it for years. It was too expensive to seriously consider. When I saw it, I literally started crying. That may be ridiculous, but it was sincere. I am so happy. I know that presents aren't the most important thing, but they really do show love and understanding--my mom and dad know me so well, and love me so much, to get that for me! Oh and I also got a lot of other exciting and thoughtful gifts...but I'm too overwhelmed to write about them all. But THANK YOU to everyone who got me such awesome presents. And Christy, you need to post a picture of Lucy in the outfit Katy and I got her...seriously.

So guess what we did all day? WATCHED 7 HOURS OF X-FILES. It's a Christmas miracle. It was joyful. It was the best day ever. It was so fun to watch X-Files all together as a family, because we never did that when the show was on the air. Mom didn't like it, and everyone was busy--it was usually me and one or two other people, tops. But today it was a family activity and we really felt togetherness. And THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is the spirit of Christmas. X-FILES BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER.

The only thing that wasn't perfect was missing Kyle. I hate that I'm so sappy, especially when I publish it in a blog for all the world to see and judge me for. It's just hard--we haven't gone a day without seeing each other since mid-August, when we started dating! That's more than 4 months! And months before that we were talking every single day, hating the 700+ miles between us. And before that...ok I'll stop now. Someday I should write our story...because it's really funny and exciting and surprising and awesome. And I'll stop putting my relationship on display...NOW.

Decadence

I'm home! And having a great time. Getting here was less easy--my flight was way delayed due to a sudden blizzard in Salt Lake, and my plan was one of only four planes who took off once the blizzard started. I was really lucky--the other airplanes got diverted to Boise. I feel REALLY terrible for Kyle, who had to creep home in the slow snowy traffic. It took him 4 hours to get from Salt Lake to Provo! He had a series of bad experiences, culminating with his keys getting locked inside his car. Thank heavens Amanda picked up her phone and left the bridal shower to rescue him! It was so great to get picked up at the airport and see LUCY! We went straight to In 'n Out and I ate a cheeseburger, which made Christy very proud.

Thursday was glorious. Mom, Christy, and I woke up early to get a pedicure! It was my first time. It was nearly two hours of comfort and pampering, and my feet look awesome. I'm not addicted--thank heavens--but I would definitely enjoy that a second time. Then we went out to lunch, went Christmas shopping, wrapped presents, and put them under the tree. It was most fun! Then Katy came home and went straight to bed because she had a miserable day in the airport--her flight was delayed for HOURS.

Today I went to see I am Legend with Dad and Katy. I liked it! Will Smith did an amazing job, and made me cry in several places. It was a little too social commentaryish, but very enjoyable, and TERRIFYING in some places. Then we hung around downtown Walnut Creek and I finally got to go to the new Urban Outfitters they just put in! What a perfect store. We visited Grandma's house and saw some cousins, and for the rest of the day we've been relaxing. I've read a lot, and ate the best dinner ever (Mom's flank steak is worth killing for), and now we're watching Harry Potter 5 in HD! So decadent, and so much fun.

I love being home. It is so relaxing and fun. Lucy is the best--even though she was millimeters away from throwing up in my mouth half an hour ago. She also likes to suck/gnaw on my face. The only drawback is missing Kyle, which I try to stave off wth phone calls. Oh well, only 5 more days until I join him in Phoenix!

Last Provo Post of 2007

Well, the semester's over. I'm going home tomorrow, and I'm very excited. Mom has all sorts of fun things planned, and it's going to be a great Christmas. I can't wait to see Lucy again!

The last couple of days have been great, instead of stressful. I am going to get a way better grade in Physical Science then I thought, so that was a nice surprise. My last final was Tuesday morning, so I've had plenty of time to relax. I feel kind of bad, because Kyle's been spending all his time with me instead of studying--but there'll be plenty of time for that after I'm gone, right?

On Tuesday Kyle and I had our own little Christmas, which was really fun. We had a great dinner at Macaroni Grill (oooh fancy, I know) and gave each other presents. I got so many awesome things! He is the only boy that I would trust to buy clothes for me that I like! He did a great job--he really knows my style--and my color preferences! Plus he gave me the best blanket in the world. I'm in bed with it right now--it really is amazing. And some scarves and gloves that are going to make me really cool. And I think he likes his present too--I know I do.

I almost have all my Christmas presents. All I need is something for Dad, I think. Dads are always the hardest! I had the best idea for him, but it didn't work out--it wasn't even my fault! Very disappointing. So now I'm stuck.

So...the new Batman trailer is terrifying. Heath Ledger as the Joker--he is the creepiest person I've ever seen! But when I saw/heard Michael Caine, I immediately felt comforted and emotional. I am so excited to watch The Muppet Christmas Carol on Christmas Eve and enjoy his performance! He really gets me emotional in that movie. So good. So good.

Next time I blog I'll be in California, Phoenix, or back from my travels!

[I was going to put up a picture of The Joker, but it was really too horrific. What if Lucy got nightmares? (I really am dying with anticipation...that movie is going to be awesome). So instead I'm giving Michael Caine a little blogger montage, and hopefully he will keep me from bad dreams of Heath Ledger in nasty makeup. Michael Caine is my only hope.]

I really really really really really love Michael Caine.

Early Christmas

Tonight I just couldn't wait any longer to give some Christmas presents! I went a little crazy on threadless.com this year, and got heck of shirts. Caitlin's leaving soon to go home, so I had to give her her present...and then it seemed appropriate to give Celia her shirt...and then Katy was left out so I gave her one of the many I have for her! And then I gave one to myself :)

This one was for Caitlin--soooo perfect if you know her. Her reaction was probably the best I've ever experienced. It's called "BFF"'

This was Celia's, she's been wanting it for ages. It's "The Communist Party".

Katy got this one. I know it's depressing, but so funny! It's called "Emotional Trip".

And this one's mine!--"There's No Crying In Breakfast". The milk is dead! It's funny!

So. It's been a good weekend. This is why:

• Rice King
• Leatherby's
• Muddy Buddies
• Holiday films
• Ward Christmas party
• Cleaning checks cancelled
• Hot chocolate
• Lil' Smokies
• Book Buybacks
• Shaun of the Dead
• Very little studying
• Kyle is great
• Sugar cookies

I am very happy.

YES

I was in the best mood today. I studied for physical science and was sooo happy! I love learning about geology and cosmology! Parts of it were really creepy--like how there's a constant background sound wave that's an echo from the creation of the universe. Ahhhh. And how the ocean crust is constantly getting sucked into the trenches by subduction, and that's why the seafloor is so much younger than the continents. I know everything about stars now--that is neat. And I LOVE continental drift!

Anyways, I was feeling confident, and I had a killer outfit on, and it was just lightly snowing, and I didn't fail my test! Then I met Kyle and he came with me to my last physical science lab, which was a planetarium trip! It was pretty cool.

After some homework, we went to Costa Vida and stuffed ourselves with the best food in the world, and now we're cozy at home watching the Twilight Zone. Life is awesome.

I think the end is near?

This morning was awful. I woke up feeling like death, like if I got out of bed my bones would crumble to dust and I'd...not exist anymore. Then I went to class (my last 291 and Physical Science classes ever!) which was okay but boring, then I did my scary scary scary Spanish OPI that I've been freaked out of my mind about, and rightfully so because wow, I pathetically bombed (I got full points, but that means nothing), and even though I still have an A in the class, I've realized that I can't speak Spanish and my confidence is shot and I don't like it anymore. Plus I won't have Profe Wilson anymore, and I'm pretty sure he's the only reason I liked Spanish this semester. I just felt terrible and embarrassed.

It's a good thing Kyle was outside waiting for me in the hall, because then instead of walking home alone crying, I could walk with him--still crying though. But then Mom called and I felt better, and Kyle helped me feel better. Then I got home and found an awesome surprise waiting for me. All the Muddy-Buddy-makin' materials I could ever dream of, and a nice letter, and the first flowers I've ever gotten from a boy. They were beautiful flowers. I made Chex Muddy Buddies soon after. I was immediately cheered up and felt sooo much better. Guys...Kyle is great.

Then, instead of studying all night for my Physical Science test that I have to take tomorrow (which I am NOT going to fail) I watched an awesome movie with Kyle and then did nothing! I played on Facebook and watched Kyle do his homework. I got through a couple chapters of Phys Shiz, but I'm still going to have to stay up all night studying now.

I guess it was a...good day? Nope. The good was really good, and the bad was super sucky. I feel relieved that the worst part of school is over--even though I still have 3 finals: one okay, one tricky, and one impossible. The end is finally in sight though: a week from Thursday I'll be out of here, being pampered by Mom, and hugging Lucy constantly!

i need drugs

I had my first final today! I'm SO RELIEVED that a)it's done and b)I scored big time. It was an anthropology presentation on Hindu marriages, which was pretty much tailor-made based on my specialties. Sometimes I can like presenting--and this one felt really good. My teacher loves me, and I know I have an A in that class.

Unfortunately, the terrible horrible finals start soon. I'm seriously out of my mind with stress, PLUS I'm sick! The timing is awful. I'll make it through somehow.

I don't remember what we've all been doing in the last week. Working a LOT. Playing in the snow. We went to Olive Garden for Caitlin's birthday dinner. Stayed up late watching Fried Green Tomatoes. Christmas shopping. Sitting home all day, being sick. Being on campus all day, being sick. That's about it!