It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas

We've been adding a little bit of holiday spirit in our apartment, with loads of snowflakes and cozy Christmas lights. We also have a little mistletoe hanging outside in our hallway. 'Tis the season!

A House

This Thanksgiving I am particularly thankful for a house to go to during the holidays. Comfortable furniture, hard-wood floors, cozy lighting, colorful walls, family photos, seasonal decorations, toys and books and Disney films, the screaming and laughter of children, the constant background conversation of the siblings: these are all things I don't get back in the good ol' dorm room and it's nice to be surrounded by family and the comforts of a home for a couple of days.

Hurrah for Miah and Missy and Ryan and Ann for giving me good company, someplace to go, and something to be particularly grateful for nearing the end of this semester. It's so worth the 14 hours of driving.

Halfway

It's interesting, the longer I am at school the less time is a factor in my day to day thinking. Other than planning on an hourly basis which assignments I'll do when, I simply don't consider the weeks and months. With this change I've found that time moves more quickly. And because the distance of the end of the semester isn't always pressing on my mind, I actually savor my learning so much more. Remarkable!

Maybe this is just a result of getting older period (more mature perspective?), and sheer, ridiculous business probably plays a part. I'm certain that the excellence of my teachers and the interesting subject matters help a lot. On top of that my roommates and neighbors are fantastic, my German house brothers are darling, and overall the ward experience has been great. Definitely good times... Whatever it is that allows me to enjoy life so thoroughly, it's positive.

Last week a teacher remarked that we were halfway through the semester. That was particularly shocking for him because, to that point, we hadn't even covered a third of the material planned for the semester. Well then, I guess we're halfway through! And he should probable go on less tangents about filial piety (although that was a great discussion). This also happens mark the more than halfway point of my entire undergraduate experience...
And now I'm done thinking about it and will get back to writing poems about my fellow German housers and showing my teacher that I do know the difference between dative and genitive adjective endings.

Grüss Gott!

Moments of the Semester....

Roommate Photo minus One Roomie
(L to R) Lauren, Kari, Shelby, moi, Ary

Roommates (L to R me and Kari with Shelby above) relaxing (and planking?) on a Sunday afternoon

Lauren and I at Sober Oktoberfest

It's been a good day....

I love General Conference and am very much looking forward to tomorrow's sessions. Now to working on that paper due Monday afternoon...