The Deal

I have a lot to post about. First of all, I am officially in Savannah. We drove for 18 hours from Dallas and got here at about midnight on Monday. Oof. It was quite a day. It's the kind of drive where I try get through hour by hour because when you look at the clock and think to yourself "I'm going to be in this car for 13 more hours," that can change a person-- change a person forever...

I was so beat when we finally got here and wanted nothing more than to collapse (correction: climb then collapse) into my bed and sleep for days and days, but I had to deal with an unfortunate case of tummy troubles. After being up for an annoying large amount of hours feeling terrible, I eventually fell into a deep, deep, Savannah sleep. Waking up at 10:30 the next morning was surreal...partly because I slept in until 10:30 (still shocked about how in the world that happened) and partly because I couldn't believe that I was here again. In Savannah. At college. It seems like only yesterday I was packing up to go home and only like a week ago when I was leaving for school in the fall... and now sitting here typing this, Reminiscent Julia Mind is realizing how it only felt like a month ago when I was going to my first day of school EVER. In KINDERGARTEN. Time sure flies.

Frances and I, being the first ones here, had great plans to get tons done yesterday i.e. going marketing, school supply shopping, unpacking and just all around conquering the day with great ease. But, alas...why rush anything, right? It's the beginning of 2011. We have plenty of time to be responsible and organized. So why not take some time to relax and do things that in a few days we won't have time to do... like... watch the Bachelor? Yeah. I think that is the adult choice. And after spending a good 2 hours doing just that, I think we made the right choice (by the way, Bachelor fans-- how excited are you for this season?! Because 1. The girls look crazier than ever and 2. Brad Womack is the saddest man in the whole entire world! Can't wait.)

Anyway, the rest of the day kind of fell into place with the arrivals first of Spencer, then Claire and Jordan. And before we knew it, the whole gang was back together and ready for some action. Dinner and music reminded why I had such a blast last quarter and how great the next 6 months (EEK!) are going to be.

I have my first drawing class today at 5 and then two classes in the morning.

And just like that, the new quarter is on the move!

So much to catch up on, it's embarrassing.

It seems I've dropped the proverbial blogging ball this past week. Officially, it's only been a week since I last posted something, but there is much to be said about this last week.

Well, let me start with Christmas. I really really loved this Christmas this year. I feel like I honestly got to enjoy the whole holiday season due to the fact that I've been out of school since mid November and all that preparation really came to a head on Christmas. Family wise, I got to spend ample time with both sides of the family which was such a nice change from our usual routine. Obviously, I have to mention the awesome gifts I got this year-- nothing crazy like a new car or computer or whatever, but lots of little small things that I didn't realize that I wanted until after the gift had been opened. And in my opinion, that's the best kind of gift.

I have to give honorable mention and major props to my secret santa on the Patton side this year, Aunt Sue, who pulled out all the stops and got my favorite gifts of the season-- Gift certificates to two of my Savannah faves (Wild Fibre and The Sentient Bean) and an awesome book on the history of fashion. Major props, Aunt Sue. Can't wait to use all of it.

The following day after Christmas was filled with family hub bub and then something extra cool on Monday and Tuesday. Kaitlin and I got to go to Palm Springs with my second family, The Pages, and enjoy the beautiful desert air courtesy of the Skjonsby family and their indescribably beautiful home. That small vacation was so relaxing and just what I needed to say goodbye to great friends and this awesome break. It's amazing what a little Chipotle, white painted walls and a few rounds Mexican train can do for a gal.

The last couple of days have been odd to say the least. Doing mundane and routine things while knowing that I was leaving for 6 months a few days later messes with my head. I found myself being quite moody and subdued for no apparent reason and this behavior frustrated me so much that it made me even more moody and subdued. Vicious cycle. In spite of this, I had a great New Years Eve with the fam as we dined and watched movies. Family time rocks.

Finally, yesterday, the day came and the storm hit. In the morning, I was so surprised that I wasn't super emotional and feeling fairly normal. I was eating popovers and watching TV and it was like "Ok, I'm leaving today. Alright. This is fine." I showered. I dressed. I scrambled for the last couple of things to shove into my bags. And I left. Even driving to the airport, I was foolish in my unsuspecting arrogance. The second we parked at John Wayne, I stepped out of the car and into the pool of emotional recklessness. I felt my face getting warm and my fingers starting to tap and I knew the tears were brimming. I was able to hold it back until it was time to say goodbye. That's when I lost it. Why is it that hugging makes tears come faster? Is it the act of squeezing that forces the water out at an alarming rate? Hmm... All I know is, showing the guard my ID at the security check was completely pointless because I look nothing like the picture when I have mascara tears streaming down my face. After a close call with my knitting needles in my carry-on and an unwanted on flight neighbor, I made it to Dallas safe and sound with the Three Layer Mint Squares in my lap all in one piece.

The Plan now is to spend the rest of the afternoon here at the Russell's beautiful home preparing for the trek tomorrow. By night tomorrow, I will be in Savannah and mentally preparing for the next quarter of school. Wowza. Time flies.

I'm going to wrap up for now because I've been typing this post for what feels like hours. Keep your eyes peeled for a New Years post coming soon.

This pretty much sums up the New Year.

Oh, the Digital Age

This is a modern take on what Jesus' birth would've looked like if it were 2010.

Merry Christmas EVE!!!

Seasons

I love the way that seasons change things. They take something familiar and breathe another quite familiar life into it. We know it gets hot every summer but for some reason the heat that starts to show up around May always comes at such a pleasant surprise. The most simple and common example of this is to look at a tree and see it's change over the course of a year.

The other day I found these pictures of Amsterdam in the winter and quickly rifled through my very similar pictures to find the ones that I took of the same city this summer. Isn't it great how so many things in life that are predictable and routine can be turned into such producers of joy?

O, Hey--

In case you guys didn't know, Christmas is 4 days away. Um....when did that happen? I should've known better. Christmas always seems to creep up on me, but nothing like this year. This is the least Christmasy Christmas feeling week of my life! And not for lack of trying. At home, the house is decked out with every bit of decoration. At work, 103.5 is constantly playing it's holiday tunes. And as a matter of fact, even the weather has cooperated in making this winter actually feel like winter! I think what's throwing me off is the fact that Christmas is on a Saturday. Who does that? Saturday? Really?

I feel like I'm more prepared for New Years than Christmas. Odd. And maybe that's because my New Years has a weird connotation attached to it-- departure. First of all, our over 5 year tradition of spending the evening with the Page family is being broken and Dress Brigade won't be happening on New Years day because I'm leaving! But don't fret, not all hope is lost; Mom, Kaitlin and I will be enjoying popovers and quiche in the warmth of a big fluffy bed as we watch the Rose Parade. Some traditions can't be broken.

Today, I will focus on getting the Christmas juice to flow within me. Correction: Today, I will focus on getting the Egg Nog to flow within me. Better, right? Yeah. That's Christmas.