And so the hunt begins!

It's about time that I find myself an internship! I spent hours today researching internships, rewriting cover letters and submitting applications. Ugh I forgot how exhausting it is looking for a job/internship! Let's hope I find something perfect so the strenuous search and application process will be over with. There are a number of positions that I feel would be perfect for me, I just hope they are currently looking for interns. Wish me luck!

I have fallen in love

... with this amazing thing! These electronic heating pads are the best invention ever! My mom had two and gave me one :) It now follows me everywhere I go. So cozy!

One Wonderful Week

Since I missed the holidays with my family last year, I decided I was going to go back to my parents' house for an entire week. I felt like I needed the break from my life's stresses and was really looking forward to spending quality time with those so important to me that I don't get to see often. Every day was perfect, I just wish it hadn't gone by so quickly!

Monday - I just relaxed at my parents' place with my mom. I wrapped presents, ate a lot of good food, and ended the day with a movie and short Christmas light drive.

Tuesday - Tuesday was our designated baking day. We made lots of cookies that were to be delivered the next day.

(my favorite part was hand-crafting these festive cookies!)



Wednesday - We went to my hometown (about 15 minutes away) and delivered the delicious plates of goodies to a bunch of different houses. I believe Mom and I went to four of her friends' houses for tea and fun visits. Afterwards, I went to one best friend's (since first grade!) parents' house, where I got to visit with her and her family well into the night.

Thursday - Mom and I went to nearby Chico for some last-minute shopping, haircuts and a delicious lunch. I went back to Chico later that night to go out to the bars with some old friends and had a blast!



Friday - On Christmas Eve, my parents and I went to my grandma's house for Christmas dinner with some of my family. Afterwards we went to church and sang Christmas songs, one of my favorite Christmas traditions!

Saturday - Our entire family was together for Christmas and had a wonderful time exchanging our Secret Santa gifts, visiting and enjoying our delicious dinner.







(the family was impatient with my camera timer, so this was the best group picture I could get, despite many people missing)



Sunday - On my last day, my sister and I helped my mom pack for the big move (yay, it's coming soon!)

And I'll end this post with a rather interesting and unique Christmas tree. Actually, I call it the Christmas bush. It's a long story, but here it is:


Yes, it's decorated with elves with our faces on them!

Christmas Cards

I wanted to wait until the majority of the recipients received their Christmas cards, as not to ruin the surprise. My roommate and I decided to put together adorable Christmas cards to send to friends and family. We bought cute cards that have a space to put pictures in, and filled them in with these beauties:





And the adorable cards with our pictures inside...



We bought a variety of three; Christmas lights, penguins/snow, and one with a Christmas tree.




Santa hats - Check!
Ugly Christmas sweaters - Check!
Cat and her costume - Check!
Best Christmas card ever - CHEEEEEECK!!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

... and I'm going back to my parents' house for a week! I'm going to be spoiled with lots of good food and love. Happy Holidays!

Finals Week

Monday - Dinner and drinks for a friend's birthday

Tuesday - Happy hour for another friend's birthday

Wednesday - Movie night with junk food and margaritas

Thursday - Hey I actually studied!

Friday - My last and most difficult final. And drinks afterwards :)

Some finals week eh?! I swear I'm not a slacker, I just had two finals and only one that was hard. Now I'm done with my last fall semester ever! Time to celebrate!!

Happy Birthday Kelly!

Yesterday was one of my best friends and roommate, Kelly's, birthday. It was such a happy day! I waited for her to fall asleep the night before and crept around downstairs, trying to decorate as quietly as I could. This is what the birthday girl woke up to the next morning:




We both had finals in the morning (booo!), but didn't let that ruin her special day. After completing our final exams, we went to lunch. Afterwards we came home and just relaxed, while I made the birthday girl a funfetti cake. Yum!



Then we headed to Outback for her birthday dinner with lots of friends. Good food, good drinks, good company, good night!



Happy Birthday Kelly!

Irish you a Merry Christmas!

I can't take credit for this clever title, my mom sent me a Christmas card last year with a three leaf clover decorated with lights and ornaments on the front, and 'Irish you a Merry Christmas' inside. My mammy is oh so clever :)

While reminiscing on last year's holiday season in Ireland, I came across this video that the girls will probably hate me for posting. I myself am a bit embarrassed hearing myself speak and basically ruin the video... but I couldn't let something like that keep all you bloggers from experiencing some amazing Irish whistle and dance. This was taken last December, after a holiday concert we attended and a few glasses of mulled wine. Enjoy!



Christmas in V270



Oh how I miss you girls <3

Gotta Love Oprah

Gapers Block: Merge - This Should Confirm Your Suspicions - Chicago News

Haha the best part about this is that I was watching Oprah's Favorite Things and can verify that all of this actually happened. Minus the bees :)

Proud Daughter

I couldn't be more proud of my Dad! The recession had a huge negative effect on construction companies and my dad's business, like thousands of others, was affected. This can be an extremely stressful time for anyone, but my dad kept his head up and kept looking for solutions. He found himself a really good job that he loves and I couldn't be more proud of both him and my mom for making this adjustment and remaining so optimistic. And there's a bonus - they're moving 20 minutes from where I live! Yay!

Cheers!

This week may have possibly been the busiest of the semester. It's hard to tell though, as every week is filled with essays, presentations, exams, or a combination of them all. Not to mention being followed by an exhausting weekend of work consisting of six hours on my feet each day, constantly running around the restaurant serving customers. Oh, the sweet life of a server and college student :) Well at least this torturous school week (and last one of the semester!) is over. I can finally breathe after two essays, an exam and presentation. Here's to the relaxation that I've been missing these past couple weeks, and the glass of wine that I so greatly deserve. And to the glasses to come... cheers!

Oops!

For the past few years my family has done a Secret Santa gift exchange for Christmas. We draw names on Thanksgiving and get to spend all our energy on that one lucky person we draw. We don't find out who everyone has until Christmas day, when the presents are exchanged. Well this year I accidentally told my sister who I had! I was casually talking about Christmas shopping and mentioned, "Well since I only have to buy a present for ________" AND ACTUALLY SAID THE NAME! I swear I'm not trying to ruin Christmas...

I'm tackier than you!

My sister and her husband hosted their first annual tacky holiday sweater party on Friday. It was such a fun night!



Everyone did a great job with their tackiness! I can't wait for next year's party, I think I'm going to make my own sweater :)

California International Marathon

It literally took one minute to walk across the street from my house to watch the marathon, so I couldn't pass that up! I could hear people screaming and cheering on the runners when I woke up in the morning. I decided to head over with my sister (who lived closer to the finish line, but it was much more fun watching together). They started in Folsom and made the 26-mile journey to the capitol. We saw them at mile 22, and I was so happy and proud of everyone! It almost made me tear up to see complete strangers cheering on other complete strangers. And I actually did a bit when some people showed up for their grandma (amazing!) and hooked up speakers and played this song:



doesn't it just make you want to cry?! Okay it may be just me and my female hormones...

I would LOVE to participate in something like this (hmmm training to start in the next few months?!), but maybe just a bit shorter :)

Well done marathon participants, you are an inspiration!