The Update!

SO! It has been at least 2 weeks or so since I've blogged, and I am so excited to finally update everyone on everything from Kyle's wonderful return to Christmas. And it has been a freaking blast!

A note: It's funny to go from blogging constantly to not blogging at all for a period of time. I've really missed it, and in many ways keeps me on track with goals that I've already set for myself, goals that I am aspiring to accomplish and keep my family and loved ones involved in my life that I don't get to see as often as I'd like (for one reason or another). AND, recently I've had somewhat of realization that some part of me wishes that I already owned my own house so that I could openly invite friends and loved ones to my home for fun festivities and events. As the holidays have been passing and after spending time with lots of family, owning my own household has become something that I want more and more within the next few years, hopefully...haha..somehow! Hosting seems like a natural instinct to me and I feel it shall be a way that I will be able to share with other people my love for them and repay all the kindness that I have recieved through the years. (obviously the holiday experience has had this affect on me haha)

Anyways, where to start? Well, as many of you know, I had been eagerly anticipating the return of my boyfriend Kyle from his 3 month-ish trip to Europe. I was out having dinner and drinks with a friend in downtown SLO after my first round of finals (much deserved may I add haha), when I get a text message from Kyle around 9pm. I didn't see the text right away because I had turned my phone to silent during dinner because it kept going off and I didn't want to be rude. Well, I didn't actually see his text until about 10pm. The text said something like  "What would you say if I told you I wasn't in Europe right now...". I also had 4 or 5 missed calls from him, and I'm thinking "What is that supposed to mean?" Suddenly, I realized that Kyle had text me from his american number (since he's been in Europe, I would get messages or calls from him from an international phone number, so him contacting me through his american number only meant one thing :D). "NICOLE!!! I NEED TO LEAVE RIGHT NOW!!", we paid for our drinks and headed for the cars, before long I was sprinting to my car, and speeded at least 5 miles above the speed limit the entire way home. I pull up my driveway and burst through my doorway and there he was! :D It was a wonderful surprise because he was supposed to arrive two days later,....all I can say is that I have the best boyfriend ever!

So since then it's been great having him home. Right now I am in Spokane, Washington and we have been spending time with his family. I feel like this blog is getting too long, so, I'll update you on Xmas celebrations later. Man, it has been fun though! Also, we're still trying to figure out what we're gonna be doing for new years, so if you have any ideas send me a message!

Merry Christmas!

Oh My Word...

Christmas party + Tequila+ Jenny = never again.

Although it was a very fun night for everyone at the Waterfront Grill, I have to say that I will not be accepting drinking game challenges from my manager ever again. In sum, Jenny lost.

But! It was fun :)  It was awesome to get everyone together like that outside of work. I realize that I have really grown to like my job at the WF grill, mainly because I really like all of the employees. Especially after last night, it feels more like a family than a bunch of coworkers together. There was karaoke, beer pong, lots of food, family, tequila, goldschlager, wine, bailey's....ugh. It would have been complete if Kyle had been there, but its now only a week until he comes back (yay!). In fact, I'll be leaving to pick him up from the airport RIGHT after my last final. And then, ...total freedom!! Yep, that is going to be a really really.. REALLY good day :)

Other than that, I have been studying for finals and I'm happy to say that I don't feel stressed about them. I'm beginning to notice that when it comes to testing for me, I get in my own way sometimes by stressing about tests. It is better for me to just look over the material and take more time taking the actual test. So, hopefully this strategy will continue to work for me for finals.

Speaking of, homework calls.

A Running Start

As Christmas gets closer and closer and as holiday festivities pop up, I realize how much I have accomplished in the past few weeks. While juggling the my average work/school day, I have to say that I'm pretty happy with my overall progress with school and with outside projects. I've somehow been able to finish xmas presents and study for finals :) It's a good feeling. 

It seems that this is the week for all of those Christmas parties, too. And go figure, they're all the week before finals. How appropriate :). The 6th is the Waterfront Grill Xmas Party, the 9th is Charlie's Xmas party, and the 10th is the Cliffsmas Xmas party. I think there may be another next week, but nonetheless, I love Christmas parties just as much as I love Christmas. It's almost like you get to celebrate xmas over and over again...almost ha. 

And after finals, I will finally have some time off, which I'm really looking forward to. 2 full weeks off! I've never taken that much time off, but as I'm getting older and incorporating more and more responsibilities, I'm finding that arranged "vacation time" is important. For instance, it helps keep you sane. I am very much looking forward to having more free time again. I feel like there's a lot I want to do and  a lot I have to look forward to in 2012 and I can't wait to get started :)

Today is a day set up for studying and possibly dinner this evening with good friends. I feel great because rent is finally paid and life is unfolding pretty well. I'm still trying to figure out the next steps to pursue my future goals, but I know that will be easier to figure out  once I get past one or two obstacles that are now presently at hand. One being that I would prefer to sell my car sooner than later. I own a 1999 Volkswagen Beetle that is in good condition. It's treated me well over the years, but I think it has come time for us to part our ways. So if you know anyone that would be interested, I'd love to have a chat with them. 

The upside to finishing the Wise Man's Fear is that I get to read other books that I've been wanting to read/finish reading. I find that once I finish one type of book, I'll switch it up to some other type of reading. Like going from non-fiction to fiction. I have this book on World Religions that I picked up again and it's so fascinating learning about other religions and comparing their similarities and differences. 

This is a week of beginnings and I'm very very excited to start.