2010

Happy New Year!
Buon capo d'anno!

It's 1:22am, and I'm calling it a night. I passed on two house parties (I have work tomorrow morning and a long day ahead), and ended up ringing in the new year with poker (simply as an observer) and a small bunch of philosophy and religion scholar friends.

A nice, laid-back new year for me.

Best wishes to everyone for a phenomenal 2010!

A toast to Winter vacation!

Done with finals, 70+ degree weather in southern California, but I'm leaving this afternoon with Matt for the significantly cooler (in terms of temperature) Sac-Town (a.k.a. Sacramento) for my cousin's wedding tomorrow.

I officially started my winter vacation as of yesterday afternoon after finishing my last final, and my good friends and I had our annual Christmas party last night. Above is a picture of the toast we took in honor of one of my best friends who is currently in Taiwan and couldn't be at the party.

Now that all my school craziness is over, I hope I can start updating regularly again. Here's a toast to finally being able to enjoy the holiday season!

Thanksgiving sunset

My family and I had a big Thanksgiving lunch, then went to the beach to walk around in the water and watch the beautiful sunset you see above. Living in southern California, I know we miss out on a lot of things, like extreme seasons and snow and cold weather fashion. But I've got to say it's pretty cool to go to the beach in November and see people surfing and walking around in bathing suits and dressed like it's summer.

Giving thanks

There are a lot of things we so often take for granted, but I have a lot to give thanks for:

• I have a wonderful, crazy, loving, supportive family with whom to spend Thanksgiving today.
• I have awesome friends, many of whom I consider like family, who bring so much happiness to my life.
• I have a boyfriend that is amazing in more ways than I can count.
• My family, friends, boyfriend, and I are all safe, happy, and healthy.
  
• I have a warm place to sleep each night, clothes on my back, and food to eat.
• I have access to health care and education in a free country in which I feel protected.
• Almost 80 degree weather on Thanksgiving Day!
  

These are just a few of the endless number of things that make me feel so fortunate.
Have a happy Thanksgiving, everybody. :)