Italian overload

What do you think the chances are that there is a kind and wonderful Italian person out there that wouldn't mind proofreading my Italian paper? :) Ha.

Welcoming the holiday season

I'm so thankful right now that fewer people get married in the winter (an exception being my cousin, however, whose wedding is December 19), because I really need a break from work in order to give proper attention to all the papers and projects I need to finish in these next few weeks! And I still want to make sure there's time to enjoy all the beauty of the holidays. It's just a pity my sister leaves tonight, and won't be spending Christmas with us this year. That really puts a damper on my holiday spirit, because I'm really a sucker for the holiday season. It makes me so giddy!

I've already compiled all my holiday songs into a playlist, I bought lights (on sale!) to decorate my apartment, I have scented holiday candles that my mom bought discounted after Christmas last year, and I'm all ready to bust out my mini Christmas tree from the closet! Love it!

via weheartit

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. :)

Welcome home, sister

This evening. Had dinner at Matt's parents' house, then headed to the airport with him to pick up my sister. Ball of energy she is, it's 4:10am and only now is Matt just arriving home and I am just getting into bed. She was pretend-boxing me and literally jumping around the living room until about 20 minutes ago, so I don't think she would have even gone to bed if Matt hadn't had to leave in order to get some sleep for work tomorrow. With that energy, I can see how she's the doctor working 100-hour weeks and I'm not.

She flew here after flights from Costa Rica (where she spent a week!) to Houston, and she brought some awesome chocolate-covered cacao bits. Yummy! I still have class Monday and Tuesday, but I'll be back at my parents' house Tuesday night, so it'll be exciting to have some family time and a break from school! I'm jealous of all of you who have already started your Thanksgiving breaks!

Plan your day!

Sounds good!

I've been pretty overwhelmed lately. My days have been so jam-packed with things that need to get done that my days usually plan themselves, but if/when I have any days off, this sounds like it could work! Something to try!

Meteor Shower

Whaaaaat. Leonid Meteor Shower tonight.

Read more here!