Freshman Year, I'm halfway through with you!

My very first semester of college has come to a close. Wait, what? Really though, where have the last 4 months of my life gone? Probably to way too many Starbucks vanilla soy lattes, a bag of milky ways, one re-arranged dorm room, a TON of laundry loads, more-than-I-can-count trips to Target, a few trips to the mall, about four movies at the campus movie theater, endless amounts of One Tree Hill episodes on Netflix, letters from my mama, and of course some homework here and there. I can't believe I am moving into my second semester of college in just under a month. January 8th to be exact, my dad's 44th birthday!

I do have a few successes to report so far. I have not changed my major and do not plan to, something a lot of Freshmen can't say. I still like all of my roommates, three great girls who I am blessed to know. One awesomely successful semester of volunteering for an elementary school, which I'm going to miss doing every Friday morning. Five classes that I can say I passed with no worries about them! Really though, my schedule was great this semester. I probably just jinxed myself for saying that. And lastly, the support of my family through everything that has happened here so far.

A lot of people put the teaching profession down because of the extremely low pay, but I have not heard one negative thing from my family about it. All positives. Sure, the pay sucks, but looking at the negatives won't get you anywhere. We look at the bright side of things, something a lot of people don't know how to do. The pay isn't stupendous in North Carolina, so why not find somewhere that it's better? We can change the situation we're in if we're willing. We can choose to be happy. We can be great in any circumstance that we're put in, you just gotta do it. End of my little rant.

Another exciting thing that I get to do soon is GO HOME! Tomorrow to be exact. I love going home. I'm not going to lie. No shame. I love seeing my parents and brother. It's great this time of year because of Christmas! I love everything that my family does before Christmas comes. This year we get to go to a few light shows, we already put our tree up, but we get to enjoy that view, and family time! My parents are the greatest people I know and I just love to be around them. I also enjoy watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas about 107 times before Christmas, too. That movie never gets old.

Anyway, that was just to sum up what has been going on lately. Hopefully the 3 1/2 hour ride won't be too taxing tomorrow. Of course not! There's Christmas music on the radio! AHHH, I love it!

Back to Reality for a Bit

Thanksgiving break is over and I am currently sitting in the library back at school. Finals are this week and next week. I honestly don't have it tough this semester, but I probably just jinxed myself. My Education class has almost come to a close, we had our last day at the elementary school last week. That was so bittersweet. Those sweet babies will stay with me forever!

Thanksgiving was great! I was so happy to be home. I went Black Friday shopping with my parents and brother, that was a success! But, my favorite thing that we always do is put the Christmas tree up! We do it every year, the day after Thanksgiving. It's a tradition. We have a different theme every year. It's so fun to mix it up! This year it is beach themed. We put starfish and seashells all over it! The presents are wrapped in brown paper, tied in twine and blue ribbon, it looks so sandy! I love it!



There are about two weeks left in my first semester of college! It has gone by SO fast, I almost can't believe it. I swear I just moved in yesterday. I'll be so happy and relieved to go home for the holidays, though. I love my family. Here are some more pictures from break.

On the way to Myrtle Beach with my mama!

Saying goodbye to ML at Jumpin' Java, our favorite coffee hangout back home.

Seeing Catching Fire with a bunch of great friends!

Now, I should probably stop procrastinating and get back to actual school work. Those essays won't write themselves, unfortunately. Happy Holidays!