BIG NEWS!!

Break has been good so far. I went to Kauai with my family for a week, and got back Saturday night. I enjoyed the warmth and sun, having survived 20 degree weather in Portland before finals week. Since coming home, I have enjoyed seeing friends and having coffee dates with old teachers. My grades came in last week: C+ in ethics, B+ in English, B in Bib Trad, and A's in science (the class was a joke) and choir. I also passed psych. Because of my good grades, I found out today that...

I AM GOING TO LONDON THIS SUMMER!!!

You heard that right. This lucky gal will be spending SIX WEEKS (June 22-July 29) studying Shakespeare and moral psych (they don't call it "study abroad" for nothing) and experiencing all that this wonderful place has to offer. I will be going to several plays (one in Stratford-on-Avon, Shakespeare's birthplace), visiting cathedrals (Westminster Abbey included), and going to places outside of London such as Stratford-on-Avon, Cantebury, and Oxford.

Hope you're having a good break and happy new year!!

Almost Home!

I am currently blogging from the PDX airport, waiting to board my flight home. While I never thought it was imaginable, I survived finals week. I emailed my ethics paper to my professor Sunday night, presented my science project at 8 AM Monday morning, and survived all three tests. I think I did well on English and Bib Trad, but not as good on psych, which is fine with me as I'm not getting a grade. My midterm grade for psych was a B (before I changed to P/NP), so I don't think my grade will drastically go down. Also a D minus, not a C, is "passing" when you're taking a class P/NP. I think this semester may very well be the first with no C's: I'm expecting a B minus in ethics, B's in Bib Trad and English, A's in choir and science (science is a joke), and a P in psych. Luckily, P/NP doesn't affect your GPA, so I think I could be looking at 3.0. Not only will my grades go up, but I expect to see a letter that says I'm ACCEPTED AND AM GOING TO LONDON THIS SUMMER!!!

Saturday I leave for a week in Hawaii. Despite the fact that we're going to the same island (but renting a house) we've gone to the past five years, I am excited for some sun as the weather has been cold in Portland. Then it's two weeks of epicness at home with friends and coffee dates with favorite teachers. I'm ready for a well-deserved break.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, happy whatever holiday you celebrate. Until after I get back from HI!

Almost there!

This week has been all about studying for upcoming exams, working on my science project, and writing my ethics paper. I got my ethics and Bib Trad tests back; even though I had some nervous breakdowns about not doing well, I didn't do too bad. I got C's on both, and while that isn't the greatest grade, it's passing so it's not the end of the world. Honestly, the classes I had tests in have nothing to do with my major or career goals and I doubt I'll remember what grade I got in five years. College is hard, so while C's weren't the greatest in high school, they can be good in college if the classes are hard. I'm not failing any classes, and I'm going in with and expect to come out with good grades. Currently, my lowest grade is a C plus in ethics, but I think that should go up to a B minus or B once I submit my final paper. All this work (and worrying) has made me tired and stressed, but I'm feeling a lot better and was able to have fun hanging out with friends tonight and playing Bible Apples to Apples last night.

Studying aside, I have been enjoying the Christmas festivities. Christmas is my favorite holiday, as I love the music and spirit (and the goodies). Monday night I sang at the Grotto with choir. We sang these wonderful songs: "Nova, Nova,"(literally transleted to "news, news", "Ave Maria," "For Unto Us a Child is Born" (Messiah text), "In the Bleak Midwinter" (Christina Rosetti poem), "One December Bright and Clear," "Lullaby Carol," "Night of Silence," and "Ring the Bells." Despite the cold weather, we had an amazing time. Afterwards, I got my picture taken with Santa (a.k.a. Tommy, the hall director in the boy's dorm next door) in my dorm and attempted to make a gingerbread house. Thursday night was "Bells in the Ballroom" where the chapel and handbell choirs sang Christmas carols. I also went to a Christmas party that night with the English Society, which was fun. Tonight, I got some early Christmas presents from friends; gloves from MacK (much needed as the temperature has been in the 20s!), shower gel from Traci, and a stocking with chocolate and a mini candle from Dana. Unfortunately, fire codes prohibit us from lighting candles in the dorms so I have to wait to light it when I get home.

All I want is for Thursday afternoon to come. Monday I have to present my science project at 8 AM and take my psych test. I don't have finals Tuesday and Wednsday; I have to turn my ethics paper by Wednsday afternoon but I think I'll get that done by Monday. Thursday I have tests in English and Bib Trad, and then I'm done at 12:30. In a little less than three hours, I'll be on my way home for a much needed 3 week break (one of those weeks in HAWAII, where it's warm and sunny unlike here). 5 MORE DAYS!!

Grotto Photos

Enjoy these photos for a closer look at the Grotto!


The goat and I became fast
friends!

Sam (birthday girl)


All of us

Angels surrounding the
cross

Nativity scene


I love Christmas trees!

Lama at the petting zoo

Surviving Tests and Getting into the Christmas Spirit

Having studied my butt off for my ethics and Bib Trad tests, turned in my final Bib Trad paper, and worked on a draft of my final psych project, you would imagine how desparately I needed to get off campus and do something fun. That need was met as my friends and I went on an adventure in honor of our friend Sam's birthday. We went to the Grotto, which is a magical, woodsy place with carolers, concerts, nativity plays, two gift shops, a petting zoo, and of course, lots of Christmas lights. The music and lights are the two major reasons I love Christmas. Our friend Lauren's younger brother was singing there Friday night with his school, so we heard them sing a few numbers. This place is magical, unlike anywhere I've been. After walking around in 30 degree weather and enjoying the magic of the Grotto, we headed to Burgerville, a fast food restaurant similar to CA's In-N-Out. Although I don't enjoy the "burger" aspect of this place as a vegetarian, their shakes are to die for! I had a chocolate hazelnut shake that was thick and delicious, but too rich to finish.

Today my friend Trever went downtown to go Christmas shopping. I did not buy much aside from a few tubes of CG Bigelow lip gloss, which Antonia turned me onto and has the fresh, minty after taste of brushing your teeth. Trever and MacKenzie are in the honors program and hung out with us sometimes. We really enjoyed walking around the mall and chatting. He's a great guy and I'm really glad we've gotten to know each other better this year.

Concerts: Tomorrow at school and then at the Grotto Monday night. I love Christmas music!!

Luckily, this weekend has not been too heavy on homework. I don't have tests until finals week, and I only have 3 of them (the other two classes I have a project and a paper). While studying for my ethics and Bib Trad tests were stressful, I survived them both. I don't think I aced the tests, but I don't think I did horribly either. However, I just want to get them back as waiting makes me anxious. I hate the feeling of studying my butt of and not having my grade reflect my hard work. I know grades aren't always everything, but right now they are because my going to London in the summer depends on them. At least this coming week should be a little less stressful compared to this past week.

11 MORE DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS BREAK!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Going to post photos from the Grotto and then GLEE TIME!!!