This Week's Reading

This week, I've been reading away! So far, I've read two books, one good, one ok.

The first:

This book was supposed to be a classic. I'm not really sure why. I read it in one day and it was not they best book I've ever read. I would not recommended it unless you have a thing for reading all classics, like me.














The second:

This book, which I also read in one day, was fantastic! I highly recommend this to anyone who likes mysteries.















I think I might take a break from books for a few days since I've read about 700 pages in 3 days.

Best Night Ever

Tonight, I had the pleasure of spending the evening with my favorite family, the Hobbs. They are amazing, not to mention, hilarious. Kenny and Kay crack. me. up. Tonia and Brad...basically the cutest couple ever. Add in 3 beautiful kids, two movies that were supposed to be love stories, and an abundance of spicy food, dollar press on nails, and you have yourself a night with the Hobbs! I'm so glad that they let me come over and share a little bit of their life with them tonight. Seriously, it the best evening I've had in a long time.

A Future Trip

I don't know why, but Romania has always fascinated me. The language, the culture, but most of all, the people have sparked my interest for years now. I want to go there so bad, with someone who will appreciate the long sad history of the people and their stories. The country is beautiful, the culture, colorful. One day, I hope to learn the language, visit, and perhaps adopt a child. Until then, reading about it and pouring over beautiful pictures of this mysterious place will suffice.

Victorian Reading Challenge

I'm very excited about this new blog I found today! I am participating in their Victorian Literature reading challenge, and there are four levels, 

Sense and Sensibility: 1-4 books.
Great Expectations: 5-9 books.
Hard Times: 10-14 books.
Desperate Remedies: 15+ books.

I think I am going to try for the "Desperate Remedies level. I am taking a Jane Austen class next semester, so I will be required to read several books within just a few months anyways and I have TONS of Victorian period books on my shelf that  I have yet to read, or would like to read again. I am planning on reading: 

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (1847)

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (1847)

Emma by Jane Austen (1816)

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (1890)

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Ann Bronte (1848)

Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte (1847)

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (1814)

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (1811)

Dracula by Bram Stoker (1897)

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813)

Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe (1852)

Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman (1860 edition)

The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane (1895)

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1850)
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1866)

Whew! That seems like a lot, but the challenge is for an entire year! I hope I can keep up!

This is my first reading challenge, and I know I am aiming high, but I read a lot anyways, so I think I can do it! 

Present Wrapping Attempt

Last night was my first attempt at wrapping presents "pretty." I went to walmart and got all sorts of shiny ribbon and tried my hand at bows. Let's just say I should not become a professional present wrapper. When I finished, I was very tired, so I left my wrapping supplies in the living room floor and went to bed. No big deal right? Wrong. My mom's dog got into the ribbon and Ate. A. Huge. Piece. I just hope I'm not around to clean up after her when she "gets rid of" it.

The Loves of My Life

I know we aren't supposed to have favorites, but this little guy steals my heart. 

I love all of these kids. 

Even though they push their friends down. 

Are still learning how to share. 

Sometimes only want to be picked up to ask you face to face where mom is. 

Like the bucket better than the toys I spend hours cleaning every week. 

Like to read the books for themselves, or when they bring you a book, they only want to look at the pictures. 

Craft time turns into the adults coloring for their moms. 

They spit on me, cry on me, pee on me, and I change their dirty diapers. 

I still look forward to every Sunday and every Wednesday with "my" kids. 

I hope one day to have a child as beautiful as these smiling faces. 

I also love their fearless leader! 

Party Success!!

The Christmas party was tonight, and I must say, it went fabulous!! I think Cameron had a really great time, and we got to share in some really good fellowship and of course, food! I even got a gift certificate so that I can take a dear friend out to dinner! I am proud to say that the ministerial staff behaved themselves, and I only had one awkward moment with Cameron being there.

I am not getting to spend some precious time with my beautiful friend Tonia. I love her, and I do not know what I would do without her!

My Christmas break is starting off wonderfully, and I am sure the wonderfulness will continue on into the next month!

Anticipation

Tomorrow night might be the most interesting night of my life. I will be going to the annual Church Staff Christmas Party. And yes friends, the party will be full of married people. But this year, I will be accompanied by a someone. A boy someone. Is it a date? Absolutely not. Is that going to be believable? Absolutely not. Will the church staff behave themselves? Maybe.

Cameron is my "date" for tomorrow night. My dear friend. I hope this isn't awkward.

On the bright side, at least I had an excuse to buy a new sweater for the party.

I am also done with finals! And I think I made an "A" in all of my classes! Let Christmas Break begin!

Finals Week

Yes my friends, it is the dreaded week for all college students. Finals week. However, I am almost done with finals and I feel really good about all of my classes! Today, marked a very sad day in the history of the friendship between myself and Cameron. Ever since high school we have hung out in the mornings before school. I was ecstatic to be able to continue this tradition in college also. Next semester, however, we do not have classes at the same time, so there will be no more car chats. It's sad really, almost like the ending of an era. Cameron is one of those friends that you hope will be in your life forever, and I feel lucky to have met him 4 long years ago. Mornings will never be the same.

Fact:

I will fail my German test today.
Another fact: I don't care! :)

A Weight Lifted

These past two weeks have been some of the most stressful in my life. I have written a total of 30 pages of papers, and have one more paper to go. I have been so glad to turn these assignments in! Christmas break really cannot get here fast enough. I have learned a lot this semester:
1. A true friend is a friend always, not someone who will abandon you at the drop of a hat because you messed up.
2. I'm on the right track. School is my passion and my love, I may complain, but it really is so fulfilling.
3. There are many things I have left to decide in my life. Graduate school is quickly approaching and I have no idea what I want to do for a career.
4. I am not ready to be in a relationship. I have a very strong opinion on dating and marriage, and I have yet to find anyone that I want to spend the rest of my life with. For the first time in my life I'm completely ok with that.
5. I have a rekindled love of politics.
6. I have learned not to care about what people think of me. I will always do what I believe is right, no matter if people think I'm ignorant.

I'm sure I have learned a lot more than this, but that's all I can think of right now. This semester I have acted more like myself than ever, and I love it. I am thankful for my friends whom I know will be there forever, and I am learning to accept that some people are only supposed to be in our lives for a short period of time. Life is hard, but God gives me strength to carry on and learn from every situation in life. I can't wait to see what he has for me next semester!