I finished all my Christmas shopping last week. As well as my father's. And Momma Froc's. Haha.

Giving other people presents has always been one of my favourite parts of Christmas. Part of the reason why might have something to do with my Dad's side of the family. They aren't your typical huggy-show-emotion kind of extended family, but the way they show that they love people is by giving presents at Christmastime. I've inherited that I think. (Although I am a huggy kinda girl.) I love planning and putting thought into gifts for people that mean a lot to me, and seeing their reactions when they open them. It makes me do this --> :D

Lately though, I've been thinking about other kinds of gifts. Ever since I moved away from home, I've been so blessed. I forget how blessed I am most of the time.

This will be my last post before Christmas. I write one more final tomorrow morning and then I fly home to my family. I wanted to make a list of gifts that I've been given, and for which I am so grateful.

1. My family, who love and miss me oodles and who have been counting down the days till I can come home.
2. Those crazy kids that I hung out with Saturday evening, and who I already am extremely fond of.
3. I'm healthy. I'm not sick for Christmas.
4. The wonderful church service I attended on Saturday.
5. Being able to sing after getting over another cold. :)
6. My friends from home who all want to see me.
7. My Lethbridge Bestie, who every day manages to teach me something new about friendship and the true meaning of Christianity.
8. Christmastime.
9. For the first time in a really long time, I'm happy. Truly happy.
10. Jesus Christ. Heavenly Father's gift to us and the reason for this season.

Sometimes when Katrina and I chat online and we get bored we play a game. I guess if it had to have a name, it would be called "Tell Me About Yourself".

It goes like this: Following an awkward lull in the conversation, one of the people says, "Tell me about yourself". The next person says, "My name is __________". And then they list things about themselves.

I have not written in awhile. It's okay though. I think I have very good explanations. My life has become crazier than I ever imagined it would be in the second month away from home. Every day is busy and filled to the brim. Each day I wake up early, shower, get changed, and do my hair. Maybe makeup, if I feel ambitious. I grab something for breakfast and something for lunch, and then I'm out the door. It's about a half hour bus ride to get downtown, and then I transfer buses to ride the 8 minutes to the University on the other side of town. Besides all the normal stuff, each day holds something different. For example:

Monday: Anthropology, 2 hour break, Human Geography, 2 hour break, English, Women's Chorus, Family Home Evening at the church, homework
Tuesday: Linguistics, errands, homework, Skype date with Bestie Selene, Institute class at night
Wednesday: Anthropology, 2 hour break, Human Geography, 2 hour break, English, Women's Chorus, Homework
Thursday: Linguistics, errands, homework, Institute Choir, laundry day
Friday: Anthropology, 2 hour break (usually we watch a movie or have an adventure), Human Geography, 2 hour break, English, Sometimes an Institute or Ward Activity, homework
Saturday: sometimes sleep in, homework, get groceries, tidy room, help tidy house, errands, sometimes have an adventure with friends
Sunday: Church, Ward Choir, sometimes a church broadcast

And this is all without a part-time job yet. Phew.

I'm Mormon. We don't do coffee. And for a long time i believed in the following equation:

(I do not own any of these images, nor am I affiliated in any way with those who have taken them. I don't have the sources but if one of these is yours, contact me and I will gladly credit you with ownership!)

I have always maintained that I was born in the wrong decade. My love for old and vintage things attests to this. Last weekend, the Institute hosted A fifties dance. I do not agree with the common notion that all women wore in the Fifties was poodle skirts and ponytails. I do realize they were popular but... *sigh*

Sorry. Rant finished.

ANYWAYS... I refuse to wear poodle skirts. It's a cop out (to me) and an insult to my creativity. This was my outfit:

Dearest Jess,