Home for the hoildays

Well, I started this entry as a study break about a week ago. But now I'm home, so I guess I should finish.

This semester has gone super fast! I feel like I was just running around in shorts moving in freshmen. Now, it's more like bundle up, brave the cold, and dash to class weaving in and out of all the students. The freshmen seem to have mastered campus. No longer do you see groups of them standing around maps trying to figure out where they are going. It's amazing to see how campus can change in just one semester.

As it is the end of the semester, I figured it would be a good time to take a moment and reflect of the events and lessons from the last few months. (I'll try to include pictures when possible) I guess the best place is to start is at the beginning. (doe-ray-me.... )

September started off in a furry. New Life continued the tradition and helped with freshmen move in. The warm and sometimes rainy weather accompanied Saturday football games, after all, what would fall in happy valley be without football! Being that I missed all of the 2005 season, I was pumped to see some good football. As classes started to intensify, so did my training. I made the goal of running the Philadelphia Marathon on Nov. 19th. I had great support from my friends and family. My freshmen year roommate would even do short runs with me in the morning before classes!

This semester there is a new (and some returning) cast of characters living in my apt. There are still five of us, just a different five. With each change in person comes a new perspective on life. This year we have a very awesome, international, perspective. When you open the door to the apartment, there is always a new smell. You never know what is being cooked in the kitchen. Noli, our resident Salsa dancer, convinced me to go Salsa dancing with her and her group of friends on one Wednesday night. I didn't take long before I was hooked!

Before I knew it, I had run right through September.

October was unseasonably warm, the leaves were beautiful and we were hopeful that our football team was just having a few down games. My marathon training was knocked back to 1/2 marathon training due to a knee injury. I found a few new running partners that were willing to do long runs with me. Their encouragement was great once the miles started to build up.

For Halloween, we had a pumpkin carving party at our apt. There was laughter and pumpkin goo everywhere. By the end of the night we had our front steps lined with lit pumpkins. It was quite a sight to see!



October also offered an unusual opportunity to go to a barn dance. I've never attended a barn dance so I didn't quite know what to expect. Holy moly was it fun! They had a live band and a square dance caller. I think everyone there was grinning from ear to ear. The dance was sponsored by one of the local churches. I hope they do it again in the near future! Going along with dancing, Salsa dancing on Wednesday nights continued. I'm slowly learning the steps. Maybe, someday, I'll be as good as the others out there on the dance floor. .

November was still unseasonably warm, marathon training continued and my roommates, some friends and I saved our Giant points. As November is turkey month, we decided to save our Giant points and get two free turkeys to do a pot-luck, pre-thanksgiving, get your stomachs ready thanksgiving dinner. We picked out two, twenty-two pound turkeys. Below is the turkey that I cooked. Katie did a wonderful job with the other one. We ended up with about 40 people who attended the dinner. Everyone brought mouth watering side dishes, everything from sweet potatoes bake to cheese cake. This was a meal our mom's would be proud of.


On Nov. 19th, 13,000 people and I ran anywhere from 13.1 miles to 26.2 miles. If you ever need a boost of self-esteem go run a marathon. The people of Philly are great! They encourage you along the whole way! I ran the 1/2 marathon in a bright tie-dyed T-shirt so that my family could see me. Every once in a while I would hear a random person on the side yell "Great job tie-dye! Keep it up! The best encouragers, however, were my family and friends that came to see me. Abigail, Christin and Hannah stuck out the cold to watch. Thanks guys, I’m so happy you were there!!! Below is a picture of the racecourse.


Well the months not over yet so there is still more story to write but December is here! i can't believe that tomorrow is Christmas eve. The weather has finally turned cold and then warm again. Maybe there is still hope for a white Christmas?

Anyway, back to the story. The first weekend in the month my roommates and I, as well as, a fiancé and boyfriend went to NYC for the day. The tradition of visiting the city at Christmas time started sr. year in high school. We walked around times square, Rockefeller square and went ice skating in central park. For those of you who have never gone ice skating in NYC at Christmas time, I highly recommend it! The atmosphere feels like you are in a movie. Duane popped the question and Laura said yes! Congratulations you guys, I’m very happy for you!!


The roomates!
Ice skating in central park.
Nice ring!The tree in Rockefeller center.

December is always a great time to get care packages, thanks for the finals Chocolate package! It was greatly enjoyed!

Another weekend I went caving with CRUX. The cave we went to was cave mountian cave in west va. Needless to say, I don't think I'm a fan of caves. It was a good experence, but i think i'll keep to above ground.
On our way down we found a town park filled with Christmas lights. After being in the car for a while we decided to stop and run around, I won't tell you that it was at 11:30 at night.....

After being down in the cave all day Saturday, this was the best part, light at the end of the tunnel a.k.a. FREEDOM from the cave!!


On another note, I finally turned in my Peace Corps application. Eeek! Prayers are always welcomed.

Here's hoping next semester, my last semester, will be the best one yet. Cozy wishes to you and your's over this joyous Christmas season! Best of luck in the New Year!


P.S. Mr. Morton, Maui or bust came from Denver. There was a car that had "just married" written on the window. Then below that it said "Maui or bust." We had to laugh because we were pretty sure they would bust trying to drive the car to Maui, there's just too much ocean in the way.