Inhale, Exhale, Repeat

For two weeks as the semester was winding down, this was my mantra. Inhale, exhale, repeat (try not to hyperventilate). Between projects, exams, dealing with group dynamics, programming assignments (ICK!!) - I was certain that by the time I was done with my last exam, my last email, my last document that I would be flat on the ground.

The only way I found myself standing triumphantly on the finish line for the semester was through the generous help of my friends and family. Many thanks to Dave - my 'little' brother - who helped me with the programming stuff. Without him, I'm fairly certain that my head would have popped off my shoulders in about week 4 of the semester. Same goes for my roommate Beth, who selflessly did all the cooking and cleaning (including getting the house ready for the ornament party) and reminded me that I didn't have to do it all alone.

So - now the semester is officially over. The holidays are upon us and I'm looking VERY forward to some evenings at home, some time with families - the one I was born into AND Beth's family who treat me as if I'm one of theirs, and maybe even some sleeping in.

I love this time of year, the sights, the sounds, the smells - all of it. So I'm NOT changing my mantra now that school is over. I still want to inhale, exhale, and repeat - and do it slowly to savor every moment of freedom.

Merry Christmas to all my friends and family - may the holidays find you all happy and healthy.

It's that time of year again!

Every year on the first Saturday in December I have a party for 30 or so of my closest friends. My roommate and I spend days cooking goodies, decorating for the holidays, and cleaning the apartment from head to toe! Well, I invite 30 or so and am usually lucky enough to have 20 or so actually come (which is a great turnout). It's an ornament exchange party, and for those of you who have been to a cookie exchange they are nothing alike! It works like this:

Everyone brings a wrapped ornament, set of ornaments, or other christmas style decoration that costs at least $5 and no more than $15. Everyone at the party draws a number out of a basket. The person with number 1 opens one of the wrapped packages and shows it to everyone (who then proceed to oooh & aaah on cue). The person who is number 2 then has the option of stealing the first package or opening a new one. If they steal the first package, then person number 1 gets to open another package. The only rule about stealing is that you can't steal back a package from the person who stole it from you. The more stealing that goes on, the more fun we have!

This year we had 22 people in the apartment and one person who mailed an ornament because she moved away and still wanted to be able to participate - so 23 ornaments and decorations to be opened and stolen many times! The party doesn't run very late, people usually hang out for a total of 2 1/2 to 3 hours having cocktails and snacking on the goodies. The exchange itself usually takes 30-45 minutes, depending on how much people steal ornaments from others. It gets loud and roudy and I LOVE IT!

And now it's done for another year and I can turn my attention to the remainder of the holidays and then GRADUATION!