Christmas

Christmas is officially over! Now another 365 days to look forward to the next one because Christmas is AWESOME. For the most part I got a whole bunch of stuff for my trip, clothes, random things and all that.
Because I won't be able to have a phone in Europe, my dad got my mom and I the new ipod touches that have a camera and facetime on it so we can skype on wifi instead of call. This is pretty cool! What an upgrade from my old 2nd gen iPod touch. Without the new camera I wouldnt have been able to capture the moment of...

ERIK winning $2,000 dollars on a lottery ticket! It was absolutely insane! Not only did he win on this card but he also won about 100 dollars altogether from the other tickets he had, while everyone else won absolutely nothing. It was crazy.

My parents loved their present. Mom loves the cheesy things so I plan to write in gold somewhere "Home is where the heart is..."

(Finally got new SD cards for my real camera so I can start using it again. YAY)

Christmas Eve

It's Christmas Eve, continued the tradition since before I was born and celebrated with the Long side of the family and ate a disgusting amount of food. What can I say, kolaches are undeniable! And chocolate.. and sugar cookies... and mint meltaways...

My grandma and Justin stopped by! :)

Desserts on desserts.

Christmas tree with handmade ornaments and ones bought from all our vacations and trips. I'm going to do this when I have my own place. Love it

Sleepy dogs. First Christmas without Kenny and we miss him!

Webcam

Been replaying in my head all day. What a great song: Casimir Pulaski Day - Sufjan Stevens

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxMYqsvgX8c

Went to Chicago, had an Italian Consulate appointment to get a Visa and went shopping all day with Mom then finished in the hot tub. Tomorrow we're making kolachkes and MORE pumpkin bread (yum) then I'm going to work! I love how carefree and easy Winter Break is. Happy Christmas Eve Eve!

Booked my spring break trip. Leaves March 15th, 11 days and 10 nights in Berlin, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris and Barcelona! SO EXCITED!!!!

My last two days have been the laziest of my entire life. It is completely LIBERATING to not give a shit about finals, quizes, projects... I can get used to this!

Dyed my hair dark red to celebrate. I thrive on change, anyways.

I've been waiting two months for reality to hit me, and it still hasn't! A little over a month from now I'll be on a plane to Florence, Italy to live there for the whole semester, followed by a month of living in Greece, and a family European trip. Is this real life? I don't think it will sink in until I am on that plane January 23rd. What is even weirder is that today is my very last day at Illinois State University. Last day living in a dorm room. (Hopefully!) Last day living with my goofy roommate Lauren who I'm going to miss TERRIBLY. :( It has been a good ride, ISU, but I'm REALLY excited for the next year. I am definitely glad and satisfied with the whole small college town experience, but am very ready to move on.

I spent pretty much the whole day packing and eating everything from the dining center that I'll never be able to get again. (Love/hate relationship with Watterson dining haha) Moving out is a little depressing, Lauren took most of her stuff home yesterday so I am left here with everything boxed up and ready to go. Seeya ISU.