Around Town: Friends and Newness

The Embarcadero at Christmas time.

Just a collection of pictures taken over winter break.  Soaking up San Francisco, spending time with friends, and getting ready for the newness of the coming semester.

The roommate took me out to sushi.

Waiting for the fireworks on New Year's Eve.

'Tis The Season

It is worth noting that I have about 10 versions of this picture in trying to figure out what was up with  the camera.  I actually had to go to a camera store to solve it.  Turns out I just don't know how to use a camera.  Baby steps.

'Tis the season to talk about faith.  Because I believe that faith is true and Jesus is real.  Relatedly, I also believe that forcing other people to listen to what I believe isn't the way to make them change.  I know that I can't make people believe in what I believe, just like you can't make me believe that humans evolved from apes.  I'm not going to try, so feel free to leave now if you're uncomfortable.  I'll wait.

That being said, I also believe that there is a time and a place for religion, and Christmas falls under one of those times.  So, I will come out, tell you what I believe, and that can be the end of that.  Or the beginning, but that's more up to you guys.

I believe that Jesus is God's son who came to earth as a sacrifice for our sins.  I believe in the whole bit, the virgin Mary, the wise men, and the shepherds out in the field nearby.  I know that we live in a broken world, and I believe that Jesus came to put a stop to it.  I believe that's something to celebrate.  I believe in the forgiveness of sins, and in everlasting life in heaven.  I think there might be some credit to those conspiracy theories, but that's probably a conversation best had in person.

Three more days till Christmas.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Better Late Than Never* (Links Post)

This weekend has been spent hanging out with my friends from high school, going to the farmers market with the fam, and taking lots of pictures.  There's something wonky with my my sister's camera that I am in need of fixing, so hopefully I will have some of the pictures up later this week.

In case of any last minute office holiday parties, let this chart be your guide.

I just found out that I will be going on a trip to Germany this summer.  Cheers!  If you're planning any big trips for the near or somewhat distant future, this guide may come in handy.  I know I'll be using it.

For Harry Potter fans.

25 clever tricks including wrapping paper storage, cord labeling, and ice cream cone cakes.  Awesome.

Because biking is cool.  Especially if you're a girl in India.

This week I love: the 6-year-old camera I'm borrowing from my sister (she says I can take it back to Chicago with me), Nancy Drew Games, warm socks, being done with finals, being home in San Francisco, my church, and having all my Christmas shopping done already.

What will you guys be up to this week?

*I am going to try to have a regular link post, I was hoping to get it out Sunday, but it wound up being Monday instead.  Next time.

Finals Week!

This is how excited I am that it's almost time for me to go home!

Finals week is this week and I'm so excited.  I have three exams, none of which I am especially worried about. I'm also super excited to be going home.  I hit up the airport Thursday night after class.  I'm pumped to go home and see my friends.  This will include going to my old school's nativity play, seeing my friend who spent the semester in Uganda, and giving my family Christmas presents that I'm super excited to give them.

All that being said, it IS finals week and I should probably go do some studying for those exams tomorrow.  Hopefully I'll be back with you guys on Friday, if not, I'll see you next week.

Right Now...

excited beyond belief to go home to San Francisco in two weeks.  Is that all?  It seems like so much longer.

slightly embarassed that I wound up writing a paper a whole week early fo my Monday class.  Whoops.  Oh well, now I don't have to worry about it.

ecstatic that I can go the weekend with minimal studying.  I have three exams, but all papers are done.

looking forward to this weekend's plan.  I'm going ice skating and then visiting the Chicago Christmas Market.

amazed at how positive this post is turning.

a little anxious about buying Christmas presents for family.  Thankfully I have a few checked off already.

cold.  We generally keep the heat off in our apartment to keep costs down, so if I get cold the best way to warm up is to cook something warm.  Unfortunately, that's not quite an option when you're knee deep into a research paper.  At 1am.

Right Now...

nervous, but confident about my job interview next week.  I think I'm going to get it, but the interview and application process is still a little nerve wracking.

beginning to get into the Christmas Spirit.  Ever so slightly.  I bought a chocolate advent calendar for December which makes me happy.  Looking for other ways to celebrate advent as well.

feeling the weight of the end of the semester.  I have a final paper to write in a week (it's my own fault for procrastinating), a few projects to do, and exams to study for.

thankful of my nerdiness allowing me to not study too much, but still get decent grades.  I go over my notes a few times, but I have never needed intense studying to get grades that I'm happy with.  I was even on the honor roll first semester (not sure that's ever going to happen again).  Hopefully I didn't just curse everything.

trying to figure out how to share work I've done in order to keep myself accountable, and be able to show off thing's I'm proud of, while at the same time not having to deal with copyright stuff.  Ideas welcome!

Right Now I am...

nostalgic of Thanksgiving.  It's always my favorite holiday and this year has been no exception.

tearing up over the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade.  I don't know why I get so emotional over this parade.  I love parades.  Yesterday I watched bits of the Chicago parade from out my window while eating breakfast.  It was beautiful.

dreaming -- for no particular reason at all -- what life will be like after school.  I know I will never be done learning, but I wonder what form learning will take.  I also rue the day where I don't have to do homework at night and can just sit at home and watch television.

planning for next semester.  I'm applying for on campus jobs, and recently registered for classes.  Organizing myself for more organizing and planning for studying abroad which will be happening a year from next spring if all goes as planned.

feeling thankful.  For all the family and friends that I didn't get to see yesterday, and for the one's that I did see.

"baking".  It feels wrong to say that making peppermint bark is baking, but I can't quite think of what other verb to use in that situation.

beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.  Breaking out the Charlie Brown Christmas music and making lists of who needs presents and things that need doing.

getting ready for Chicago Tardis!  I can only afford to go Saturday, but I'm super excited.  My old roommate and I are going together and we're getting together to make costumes today.  I am planning on creating a masquerade mask from paper plates and construction paper.  It's going to be awesome.  Expect pictures.