Storm Before Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving coming up!

With the Thanksgiving break right around the corner, it is one of the busiest times of the year.  I have 3 tests and 1 research paper due before the break and they've been taking up most of my time.

The good part about having tests before the break is that I get to focus on other things during the holidays (i.e. work, personal organization, etc).  Once again, I won't be going home this year.  I won't go home for Christmas either.  Don't worry, I'll be home at around the end of May and beginning of June.  Depending on what I'll be doing, I may stay from a week to 2 weeks.

I noticed that I've been rather self-centered on my recent posts.  My friends seldom showed up in my blog posts this semester.  This is mainly due to the fact that most of my entries are now weekly summaries versus daily happenings.  Nevertheless, I'll try to focus more on the people around me, who I'm grateful for during my stay here in Provo.

Apparently, Emily, who comes down from Idaho to visit Eric (and her sister Alyssa) often has been trying to swing by to see me and Taylor.  Of course, I work at nights and Taylor had his own plans, so she missed us most of the times.

That's the model

I decided to upgrade my phone this week.  I've been using my backup phone since I've been back from my mission in 2010.  I bought a new phone, same number still, as an early Christmas present for myself.  It's one of those Samsung Touch Messengers.  I plan to have this phone for the next couple of years.

Lance and I discovered that the fried chicken at Macey's is awesome!  I didn't know we could get discounts for choosing thighs and drumsticks on the $11 10-piece meal.  Looks like I may have something to look forward to every other week from now on.

Study groups for the upcoming tests were awesome until nobody showed up on Saturday...I was sad because I was hoping to get so much work done.  But, because of the study groups, I realized that my MMBio240 class was actually more manageable than I thought.  I just wish I discovered the method to handle this class earlier in the semester.  The chance of getting a B+ seems imminent.  That's okay because as long as I get to do research with Dr. Berges, I'm fine.

Speaking of him, I discovered 2 more connections to the Valley Forge Stake this week.  Apparently, Cristyann and RJ both knew people from that stake.  In fact, Cristyann lived there for some time and knows Lizzie.  What the heck?  When did all these East Coasters started showing up?  I never noticed them until this semester.

*Shakes fist at confusing numbers*

I had my usual visiting during Sunday.  I played a few card games with Kelli when I visited apartment 24.  In case you haven't caught on, I swing by 19, 20, and 24 quite frequently.  So, if you ever wish to find me, you should try those places besides 35.

Anyways, one day I shall beat Kelli in Speed!  We played with Rook cards, so it was slightly different.  I still can't tell a 6 and 9 on the top of my eyes.  She baked some cookies for the ward fireside.  They were pretty good, but I think she doesn't give herself enough credit.  She insisted that they were burnt.  Perhaps I'm just not a picky eater?

A note of interest: Amy Freeman is an awesome cook!

I'm really excited for the Winter Semester because there are so many things I could do and so many possibilities.  Oh, I'll tell you more about it next week!