Just missed the snow

This storm was the second-most snow Philadelphia has gotten, and I saw online that near my apartment got around 18 inches. And I missed it! As much as it probably stinks a little bit to be snowed in, I sort of wish I had been there because it must look amazing outside as well as really fun to play in. Alas, I've been in Florida since Wednesday, where here there was rain in biblical proportions. Just a 50 degree drop and that could have been a snow storm, too. Oh well, I'm sure I'll get plenty of snow once I'm back, just probably not as much.

Been doing lots of holiday stuff. Got some shopping done yesterday; the mall was a crazy but not as bad as I've seen it in the past. VERY excited about my new boots that I picked out (but won't be getting until Christmas). They're Nine West, flat, an indetermine brownish/gray color which sounds weird but I think its going to go with almost everything, upper calf height, with a buckle thing near the ankle. Going to have some warm feet back in Philly! Also picked out a tree and helped to decorate it. Went to a Hanukkah party. Even Florida is trying to get in the spirit, its down in the 60s today. lol. Still have sugar cookies to make and decorate and presents to buy and wrap. Plenty of time though. STILL working on a paper, but I am determined to finish it tomorrow and then finally have my vacation work-free. Pancho downloaded The Blind Side so I think we might watch that tonight and perhaps go driving to look at Christmas lights. Trying to mix in this paper-writing with fun stuff. Grrr for my procrastination.

So grateful for awesome weekends. When a truly great one comes along, well, its a beautiful thing. Went down to Baltimore. Delicious homemade chili (Thank you Panch for making it, thank you Walf for that recipe that continues to live on), good friends, assisted with gingerbread cookie making and house decorating, christmas light looking, all-around good time. And apparently there is a place called Chocolatea mere blocks from where I was living all those 8 months that serves out-of-this-world hot cocoa and lattes and pastries. Had a scrumptious Irish cream, hazelnut hot chocolate concoction. Seriously could have drank a gallon of it. And then hit up Chili's for the 3 for $20 deal or whatever it is. And of courseeee I got a margarita. Didn't knock me off my feet like usual, probably because I actually ate along with it. :) Hmm. this weekend appears to have revolved around food. and I'm so okay with that.

Pancho's roommate has quite the girl situation going on. It was interesting being an observer. I still don't really quite understand how you can be somewhat exclusive with someone but then not be a couple. Isn't that a fuzzy boundary? Maybe its just because I like having clearly defined parameters. Things tend to be black and white, I don't deal well with gray. I think I would just have such a problem with not really being able to claim someone's attention/time/affection as my own. Guess its a good thing I've locked Pancho in then, eh? (Sorry, honey, I know you just experienced some sort of minor anxiety over that statement)

Also, my faith in humanity is restored. I lost one of my good gloves on Friday when I was at the parking garage getting my car and I fretted all weekend about how irresponsible it was. BUT alas, someone turned it in at the front desk. YAY! Really, it may not sound like a big deal, but I'm tremendously relieved.

A very HAPPY birthday indeed

I feel like its fairly well-acknowledged how much I love my birthday/the holidays/December (but honestly, who doesn't?!) but I have to admit that I was slightly ambivalent about how this birthday was going to go. Is it still a proper birthday without dinner at Carrabbas followed by checkerboard cake? Apparently, yes.

I just love my first-year cohort. We had the last class of the semester today of the class we all have together so it was pretty celebratory. Big breakfast-y feast and the professor starts with "I have a surprise, but we have to get through most of the proposals before we have it. I forgot the orange juice to make mimosas, but there is champagne." YES. in class. at noon-ish. All I could think was "I love grad school." And one of the girls brought in muffins and a candle and everyone sang Happy Birthday to me. It was great, frankly all classes would be much improved with alcohol.

Then, I enjoyed a way too sugary "lunch" of the new Starbucks Caramel Brulee latte and a chocolate croissant from Au Bon Pain. Delicious, if not a bit much. If birthdays aren't a day for indulgence, well... Spent the afternoon watching disc 2 of My So-Called Life. My latest obsession. Must have been weird to come of age in the 90s. All that plaid and grunge-y boys. ehck. I also enjoyed all the birthday texts and calls today, just makes me feel good. Finally, out for dinner with the girls. Lots of fun, and I found a pretty decent sushi place thats only 4 blocks away. score. I really don't know what this semester would have been like without them. So glad that I've made friends here, makes all the difference.

Wonderful birthday. I feel like a million bucks.

Thought this was a cool article on NYTimes. Studies have shown that the act of giving has helped chronic pain sufferers and others with health problems to feel better, less stress, improve symptons etc etc. I checked out the 29-Gifts website and think I'm going to try doing it. Not like actually giving tangible gifts, but trying to do acts of kindness in a conscious way.

It is December already. oy. But that just means my birthday is 8 days away! This is the first year that it has almost snuck up on me. Usually I start counting down 40 days out but I only realized it like last week when I was shopping for my mom's birthday gift (its the day before mine so I figured I should buy something and leave it with her during Thanksgiving -- no shipping costs!) Got to think of something to do. Maybe suggest drinks out with some of the girls? Its the second-to-last day of classes so maybe I should plan something for the night after.. Hmmm. Got to think.

The weather is doing some crazy highs and lows this week. Supposed to get like 30s-cold this weekend and maybe possibly some snow in the near future?! That would be awesome.
Nothing else to update, except that Thanksgiving was great and relaxing and wonderful and I don't know how I'm supposed to go back to doing work for 2 weeks. ughhh. Oh. and Gossip Girl last night was deliciously drama-filled and ridiculous. I'm so not ready to give up on that show.