Priorities...ha.

Why yes, I do have about 1,485 hours of homework left.  

Props to Jess for capturing my glam college life.

Cheers to upcoming finals.

The calm before the storm..

These past couple of days have been sooo relaxing. Probably a little too relaxing... I'm getting all geared up for Christmas break instead of finals...ha.
Wednesday we didn't have school and I had big plans to get alllll  of my homework done before Thanksgiving {needless to say, I didn't get anything productive done}. Thursday was my favorite Turkey Day! Carly's sister came and picked us up bright and early so we could help her cook. Once we got there, the turkey was put in the oven and the other good stuff was started, too.

I ate way too much as always and entered a food coma afterwards. We put on a couple of movies and enjoyed the afternoon. Overall the day was super delicious and lazy.

{an awkward picture but the only one we got together on T Day ha}

Friday and Saturday were spent shopping, cleaning, napping, attempting homework, and watching movies. Sounds nice, right? yes. But it's not going to happen again for another 2 1/2 weeks until finals are over and I'm home. So bring on the homework and stress because I'm ready to wrap this semester up like a Christmas present.

Today and forever

{and every day}

It's that time of year again-- my favorite holiday! A time of family and friends, cool weather, colorful leaves, a fireplace if I didn't live in a college apartment, hot chocolate, and most of all...eating! I have so much to be thankful for this year. So many wonderful things have happened and my life is richly blessed. Here's why:

1. Even though I don't get to spend Thanksgiving with them this year again, my family is so great. I love them so much and can't thank them enough for their support.
2. I'm thankful for my family away from home-- My roommates, friends, and my ward. I have people here who care about me.
3. I'm so thankful to have a temple so near. I'm actually going there today!
4. This one might be surprising but I'm thankful for school. I'm glad my mind can handle {most of} the information my teachers give me and that I'm learning to expand my horizons.
5.  I'm grateful that there is a Higher Power who knows what I need even if I don't.
6. I'm thankful for those who see my potential and see me doing great things even when I can't even figure my major out.
7. I have a warm bed and a shower ten feet away. Running water, a working heater, and warm clothes also make life so much easier.
8. I'm thankful for money. I don't have a lot of it but I have enough to get by...and go to college.
9. I'm thankful for my calling (responsibility in the church). I get to hang out with two awesome people that I might not have gotten to know otherwise.   
10. Tomorrow I'm thankful I get to spend the day with Carly and her family and eat good food. Food baby here we come!

This morning was exactly what I needed {I decided to go to a different ward today so that gave me a couple extra hours}. I took my time getting ready for church and I still had 3 hours to myself. So I took the opportunity to enjoy the quiet time. My pandora station was set to piano but everything else was quiet. I sat at my desk and wrote. I wrote in my journal, letters to missionaries, and cards to friends. There is something so fulfilling about writing down thoughts...which could be why I enjoy blogging. Life has been a little crazy lately and I haven't been setting aside time for personal writing. I'm trying to make that a goal because it brings me peace.

So whenever life gets busy, take a moment to breathe. Take a moment to write down what you're feeling. Embrace whatever life hands you and write it down. You'll appreciate it later on.

Dear boy with a cold who has sat behind me for the past 3 days,

I'm well aware that our desks are very close together. But if you cough and sneeze all over my neck again tomorrow, so help me there will be a bag of cough drops and a can of chicken noodle soup thrown toward your head. So for both our sakes, get well soon. Peace and blessings.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth

Reasons why today was great:

1. When I woke up this morning, the sun was shining through the blinds promising a sunny day and no need for a coat 

2. My roommate Hillary let me wear her brand new scarf {such a sweet girl}

3. A friend surprised me with a bag of the Dove chocolates with the cute sayings on the inside of the wrapper

4. It's Monday which means it's a fresh start to a new week. 

5. I got to sleep in

6. Thanksgiving is a week and a couple days away 

7. There is currently an awesome fort in my living room thanks to Carly

8. I grew a spine {for once...crazy, I know} and made a hard choice. I'm going to stick with it and I'm satisfied with that. 

9. I have amazing roommates who will listen to me go on and on for days about the same topic. 

10. A not-wanting-to-be-written history paper has been pushed back and is due in a week and half. 

11. I go home in a month and 2 days to see my family!

12. This guy named Kyle ridiculously lucky to be marrying my best friend in a little over a month. And I'm so happy for them

13. I realized that I haven't forgotten how to make friends and that I actually know quite a few people in my apartment complex {yayy I'm not going to become a hermit!}
14. Saw people stringing Christmas lights on the trees on campus today
15. When I was walking home, the sky was gorgeous with its purples and yellows

 But most of all, I have no idea where my life is going to go or how I'm going to end up but I'm ok with that. I'm not scared {as much} anymore. Life will always work out. 

That's all for today. Happy Monday everyone!

A chunk of happiness amidst a very not so happy day.

{Chipotle burrito from Jess}.

Hope everyone had a better day than I did!