Feelin' the Holiday Spirit

Last Sunday we bought our first Christmas tree for the condo. It's about 5 feet tall, we don't have a large living room so a small one will do. Me, my husband and the kids went to Home Depot near the Great Mall to pick up our Noble Fir. It was about 35 bucks all together (20 for the tree and 13 for the stand) plus tax. After we bought the tree, my husband took us to dinner at Outback. Bloomin' Onion was delish and so was the Wallaby Darn (peach Belinni). It was a nice night with just the four of us. We went home, put up our Christmas tree and we all contributed to decorating it. First, we wrapped the tree with white lights. Then put on the silver and red ornaments. I bought an "A" ornament and a "E" ornament, A for Alexa and E for Elijah. Those went towards the very top of the tree. We also put a glass cross near the top as well and a silver ornament that says Believe. My son chose this huge blue star for his ornament at the store, you would think that the star would stick out like a sore thumb, but it actually puts more color on the tree. My husband and I laughed with adoration when he put it on because the blue star suits him (it says Elijah). Comcast has holiday hits on one of the music channels, so Christmas music was playing softly in the background. It was perfect. This is when I'm at my happiest- doing simple things with the fams.

Vocab:

uxorious: Excessively submissive or devoted to one's wife.

mellifluous: Sweet or musical; pleasant to hear.

Almost the end

Class today was a nightmare. I let my nerves get the best of me during my presentation. I practiced too, but each word that came out just plain sucked (no flow to it at all with pauses in between). As I walked out the door, I was like what the F just happened. I guess I couldn't blame the folks for dozing off or looking at their laptops. But, really? At least pretend like your listening a**holes. Thanks to the ones who were polite and went through the torture with me.:) Besides feeling super disappointed in myself, I over analyzed this single event and summed it up to predict how the rest of my public speaking engagements are going to be like. Awesome. I know this was just one moment, but I'm really beating myself up for it.

Anyway, now its time to study for Finals. Yippee. I feel relief that it will all be over soon and at the same time anxious. The only thing that is keeping me somewhat sane right now are my kids. If I give up now, I'll not only let myself down, but Elijah and Lex as well. Why do I feel like giving up? Well, its just all bad (not gonna go into detail). The last thing I need is to throw myself a pity party and I don't want anyone else thinking that is what I'm all about.

Vocab:

beloved: 

adj- Dearly loved

noun- A much loved person.

abrogate:

Repeal or do away with (a law, right, or formal agreement).

Thanksgiving

My Thanksgiving holiday seemed to be an overall success. Thursday we went to my in-laws. I made ham, baked salmon, and mash potatoes. It was a load, but I forced myself to do it.We also brought apple cider and a pumpkin pie. The party started at about 1pm. We ate, sang karaoke, and played pictionary. On Friday, we went up to San Francisco where we celebrated Thanksgiving with my side of the family. This is my mom's side which consists of her sisters, one brother and his wife, and my grandparents. On the ride to San Francisco I sometimes get a little anxious because there has always been some type of drama going on. I really hate it, but its no surprise to me because I'm accustomed to the craziness of it all. The party started at about 12:30 and ended at 11pm, an all day and night event. We have the best food. Moist turkey, Filipino Food, pies, appetizers, foodnetwork appetizers- the works. After eating, we play board games. Starts off with Taboo and then ends with Pictionary. Next we lounge in the living room on the couches where we talk, sleep, and watch movies. Then talk, sleep, and watch movies. Did I say talk, sleep, and watch movies? lol Anyway, the ladies decide to leave the men at my grandpa's and go shopping. I end up buying two shirts for my daughter. After the mall we go back to my Grampa's house. One of my uncles suggest we go to the pier to walk around. Thus began the drama of the night. Its between my aunt and uncle. They argue because my uncle doesn't want to go. The whole family has to migrate to a separate room to let them have privacy while we fiddle with our thumbs and wait. Some of us argue in whispers over who's right (my aunt or my uncle). My aunt is pregnant, so I was really worried about her.They stop arguing and agree to go, but in separate cars.We end up all going to fisherman's wharf. We take pictures by the huge Christmas tree, drink hot coco, and then go back home.

Vocab:    

cosmological: pertaining to the branch of astronomy dealing with the origin and history and structure and dynamics of the universe; "cosmologic science"; "cosmological redshift"; "cosmogonic theories of the origin of the universe"

covetousness: is the inordinate love of wealth, and the power that wealth gives, whether it is manifested by miserly hoarding or by lavish spending. It is a peculiarly earth-bound sin, looking to nothing beyond the rewards of this life.