TWO MORE DAYS OF CLASSES. It hit me today- the realization. I’m almost done! Tonight I need to write a paper and or study for one of my finals. I’ve decided to stop thinking about the online course for a few days- as THAT is actually the LAST thing I’ll need to have done to finish my degree. Take a deep breath, and MOVE FORWARD.
I did get out of bed today in time to go to our science class- even though I coughed all the way through it. It was a visiting professor speaking about evolution. He brought up so many interesting things that I had never considered before. Specifically, he talked about the differences between human skull structure and the skull structure of different types of monkeys. Very, very interesting. Apparently, although simian life has the brain capacity for speech, their anatomy doesn’t allow for it. Also, we looked at human chromosomes compared to chimpanzees and bonobos. They are crazy the same, and have really interesting markers that indicate all kinds of crazy things. It was a fascinating lecture- and while I still need to process the information and figure out what it means with regard to all my other beliefs…I feel more educated as a result of the things that we learned. And, I now have another book I want to check out.
SO. I’ve finished my shopping for John for Christmas! We settled on an amount of money to spend…and then I did something I’ve never done before. I went onto Amazon.com- and did all the shopping there. I even got the one thing I saw that I LOVED for my Mom, and am considering getting the rest of our presents for the rest of our meager list on there too. I’ve made a few decisions with regard to Christmas. FIRST of all- no cards this year. With one or two exceptions, we’re going to skip this year, mostly as a by-product of the fact that I’m STILL writing and sending thank you cards for wedding gifts. Second of all, gifts are going to be simple. I don’t see the need to spend a whole lot of money in shipping gifts to everyone- I’d rather call and chat and just get in touch with the people I love who are far away. Plus, not gonna lie, we have plenty of money for rent and insurance and food and a movie here and there…but not much more. Ah the life of poor college students.
For a few Christmas’s I’ve felt a little lost in all of it. Before my mission I remember feeling a little weird about the holidays, wondering if I’d ever feel the magic of it all again. When I was on my mission I felt liberated from the pressure of perfect decorations and loads of presents- and then when I got home, it was just amazing to be with my family again. This year- I’m so excited to have my OWN new family! It’s been fun deciding to do things our way- pick our tree, our decorations, where we’re going to be, all of that. And it’s fun to have my parents coming to visit ME :) I just hope we have room for everyone to be comfortable in our little apartment! I’ve realised that although presents are fun, limiting that aspect of it is good, because it’s so easy to get carried away. I want it to be about family and food and feeling the Spirit of it all. I remember the Christmases from when I was little. All the grandparents and Aunts and Uncles and Cousins. Good thing I married into a big family! Now we just have to see if we ever have a holiday all together. I would love that. I’ll have to work pretty hard to make that happen…with my family in Massachusetts and Connecticut and Europe (to name a few), and John’s in Mississippi and Utah and Colorado (and then some! His parent’s will spend this Christmas in AZ on a mission!).
Just as a side-note, though, a lot easier to buy John Christmas gifts THIS year as compared to last year! I forget what I got him…I think some socks last year. Haha. It was kind of a joke gift. HOW CAN I KEEP THE PRESENTS A SECRET? I’ll try. I’ll try try try!!!
OK. Time for some homework.
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