Smith Library

This is where I live. As in, I am positive that I have physically been in this building more this week than I have been in my own house. And there's not even flowers outside anymore. It's a high of 34 and the water fountain is frozen (which is actually kinda cool). Also, due to my life revolving around this building, I have not gotten more than 5 hours of sleep on any given night. And 5 is the absolute max. I have a final tomorrow morning at 8:30am, so I will be getting 7 hours tonight. Woo hoo!

Surprisingly, I am actually doing pretty well. Besides the random things that make me overly emotional (like reading some particularly sad research for my counseling paper), I feel like I'm functioning rather normally. (And by overly emotional, I mean that it makes me want to cry. And not because I am hormonal. Because I am extremely sleep deprived.) God definitely created an amazing thing when he created the human body. Just watch a few episodes of House and you'll understand. My ability to cope with things is amazing. Now obviously, I attribute this to God's grace and provision, but I also recognize his pre-provision in creating me with such an amazing stamina. I mean, you don't realize what your mind is capable of until you hit a hard exam week your senior year of college. This is truly amazing to me.

P.S.- I am writing this while waiting on Chris to finish making copies. In the library, of course. I will be going home and to bed as soon as he's done. Unfortunately, he will not be going to bed. 10-page paper due tomorrow night = very little sleep for Chris. We're almost done!

"I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!" - the little blue engine that could

A Christmas Extravaganza!

This past Saturday, I made plans to take a break from my never-ending school work and celebrate the Christmas season. I refuse to listen to Christmas music or do any activity that resembles Christmas before Thanksgiving. BUT as soon as Thanksgiving is over, my Christmas comes out in full force!

First, Chris and I went to pick out a Christmas tree!



God must have really been in the Christmas spirit too, because it started snowing!! What a perfect day for Christmas-y things!





Then, we went to Heather's to bake Christmas cookies! Yum!





Then, we went home to decorate our house for Christmas!! I love Christmas decorations!





And to end this perfect day, we went to the Lucas' and watched Elf! Perfection!

Machias, Maine

45 Hours in a Car

It takes approximately 21 hours to drive from Asheville, NC to Machias, ME. This does not include stops, traffic, and the like. For spring break a couple years ago, Chris, his mother and I drove the whole way back all at one time. I would not recommend this. So, the Saturday before Thanksgiving, Chris and I joined both of his parents and his 25-year-old brother for a trip to Maine in a very compact Hyundai Sonata. (thank you, rental car company for not having the size car we asked for)




Of course when I was driving, everyone fell asleep. :)

The two days of driving there and the two days of driving back were rather long, and I think some of my leg muscles have deteriorated due to lack of movement, but our stay in Maine was wonderful! It was very cold and wintery, of course, but Chris' aunt's house was warm, there was tons of great food, and wonderful company.


Blueberry Pie!!



The biggest adjustment that we had to make was that because we were so far north, it started getting dark around 3:15 and was completely dark by 4:00pm. Not only did this totally throw us off, but it meant that we had to start our activities early in order to make sure we finished by dark-time (it wasn't night).

Hiking





Shopping in Eastport







Sightseeing in Machias






Chris' aunt's house

It was a very relaxing, enjoyable week. We had our Thanksgiving meal at Chandler River Lodge, built in 1795. It was probably the fanciest Thanksgiving I have ever had - multiple courses and wine! All in all, I can say that I am very thankful for such a wonderful "new" family. God has blessed me with such loving in-laws, and I very much enjoyed getting to spend time with them.