Coming Attractions...

Okay I have been horrible with posting. I seriously thought I was gonna have more time to blog, but between the the holidays and now the incessant packing going on at my apartment to be out by January 1st, I have not had any time to even download any pictures off my camera.

BUT you'll have so much to look forward to in the coming weeks!! For one, starting the new year, there will be a complete revamp of my blog to reflect the adventure I am about embark upon in 9 DAYS!!!

From then on out I'll have some pretty awesome stuff to post about. I just checked the weather for England and when I arrive in London it'll be in the mid to high 30's!! It weirded me out that it is so close that I was able to check the weather already.

So this is me just checking in to make sure you guys are not thinking I'm dead or something. I'll be back next year with some exciting stuff to share.

I'll update you in my excitement!!

So it has been a while and there is so much to share, So the easiest thing is in bullet form:

* I finished my last final this afternoon!! I am now DONE with this semester!! I am also done forever with Spanish!! YAY!

* I have my last day of work tomorrow morning! Then I'll really be done with everything

* I have not bought only 1 Christmas present so far... more to come though.

* I was approved for my UK Visa! I got the email 2 days ago. This is such a great thing. They emailed me last week to tell me my visa application may not be approved until after christmas, which would make it incredibly close to my departure date, and putting me in danger of not getting my passport back in time. But everything will be GREAT NOW!!

* I was also approved for housing... I'll be living in the Founder's Hall. AKA the castle!!

* I am trying to eat my way through my fridge and pantry content without buying anything new. I don't want to waste money... or food when I leave.

* I love that it is raining outside. It is preparing me for London cold weather (minus 15 degrees).

* I am excited for Christmas festivities this weekend...

22 days till I leave!!

Disneyland kind of Christmas

Here are some pictures from The Call's weekend trip to Disneyland!! It is the second year we have done this, and it's pretty much amazing! We have so much fun and get to know each other and just group closer as a college-age group! I loved it.
It was also fun because my dad got to go and hang out with us!
Disneyland Christmas always rings in the Christmas season for me... it's just magical. So after this post will come some Christmas themed entries. This last sunday also began the ONE month countdown to when I leave... expect entries about that as well!!

Enjoy the pics. I can't comment on everyone, basically because it just takes too much time

Sucky morning...

So I woke up to edit my 20 page paper... I finished and went to print, and my printer is out of ink. I'll now have to pay to print it at ASU in order to turn it in on time.
Then I realized my spanish professor failed to post our study guide to our exam today and so now I have to take the exam without knowing what's on it. PLUS: I was laboring under the impression that I was going to be done with the entire Spanish exam today. Unfortunately today is only the first part and the rest of the exam is next monday evening... SUCK!!
Then I drove to school (bike still out of commission) and I arrived at the parking lot closes to my classes only to SIT for an HOUR!!!! to find a parking spot. Then when I finally followed this guy to his spot, some lady (WHO ARRIVED AFTER I DID) tried to take the spot even though she saw my blinker and saw me following the guy to his spot!! I honked and yelled at her until she conceded and I got the spot. I subsequently took her license plate number in case I return to my car and she has keyed it.
I missed most of my first class because of waiting to a parking spot, so I just went to sit in front of my second class...

I am almost done with school and I just need to continue to press forward. England awaits!! I am almost there... just one more day and then two more tests.

Santa

I'm taking a break from paper writing to blog about Santa. I'm stealing this blog idea from Amy

My family is very much into the fun innocence of Christmas. We all understood that Christ was in fact the center of the Holiday season, and as I grow older, I learn more and more about what they means. But, when the Thompson kids were little we all very much believed in Santa. I remember laying in bed with Shawn on Christmas Eve night silently straining to hear the sounds of reindeer hooves on the roof or the creaking of the front door (since we didn't have a fire place, we were told Santa came through the front door). We left out cookies and a carrot for Rudolf (looking back, I don't understand why the other reindeer had to starve). Now Shawn, Tyler and I were never really into trying to find our presence before Christmas morning because we didn't want to ruin anything and we didn't want to get in trouble. But my parents, to ensure we wouldn't walk out on them putting together our bikes or dollhouses which were supposed to be from Santa, they told us Santa would disappear and leave us nothing if we walked out and saw him. Another hilarious memory that Shawn and I still laugh about was the year he had to go to the bathroom really bad and the bathroom door was in sight of the Christmas Tree. I don't quite remember what happened, but I think he ended up going and I think it involved diving into the bathroom with his eyes closed! I think we were 8 and 5 at the time.
But as we got older the idea of Santa started to become suspect. Just the mere fact that we understood it took 2.5 days to drive to Wisconsin, how could Santa possibly get all around the world in one night. But my parents did everything they could to keep us believing as long as we could. When we began to notice that Santa had the same wrapping paper, the excuse was that Santa didn't wrap the gifts, mom and dad did... same excuse was given when the handwriting on the tags was recognized as my mother's. I remember when my mom finally told me: She said Santa wasn't real, but once there was a Santa but he no longer gave the presents, mom and dad's did on his behalf. (I actually don't remember when I finally realized that wasn't true either). But despite the secret of Santa being let out, I never once felt lied to or betrayed by my parents. It was like all the other make believe I made up all day in my childhood. It was just pretending.
In fact, now that we are all older and know Santa isn't real, we still like to pretend. We even still put out cookies (mainly to give my parents stamina as they finish wrapping presents into the night). But Santa gifts have started making it under the Christmas tree earlier and earlier... this is unacceptable. We give my mom a hard time if we discover one.
I fully plan to pass on the belief in Santa to my own children.

"No time to say hello, goodbye..."

I really wish I could join the blogging community trend and share with you my Christmas memories and favorite traditions, but I find myself completely consumed with finishing last papers and studying for my finals. I made a stupid assumption that my final 15 page paper for my religions class was due on Thursday 12/11, but instead it is due tuesday 12/9. Now some of you may be wondering why 2 days would make such a difference... but you must understand that I will be out of town this weekend and was planning on finishing my paper the wednesday before it was due. Now I have to finish it tonight if I want to keep my sanity next monday. So I'm going to try to maintain focus in classes all day today at ASU and then head to the library for the remainder of the night to work diligently in the quiet of the Spanish novels section (there is a nice table next to wall outlet there).

So where am I heading on my out of town excursion this weekend. Well, I'm glad you asked - DISNEYLAND of course! The Call (Open Door's College group) is heading there for the weekend to hang out and grow close as a group and enjoy the Christmas season as only Disney can do it! It will be so much fun! I am really excited to get to spend time with this group of people.

but at the end of next week I will be MUCH relieved of my scholastic obligations and then the following week I will be done with my job at ASMT. Then it's just a 2.5 weeks until I leave for the UK. I finally turned in my VISA application... please pray that everything goes through okay and that it can be completed in a timely manner. Also pray that I hear soon about my campus accommodations. It has been 2 weeks since I applied and I still have not heard anything. I am starting to get nervous, although I don't know if I should be or not. Just the uncertainty of not knowing where I'll be living or if I should be seeking alternative residence. It's all very stressful.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Things I am Thankful for...
1. My Savior... I don't just know that Jesus saved me, but I get to have a personal relationship with my creator and the lover of my soul. I cannot believe that He chose me and pursues me and is absolutely crazy about me. I also am thankful that He knows the WORST things about me and it doesn't change His love for me ONE BIT!!!

2. My amazing family. My parents are two of the most fun, most creative, loving, and supportive parents in the entire world. They have never put expectations on what I HAD to do with my life, but instead they encouraged and fed my excitement for all my endeavors. They have never once said they were disappointed in me, even though I know at times they didn't quite agree with the decisions I made. They trust me and know that God has His hand in each of their children's lives. There is an incredible safety that comes with that. I know I can be real with my parents and my brothers and I don't have to perform for them or try to be something I am not

3. My friends. The same thing I just said about the safety I feel with my family, I also feel with my friends. I get to be genuine and at times messy, and imperfect, but they love me!! I have so much fun with them and they make me laugh so hard and bring such wisdom and joy to my life.

4. England. You have no idea what a dream come true my trip to England will be!! I have dreamed so long and hard about this incredible adventure. It still blows me away that God is taking me on this journey and that he wants to show me the world!! I also am thankful that this trip is just me and God, and that I am getting to do this on my own. I can't wait to see the lessons I learn and the things God will reveal to me on this journey - both good and bad. All of it will just draw me closer to Him that I may fall in love more deeply with Him.

5. I didn't kill myself on tuesday. You may say this is a little dramatic, but my bike accident could have been way worse and I am thankful it wasn't. I also will admit that I think it is WAY cool that I have stitches!!!

6. Christmas. Tomorrow the season begins. Well actually TONIGHT the season begins... I love Christmas!!!

pics from my birthday/Bon Voyage Party

Pictures from the damage...

the unveiling of the nastiness that is my face...