Christmas Shopping

I went Christmas shopping today and it was hard to find a spot. I think this guy is onto something.

Exams!

Wow, it seems as though this semester has flown by... although, sitting in the midst of exams, perhaps not fast enough. I've gotta say - I can't reeeally complain too much this year. Tough, but not "pull my hair out of my scalp, drink 5 cups of coffee a day, eyes bulging out of my head" kind of tough. Yesterday, Saturday Dec.12th, was my first exam. It was definitely nice to have a full week to study for my hardest, highest percentage exam: Sociology of family relationships - 50%... ouch. After doing quite well on the two given assignments for the course, I BOMBED the midterm... double ouch. I definitely had my socks pulled up to my knees this past week. I know the textbook inside and out. I probably shouldn't count any chickens before they hatch, but I couldn't help leaving that classroom without a huge grin on my face and the feeling I nailed it outta the park... although I should give credit to the fact that the final was written with more concrete, clear questions, compared to the midterm. Still, feeling good about a final, especially a final that is weighted SO heavily, is probably one of the best feelings!

Now, 1 down and 2 more to go. I've got an exam tomorrow afternoon that I'm a little nervous for: Sociology of Gender. We didn't have a midterm in this class, so there's nothing to base what tests will be like. The format: 3 essay questions in 2 hours. Yeah, you read correctly. And to make matters worse, they are based directly on course readings. I almost feel like I've used up all my memory on my Family class, there's no more space in there for more readings... but I'm trying. I'm reading the highlighted ones over again. They're not sticking now, but I'm hoping the sight of the exam papers in front of me will scare the thoughts out of me.

Tuesday, Dec.15th is my last exam. It's a condensed exam schedule that definitely has some pros to being done so early, but I'm hoping that the short time will keep me motivated enough to keep studying!

After that, I fly to Ontario!!! I'm really excited to visit family again - my extended family get togethers are something that I've missed most about being away. It will definitely be nice to be back with some familiar faces. Danny is also joining me, but he is flying separately, because of his exam schedule and timing - he goes straight to the airport after his last exam and takes a red eye flight and I pick him up in the morning. Hopefully, I will also get to meet up with Heather Hollman, who is currently living in Toronto to attend Chiro school - it will definitely be bizarre (but in a good way) to meet up with her there!

On the afternoon of Christmas Day, Danny and I fly together to Regina. His parents just moved there from Whitehorse this summer, so his whole family is celebrating Christmas there. I am very excited! His parents are such friendly, fun people. His sister has come to Victoria for a few visits and we've spent a fair bit of time together and always had a blast. We stayed with his brother and sister-in-law in Lethbridge and went on some fun adventures over the summer. Regina will definitely be another wonderful adventure!

On top of all the holiday jetsetting, I fly back to Victoria on the evening of the 30th. My Dad, Paulie, is going to be waiting to pick Danny and I up there with a HUGE smile on his face (hopefully). I have 3 full days before I have to start work and school, and we're planning some awesome day hiking trips. My brother, Dan, gets in from Calgary sometime in the New Year, which is when I'll be celebrating my FOURTH Christmas get together! Wow, Christmas sure puts a few things in perspective - like how fortunate I am to have so many wonderful people in my life!

Happy Holidays... I've got to get back to studying!

Keep your chin up,

JS