as of late

I love Christmas. It is one of my favorite times of the year - and I love how much I think about Christ and service, helping others and gratitude. This year I will not be in North Carolina for Christmas, but I will be spending it with two of my bestest friends, who also happen to be my sisters, which I am super excited about. Catherine flies in tomorrow. It still has not hit me that Catherine will be HERE visiting me. I'm not going to a lie, I have missed family a lot these past few months as I have transitioned to living in Salt Lake City. There are things I love, love, love about where I live. But one of them is not being far from family, North Carolina, and my wonderful parents. 

Today I made nuskifels (sp?) and it reminded me of home. I also went caroling to Grandpa Hatch and he compared me to my mom and dad - biggest compliment I have ever received. I've been thinking a lot about my parents. They have been some of my biggest supporters during these difficult four months teaching. I have called my dad many-a-time at 7:30 am crying, not knowing how I would make it through another day at work. He always picked up. And I have called my mom many a time, crying about how the things I have struggled with. I am so, so, so grateful for them. 

I digress. One of the things I do love about the Big. Bad. S.L.C. is all of the fun things to do here. 

These are some things I've been up to lately, outside of trying to stay sane at work:

 playing bannanagrams at the train station

having old friends visit

taking the trax

eating Korean food (new fav: bolgogi) 

kimchi, anyone?

 

visiting with more old friends

dying my hair darker

wearing my bangs down for once

going to the famous hot chocolate place owned by midgets who's last name is also Hatch

best dark chocolate drink I've ever had

 eating at one of the other five billion delicious restaurants, like Blue Iguana

 visiting my old boss and co-worker in p-town

 and hangin with jenelise, who I haven't seen in forever

 and going to the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas concert with old friends and new one's

and being inspired by all the good people in the world

and seeing the Christmas lights

and trying not to be angry that my camera is dumb and never focuses (erg)

and realizing that people have bigger problems

and being grateful for the fact that my I will see two of my sisters

so soon...