It's the final countdown...

Down to the last week of my first semester in this world as a teacher.  

This year has been intense. I don't really know how 2013 will measure up after everything that has happened.  I'm sure something completely unexpected will happen to liven up the year.  

I miss the mountains. Especially right now when it is snowing there and it's raining and 70 degrees here.  I can't wait to go out West for Spring Break and ski my butt off.  It'll be so great to see my friends too.  Man is it hard to be the new girl in town.  It was hard that first year in Salt Lake, but this might be harder.  At least at the U I was surrounded by people my age who lived similar life styles.  I'm struggling to find a life outside of what I do.  I realize the grass is always greener on the other side, but at least in Utah I could escape to a hiking trail or snap on some skis and enjoy the nature alone.  Here I just sit on my couch and watch How I Met Your Mother.  Oh boy, I'm becoming one of those complainers that nobody likes.  That's not going to help me make friends out here.  Sheesh.   

It's funny.  Last night I had no problem going to bed at 10pm, but on a school night I'm having trouble getting to bed at a good hour.   

I've got all of my Christmas shopping done.  I've definitely put a lot more thought in to what I buy everyone this year, but it's also been the first year I've had money to spend on Christmas for folks.  It's been a lot of fun trying to figure out what to get for people.  I hope they like their gifts!  It's been a lot of fun picking things out.  

5 days of school, then it's home to Alabama for a week.  I think I'm going to start brewing beer when I get back to Texas for the last week of the break.  I really want a puppy, but I really don't have the time for a live animal, so I figure a hobby is the next best thing.  We shall see.