Baby It's Cold Outside!

Hello Christmas!
Well, I made it home, despite being sick and nearly throwing up on my fellow passengers. There was one time, I believe in Denver Colorado, that I just collapsed on the floor and stayed there until time to board my flight. People were giving me weird looks but I didn't care. It was hell getting here, but I made it. And with me I brought SNOW! I promised everyone I would bring a white Christmas and here it is!
Last night, Christmas eve, I was out at my grandparents house when the sleet and freezing rain hit. It was a blast. There were sooo many of us crammed into a small house. But I wouldn't want it any other way! We drove home at under 30mph and made it about an hour later. This morning everything was covered in 6 inches or more of snow and it's still falling. It is gorgeous!
We woke up at about 6am to get things ready for Kinsey's Christmas. At 7am we arrived at Sarah's house and all sat around wait for Kinsey to get up. Let me tell you, she is not a morning person which made things very difficult. However, she was cute as always as she opened her many gifts. Turns out we had to promise her a nap in order to get her to open them all. What kid WANTS a nap. Haha. It was funny and adorable.
Now, I am at my dads house and we are heading over to the step family Christmas at 10am. I am excited because this year we are in no rush. Plans had been smoothed over before I even got here. That is Nice! Anyways, it is always a lot of laughs and gifts and games. It should be fun. Tonight is Christmas at dads and tomorrow is Christmas at moms and then Dads extended family Christmas and I think we are wrapping everything up with a HUGE extened family portrait of moms side. This is the first Christmas in a long time that Everyone has been in from out of state. We want to capture the moment.
Well, I guess it's time to get moving again. Next stop: Shannon and Steve's' house.
Have a Merry Christmas!
♥ Melissa

Pictures to come!

Goodbye Alaska, Hello Colorado!

Well, I have stayed up way to late again. It is 1:30AM and I am preparing to hit the sack.
What has kept me up so long?! Well, I have been preparing to leave, of course! Packing Packing Packing. I always forget how tedious packing is until I put it off until last minute. That is why I have started packing a bit early. Laundry is "done up" and dishes are clean. Other peoples belongings have be distributed back to them and I feel as if I might actually be on top of my game, for once!
Okay okay. So I fly out of Juneau Wednesday (tomorrow) evening, got a night in Seattle airport and leave first thing in the morning for Colorado! I am really excited to see the state. It is some place that I always thought I might end up living in the future. It is much closer to Missouri, my family, and who cares if Warren Jeffs owns most of the land there....Maybe I will convert to fundamental Mormonism. Just kidding Mom.
Anyways, I will have to update the blog once I have safely landed near to my family. Gosh I can't wait to see them and share the holidays with them. AND MY DOG! Here in Juneau, Christmas lights are everywhere. I keep meaning to take a picture of the lights that line the trails to school. They wrap around the trees and are blue and white. It's very pretty. Also, I was telling mom today, the school has put up lights on it's buildings. It is really funny because the lights don't just hang on the buildings. They make shapes, but not just any shapes. We have Christmas lights outlining salmon, halibut, and crabs on them. How funny is that. Nothing like a bit of Salmon to get you in the mood for Christmas. They're so cute with their almost Parana like teeth.
I am, as always, being sarcastic.
It is great to see the lights around town though and also to hear people actually say Merry Christmas, not happy holidays. Feels good.
Well, I am exhausted and direly in need of sleep. Hopefully, I will update Thursday evening, but no promises. See you on the other side. And by that I mean the Lower 48!

♥ Melissa

One Week and Counting!

According to my clock, it is Wednesday (1:00am) and a week from today I will be taking my Social Psychology final, hoping on a plane and flying through the night back to Missouri. Wow. I am so excited. This is one of my favorite times of the year but I have to admit it is a bit bitter sweet. I found that the last time I was back in Missouri for a week, I was missing Alaska from day two. haha. Alaska is almost like living in a gorgeous picture and everywhere else just isn't as...what's the word...vibrant? It all seems dulled down. Plus I have made some great friendss up here. This should be interesting but either way it will be nice to have some extra time to see old friends and of course family.
There are of course a few little things that need to be taken care of before I return to MO. They're not anything to big...just a few classes to finish up. haha. and some essay finals. So here is the deal. I have two, possibly three, Yoga classes left. Then I am finished with that class all together. I have two Social Psychology classes left and a final in class next Wednesday. I have four assignments to finish up for Technology in Education class. No final in that class. I had my last class for Literature in Education last night and have my online essay final due Monday. I had my last Anthropology class tonight and that final is also online and essay format. It is due Tuesday. It seems like a lot but I am confident that I will get it all finished...eventually.
Good news. I got my Praxis scores back today. Well most of them. The writing section is still being processed which I am not sure that I did very well on. However, my math and reading comprehension results were great. I passed both with flying colors, receiving a 181/190 on math ( I bet I can tell you the questions that I missed too, just by making a stupid mistake. I realized this later of course!) and a 179/190 in the reading. It feels really great to have those scores back and gives me a little bit of a confidence boost knowing that I didn't even have time to study one bit for these tests. So, the Praxis one is over and now all I have to worry about is the praxis two and middle school testing in the far future. Merry Christmas too ME.
So what is in store for this and next week? Well, I am planning on finishing my online tests and assignments before the end of the week. That will leave me with only my psych test next week and a yoga class. Hopefully this weekend I can get in some ice skating, my new hobby. I just recently pick up some new Nike, Bauer hockey skates and am really excited to try them out. Unfortunately. I have not had much time lately. No worries though because I am bringing them home with me. Anyone know how to skate? Anyone know where the nearest ice rink is? haha
See you all soon!
♥ Melissa

I'm dreaming of a white CHRISTMAS!!

Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! I can't believe how the time has flown. It seems like just yesterday I was waiting for Christmas 08 and New Years 09 to get over with so I could begin my new Alaskan Adventure. And what an adventure it has been. Now, I am a week and a half away from returning home. I want to start packing now. You think it's too early? haha.
So I have already placed some "to dos" on my agenda. The first is a basketball game at the high school that my cousin will be playing in. It is the night that I arrive in town and you better believe I am always up for a good game of bball no matte how tired I am. Also, this years Christmas is already falling into place. Looks like things are going to be planned out and less stressful this year. I am so excited to see everyone and although Juneau has already had plenty of snow this year, I am hoping that Missouri has a VERY white Christmas... I'm hoping to bring it home with me. haha.
I guess I should stop thinking so much about the holidays and focus more on what is right in front of me, like yoga in 10 min, and a few thousand homework assignments and test to finish before I leave.
See you all soon!
♥ Melissa