# eighteen

Christmas was wonderful! I had a nice Christmas and was able to spend a lot of time with my family and friends! On Saturday, December 27th, we had our family Christmas party! It was so much fun! I got many nice gifts! I am looking forward to the rest of my break! I do not start school again until January 20th! Today is my friend Natalie Hahn's birthday and tonight we are all going out for pizza to celebrate! I hope everyone else had a fabulous holiday! Ciao!

numero 17

I am finally home for Christmas and I am so happy to be home! I worked so hard all semester and I am glad to finally have a break. I ended up with all B's and one A for the semester! When I got home from Columbia my family and I went to Historic St. Charles. We went to the antique shops that were all decked out for the holidays. It was so much fun. Afterwards we all went out to eat at Pasta House...so good! On Monday night Laura, Jordan, and I went down to the Hahn's house and we had some Christmas Joy! We all decorated a gingerbread house and made Christmas shaped chocolates. After all our hard work and creativity in the kitchen we all had some hot chocolate! It was so much fun and a great way to get into the spirit of Christmas! Yesterday Steve and Zack came over to exchange Christmas gifts. I gave Steve a really nice sweater and he gave me some slippers, black nail polish, and a diamond necklace! It is so beautiful! I was really suprised! Well today is Christmas Eve! Tonight my family and I will eat snacks and watch "A Child's Christmas in Wales" and "It's a Wonderful Life"...two of my favorites! I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!

Sedici

Last night I saw the Magic Tree! It was so amazing! For the past fourteen years this family in Columbia decorates a crab apple tree in their front yard! The first year they decorated the tree it took 3000 lights. Now it takes about 7500 lights! It was nice to get away from my homework last night and admire this beautiful tree! :) Only 11 more days until I get to come home for Christmas! I can't wait!!!

XV

Finals are coming up really soon...I have so much cramming to do in the next couple of days just to get my final projects done and start studying for finals! Ugh...this is the worst time of the academic year! I wish I could just sit back and enjoy the holiday season! It has been so cold lately...had some snow flurries the last couple of days...maybe there is hope for a white Christmas this year! :) I will be heading home on December 18th and I can't wait! I am getting ready to go to my Italian lab...hopefully we will get out early I have so much to do! Hope every one makes it through their last weeks of work and school! Good Luck! Gotta go to lab...Ciao!