December....already?!

Where has the time gone?!  Tomorrow is the first of December already, and it seems like it was just August and I was starting school!  Finals next week, and then a very looooong winter break---although without snow, it doesn't seem very wintry.  Considering we had to turn on the air conditioner yesterday (it was over 80) and then today it was a brisk 47 degrees when I got to school...the heat got turned on.  I feel like a total weenie, especially because Spokane now has almost two feet of snow.  How quickly I have adapted to the warmer climate of the south...

Which brings me to the holiday season.  Unfortunately, I'm not feeling very Christmas-y for several reasons.  First...there's no snow here.  I can't believe I miss snow.  Let me clarify.  I miss the IDEA of snow, on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day...maybe New Year's, too.  But...there's something so refreshing about a blanket of snow, a fire in the fireplace, hot coffee, warm pajamas and blankets, and a good book or movie marathon that makes December so much more bearable!  Second...for the first time in a few years, I won't be in Spokane for the cookie decorating.  Yes, I realize I can and will have my own day here in Austin, but it's simply not the same.  Have I griped about it in the past?  Of course, especially when my days off were few and far between.  I'm sure I'll speak with everyone, but it's definitely not going to be the same.  Finally, this is the first holiday I will ever have spent away from my family.  Over the past few years, yes, not everyone has been together, but this is the very first holiday that I won't have celebrated with my parents.  And that makes me sad.  I know I'll get to see them later in January, but looking at the pictures from last Christmas makes me wish I could be at my house on Willowell, cooking in my little kitchen, fire in the fireplace, and celebrating with my mom and dad.

Enough moping around.  I need to think positively because I'm heading BACK to the podiatrist to see if I'm officially released to start running again.  PLEASE.