How Do You Do Christmas?

I was recently tagged by Cheryl in a Christmas meme. It's fun to anwer the questions about my Christmas Traditions.(Source)

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate? Either. I don't consider hot chocolate to be a "Christmas" drink, just a winter drink. So egg not is something special for Christmas time.

2. Does Santa wrap gifts or just leave them under the tree? I think we usually got one "big" unwrapped gift and the stocking stuffers from Santa. The rest I think were from mom and dad. But I'm sure it was different every year.

3. Colored lights or white? Yes please. It depends on my mood. Both are pretty.

4. Mistletoe? I've never seen any outside of the movies.

5. When do you put your decorations up? I didn't put up any decorations this year. When I'm home with my mom, it's usually just shortly after Thanksgiving. Never before.

6. Favorite Christmas dish? I like our new tradition of prime rib on Christmas day.

7. Favorite childhood memory? One year we went to PA to visit my grandparents and the entire family came in. It snowed about 2 feet, and we had the most amazing time sledding on the giant hills.

8. When did you learn the truth about Santa? I've always known there is a little Santa in everyone. However, I found out the truth in 2nd/3rd grade. I don't remember which.

9. Do you open gifts on Christmas eve or Christmas morning? Sometimes we get to open a couple gifts on Christmas eve, but mostly it's all Christmas morning. You know at 3am when no one can sleep anymore... ok maybe 6am.

10. How do you decorate your tree? Sentimental ornaments collected over the years. I especially love snowmen. And all the angel ornaments have to go near the top of the tree. No breakable ornaments near the bottom or the animals will knock them off.

11. Snow! Love it or despise it? If I don't have to drive anywhere and sledding is an option, then I love it!

12. Ice skating? I'm horrible, but I'll try once in a while. I've only skated indoors though, so boring.

13. Favorite gift, ever? I don't have one favorite gift.

14. Most important part of the holidays? Jesus

15. Favorite holiday sweets? All of them! Puppy chow, chocolate chip cookies w/ butterscotch chips, pie, I love sweets!

16. Favorite holiday tradition? I like the years we go to Florida to visit my grandparents.

17. What tops your tree? It used to be Angel Ashley (my sister made a paper angel with her face on it in preschool). She didn't want it to get ruined, so I'm not sure what goes on top now.

18. Giving or receiving? Both. I love giving when I've found the perfect gift for someone that I just know they'll love.

19. Candy canes? They're ok. I like the different flavors, but I'd rather just have hard candy.

20. Favorite Christmas show? Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

21. Saddest Christmas song? Christmas songs aren't sad to me. Maybe emotional or moving, but not sad.

22. Favorite Christmas song? Silent Night or O Holy Night

How about you? Answer any of the questions in the comments or send me a link if you answer them on your own blog. I think it's so neat to learn about different traditions.

Oh ChemisTree, Oh ChemisTree...

...how lovely are your beakers?
I thought this was a very creative Christmas tree created out of beakers and colored water.

And who says science and religion can't mix? ;)

Happy Happy Happy!!

I was recently tagged with the Happy 101 award by a few people: Becky, Lisa, Katie, and Sarah. (If there was anyone I forgot, I'm so sorry!!)

I'm supposed to list 10 things that make me happy. Since I've been awarded more than one and have taken so long to do this, I will make a list for me and a list for Luffy.

10 Things That Make Me Happy:

1. Luffy- what a cutie pie!


2. Days when I get to sleep in


3. My family, especially my mom and sister


4. Reconnecting with long lost friends and staying connected to that one friend or two forever


5. Chocolate chip cookies with butterscotch chips


6. Muppets, especially Kermit the Frog


7. Animated Disney movies, and Disney theme parks!


8. Traveling and coming back home again


9. Warm blankets on my bed in the winter


10. Sitting around with Nick and Luffy doing absolutely nothing

10 Things That Make Luffy Happy:

1. Momma and Daddy


2. Eating noms (food)


3. Chewing bones


4. Barking at the front door whenever anyone goes in or out of their apartment


5. Other doggies that like to play


6. Poopin' and running away from it


7. Playing in the snow


8. Chasing leaves


9. Cuddling in a warm bed


10. Just being a dog with no worries

I'm suposed to pass it along to more people. So I'd like to pass it back to all the wonderful ladies who awarded me. And then because I want to make everyone happy, I'm giving the award to all of you! You are all wonderful and deserve to be happy. If you make a list, just be sure to let me know so I can check it out!

Fall Into Reading Wrap-Up

Today is the official first day of winter, although it's felt like it for a lot longer than that. How did you do on your fall reading lists? I did my best, but didn't quite get through my list. Here's how I did:

Original List

• The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown (review)
• The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown - currently reading
• The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger -on my queue at the library
• The Silver Chair (Chronicle's of Narnia #6) by C.S. Lewis (review)
• The Last Battle (Chronicle's of Narinia #7) by C.S. Lewis (review)

Additional Books

• High Five by Janet Evanovich (review)

So I didn't do too bad. Actually I think that's pretty good considering the amount of reading I've been doing for class and GMAT studying. Hopefully I can get some reading in during this break between semesters.

My Baby is 2!!

Today is Luffy's 2nd birthday. Or at least today is the day that it's observed. Luffy was adopted as a stray from the shelter, so who knows what day he was really born. (Remember: don't shop; adopt!)

Luffy was very excited when he found his birthday present.

Hooray for a new nylabone and tiny plastic shards all over the apartment! Hehe! :)

Addicted to Etsy

So I recently discovered the treasury feature on Etsy. And I am addicted. Check out the treasury I created. It expires Friday night/ Saturday morning, so hop on it.And yes, I really am up at 1:30am. I drank too much Pepsi and can't sleep. ;P

Yippie!

These past few weeks have been very busy. Remember how I needed to study for the GMAT? Well I took the test last week and got a 700!! The test is out of 800, and I needed a 620 to get into my program. So I'd say I just very well. Thanks to everyone for their warm good luck wishes!

Right after taking the GMAT began final exam study time. Both of those were yesterday. I don't find out my scores for another day or so, but I'm sure I did fine. At least good enough to keep my grades up.

So now that the GMAT is out of the way and classes are done until January, I actually have some free time on my hands. Lately I've begun knitting hats and scarves on a circle loom. (I think I could also make leg warmers and cowls/neck warmes as well.) I'll put up pictures in another post soon. I've been having so much fun making them, but I just don't need that many hats! I've though about opening at Etsy shop to sell some. Not for a profit really, but just to cover the costs. If I were to do that though, I'm a little torn on which yarns to use. Right now I just buy cheap stuff. Better quality yarn would cost more, but it would sell for more too. But if the hats don't sell, then I have more money wrapped up in them. And giving them as gifts to family members might not work since my mom and sister make them too. So many things to think about! But at least I have the time now to do what I want!