I miss my bros already:(

Final Grades

Thought I'd brag a bit...

Sociology (Race, Class, and Gender in the US): A
Statistics: A
Physics: A
English (Literature in Religion): A

I'm pretty satisfied:)

Reasons I still don't drink

I get asked why I don't drink A LOT. So here it is..
1. Every minute of my life is a gift from God and the least I can do to show my thankfulness is to live each moment fully aware and present.
2. I'm all about living up to your potential, and to do that at all times I need to be sober at all times.
3. There is no need. I don't want to escape nor do I need it to have fun.
4. I've only got one physical body and I want to keep it as healthy as I can.
5. The Buddha says that we learn and grow every moment, through every experience, I want to be aware at all times so that I can gain the most from life and continue down the path of enlightenment.
6. Drinking too much is dangerous and when I did drink those four years ago I was never good at not drinking too much.
7. Things like this happen:) http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090101/ap_on_re_us/home_shooting


Is that enough?

New Year Resolutions

1. Semester at Sea!!!!
2. Healthy body, healthy mind
3. Growth in my Spirituality
4. Stay in better contact with all my family
5. The Smith boys to college!!!!
6. Amazing Grades
7. Find great housing for next year
8. Keep financially stable
9. Stay organized
10. Learn a new skill

Break

Well my Christmas break has been pretty fabulous so far. I spent a good deal of my time at home with my best friend Carrie and my "brothers" Dylan and Evan. I also got to see a few friends from Santa Clara who live in the area. I watched way too many movies and ate way too much pie. On new years eve I flew to Nebraska, which is where I am at now. I'm visiting family who I haven't seen since graduation and meeting family that was born since then(baby Molly is adorable). This break has been about being outside and getting my fix of all my small town girl desires because I probably won't be going home again for another six months! All in all very enjoyable break.

Home

Wow, so Washington is cold. But its good to be back, I have nothing planned while I'm home and I LOVE it! If anything exciting happens I'll be sure to write about it, but until then, I'm putting big warm socks on and watching Law and Order.
MUCH LOVE!

What would Jesus Buy?

I am reminded this holiday season, as I am every holiday season of what is most important, what I care for, and of course; what I want for Christmas. Every year I am the pain in the butt family member who refuses to make a list of cds and gift certificates and such that I want for Christmas. Its a struggle every year. As a Buddhist I don't need nor want material gifts from people. Don't get me wrong. I appreciate every gift that has ever been given to me. I don't look down on any one who gives or receives a gift because I understand the love behind it is what is actually important. So its difficult to make a list, of things when really I'd like to take out the middle man and just take the love you offer through the gifts. I always feel bad for my family and friends who feel obligated to buy me things despite my claims because they want to show their love, and since I don't make a list its always difficult to guess what I would want. But everyone needs to understand that the best way to show some stubborn, opinionated, college student, Buddhist that you love her is through the things that don't come in a box. Sit down and have a conversation with me, read my favorite book The Buddha and the Terrorist, Call me up unexpectedly just to chat, volunteer somewhere and tell me all about it, donate to a charity under my name, tell me something I don't know about you, introduce me to something new, ect. Of course, I can't deny that I too ask for things that I need like financial help for Semester at Sea or school in general. But i would honestly prefer anything from the prior list than a check any day. Just food for thought. Merry Christmas.