Finals, Papers, and Year-End

Short one today, folks,

I can't believe how much I've been neglecting this blog. Call it a case of the Year-End Stresses. Finished my first final exam at the graduate level today. I'm glad I spend three straight days studying, but it was easier than I thought it was going to be. Now I just have one final (Statistics) and two papers left to write. Then I get to go home!

That's right! This out-of-town Westerner is going home for Christmas. And she can't wait.

I get to see my mom and my dad! I get to see my brother! I get to see all my friends!
I get to see real snow. Feel real cold.
I finally get to drive again! I can't believe how much I miss driving my car. I'm going to say it, I love me my little gas burner; environment be damned.
I get to go back to a real city. I know. Toronto is a real city. It's just not my real city. It's more of a metropolis than a city. This displaced Albertan is looking forward to being back in Edmonton.

I thought of making a list of all of the things I am missing the most, but realized that the list would be about the length of a thesis dissertation. Let's just suffice to say that above all else, I'm looking forward to seeing family. And friends. But as much as I love my friends, nothing beats a hug from Mom and Dad.

All right, now I'm just throwing myself a pity party. Seven days and I won't be so homesick. Until then, I'm peace-ing out on the blog. I'll do a good one about being home. About how "the air is sweeter," "the snow is whiter," "the hockey is better," and "the politics are..." Okay, even though I'm swimming in "lefties" out here, the existence of Rob Ford has really made me doubt this whole "left-wing" Easterner bit. I don't really know what "the politics are" here, but I've got to say, Alberta has had a couple of political doozies since I left.

Until next week,

Cait

Tis the Season!!

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, dear readers,

It is December 1st and Christmas is coming. Seventeen days until I fly home. Twenty-five days until Christmas Day. Thirty-one days until the new year. Thirty-six days until my birthday. I love this season!

When I went to class this afternoon I was joyfully surprised to find my Residence Lobby had been decorated with yuletide cheer. There's a Christmas tree with lights and ornaments, a garland with a wreath over-top the front desk, and a large, white, lit-up moose (our residence mascot). 

 I have a Christmas moose hanging on my door.

 I have advent stockings hanging on my wall (I have no chimney, or else they would be hung there with care).

The only thing missing... Snow.

December 1st and this blasted city has no snow. No winter wonderland for me to wake up to. No winter wonderland to trek through to class. December 1st and I haven't even taken my winter coat out of the closet.

I miss Edmonton in the winter. There's something sadly magical about the need to put winter tires on your car in late-October. There's something truly magical about seeing the Alberta Legislature lit up with Christmas lights and covered in snow. There's something welcoming about blanketed fields and ploughed gravel roads.

I'm looking forward to finding my own winter wonderland here in my adoptive city, but until there's snow, I just can't get attached.

I love winter.

I love snow.

I love this season!

I'm looking forward to heading home for the holidays to see my family, my friends, my city, my snow, and my winter.

Until then...
I leave you with a little "Let it Snow" performed by Jamie Cullum.

Cait