Black Friday

This was the first year I've been Black Friday shopping. My sister loves to go, and this year she was going to go by herself so I figured I'd tag along. She is 17 and I'm 18, so we're very close in age. Our relationship has grown closer as we have gotten older, so I knew we'd have a great time together.

We started off at Walmart at 10 pm Thanksgiving night. This was not a good way to start my Black Friday festivity because everyone was so rude. I thought the holidays were supposed to be about happiness and cheer, but turns out it was just awful. I saw a 60 year old woman rip games out of people's hands (including children) :( and yell profanities at them. People getting punched and even a child breaking a wrist due to the harsh actions of larger adults. I couldn't believe my eyes, luckily we had more places to go.

Later, we headed to Target and then Boston Store which was also an adventure. I had to get a belt and an ice scraper for my boyfriend's mother. We stood in line for an hour and a half at the register to check out two items, and items that weren't even worth it! Needless to say, our feet were killing after that!

To finish off the night, we headed to Shopko. By this time, it was nearing 4 am, and we were tired. We came across some large body pillows in the aisle, and we just couldn't resist. At 4 in the morning, a pillow looks pretty damn good, so we each got one and headed on our way. Although I'm not much of a shopper, I found more things than my sister did! I had an amazing time giggling and making memories with her.

Although some people are rude and take the holidays a little too seriously, I loved going Black Friday shopping. It is a tradition my sister and I are going to make and enjoy each and every year. I just hope that more and more people realize what I did- the holidays aren't about getting the perfect gifts for cheap, but just the thought that goes into each item you purchase, and the fun times and memories made along the way.

So ready for something new

I know there are only 4 weeks left in the semester, but that can not go fast enough. With the holidays quickly approaching, school is the last thing on my mind. Although finals are coming quickly, I cannot bring myself to focus on what's truly important now because I am looking forward to what is to come. I recently put up a Christmas tree in my room, and I am in the holiday spirit, ready for school to be done.

It seems as if this semester is dragging on. Although September was only 2 months ago, it feels like we started these classes an eternity ago, there's no change whatsoever. Same people, same content, everything is the same. Even in high school it seemed there was at least some variation and excitement, whereas college is just a bore.

How on earth am I going to survive 4 years of this? 8 semesters of the same old stuff, day in and day out. When people said becoming an adult was hard, they weren't kidding. It's extremely boring growing up and I'd give anything to be young again where everyday things are new and exciting.

I need some motivation to find pleasure in the little things, the everyday things during college and my years as an adult. It's so hard to focus because the holidays are approaching, which gives me the excitement I once felt in childhood. I'm looking forward to break and a new year with a new start.

Where's the friend I once knew?

I hate knowing that things that were once so close to you can change in the blink of an eye. Especially people. As silly as it may sound, my great grandma was my best friend. I called her each and everyday and we talked for hours on the phone. I'd go visit her and eat lunch with her on a daily basis during high school. I could trust her with anything and everything, and then suddenly it all changed.

I've been with my boyfriend, Jake, for 2 years now. My great grandma is very opinionated, but from the second she met Jake, she's loved him. They had a special bond. She can't drive so he'd always take her shopping and run her errands for her when she was unable to get out of the house. He treated her like family and would do anything for her. One day out of the blue, she voiced her opinion that she thought my boyfriend was running my life and ruining the friendship Grandma and I once shared. This surprised me greatly, for it seemed as if all three of us had formed a special friendship now.

Needless to say, I was devistated. How could two people I loved so much oppose each other? I confronted my great grandma and she had no problem telling me everything wrong with my significant other. It hurt to hear these lies she'd all of a sudden came up with. Although my grandma means a lot to me, what she said was very rude and I sided with Jake instead. Days and weeks went by without a phone call from my "ex-best friend". It sucked knowing that there was bad blood between us, especially because we were once so close, but I couldn't stand the thought of her dissing Jake for no reason at all. Especially when all he ever did was care for her.

About a month later, I decided to call Grandma to see how she was. We mended the rough spots, yet it's still hard to get over what she has said. Recently, I brought Jake to see Grandma, which was not a smart idea. She didn't even look at him, which was even worse. This past weekend, I went to visit her by myself. As I talked with her, I began to realize that she wasn't the woman I once knew. I still love and cherish her as a person and friend, but the argument seemed to demolish our friendship and the special bond we once shared. She's going on 90 this year, and I know we won't have many more years together. It makes me sad that things aren't like they once were, and makes me a little guilty as well. Is it wrong of me to have hard feelings towards her? I want to be able to move on, but I don't see things going back to normal.

Christmas

I know many people don't want to face it, but Christmas is just around the corner. Thanksgiving is nearly 2 weeks away, and right after that starts the 25 days of Christmas movie marathon. Many people are Scrooges and say the time flies by after Thanksgiving, but me on the other hand, I cannot wait. Black Friday, Saint Nick's, and Christmas Eve are all things I'm so ready for.

Recently, I bought a tiny little Christmas tree, complete with ornaments and colorful lights. Although I've been temped to set it up for the past three weeks, I know it's too early for that. I can't help but want to celebrate Christmas 365 days of each and every year. Something about driving around town and seeing the lights just excites me. The ringing of bells, the glowing of Christmas trees in windows, and the buzz of holiday shoppers are something I cannot get enough of. In fact, I just started purchasing presents for my loved ones. I absolutely cannot wait to start wrapping. 

Am I the only one who wishes that there would be holiday movies on 24/7? I love turning on TV and seeing bows and lights and trees. I hate the people who complain about how Christmas is coming too fast and how they have no time to shop. I believe everyone should enjoy the holidays and realize that it's not about the presents or the wrapping, its about the love people share.

Christmas- PLEASE come faster! I cannot wait to spend time with my loved ones nestled close to a fire as Christmas music plays in the background.