After a shortened stay at home for Christmas break, I am back to my cozy little room in my cozy little house on cozy little Ashland Avenue. It’s nearing the midnight hour and I’m enjoying the basement and my scented candles (a privilege reserved for off-campus students). Tonight it is an AMAZING Archipelago Mango Tangerine soy candle and a “Bali Sunrise” soy candle.

Tonight’s musical selection? The Weepies’ second album, “Say I Am You.” No joke, cracks my top ten all-time favorite albums list. Maybe even top five. Check it out here.

I am not here to lie to you people. J-Term RULES. I’m not taking any classes this month so I can just BE. Mind you, I’m finding ways to occupy my time. Here’s what I’m up to:

1. Finishing up my application for study abroad next fall semester – Catholic Studies in ROME. Fun fact: I hate airplanes. Like, it’s sad. It is almost enough to dissuade me from study abroad altogether. But, no. Get thee behind me, irrational fears. If it’s God’s will for me to go to Rome, then he’ll provide the Grace for me to get on that plane for 9 hours or whatever forsaken length of time it is.
2. Sculpt Yoga – $50 ain’t bad for eight hour-long sessions of kick-your-butt yoga, cardio, and strength training. Apparently Jillian Michaels whipping me into shape just isn’t enough, because I felt like I hadn’t worked out in months during the first class on Tuesday. Today I went easy on myself and used 2-lb weights. You jest, but doing six million reps with 4-lbs in each hand is no easy task. Plus, I don’t want no massive bulky muscle-man arms when this is all over. Lean and mean, baby!
3. Reading – I love getting to choose the books I read. Right now, I’m working my way through Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone With The Wind,” and I am LOVING IT. I doubt I would like Scarlett O’Hara very much were I to meet her in person, but she is just so darn charming in the book that I can’t help loving her. Sneak peek: Next on the reading list is “Brothers Karamazov.” Can’t wait!
4. Basketball and Tennis – Some of my housemates, our friends at the men’s house, and lots of other friends get together periodically for pickup games of basketball at the AARC on campus. It’s a great opportunity for me to show off my mad hops. (Not to be bragadocious, but I was a regional free-throw champion when I was 9 years old. It’s okay if you’re jealous.)

It’s gonna be a tough wake-up call when spring semester rolls around …