My Graduation Dinner

My mother is so sweet because she made me one of my all time favorite dishes upon request - chicken enchilades! I have watched her make this dish quite a few times as a teenager and it never looked easy. I was thrilled to have them after a few years of living without them. My graduation dinner was wonderful! Thank you, Mom!

Happy New Year!

Yay! This is my first post in the new year. I'm really excited for 2009 and all of the, hopefully, goodness it has in store.

Anyway, I've been keeping busy with odds and ends. I recently became obsessed with redecorating our apartment and displaying our photographs in fames. I've made a few trips to the craft store to take advantage of the great after-xmas sales and was able to purchanse 8 frames for a great, low price :)

Another great piece of news is that my friends recently welcomed their second son, David, to their family. I have been going over to their house to help in whatever way I can. Their older son, Joey, is 5 and has a wonderful imagination. We've been doing a lot of crafts together and playing "pretend" by dressing up and getting the bad guys.

Let the R & R Begin!!

I attached a previous post of my regarding some things on my "to do" list after graduating. That time has finally arrived and I'm getting started!

1. I'm beginning "The Senator's Wife" for the third time, but this time I'll be able to finish it! yay!

2. I received some unexpected help with #2 on the list. The firm I work for has an annual Holiday Wish Drive that involves local businesses and organization donating gifts to be raffled on with all proceeds going to local charities. The event is wonderful, but as you can imagine, more people weren't as liberal with their money this year. I purchased a few $1 dollar tickets to put in the bags with the prizes I liked. One of the prizes was a free manicure/pedicure at a spa in Rittenhouse. AND I WON! I never win, ever! This is the first time I won in 3 years and it couldn't have come at a better time. I'm going to try and use it before the New Year.

3. I think Tom and I are going to the movie theatre today to see the new James Bond movie.

#s 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8 are next!

Things I want to do immediately after this semester is over:

1. Read books I WANT to read
2. spend a girly day at the salon/spa (I don't usually do this, but feel like I'll be needing one)
3. go to the movie theater - i can't remember when I was last there
4. get involved with environmental initiatives
5. go hiking
6. cook and bake - i want to try new recipes
7. spend time with ivy
8. prepare some homemade gifts for xmas

I'm a Master!!

...in Library Science that is! I successfully completed my Master's degree last night and stayed up until the wee hours of the morning celebrating. It feels SO good to be done and to finally be able to have some free time for myself. It is also a relief to not have to think about the next project, report, and paper to do.

I don't want to get sappy, but I'm really thankful for everyone who has supported me the last two years while I was in the process of achieving my goal. Thank you!!!