It's been awhile...

Yikes. I should probs update this thing more often than every four months.

Well, I'm half way through my senior year of college, and one semester away from being a nurse. I'm still kind of shocked/trying to take it all in. College has been the craziest, most awesome blur, and it's weird to think that it will be over soon.

Today was Christmas, the day that everyone most loves during the year. Ok, well probably not EVERYONE, but you know... The Pirottes always make Thanksgiving the legit holiday, but I have to say, this Christmas was pretty freakin fantastic. We usually spend Christmas with Mom's family, and that is precisely what happened...

I also gained five pounds. Today.

I'm leaving for Buenos Aires in a couple of days!! It's going to be really awesome for several reasons: 1. it's summer there. 2. I get to speak spanish all day for three weeks 3. we get to meet Los Pirottes del Sur!! It's gonna be fantastic.

I've also been thinking about post-graduation plans. First off: HOLY BALLS I'M GRADUATING IN 5 MONTHS. Second of all: boards are going to make me crap my pants. Third of all, it will be really weird to live life without school in it, at least for the time being. Grad school is definitely in the words, but not for a few years. I need a break, for shiz.

As far as living situations, I'm kind of torn between two cities. First of all, I want to live in a place where I don't need a car. They are expensive, dangerous, and bad for the environment, and I just hate driving, so why do I need to keep my car? Also, I want to get re-involved in theatre and music, and bigger cities have more opportunities for that. Also, bigger cities are more glamorous, let's be honest.

Originally, I was going to move with a friend of mine to Chicago. I wanted to go to NYC, but she didn't, so we compromised on Chicago. I love Chicago, but the weather is a pretty big deterrent. Though, I have Matt (my cousin) there, who claims he can get me a job (we'll see, he THINKS he's a big deal, HA!), it's a hop and a skip home, and it's much closer to the people I love. Cost of living is less than New York, but is it really worth being cold as hell for 7 months of the year?

New York, on the other hand, is also a fantastic city, it was my first choice, and I have friends there as well. Uncle Pete Gonzales and family are also a hop and a skip, and Josh (basically my little brother) is living there. Cost of living is ridiculous, but I'd really like to say that I've lived there. Besides the "cool" factor, I think living in New York, or a place like it, could teach me a lot, and provide me with a lot of opportunities that I wouldn't otherwise have. We'll see. I WILL be in one of those two cities this time next year.

Life is getting exciting! It's stressful to think about, but very, very exciting at the same time. I'll get to LIVE. I won't be chained to books, I can delve into things like Big Brothers Big Sisters/volunteer work, I can go to shows, and just plain explore a city without having to worry about an assignment or a test coming up. I can't even imagine what that's like, but I can't wait until it is the reality.

This time of year, I am so thankful for the people in my life and how they have gotten me where I am today. I would not be the same person without the ridiculous, fun, supportive, loving crowd that I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by for the past 22 years. Life is good, and it's only going to get better.