12.11.13

• I got up early to drive into the college town and get to studying. I thought I would hit a lot of traffic, but I didn't hit any at all. Pleasant surprise.
• Our program gives us access to free printing, which is just a nice little bonus. I printed out some last minute notes and a lecture, then went to a local coffee shop I love
• And got their hot chocolate. Now, I'm a huge Starbucks fan, but this local shop does have better hot chocolate, even with nonfat milk and no whipped cream. They use Ghiradelli powder, I expect that's why.
• I arrived an hour and a half before my meeting time with my study partners, and I got a lot done, silently focused, for most of that time.
• Both of my study partners arrived on time, and although it kept us from studying as much, it was nice to trade stories with them about studying and the holiday season and other things. We make each other laugh a lot. They are sweet women.
• I thought ahead and packed enough food that I didn't feel tempted to buy more for lunch, so I saved a few bucks.
• We eventually went back to our program building, where a lot of other people were also studying, and I got to see some of my friends one more time before the holidays.
• The program director was kind enough to give Rachel and me a ride to campus for the test.
• The final wasn't too bad. I had been pretty nervous, but the professors had written it to be much more manageable than the midterm had been. What a relief.
• I'm not sure how I did, but I think I did pretty well. And I'm SO GLAD IT'S DONE.
• Then the program director picked us back up to take us back to the program building
• AND he bought pizza for everyone in the class I TA, just to be nice because it's the middle of finals week. They were so happy (so was I).
• He even made a point to ask what mine and Rachel's favorite pizzas were, and got one of each for us specifically.
• One of the students in the class I TA even gave me a hug because she was so happy about the pizza I guess. (I'm not that huggy of a person but it was a sweet gesture.)
• And there was pizza leftover to take home to Jack, which is always nice.
• I so enjoyed being at home and just making paper snowflakes and otherwise goofing around doing non-studying things.
• I also got to finally finish the movie we rented like two weeks ago on Netflix, and
• I got to stay up late, guiltlessly.

Thank you, coffee shops, for helping me get ready for finals.