Advent, Christmas, Snow, the WHOLE Deal!

So it's going on three weeks since my last post. After posting each day of the month of November, I guess my brain was a little shot. I am working on some ideas for the new year because it's about time to shake things up.

After leaving the four weeks leading up to Christmas last year entirely to Advent, I cracked and put up the Christmas tree and other decorations this year on November 25th. It's just what I'm used to. And I was bored that day, and the football game wasn't being shown on television, and, well, what do you want me to say?? One year spent in a monastery couldn't change everything, you know. I did miss not being surrounded by everything, but it was nice to get a little Advent on my Saturday
nights.

I didn't make it home for Christmas day this year, but instead spent it with my Benedictine family. I enjoyed it very much, and it filled that spot in my heart that I know I would not be able to fill anywhere else, but I did miss my family back in my hometown. I will be visiting them this weekend. It makes for present suspense!

And the BEST thing happened on Christmas Eve just before the evening service at the Mount. SNOW! Unfortunately it all but disappeared by Christmas morning, but it was pretty while it lasted. Although, the day after Christmas brought at least 6 inches. I like snow. I missed it last year. Had tons of property around me to play in...hardly any snow. Go figure.

Some holiday baking. I did make cutouts, unfortunately there is no photographic evidence.

Our first real snow of the year! The steps, walkway, and sidewalk to the house were all shoveled twice since 5pm. You'd never know.

With the flash so you can see the amount of snow in the air!

Pushing Forward

The winter season at work has begun, Advent is here, and I am gearing up to return to my studies by entering graduate school shortly after the new year. It's a lot to take in all at once, but as I've said before, I always welcome change. Sometimes I am more prepared than at other times, but things always work out in their own way.

I think I mentioned before that my classroom dynamic was changing for the winter months. So from now through March I will have an interesting mix of ages and abilities, from discovering their voices and just learning to talk, to that wonderful world of potty training. All in one class. Yup. It's never boring, that's for sure.

The Advent season has begun again, and while I am not surrounded by it like I was last year, I still get my reflection fix Saturday nights with vigil. It's a nice way to center myself at the end of one week and just before the beginning of the next, and it helps me appreciate this time of year.

And last but not least, I am going back to school. After a year and a half away from the books, I'm ready to return and continue with my studies. I will be attending Case Western Reserve University's Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences in Cleveland to study for my Master of Science in Social Administration, which is a really wordy way of saying I am a graduate social work student. The best thing? I don't even have to move to Cleveland. I will be taking classes online. No less legit than sitting in the classroom, mind you. I am really excited and proud of myself. I know it will be a lot of hard work and dedication on my part, but I know I am capable of succeeding.



2 weeks left until Christmas! I should get going on my shopping...