Christmas time is here...

Okay, so Christmas time has been here, but honestly, I haven't really felt the Christmas spirit too much this season.  I think it mostly has to do with the fact that I wasn't with my family for the holidays this year, so it just wasn't the same.  To be fair, it's not bad being back in California.  It's nice being back home, and the Troub's have been great, but without my own family, it's just not the same.

I did have a good Christmas day, though.  My parents were awesome and got me a 64 GB 4th Generation iPod touch, which has a microphone and camera, which is way nice :)  I won't really be taking it anywhere with me until I buy a case and screen protector for it, though, I don't want it to get scratched up.  Kathy was really funny when she wrapped it, she put it in about five or six different boxes all inside of each other to try and mask what it was from me.  I got some great new clothes, consisting of a cute black skirt, the most adorable dress you've ever seen, and black tights with designs on them.  Then I got a Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants/Pearl of Great Price in Russian!  Honestly, the scriptures in Russian are kind of daunting.  They remind me of how little Russian I actually know, but hopefully they'll make me aspire to work harder.  I also got some cute German pottery; they are a tea cup and a plate with musical instruments all over them.  My mom said that I'm not actually supposed to use them, that they're just a collector's item, so that's just more stuff I have to carry around with me ;)  But I do like it.  I got a cute little keychain attachment with the Dutch colors on it.  Then from Santa I got a TON of gummy bears, which was nice since I was running low on those, and some awesome toe socks :)

So basically, I had a good haul this year :)  But let's get real, people.  Christmas isn't about our awesome presents.  In my last post I already talked about the true reason for the holiday, and that we should focus on the Savior.  I know that I myself did not do this so much.  During the Christmas concert it was much easier, because we had beautiful music to invite the Spirit and thoughts of the Savior, but then finals hit, and life became hectic, and then it was time for vacation.  I've never been super good at keeping the Savior in mind during Christmas time, and this year was definitely an improvement for me, but I still wish I had thought about Him more, especially this week, but I've just been so lazy and embracing the fact that there is no school right now that my head and heart haven't been in the right place.  And it isn't just the Christmas season I've been slacking in this, but in general I don't think about the Savior enough in my life like I should.  This is definitely something for me to improve on.  A New Year's resolution, maybe?

I am so grateful for my life.  I have been given so many wonderful opportunities, and have been blessed with so many awesome people in my life.  This school year has been so great thus far, and I hope I have at least as good of a semester this winter as I did in the fall, if not better.  Strangely enough, I'm looking forward to getting back to school (I say that now, but halfway through January I'll be begging for my next break haha).  I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the holiday season!  I love you all :)