I love Christmas! Who doesn’t? I mean, in the end even the Grinch and Scrooge had a change of heart. It's hard not to catch the holiday spirit here in Scranton. I started off the week the best way I can think of - Holiday Mass in the Byron Center! The gym was decked out in all its holiday finery and smelled of my favorite Christmas scent, incense and pine. After the mass we had a candle lit procession to the huge Christmas tree outside Gunster, where we lit the tree ("Ooooh, Ahhhhhh!") and sang carols. The festivities didn't stop there, either. Pictures with Santa, gingerbread cookies, and hot cocoa all followed. I wish you could have seen it. Imagine a dark night with snow softly falling on about 200 students bundled up and carrying candles. The candles looked like strands of Christmas lights in the dark. It really was beautiful.
We "decked the halls" in Nevils, too! My roommate, Corrie, and I have had all 5 strands of Christmas lights up since we got back from Thanksgiving break. We hung the stockings by the mini-fridge with care, and put up our little tree too! Our hall's Christmas tree is cute, too, in a Charlie Brown Christmas tree sort of way. I love walking through the other doors that are all decorated. My favorite has to be first floor Casey, where my best friend, Diana, lives. All of their doors are decorated so are the bathroom mirrors!
As much as I love how everyone is in the Christmas spirit and excited for the season, I can't wait to go home and see my family. First things first, though, I have to get through my finals! (Uuugggghhhh.) I only have four, but I'd be happier with none. My Intro to Drama final is actually a project where my group acts out a scene from the play, Fences. This is the only final I'm actually excited about. I'll get through them, though. I'll just have to log in some extra hours in the Lib.
I experience a great example the other day of how close-knit the Scranton family is. I got a text from my friend, Joe Curci, telling me that his mom read my blog and asked him if he knew me. I loved it! My family at home keeps up with the Scranton news, as well as all my teachers back at my old high school, Bishop George Ahr. The University of Scranton connection can be felt in a lot of places you don't realize. It's my extra-extended family.
So from my huge family here to yours, have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Becky