• 12/1/12 And thus I start the next phase of my existence: The Twenties. Spent the day in the NYC Subway System. Every train went to the wrong place, like an episode of the Twilight Zone but all around a fantastic adventure.
• 12/2/12 JOY!
• 12/3/12 Basement A of the Library- no talking, no potty, no cell phone reception. There isn't even light to distract you.
• 12/4/12 Sea Gulls only come to UConn during rain storms.
• 12/5/12 Went to the UConn Infirmary today to get a vaccination. The Nurse had me blow bubbles (she could see how nervous I was) while she gave me the shot. I was so nervous, I was shacking and spilled bubbles everywhere but by the end of it I was laughing and hardly noticed when she was done! While sitting in her office for the mandatory 20min after, she imparted some wise words. I really was enriched by our conversation.

Ethan:"You have enough time in your day to stop and listen to your watch tick?!"

• 12/6/12 Halil Dinner at Eastern! Ate an inhuman amount of latkes. Ethan was even able to take some home and will be eating them through the remainder of the winter. Then went and played racket ball (or a silly variation) with Erin, Ethan and Kenzie.
• 12/7/12 Busy day of review before finals. Went to dinner with Brad and Ethan at McMahon. Ethan was very sweet to accompany me to the world premiere of "Always Hope". An opera written by a UConn student. The student wrote the play as his Honors Thesis. When it finally finished (2.75 min later) I much appreciated Ethan's positivity. I was beginning to lose hope that the play would EVER END! AND THEN Ethan went grocery shopping with me! Gah! This boyfriend takes such good care of me!
• 12/8-14/12 Finals.

Txt from Patrick: John mentioned it, he said, "have you ever known celicia to drop f bombs and drink jell-o shots?"

Pre-UConn Dairy Bar: "1 final failed, 3 more to go...that's reason enough for me to celebrate!" Post-UConn Dairy Bar: "Same time tomorrow?"

Me to George (Brad's Greek Friend who has "impeccably groomed eyebrows"): "Oh-my-word George! We should do eyebrow-plucking-baklava night!"

• 12/8-14/12 Cont: Finals went well. The sad thing is that next week I will have no idea what I learned in any of my classes.
• 12/15/12 Christmas-ifying! This process always starts and ends with tea time, a meal and a nap. We ALL have to have a say in which tree we get and we aren't always in collaboration. By the end of it, my Dad is off walking through the tree farm some where ("enjoying the smell of the pines"), my Mom is in the car and the sister's are doing our best to come to a conclusion. This year, as the 3rd tree farm we looked at was about to close, and sun set was upon us, we made the decided that the Babies should just choose. By the end of the day Christmas had successfully puked on our entire house.
• 12/17/12 Today I was weepy for great joy and great sadness. It was such a strange range of emotions. The day was rainy and my heart was heavy. I had trouble focusing on my work, all I could think about was the funerals of the children from Newtown...they were the same age as Farra. BUT I was also excited and happy for Ethan and I. Today is our 2 year anniversary!
• 12/17/12 Cont: Ethan and I had a very romantic dinner together. Grandma donated crystal candle holders, candle sticks and linens - bright yellow napkins (which is my favorite color) and a white lace table cloth. She is so sweet! She even told Ethan to keep the candle holders "for next weeks anniversary" haha! After dinner, which Ethan and I made together, Ethan showed me all the letters and ticket he had saved from our first year together. I'm so blessed to have him in my life.
• 12/18/12 USGS Office Christmas Party! Lots of very interesting and delicious food. Potlucks are the best! Ethan played his guitar for everyone. I'm so proud of him!
• 12/19/12 Henry La (via email): "Woo where did you see that? it means bamboo brings/reports peace and safety."
• 12/21/12 Kat, Boston and an End of the World Christmas Party.
• 12/22/12 Made it through the Apocalypse. Damage Control Please! How many people licked Nutella off my hands...? What did I write on his hat? Babies over later for sister sleep-over! GAh! They are the best! Had dinner and decorated a chocolate house we made (YES! we melted the chocolate and put in molds and EVERYTHING) in Christmas Candy! Tangled is still to come!!
• 12/23/12 Christmas Eve Eve and the Winter Solstice! Took the Babies to Mass in Hartford and then Ice Skating in Bushnell Park. I am so proud of these little girls. They did great! I forgot how much I LOVE ice skating.
• 12/24/12 Slept over Toma's Last night...intriguing yet bizarre.
• 12/24/12 Cont: Celebration at Auntie Net's house. I have so much to be thankful for. God as been so good to me and my family. While we were driving to the Christmas Eve Midnight Service, at this wonderful little Lutheran Church, it started snowing. I feel so at peace with my life. The Joy and Peace that we all share can only come from God.
• 12/25/12 CHRISTMAS!
• 12/26/12 Today, I have a terrible cold. I spent a lot of the day in my bed thinking, praying and meditating (pounding the tea) on the events of the last few days. I experienced true love and fulfillment as well as the ephemeral joys of college party life. Whatever release I was seeking, whatever fulfillment I thought I was lacking, I was looking for it in the TOTALLY WRONG place. The only place I will find true love, joy and peace is when I am completely sober and with the ones I love. God is love. The only reason my family has such a moving power of love is because they passionately try to show the love of God to one another. Humans apart from God will never truly experience love. I will admit, parties are fun. But I am so blessed to have realized that no matter what I drink, who I'm with or what they are smoking, it will never bring me love, joy or peace. It is impossible to find long term fulfillment while Ke$ha Krunk.
• 12/27/12 Have you ever woken up in the morning and the first thing you remember is that you took a huge shit in the middle of the night?

Txt from Katy Bug: "I think going to Illianos in Norwhichtown would be a better idea given the questionable neighborhood and parking."

Uncle Kenny: "They sell'em for ah buck and ah quater ah pop."

My Dad: "I think the universe is looking down on me now that I know I should make rice pudding."

• 12/28/12 Operation Surprise Trip for Ethan to Long Island = Success at LAST!
• 12/28/12 Cont: Ethan helps keep me sane...ish.
• 12/29/12 Windy, windy giant snow flakes.
• 12/31/12 Easy going New Year. My Dad's traditional Seafood Newburg Menorah Dinner. Ethan and I helped to make the Flaming Glurg. After words Ethan and I had a Star Trek marathon with the Babies. Could life get any better?...YUP, just got the call of my life from Thomas. Best phone convo EVER.
• 12/31/12 Cont: This year was jam-packed with love, joy, peace, tears , growth, maturity, calamity, desire and family. I'm so excited to start a New Year. The next chapter in the Sweet Adventure that is my life.