Christmas.

What a [possibly] magical time of year, eh? Christmas is around the corner, and though Holland is yet to have any long lasting snowfall, Christmas certainly is shaping up around us. Downtown Holland is decorated, the tree is up in our suite, and Christmas lights adorn our bathroom mirror.

This is also the busiest time of year, especially in college. There are exams to study for, papers to write, grades to finalize, cramming to be done, and of course packing to go home. In our flurry, we often forget that everyone is experiencing the same thing: chaos.

We took a night out of our craziness to enjoy each others company, and I am so blessed to have the people around me that I do.

Our first festive evening was put on by the best two people ever, Morgan and Shannon. My last year roommates, and this year’s roommate and suitemate, really put on a fantastic evening for us. They had a cheese and cracker spread, cookie dough bites, grapes, and sparkling grape juice. We watched a few new movies together and had a great relaxing time.

The next morning, my good friend Jen asked if I would like to volunteer with her and a few of her Phelps hallmates. We traveled to Resthaven Senior Center and helped them decorate the halls for Christmas.

Jen and I decorated two Christmas trees, one in a community room and one in a newly built family visiting center. The first tree was red and gold themed and as we decorated many residents came by to admire our cheer and work. We even put on some Christmas music to make it a bit more jolly :).

The second tree we decorated was a bit bigger. It was yellow and red themed and had beautiful gold angels hanging from it.

We moved on to wrap the pictures hanging in the resident hallways to look like gifts, a really cute idea! Other girls put bows up on each resident’s door and decorated the main lobby and other seating areas. Overall, it was great to be able to use our abilities to help spread the Christmas cheer.

Last night, we played with my new Christmas present from Shannon, the game Operation!! I am pre-med and having hip surgery over Christmas break, so it was very fitting! We even had a tournament to see who was the best at operating! 🙂

Though you’re busy applying to colleges, getting ready for finals, doing classwork and anticipating the Christmas season, don’t forget to take an occasional breather. We all need them! Even if its playing Operation with your friends, eating cookie dough off of a toothpick, or decorating a Christmas tree.

XOXO

A

“So shine on. Just shine on!
With your smile just as bright as the sun.
’Cause they’re all just slaves to the gods they made, But you and I just shone.
Just shone.”