simply having a wonderful christmastime.

as always, it is busy busy busy around here. but i can't let a few days go by without my little updates, so here i go.

this is last wednesday. darin and i had a sacramento date: i had some business on campus and then we went to fresh choice for lunch which is always a special treat. then we did some christmas shopping at arden mall and around that area.

we love our huge plates of salad!

this is thursday. it was my last day at school and here i am with my fellow English 50A interns at Zocalo where we gathered for drinks and appetizers after the final. What a beautiful place! It's the kind of place I would never dream of treating myself to, but Eric works there so we got the royal treatment!

That is Professor Sweet in the back, our lovely mentor and guide through this crazy semester! On the left is my friend Meghan who is such a doll; she got us each a specialized gift based on our presentations. So for instance, I got the graphic illustrated Edgar Allen Poe! Sitting next to me is Heather Watson-Perez, another sweetie.

Here is Katie Post, the amazing Professor Toise (technically our internship teacher) and Eric Anderson.

After our wonderful gathering, Addie picked me up at J Street and we headed over to the grand opening of Velvet Leaf, our friends' shop for their lovely sustainable clothing company. The guys' band was playing that night to celebrate the opening and they rocked. I had such a blast.

Here's some of the audience.

Our stellar starboys.

Here's just a cozy in-between moment I had to include. My reading-men.

I finally got to see Kimmy, my pregnant darling forever friend!

She is twenty weeks but hardly showing. Except in one area, you'll notice.

And by the way, it's a girl!

Joey's show at Upstairs Gallery. Here's Nate Lawton playing his sweet tunes.

Phil brought a mask that I adore.Some of the P'ville crew. Mom just glows in her christmas gear.

Oh just hanging out, being handsome devils.

Solomon Fox.

Emma joining in.

Artie on melodica.

Singing Harvest's song. I cried.

And finally, WRAPPING BONANZA at mom's.
It was just me, pops, and momma. Ever since I was little, I felt special when I got both my parents all to myself.

We got really weird. I was laughing so hard there were tears running down my face. Why are my parents the biggest dorks on earth? Mom says "there's such a thing as wraprage. THERE IS!"

Cats love gift wrap.

Dad thought this was very clever. I said, "Uh dad?" And he's like, "I thought it was kinda different."

Then mom and I made fudge!

Here's Darin at the shelter. They had their Christmas open house and then addie and I came over with In-n-Out for him and helped open the presents!"Just a couple of elves, out on the town."