Just around the corner

The last few days, I've been doing a lot of thinking. It's November. Thanksgiving is just six days away. Christmas is just over a month away. 

At this time last year, I was getting excited to head home for Thanksgiving Break, a whole week off and time spent cuddling with my dogs, hanging out with family, planning on doing that homework I would ultimately put off until the Sunday night I got back to school, and catching up with friends. Of course, planning out Thanksgiving from where I'll be at what time to what I'll cook and bake to shopping plans the following day. 
This year, I'm not on that trip back home. I'm not getting the warm greeting from my dogs. I'm not catching up with my best friends from home. I'm not spending a week with my family. 
However, I am still planning what I'll cook and bake (so for any California friends, come on by for some yummy food like green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, stuffing, scalloped potatoes, and probably some chicken and some corn), what I want to buy on Black Friday, and spending time with new friends.  
These next five weeks are going to be different. We all know that. I'm trying to focus on the positive (like being thankful for the opportunity to live in California). While focusing on the positives, I also think about all the other things, but then I remind myself that I did choose to move across the country with uncertainty of when I'll be able to come home next. People visiting here helps. I saw my dad and stepmom for a couple days and got to show them where I live and take them to In N Out, Diddy Riese, and the Santa Monica Pier. Even though it was only a couple days, I enjoyed every moment of it. I know when more family visits (and friends), I'll enjoy every moment. That's something else I am thankful for. I may not get to see you guys a lot, but that has made me appreciate the little time together so much more. I look forward to the next time I am home (which will probably be in the spring). However, I also look forward to tomorrow and the next day and the next and so on because I am learning to enjoy each day. 

Even though I won't be home for the Holidays this year, I'll make them special somehow. Don't worry, you'll be getting pictures of me at the beach while it's snowing back home.

I know Thanksgiving is next week, but it sure doesn't feel like it. Maybe that's why it's a little easier not being home (at least today it is) because it feels like middle of June, not November. It's still 60s, 70s, and occasionally 80s here. 

Life is good. I'm happy here. I'm learning every day and growing up. Things are changing, and that's okay. 

On that note, expect more posts in the next few weeks. We got a couple big topics coming: being thankful, Christmas time, and my favorite, the end of a year and the chance for a new beginning.