What A Wonderful World

Merry Christmas!!! I hope Santa was good to everyone. At this point in my life, I would rather sleep in than open gifts, but since we had to be at my grandmother’s house by noon and I wanted to see the Disney parade, I decided getting up at around 9 was a good time. My stocking had lots of chocolate, just as I had suspected. I had a candy cane full of Hershey’s kisses, a REAL fun size Hershey bar, a big jumbo bag of Ghirardelli chocolates (my favorite), Reese’s peanut butter cups, and Christmas tree peeps. As far as gifts, my parents gave me Seinfeld Season 8 and wrote a note saying they were going to pay for my visa ($200). My brother gave me Hollister perfume, which smells lovely.
We went to my grandparent’s house today, and of course I ate lots of good food. I had about three helpings of everything. Dessert was good too, my aunt made my favorite Christmas tree cookies, sugar cookies with frosting on the top. As far as presents, I mostly got money, although my uncle and aunt gave me a nice sweater from Old Navy, and my uncle gave me an AE messenger bag.
After that, we went to my other grandmother’s house, and played some card games. All in all, it was a great Christmas.

So now I’m officially moved out of Keddy! It didn’t take all that long to move out either, the time was mostly spent moving things to the car from my room and finding spots to put everything. The thing I enjoyed most was blasting my music while packing, there were no residents left in my building and I had the place to myself!
I haven’t done much since I’ve been home; I’ve mostly been working as a substitute teacher. I applied for a job at this shelter in Nashua, it fits well with my schedule and they need Spanish speakers. I have an interview the day after Christmas, which is really exciting.
Meanwhile, the snow is still falling here in Hudson, NH. We don’t need anymore snow! The snowbanks are so high that I have to put my car into the road to see oncoming traffic when I am turning. My town didn’t have school today so I didn’t work, so I’ve been stuck in my house all day.
One thing that makes me happy about being home is the homecooked meals I get. That’s not to say that the Zorn Dining Commons has bad food, I love its food, but there is nothing like a homemade meal. My mom made applesauce and chicken soup. Yum!
My brother, a freshman at UNH, comes home tomorrow. I never see him when he is home; he always goes out with friends or is at a party. The only way for me to know he is even around is the fact that there is never any food. But it will be nice to have someone play Playstation 2 with me.
Christmas is in 5 days! I am so excited!!

Well, now that Sasha posted the link to my blog, I guess I should write again This is finals week, and I’m lucky enough not to have any. All of mine were projects or presentations. My Spanish professor gave us our exam the last day of class. I’ve been working in Admissions as much as I can, so I can earn extra money. Chances are that I’ve probably put your application materials together, so that they can be read by the counselors.
Of course, this is also my last week in Keene for a long time. I made a list in my mind of things I want to do in Keene this week, since I won’t be back here for awhile.
Last week, I went to the local thrift store in town, Saks Thrift Avenue and purchased a nice pair of Express dress pants and Weathervane jeans, each cost me $12.50. If you want name brand clothes for cheap, this is the place to go.
I went to Price Chopper, which is an amazing food store in Keene. I also went to JC Penney, Sears, Target, and Wal-Mart one last time as well.
Today, I got a Sizzler at lunch in the Night Owl Cafe. A sizzler is your choice of steak or chicken with your choice of veggies, cheese, and sauce. You can also get chips and soup. I got a chicken sizzler with lettuce, tomato, and parmesan cheese in teriyaki sauce. Amazing. I didn’t get any chips, mainly because I have some in my room that I need to finish.
Before the end of the week, I also want to get stir fry in the Dining Commons. Stir fry is basically chicken with your choice of veggies and sauce and rice. I started getting it recently and have fallen in love with it.
Sometime this week I also want to go to a local coffee shop, Brewbakers, and get my french vanilla latte. I know that I am going to get a craving for one when I’m in Ecuador.
That’s all for now. Stay tuned for more!

Hi everyone! My name is Liz and I am a junior here at Keene State majoring in Elementary Education and Spanish. Next semester I will be studying away in Ecuador, and I am very excited! Naturally, I will miss the life here at Keene State. But, I am not too worried; I know that I will have a blast and learn alot in Ecuador.
I am writing this blog to give insight as to what it is like to be a Keene State College student, and how it feels to be studying away in a foreign country.
Here at Keene State, I am a Resident Assistant (RA) in Keddy Hall. My job as an RA is to promote community within my hall, as well as enforce necessary safety and disciplinary policies. But mostly, my job as an RA is to provide support for my residents, both academically and socially. I enjoy this job so much and I am sad to be leaving it
I also am a student worker for Admissions, and occasionally I give tours (I may have even given one to you!) although I mostly file paperwork.
I also am in Spanish club. In the past we have hosted a Salsa Dance night, in which we hired a DJ/dancing instructor to teach us the salsa. Tomorrow, us club members are going to the Mexican restaurant La Carreta.
I will be doing this blog every once in awhile, so come back for more. I will be posting more about my life here at Keene State (such as the last week of classes and finals week), and then in January my life abroad.