Home for Christmas!

I haven't had much to update this past month because I have just been working hard - trying to learn as much as I can as quickly as I can. My work is tough. I didn't get some easy, no brainer job over here, which I am truly thankful for but my goodness. I honestly need an 'Investment Banking for Dummies' or 'Stock Markets for Dummies' book if anyone has one? I am learning so much and I get really excited when I actually UNDERSTAND what I am doing, but that seems to be a rare event as of now. All of the different products, with their different names and codes and numbers and decimal places - every client their own way of doing things. It is so precise and very detailed work, I am a tad bit nervous to return to the 9-6 shift all by myself tomorrow as it has been a full week since I have done anything to do with ETDs!

I am back in London after a great, relaxing week at home and literally, at home. Dang snow. I have never seen that much snow in my life and it did put a damper on my plans, but what can you do? Roll with the punches, I guess. I arrived on Saturday right before the snow really hit, thank goodness! My great friend Crystal came over to spend the night and it was amazing to see her. I felt bad as the jet lag really makes me sleepy so early, but we got to spend a lot of time together and catching up. Sunday Crystal left and I did nothing but vegg out inside with my parents - we weren't going anywhere. On Monday, I NEEDED to leave the house - so I helped the Daddio shovel out one of our cars and the parents and I headed out and around Federal Way. On Tuesday, I was determined to get to Kirkland somehow to keep my hair appointment. I had been looking forward to this for a long time and to see Kate, my hair dresser. It took about an hour, but I made it there safely and then headed to Northgate to meet up with my other amazing friend Laura for some chitchat at Red Robins - mmm endless basket of fries and ranch.

All of a sudden, it was Christmas Eve and spent most of the day with the familia and my friend Tammy - it was so nice to see her and the Fergs! I also got to sneak away to the Mansanarez Household to meet the brand new Caleb, what a BEAUTIFUL baby!! Christmas was spent at Mel and Pat's house with the entire crew plus my boyfriend flew into town, Casey. I can not believe we actually had a white Christmas :) Friday was spent battling the 'day-after-Christmas' shoppers and a dinner/movie date with the parents and Casey. Then, it was Saturday - how did that happen. I needed to see my sister and the Fergs one last time, so I ventured back to Bonney Lake and then spent the evening back at the Mansanarezes with their entire, big, loving family. I can't believe that this was the last time I am planning on returning until this internship is over. Nuts.

My week at home was fantastic, even if it flew by and I didn't get to do/see as much as I wanted to. I missed that bed of mine and everything else as well [i.e. water pressure in the shower, home cooking, driving, radio stations, wireless internet that isn't timed... oh the perks of home!]. But, I am back in London. I lucked out and no one was in the seat next to me after my layover, even though Delta is a bit run down.. the flights were both smooth. It feels almost normal to be here, like.. here I am, back in London, no biggie. Strange. I am waking up and going to the gym and to work tomorrow. Then, I have my second 'from home visitor' [I count seeing Kochie as my first] - Casey is flying in! He gets in tomorrow night and we have some amazing plans for NYE [a James Bond themed ball at a hotel in Kensington]. We are doing a week long holiday together [Madrid, Paris, Rome] starting on Saturday! Finally, something interesting to update on :)

Wishing you all a SAFE and HAPPY New Year!!

xoxoxo