Where am I spending Christmas?

Ah, that question is complicated. I have family all over the US, all asking me to come over for Christmas. I have my mom, dad, and sister who were coming to Minneapolis for Christmas, but due to car issues and snow fears, they'll now be spending Christmas in Michigan. And I - broke as hell - will be spending Christmas HERE. Alone.

Well, so I thought.

And then Collin's mom invited me over for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Which means not only hanging out with Collin's dad, mom, sister, and brother, but being introduced to his entire extended family. It's a little scary, actually. But I appreciate the offer.

Now I just hope I don't accidentally trip on the tree (which, btw, is Collin's dad's favorite little obsession during Christmas) and squash all the presents.

Oh God.

Keep your fingers crossed.

Snow = Naked Me

So I live in Minnesota.

And it snows.

Like, for example, today.

A lot.

And it has been snowing for a couple weeks now.

And although it's all nice and pretty and white, there are downfalls. Like cold. And glare from the freakishly white snow blinding me when I drive. And cold. And my hair freezing when I walk outside shortly after taking a shower. And, um, cold.

And lately, me taking my pants off. Yep. So I have a new routine when I get home. I take off my coat, hang it up in the closet, take off my Ugg-like boots (which are AWESOME makeshift snow boots) put my purse on the bookshelf, then ever so carefully take off my snow-covered pants. I shake them like crazy until most of the snow is on my tile floor. Then I lay them on top of a chair. And let them thaw out and dry. And I walk around the house with my sweater and panties.

Yeah.

Winter has turned me into a weirdo.

So, um, I'm pretty sure I'm in love.

It's pretty effing fantastic.

So, remember my dating adventures this summer? Well, Collin was one of my dates. He was quite different from everyone else I met or talked to, and although I moved to Michigan in August, we kept in touch. Finally, sometime in September I decided I was moving back to Minnesota because, dammit, I can't stand Michigan. Sorry. I missed Minneapolis, I missed my friends, I missed Collin. So I started the whole process of trying to move back, which included taking out a bar study loan for my expenses, registering for the Minnesota Feb. bar, blah blah blah. It took me way longer than I had hoped to finish it all, but finally, FINALLY, by the end of November, I was packing my bags and driving back to Minneapolis for good. Sometime between September and now Collin and I decided to go ahead and date officially, considering we couldn't quite get over each other, despite our efforts. So...um, yeah. I have a boyfriend. Who I love. Who's so ridiculously sweet, it makes me slightly misty eyed thinking about it. Honestly, I don't think I've ever met anyone who I "get", and share similar goals and beliefs, as much as with Collin. I'm just a lucky girl, I guess.

So right now, I'm living in a relatively inexpensive apartment which is FABULOUS, I just got gym membership for the first time since July and can work out whenever I want (YAY!), I'm looking for a job, I'm taking the February Minnesota bar and hopefully passing.... overall, it's a little scary but great. My puggers, unfortunately, are not with me right now - it's HARD finding cheap housing that lets me keep dogs. So my mom is keeping them at her house for now - we've got a nice house with 11 acres, so there's plenty of space for them to run. They seem to really like it, and my mom spoils them like crazy. I hope to find a job and a more permanent place to live within a year, and then bring them back to Minnesota. That is, if I can pry them away from my mom's hands. :)

My butt hurts.

Those cycling classes are evil, I tell ya.

Yesterday I went to the gym for the first time since the 27th of July, and I took my first cycling class. Now, yes, it was a great workout. And I'm a little sore today. BUT, I was not expecting my butt to be KILLING me. I swear, those damn bicycle seats HURT. I was thinking about taking the cycling class every day, but.........um.......... NO. I'll stick to every Monday/Wednesday/Friday. I can barely sit down comfortably, people. It's sad.

The gym is yet another step in me getting in shape - I started dieting about 1 1/2 months ago, and I've lost 13 pounds so far. I'm so excited!

Oh, and I have a new boyfriend! Who I totally adore. He's tall, completely sweet and caring and thoughtful, and I'm very very happy. Oh, his name is Collin.

(Disclaimer: More details to come of what the hell I've been up to for the past couple months. I swear.)