Happy New Year! Talking about a few of the things that have made my last week or so fabulous seems like the perfect way to kick off the year and to wrap up my break. I’m heading back to Chicago tomorrow, and while it’s too soon and I am so not ready to un-relax, I have had an amazing few weeks off and I’m still excited for next quarter. So, let’s get to it!
These pens! I got them for Christmas and love them. They have a super-fine (0.3 mm) point, so they’re perfect for how tiny I write. And the colors make them perfect not only for my color-coded notes, but also for prettying up my planner.
- Books!
I’m slowly making my way through the audiobook version of The Goldfinch and I love it so far. I’m also reading the physical version of 10% Happier. My progress through books tends to be pretty slow these days, but I truly enjoy taking a little time to get lost in someone else’s story and should do it more often.
- Catan
Last summer, one of my dad’s friends gave us a bunch of board games to try out since we were looking for some new ones to play. We latched on to Ticket to Ride and kind of neglected the others. Catan was one of those. At the beginning of break, my dad asked him if we could try it again. This time, we decided we love it. And it doesn’t hurt that I’ve won both games we played this week. 🙂
- New Years’ Eve in
My parents and I have kind of a tradition of staying in on New Years’ Eve, making dinner a snack-y affair of appetizers and desserts, playing games, and watching movies and/or football. We made these delicious sliders with Hawaiian rolls, this crab dip, and had soft pretzels, salami and cheese, fresh veggies, and shrimp cocktail. Plus brownies, cookies, and some ice cream. Of course. 😉 I love this low-key time with my family… and all the yummy food.
- Secret Santa (and seeing high school friends)
I had lunch with my friend, Abby, on Monday and it was awesome to catch up with her after about four months. And on Wednesday night, I had some wonderful friends over for our annual Secret Santa.
{Sunny, Sanjana, Rediate, Pareesa, Siddartha, me (we missed you, Amalia!)}
We laughed non-stop and caught up and ate a lot of pizza and cookies. I love love love love love these people who have been in my life since middle school and am so endlessly grateful for them. Oh, and Pareesa got me a pretty perfect gift: a mug and tea and body butter. Yep. ❤️
I’m going to spend today with my family watching football, and tomorrow we’ll be on the road back to Chicago. Classes start Monday – crazy! I hope you have a great first day and first weekend of 2016!
What are you reading lately?
What did you do for New Years’ Eve?
What are you loving this week?
I am reading a book called The Sports Gene. I am really interested in what makes great athletes so successful. I also might want to study this is college so it seems like a fit…if I end up going back to school.
Are those pens for coloring? I’ve heard adult coloring books are really big this year.
That sounds fascinating – I’d love to hear what you think about it!
They can be used for coloring! And I have some coloring books to use them in! They were actually kinda hard to find because coloring is getting so popular. But I also have them for note-taking and organization purposes 🙂
I’ve finally been reading more these last few months, a lot this month, slowly rekindling my love for it. Yes, it’s a lot slower than it was years ago, but at least I’m still finding some peace in it every night!
Good for you for finding some time to squeeze in some reading!
I need those pens! They look perfect for my obsessive color-coding 😉 I just ordered several books from Amazon and am hoping I love them – Im trying to make more time for “fun” reading! Happy new year!
That’s a good goal for the new year 🙂 Happy 2016, Hannah!
My friend and I have been considering purchasing a Catan set! She and I play board games all of the time and we actually just bought Ticket to Ride. I need to get back on with that.
Hope you’re having a wonderful New Year’s day!
Both games are so fun! I really like the strategy involved – I’d love to know what you think 🙂 Happy New Year, Julia!
Just finished an Ellery Queen audiobook with my sibs, and also rereading/relistening to one of my favorite series, the 100 Cuoboards books! Hoping to read some books I requested from the library on a more in-depth study of the Myers-Briggs personality test. (<- I'm obsessed with that!)
We watched a movie and then I went to bed…before midnight. Yeah, I know, total party-pooper, but I've definitely had my time staying up on NYE and I'm ready for a break. It's just not that important to me at this time of my life. ?
I love reading about personality types and the like! Can’t wait to hear what you think of that book.
Haha I don’t blame you. I don’t always make it to midnight, either, and I still manage to enjoy the years just fine 😉
Looks like you had a fun filled New Years Eve 🙂 I just finished “Miss Peregrines Home For Peculiar Children” by Ransom Riggs and loved it! I gave it 5 stars. I totally recommend it!
Have an amazing 2016!
xoxo
I’ve seen that one! I’ll have to give it a read 🙂
Love Secret Santas- such a good way to reconnect and spend time with friends! On NYE I saw some friends from high school which was so much fun! Looking forward to babysitting this week, seeing friends, improving my blog, and relaxing 🙂
I (obviously) love seeing high school friends – glad you had fun with yours on NYE! Hope you have a great week 🙂
I LOVE Catan! I play with friends at school sometimes and the games get competitive base people are so into it haha!
So glad you had some great times with friends over break and can’t believe you’ve headed back already! Hope your semester is off to a great start on Monday 🙂
Break definitely went by fast! Thanks, Liv!
I love staying in for a cozy NYE too! Glad you are having such a great time off school <3
Thanks, Hayley! 🙂