little breaks.

i think after finals week, all things school-related stopped for me. and because my blog is written on my computer (which had just completed over 30 pages of writing in less than a week), i couldn't have anything to do with it for a few weeks. 
but now, we're back at school (only 15 weeks until summer!) and i'm back at my blog. really, what's a better procrastination technique anyway?
since not much has happened in this week at school- the first week is usually the week i'm inundated with syllabi- i'll give you a quick recap of my break.


i spent week one in california. that included christmas parties, a quick trip to el nino, mexico, catching up with home friends, and christmas day with my family!

god was right there with us on our drive down to mexico, blessing our morning even as we were beginning!

one of my best friends kim turned 21 right before christmas! we celebrated  in style- made our own pizzas, had ice-cream (and brownies for them), and watched the help. love my kim, and loved celebrating with her!

the best looking present i wrapped all season long!

kim and i on christmas eve, celebrating jesus' birthday this time!

week two was in oklahoma. emily and i left december 26th. we had christmas round two, and participated in some cooler weather activities like snow tubing, ice-skating, frisbee golf, and going to the outlets!

oklahoma brings it on the christmas lights. no joke. this is normal for a tree in oklahomer..

wise words from the oklahoma countryside!

emily, lynette and i worked on these cupcakes. well. they worked, i decorated the trees with their ornaments. 

the gluten/soy/nut free "katie counter" at the new year's eve party!

and week three was in idaho. i left oklahoma january 2. flew to phoenix, and santa ana, stayed in irvine for a great lunch with some of my best friends, and got on a plane again, to fly to oakland then boise, and surprise one of my roommates. it worked! and we had a great week just hanging out and being crafty.
somehow i ended up without pictures from idaho...but it was so good! and when we got home, we went from the airport to the beach. just how elise likes it!

it's kinda far away, but they were shooting a pirate movie! 

california love!

and i'm currently reading a book for one of my classes (art class- christianity and the creative process. it's a challenge. notttttt!) that i thought was going to be kinda lame, but is turning out to be really legit. i'll share some thoughts it's brought up with me soon- maybe even tomorrow!
but my prayer for you tonight is that you had a restful, beautiful holiday season as well, and quality time with loved ones where you were able to just breathe!