It's hard to believe that this year is almost over, and more importantly that it didn't end!!! Something else just dawned on me, Ginger In The Rye's one year anniversary is right around the corner! I hope that all of you are enjoying this blog as much as I am!
To begin, I finished my 3rd semester of college! I had pretty good grades and a lot to celebrate this holiday break.
Work is well, work, and I can't wait till I transfer to the U of A in the fall! I have met with 2 academic advisers and my future seems bright!
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| My favorite Sculpture in the quad at my College. |
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| My ECONOMICS study partner Dani before our final. We pulled an all-nighter. |
On a VERY important note one of my favorite people just moved back to Tucson! Jaclyn Mae Gerhart is starting nursing school in January! Good luck! You go girl!
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| Did I mention she is part Turtle! |
After I finished School my sister, mother and I had a 12 month pre-planned trip to California to go to Disneyland and just take a mini-vaca, but my grandfather's health made a turn for the worst. Needless to say we stayed in Tucson and I just spent quality time with friends and family and made the best of a terrible situation!
My days were spent at the gym with friends which lead to sleepovers at night, followed by early mornings in the kitchen making delicious breakfasts!
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| Typical sleepover! |
To get in the Christmas spirit my buddies and I went to Tucson's famous Winterhaven Festival of Lights! It a neighborhood that requires its homeowners to put up lights for the holidays. Police direct traffic...it's kind of a big deal! It was so big that we went TWICE!
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| A Typical House! |
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| Even the streets are named for Christmas. |
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| Getting coffee before winterhaven! |
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| Alyssa came out to play! |
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| Jackie under the mistletoe in Winterhaven. FOREVER ALONE. |
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| Can you find Claudia? |
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| Me, Jackie, Zachy, Alicia, and Shayna! |
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| Little Claudia and Me |
Remember how I said it was kind of a big deal, one of my sister's friends Vanessa [she had a shout out on my last post] was asked to get married there! And....
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| She said "YES!" |
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| Congrats Vanessa and Ryan! |
In Winterhaven there is a special house that has a wishing tree. Every year we make wishes! Claudia was really excited to make a wish! I hope mine comes true...it was really good.
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| Alyssa made a wish! |
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| So did Jackie! |
Other days we just enjoyed each others company!
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| Johnny Lovely. |
Lets just say I am a great dancer, because I am, but there is always room for improvement. So Jackie and Zach have been helping me get up to speed with the latest dances.
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| Twerkteam: Zachy and me! |
However, if you are a native Tucsonan and are under the age of 21 you know that there is literally nothing to do in this town. A few nights have been spent with our favorite 6th grader Claudia. Painting nails and taking pictures...you know the usual.
But a lot nights/days were spent on the couch cracking jokes, watching UofA Basketball, and trying to find something to do!
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| Zachy and Jackie...that rhymes! |
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| Hubby Material! |
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| Sean Miller got my Cats to #3 in the Nation. Impressive! |
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| John and I! Go US! |
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| Zach hates pictures..but I somehow got this one! |
A lot of time was spent at the mall shopping for Christmas with every other last minute shopper. It was quite a battle. Just thankful it's all over.
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| John after a long day of shopping. We needed Panda! |
I must say that I have always been a fan of the Christmas season! Especially when I get to witness major life events. My former classmate Monique got married and I was honored to attend the reception! It was a great time. I got to see some of my other classmates and got a little dancing in! Congrats Monique and Brennan! Wishing you a lifetime of happiness!
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| First dance. Jackie [almost] cried. |
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Jackie, Kevin, Me, and Gracie.
Cutting the cake. |
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| Nic and Me! |
Amongst so many other activities Jackie's brother turned 22 and we were able to celebrate at Risky Business for a couple of hours. Happy Birthday Zach!
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| Looks like were missing a few candles there. |
Finally Christmas Eve arrived! The typical Porter tradition of a white elephant gift exchange and sandwiches happened! I was happy that I could spend time with my family, especially my brother-in-law and sister, because I feel like I haven't seen them since they got married... and that was way back in April!
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| Me and Steph on the Eve of Xmas! |
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| Steph and Cory |
After Grandma's we headed to our family friend's house. The Salerno's always have a poppin' Christmas Eve and we were glad we could see them in their matching pajamas... and all of their animals!
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Shannon, Me, and Kristin! Just in case you were wondering that is a 70 inch T.V
behind us....HOLY! |
Christmas Day was spent with the family and I decided that Santa was pretty good to all of us this year. I hope that Santa was good to you too!
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| Cody and Nicole on Christmas! The next power couple! |
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| It was a pretty good Christmas! |
Hope everyone had a great Christmas and has a great New Years!
Hope life continues to be beautiful wherever you are!
