I'm Spoiled.

This last Thursday was Thanksgiving. This year, I am living in a country that does not have this holiday. But having an American as the Dean of Students here at the University of Plymouth, a dinner was put together and I was lucky enough to receive an invitation. When I first received this invitation, I was determined not to go. My mom didn't push it much, my dad yelled, and Derek talked me into going. So I went. It was pretty good. I made friend with a guy from Germany who is a Hall Coordinator for one of the other university accommodation halls on campus. I only met one other American student, but I did get to meet the American part of Plymouth's professional basketball team (The Raiders if you were wondering). I sat at a table with an American lecturer, some British people, and then others from around the world. We started off the meal with cheese and crackers and whatever drink you wanted (I had still water, sparkling is not my thing). Then they brought around the roasted butternut squash soup, which I did eat by the way. It wasn't too bad. Then we had a feast of all the traditional Thanksgiving food. There was a weird thing that may have been a stuffing ball, but I really have no idea what it was. I just ate it really fast. They served mac n cheese, which seemed a little weird (surprisingly, I did eat it). We had pumpkin pie (which was very mushy, apparently that was the best recipe they could come up with. They don't eat that over here). I don't really have any other details about this dinner. I feel like that was a very boring explanation. But you'll just have to deal with it. Here are the dinner pictures.

So it being the time of giving thanks, I have obviously thought about the people and things I am thankful for. I am (and always have been) very spoiled (BUT I try my hardest not to be rotten). I'm going to warn you now, it may not seem like I love a lot about these people, but for me it is really hard to describe how much and why I love them. Some things might be short, and I'm sorry but at least I tried right?

Mommy

My mom is one of my biggest fans. She is more like a friend than a mother to me. She is one of the strangest people I know (and probably is for most of you, too) but she is also the nicest. She only pulls out her scary "mom face" every once in a while, and if you have seen it, you know she means business. She lets me be who I am, never pushes me to do things that I don't want to do, watches movies with me all day, makes me whatever food I am craving (mom, I'm never taking your cooking for granted ever again. PLEASE TEACH ME HOW TO MAKE MORE THAN SPAGHETTI), goes shopping with me, ​and so much more. She is just great. And if you know her, you absolutely know what I am talking about. She makes treat bags for every freaking holiday and gives them to everyone around me, even when she doesn't know them. I don't even know how else to tell you that my mom is fantastic. I talk to her every day, mostly on Skype, but at least always through text. She's always there for me. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't be who I am and where I am right now. I can't wait to see her. I love you, mom.

Daddy

My dad. What can I say about my dad? We seem to yell at each other a lot, mainly about work things (there has been a lot of talk of firing me and sending me home, but I still have a job :)), but we actually agree on almost everything. I love that I got to work with him all day, everyday for the last two years. I still talk to him every day on Skype (he shows me all of my pretty kitties :)). He isn't afraid to share his opinion on things, even if you won't like it, but is always nice to everyone even if their views are different from his (unless they did something to him first, kinda like me I guess :)). He always has my best interests in mind when he is telling me to do things. He missed two football games (which is amazing. He didn't even stay home when he had swine flu) just to bring me over here. He is always willing to help me (I mean, he helps me with my homework and I am 5000 miles away) with whatever I am having problems with. I wouldn't be here and the person I am without him. I can't wait to see you, daddy. I love you!!

Sandra​ & Kenna

Sandra and I have had our differences ( and by differences I mean I do things to make her angry: getting tattoos, failing to show up to family functions, and music selections) but still loves me :). While everyone else was a little wary of me going away for an entire year, she was the only one that seemed to support the idea. She is always willing to drive us to concerts in Vegas and get us rooms. She is hilarious and supportive and helps me talk to my kitties. I love you and I'll see you soon!!

Kenna. You annoy the shit out of me most of the time. We never seem to talk about anything unless it's about cats, family, One Direction, or YouTube. You copy me on A LOT of things. But despite all of this, I love you anyway. I'll kick the ass of anyone that hurts you and I'll always be here for you.  See you in a couple weeks :)

Derek

This guy. I haven't even known him five months, but it feels like I have known him forever. He is a better friend than most of the "best friends" that I have had for years. He is always willing to help me through something even if it is the middle of the night for him. If I can't decide something, he will help me to lay out all of my options. He may not be my boyfriend anymore, but he is still the best friend I have ever had and I can't wait to see him in a couple weeks. I love you, Derek.

Kitties: Mystique, Fuzzball, Spaz, Frederick, Nari

Now, there are TOO MANY of you that say that I love cats too much. Honestly, I don't see the problem with loving this precious animal as much as I do. My cats keep me sane. These five cats put up with a lot. From me carrying them around with me everywhere and snuggling them constantly to tying Bluapples to their heads, they still love me (most of the time ;)). They just want some food, something to play with, and a little attention. Cats are awesome listeners and soft pillows. They don't like tons of human contact and neither do I. I will do anything for these five beauties. I love cats and I will not quit because you think my love for them is unnatural. If you are one of those that hates all of my cat pictures, you should block me now because when I get home, that is pretty much all I will posting about. My little Mystiquey kitty broke her foot on Thanksgiving and now has to wear a cast and a cone. :( Poor kitty. I can't wait to see these five when I get home. They are my pretties, my snugglies, my bubs, and my favorite furry creatures.

Okay. This is a lot longer than I had originally planned. But here are some other people that I am thankful for: Grandma Al, Grandma Jean, Shirley, Martin, Andrew, Riveras, Mike & Kelly, Kathy, Lance & Amber, Roger & Betty, Grandma & Papa Ishii, Flanarys, Onos, and many, many, many more. I am having a hard time coming up with names. I know I need to talk about you all individually, but if I did that I would be writing for a month. I love you all very, very much and I appreciate everything that you all have done for me. 

​NOW. I need to thank people for sending me things. Thanks to my mommy for sending me a ton of stuff for my birthday and our flat Thanksgiving dinner (which is going to be combined with a Christmas dinner we are having like next week), even though I had to pay to get half of it from the post office haha :). Thanks to my dad, Sandra, Kenna, Shirley, Grandma (even though it didn't actually get here, it still means a lot), Martin, Josette, Grandma and Papa, and Uncle Biff for sending me cards. They are all hung up on my wardrobe :). Thanks to Kyli & Margo for sending me a bunch of awesome stuff in my mom's box, to Tenley, Tony, and Ray for sending me an Amazon gift card, to Teresa, Frank, Tyler, Tenley, and Tony for sending me a box of stuff, and to Derek for sending me a box as well. You guys all made my birthday great. :) I had planned to send you all individual thank you emails, but if you know me at all you'll know that I really suck at thank yous. 

Wow. That was incredibly long. Has anything else happened in my life since I updated last week? Not really. I bought some more books (I have a serious problem), I got foundation matched at Clinique because my pathetic tan faded and my face was orange (while I was having this done, another makeup artist came over and told me I have really long eyelashes). I have been spending more time with my flatmates recently. One of the other girls and I like to go out into the kitchen and eat after everyone leaves for their nights out (which is what we are waiting to do right now, it's late and I haven't had dinner yet :() We had our flat inspected for damages and we had to try to keep it clean until they showed up (they FINALLY did two days after the scheduled date) which meant that I had to make my bed THREE DAYS IN A ROW. That seriously has to be a record for me. Our kitchen didn't stay clean. It never does. I will be home in 16 days. First place I am going when I get off the plane is to The Park. I have two tests this week, one in French and one in Tourism. I'm not excited about either. I bought my train ticket home. It has been cold, I broke out my big coat. My back has been hurting pretty bad. HOT WATER BOTTLES ARE THE BEST THINGS EVER. Seriously. Get one. They are magical. They keep you nice and warm. If your back hurts, it helps. If your bed is cold, throw one in. I started packing to come home almost two weeks ago. I am sure I am going to cry when I see some people when I get home. Uhm. I don't know what else. I'm not a very busy person. Okay. I have been writing this for several hours. I think I am done for this week. I love you all. Here are some random pictures and I will try to remember to write again next week. :)