There is something really freaking hard about going back to work after a long weekend. Sunday scaries always show their face on Sundays, but they show their face even harder when we’ve had some extra time off.

I, for one, loved the extra time to catch up on schoolwork, sleep in (NO ALARM DAYS ARE MY FAVORITE!), and lounge around without feeling the urgency to get shit done. But, yes, it does make it THAT much harder to jump back into reality.

Is it too soon to start the countdown to winter break?

No?

Great.

Anyway, I’ve been sharing a few bits and pieces of my weekend on social media, but here’s the full recap! Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving weekend as well! <3

Wednesday

On Wednesday, I did the whole pamper, treat yo’ self thing and got a massage, got my nails done, eyebrows, the whole she-bang. (AKA I now look and feel like a functional human and not a hairy monster). Ankur and I also tried a new-to-us bagel place in Oak Ridge called Hot Bagel. Family owned, super yummy, and they DON’T microwave their eggs.

We finished off the day watching Fantastic Beasts and left feeling kinda unimpressed. It just felt a little more complex than it needed to be. But still happy we went to see it! (I was mostly in it for the popcorn, y’know).

Thursday

Ankur had to spend a couple hours doing a practice exam so I jumped at the opportunity to go on a solo adventure. I went to Starbucks and read for FUN. And then I went on a long walk through the arboretum in Oak Ridge. I kinda wished I had gone and visited this place back in October while the trees were still full and colorful. Still, it was so beautiful and I was happy to have some time to myself under the sunshine.

When I got back home, Ankur and I ate lunch and then decided to go watch The Nutcracker. (Fun fact: Ankur was the Nutcracker in his elementary school days. So we had to go see it. Duh). Again, happy we saw it. But wasn’t THE BEST.

Friday

We woke up, went to the gym (and yes, I’m still sore from it because it’s been a minute), and then proceeded to study for most of the day. Except for a short break to go get some things from Costco. (Note to self: Never go back to Costco on a weekday. The samples are just NOT THE SAME and then you’ll have a disappointed husband following you around the entire place).

When we got back home, we quickly showered and got ready for Friendsgiving! (And, since it was technically AFTER Thanksgiving, I had to sport my Christmas light necklace).

Katy has hosted Friendsgiving for the past two years and this year was no different. She’s such a great host and made SO much delicious food. It made the not-going-home-for-Thanksgiving-thing so much easier.

From her beautiful charcuterie board to Kasey’s mini pumpkin pies, we were happy campers and have pretty much been in a food coma since then.

We missed the Hubers so much this year. So much so that we refused to take a group picture without them. They’re in Texas now but Tennessee sure misses them a whole heck of a lot.

I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. I don’t know how I got so lucky to find a group of ladies during one of the most stressful transitions of my life. I could not have done these last few years without them. Getting together for Thanksgiving feels like such an appropriate thing because I am so thankful for them and so grateful for their friendship during what would otherwise be a really challenging time for us.

Saturday

On Saturday, I got up nice and early to tackle some assignments for class. We’re in the final weeks here and everything is about to feel a lot more hectic so I wanted to take advantage of the quiet morning hours to get things done.

In the evening, we went to Movie #3 of Thanksgiving Break: A Star is Born.

This one, we loved. Even though we were sitting in Row 3 and I think my neck is still sore from looking straight up the whole time.

Who knew Lady Gaga was such a great actress?!

Sunday

Another morning of trying to make a small dent in these papers.

Around noon, I drove out to a sweet lady’s house to practice administering an achievement test on her son. I met her through the Doctors Wives of East TN group when we had a big dinner back in August. And she was so gracious to let me borrow her cute son for 2 hours so I could administer the KTEA for a school assignment. I always feel a little bit of guilt putting kids to work when they aren’t in school. But he seemed willing and excited to participate. Plus, I brought some cake pops. And who wouldn’t work for cake pops? Right?

Afterward, I made a quick little stop at Whole Foods since it was just down the street from their house. As I was walking in, I noticed they had cute tabletop Christmas trees. I Facetimed Ankur, wondering if I should pick one of these little ones up. Long story short, our apartment complex doesn’t allow real Christmas trees. And, if you know me in any capacity, you know I don’t allow FAKE Christmas trees.

Dilemma.

So, I thought I’d be a good citizen and compromise with a smaller tree.

But, for some reason, the tabletop tree wasn’t making my heart soar.

So I ran in, got a few things, and left without the mini tree.

When I got home, I told Ankur to suit up because we were going to make one last trek to the Garden Center to see if they had something small enough, but REAL enough, that would still make our apartment smell like Christmas.

We didn’t end up getting anything from there, but took a little detour to Home Depot on our way home and found OUR PERFECT TREE.

We tried to be real stealthy bringing it in. Fortunately, it’s smaller than most trees we’ve gotten in the past. We were able to fit it in our back seat (so we didn’t cause too much attention by pulling into our parking lot with a big ol’ Christmas tree on the top of my car). And, once we parked, I was able to swoop it out real fast and sprint up the stairs (all while trying not to leave a trail of pine needles leading to our apartment).

We named him Firenze.

Because he lives in a forbidden world. Firenze the Fire Hazard. We love him so much.

Now it’s Monday.

I’ve got progress reports to do before Wednesday. Papers to write before the week is over.

And three hours of class tonight from 9pm-midnight.

And I’m trying not to freak out.

But if you could send me all the coffee and all the positive energy, THAT’D BE GREAT.

Have a beautiful Monday, everyone! We can do this.

Questions of the Day: 

• How was your Thanksgiving? What was the best thing you ate?
  
• Do you prefer REAL Christmas trees or artificial trees?