Christmas already?

So I really have to apologize. It looks like the last time I wrote was at the start of the semester, which  was probably the last time I had any free time. This semester has been pretty busy, especially with my Thesis work taking all my free time, I really have had a limited social life. It's all been one big blur to be honest. As a result I haven't been contacting my UK friends at all really, so I am really sorry about that. Especially Kayleigh since she had a birthday 3 days ago! I hope it was awesome buddy!

I suppose looking back over the past weeks, I only really have had two big milestones.

Firstly, Catching Fire was released. It's fair to say I'm a big fan of the books, so to see the movie twice at the cinema that weekend was so great. Imax definitely blew me away too. It was hard to come away happy though - I won't post any spoilers - but the ending of course leaves us hanging big time, and having read the books I know it's a long time now until good things happen again. They did do a good job of adding plenty of comic relief through out the movie though.

Secondly, Thanks Giving. This was my second Thanks Giving ever, and I was once again hosted by the lovely Allen family. This time though we certainly had more guests than last time, which made it all the more entertaining. What can I say, the food was great as always, in fact I hope I can get some of those recipes! It did rain for some of our stay, but otherwise the south California mountains were as beautiful as always.

I have had a few day trips to speak of. As you may have seen on my Facebook, I was very excited to have seen Paramore live in San Jose. That really was amazing. I also visited Sacramento for the first time a few weeks back. I was especially excited to visit Old Sacramento, which felt very western with their Saloons and horse drawn carts.
The Christmas build up has also started, although it doesn't feel very Christmassy with the sun in the sky each day! This past week the weather has turned much colder, to the low temperatures I know all too well from home. I've certainly been wrapping up in the layers these last few days!

I really wish I had more to talk about, but my head has been buried in my books unfortunately. I will be flying home for Christmas on the 14th December - once again my parents generosity has gone far beyond my expectations. So for those of you reading in the UK, I'll see you soon! And those of you reading in the US, have a good Christmas and I'll see year in the New Year!

2014. Jeeze.