Do you ever have one of those days where you feel like life is so good? I had one of those days today, and I am so thankful! For the past 2 days I have been going out to the stable to visit with a good friend and today she told me to come out and bring my saddle! :) So need less to say I got to ride today! It was wonderful to be back on a horse again. Lately I hadn't had much interest in riding because every time I looked at a horse I got sad because I missed Juliet. Well, today after talking to my good friend I decided that I can still love riding, which would mean love riding Juliet and other horses also. And my friend helped me realize that I wouldn't be betraying Juliet if I indeed rode other horses, and most of all I would not lose my love for her. It is true that she has a place in my heart that no other horse will occupy, but I can love riding and find room to love other horses also. So I hope that makes sense, but I really don't feel like proof reading it...so I won't....
Anyway tomorrow my friend will give me a dressage riding lesson! Dressage really should be taught at least in part to every rider no matter the discipline, but I'm afraid my old horse trainer never really taught it much. Too bad~ I need to learn how to flex horses and I think it would be very intersting trying dressage for a while. Next year at school I think I'll start to take lessons at a Dressage stable, once I've got the basics down. Anyway..that's all! Bye!

Christmas Eve at the Hanson household.

Myself, Heidi, and Heather

My cousin's son, Caden Paul. Isn't he adorable!! He's even got a little smile on his face in this one!

Time for an update, it's been a while. Thank goodness school is over, for a little while at least. Classes finished a week ago :) I've got 3 more weeks to be home!! It's not that I don't like my classes, because really they are very interesting, it's just the studying all the time that gets tiring. It's the worring about exams and upcoming performance exams that get me thinking I can't wait to be done, and in some ways I can't. Although I find myself thinking a bit more like a nurse here lately, with my grandmother in the hospital I have an opportunity to use some of my skills to help keep her active and moble. I enjoy learning about health, but I love being able to relax and be with the people I love the most.

Summer update....
I am going to take classes at a community college for the first part of the summer, and then off to EUROPE!!! I will join Alex in Spain at the end of his program (the beginning of July) and we will come back to the US the end of July. I was debating on what to do with the summer, and when Alex brought up the idea after a couple days of thoughts I decided to travel because who knows when I'll have an opportunity to travel in Europe for that long.

Alex leaves....the end of January. It's not a reality in my mind right now, it's only head knowledge. I think I'll realize he's gone once it's been a few days and our routine daily phone calls have turned into weekely phone calls. Sad, I'll miss him. It seems all my closest friends will be far away....Kelly in Germany, Emily in Colorado, Alex in Spain.....at least if I can't beat them I'll join them :) (I'm visiting Kelly in Germany with Alex, and visiting Emily in Colorado over Spring break!)

Tonight I'm going to a cocktail party. I get to wear my new attire that I picked up for a Christmas prestent :) I've never been to a party like this so I don't know what to anticipate....a friend from high school is hosting it.

Christmas at the Hanson's is going down both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day...so busy, busy, busy here. Take care & Merry Christmas all!!
Beth

Finals week!!!
I had one today which I was glad to get over (pathophysiology). Tomorrow's Health Assessment, which will also be a challenging one, but I'm sure a relief to get over. I'll be home on thursday! :)
My family is getting 2 new kittens, and we of course still have Wesley. Unfortunatly they have bad names, if you really want to know ask, and I just might add that my mom and sister named them! 2 black kittens, and I'm not sure if they have any difference in markings. What can I say my family has a heart for the shelter animals.....
Gotta study! Bye!

This one is on the request of Emily! :) Although, I fear I don't have any exciting news, oh well. The good news is that I will be home in less than 2 weeks! Christmas break is the only think that keeps me studying, knowing that there is a end to this semester! :)
Anyway...
I'm having some major decisons to make lately. Oh I suppose it's nothing too life altering, but deciding what to do for the summer is kinda a big decision. Africa or Quad Cities. I'm sure there could be a little bit of both, but I'm torn on the decision and leaning toward....(I'll let you know when I decide.)
Alex also is having to make some decisions. Should he say in Spain the semester & summer or just the semester? I will soon have news on his decision due to the face he has to decide soon. I suppose that any decison made will work out alright, and there is never any way to really say that on decision is better than another in these situations.

Looking forward to Christmas break because.....
I get to spend some quality time AWAY FROM THE BOOKS!!!!!!

I get to see my cousin Heidi, and hang out with that awesome girl!

Kelly is coming into town for a few days, so I'll at least get to see her for a little bit! (she's from germany, well kinda .... )

I will be around my family for more than a weekend :)

Alex and I are going to see Wicked in Chicago!! (Yeah for being in Chicago before Christmas!)

I get to see animals again (I'm really not picky on which animals, but dogs, cats and horses are the main ones.)

My family and I are planning to visit Juliet in Missouri!! (I can not wait to see her again! I miss her so much. )

I have cool Christmas presents for my family and can't wait to give them away....

It'll be good to see my extended family which has recently grown with a few added little ones!

I will be able to watch a movie, drink hot chocolate, and cuddle under a blanket with well ya know who.... :) (I want Alex to see the movie Skeleton Key so hopefully we'll watch it)

I hope to catch up with the old high school buddies.....

I'm looking forward to going to Mojo's and not studying :)

And I suppose that's it for the wish list this year. I'm not so much looking for any cool gifts, but rather spending time with friends and family will be just wonderful!!

So yeah that's it...
Good night