It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas

I finally feel like it's the holidays!!!

Since I've become a horrible friend who does school all day long and never returns phone calls, this is the conversation I'm imagining we're having:
You: Kristan, Christmas is 9 days away. What is wrong with you? Why aren't you celebrating Christmas this year? Why are you such a Grinch?
Me: 9 days! 9 days! When did that happen? How is it possible that Christmas is in 9 days!

I came back from Thanksgiving vacation, pulled out the Christmas music and then pushed aside all things Christmas. Finals. All my focus has been on finals.

There isn't a tree or any lights in my apartment.
Utah was having unseasonably warm weather.
There are basically zero, zip, nada festive decorations in Provo. (I didn't realize how much I loved this about NYC.)
I haven't attended a single holiday parties. (I did bake for three this past weekend, and then ended up skipping/missing every single one.)
And most tragic of all, I haven't gone shopping - let alone thought about gifts or Christmas cards.

This year just hasn't been the same. I told myself I'd deal with Christmas after finals. Well guess what, that will be December 19. Giving me exactly one week to enjoy Christmas. That is just not right!

So forget finals! It snowed this weekend, and I was surprisingly thrilled! I saw some gorgeous lights. I sang some carols. And I shopped (maybe it was online, and maybe it was for me, but still). Finally, it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.