Sipping from your cup till it runneth over

Holy Grail.

Jk, I just couldn't help myself. That's the following lyric continuing on from the post title, which I'm sure you all know, but in keeping with the last few posts, I'll tell y'all where it's from and why I picked it when I've reached the end :)

Today was a major buzzzzz. And by buzz, I mean buzzkill. Nothing new to report. It's still exam season here in the life of Gelina, but yay me because I only have one exam left! It's in my CMNS 240 class which unfortunately I haven't been paying much attention to so I wrote about ten pages (possibly more) of notes in the span of about four or five hours. My hand kept getting crampy, so I had to take a break every now and then for like ten minutes, in which I would watch TV but then promptly go back to note taking. Speaking of crampy, I of course have my time of the month during already one of the most stressful times of the season, so once again my body is doing everything it can to fight against me when I'm trying to do well. Good job, body. Good job.

I'm all in a tussle because I actually watched and enjoyed the movie The Host. It finally came on the free movie channels and so me and my sister recorded it in HD goodness. I mean yeah, 80% of it was boring, but the 20% that I did enjoy are the ones I've been fastforwarding to during my study breaks, because of all the crazy hot scenes with Max Irons. Is it sad that I actually enjoyed this movie? I'm almost mad because legit, I detest Stephenie Meyers (for a whole host of reasons - haha, get it? A whole "host" of reasons? Okay anyway), but the plot was so stirring and Melanie and Wanda were played so extremely well by Saoirse whats-her-name. I think I spelt her name right, btw. I just can't help but actually enjoy the film. And no, I haven't read the book. But whatever.

Christmas time is upon is as you are all already aware, and I've been buying presents left right and centre! I should probably take a picture of my Christmas tree just to show all of you how nicely the presents are looking underneath and the crazy amount me and my sisters have been piling there! It's really looking like we've practically finished Christmas shopping when I'm not even close. I still have to buy at least one or two more things for my older sis, and then a lot more for Genina. Unfortunately, my wallet is going to have to take another beating but it's okay. I think I'll break even with the next paycheque I'm expecting, so after that, it's back to saving for me. Why must Christmas be ever so expensive.

It's completely worth mentioning by the way, that a dear family member passed away yesterday, whom I didn't know very well at all and in fact only just met this passed June. She was my grandpa's sister-in-law, married to his brother, and absolutely one of the sweetest women I'd met on my trip to New Jersey. She was so hospitable and so much like my own grandma, I can admit that's why I took such a huge liking to her when I first met her - she is very much just like my own family member whom I love beyond words. And so when I heard that she passed, it hurt me to think that a woman as close to health and strength and beauty to my wonderful grandmother was no longer with us. Tita Pat, I love you and I pray that you rest in peace with the Lord like you deserve. I will think of you, always. Thank you for showing me kindness on a day of the trip that I was actually quite grumpy on, but you made me smile because of how welcoming you were to me and my family. I really do wish I'd known you so many years earlier. God rest you, Tita.

Anyway.

Winter Finale's are coming up for all of my shows, which means Reign and Revenge and OUAT are going to be left on cliffhangers. I'm particularly choked about Reign because I really just can't get enough of that show, but other than that... I hope I find a way to pass the time once they're all gone, because Lord knows that once exams are over and all I have is work three times a week, I'm going to need something to do.

I think three or some days ago, I finished my latest book. The Secret Life of Bees. It's safe to say that it was amazing. I mean, I think everyone's already known that about the book, everyone knows it's already been made into a movie and might've seen it. But I'm serious enough about the book that I might actually consider it one of my *favourites* and no you do not understand how rare that is. Because I have legitimately read hundreds of books in this life so far, and only two have made it up there my own personal favourites list. Besides the entire HP series (and if I had to choose only one HP book, it would be HP7 so that's no biggie), A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and To Kill a Mockingbird are the only books to have found their ways and stayed in my heart. After reading those books, I've felt an indescribable stillness, and it just makes me feel good to think about. Well, after reading The Secret Life of Bees, I felt that stillness again, that quite calm and awe out of having knowingly read an amazing book. So while I'm still on the fence as to whether or not I consider the book one of my all time favourites, I know that I do want to own it so that it can have a space on my shelf and I can re-read it. And I am happy that I have read another book to take my mind of things. Books are amazing for that.

The next ones on my list are Sarah's Key (reminiscent to The Book Thief apparently, and if that's the case, then it's going to be amazing) and The Help. For some reason, I'm on a WWII/race relations kick. I like to read about the chaos of those periods in time and how female protagonists dealt with all of those obstacles. I like the sophisticated novel that actually opens my mind to everything. None of that bohemian crap that all the girls have ruined for me. If I read one more book that turns into a Hollywood fad I'm going to slam my fist on the table.

Anyway, I thought I had more to say but I'm really sleepy. Funnily enough, sleep is like the one thing I love most these days. I effing cherish it. I look so forward to mornings where I can sleep in... I never realized before I had to wake up every morning for stressful work and school, how much I really need and love being rested. What with studying taking up all of my time and work forcing me out of bed at ungodly hours (okay, not so ungodly, but detestable all the same), it's really rare that I get to sleep in. When I do get that opportunity to sleep in however, that's usually when I'll find the time to post in this. So, as you would have it from that statement, tomorrow morning (which is a Monday), I get to sleep in until whatever hour, and just wake up to study! I'm actually very excited.

Anyway, even though you already know, the post title comes from the song Holy Grail by my man JT and Jay-z. I was really thinking it should be from one of the more folk-y songs that I've been jamming to these days but this song was on repeat all darn day so I had no choice but to use it in this post. It was out of my hands, really.

Thinking of you, Tita Pat.

Love and hugs,
Gelina