The holidays are almost here and there is such an excitement in the air! I can feel it and I am very happy! No more Ms. Scrooge as in past years. No more dreading the holidays and anxious for them to be over.
I cannot wait for them to get here! Who am I? I am the new me! One who is happy with herself and where she is in her life now.
One who for the first time ever is having family to her house for Thanksgiving.
One who is finally getting the beach Christmas she always wanted.

Yes life is good.

Things have finally slowed down -- a bit -- to a less than hectic pace! I finally got registered last week and I am satisfied with my class selection. All in my major an NO MORE BIOLOGY!! It is hard to believe the semester is almost over. It is hitting those of us who have gotten close and it is like the end of a school year when you sign your yearbooks and promise to 'stay in touch'.

These kids are making their way into my heart and enriching my world in a way I never thought possible. It gives me hope for the future of our country as well. I think it is in great hands because their generation is insightful, edgy but still with that sense of tradition that our generation gives them.

The film festival is in town this weekend. I plan to take full advantage of that in spite of remnants of a nasty storm Ida. We have had torrential downpours all week. I also plan a trip to a store in search of rubber boots. A much needed necessity in the flatlands. Quite a bit of flooding here when it rains a lot! I have to be better prepared! No more sloshing around campus for me!!

I'm looking forward to each day more and more. My house sale closes on the 20th and hey, today is payday. Wow, I wonder what today has in store for me?!

It is getting chilly here at the beach but that just makes it more glorious. For just when I put on a light jacket -- that's all I need -- I smile because I know the ocean is just a few miles away!

Things have been hectic with Writers' Week just ending a the Film Festival just beginning. It is an exciting time to be living in Wilmington. I can remember years past when I would read about these events in the Observer and would longingly wish I could attend. Now I can!

I thoroughly enjoyed Writers' Week. I went to three visiting writers and attended two lecture panels. The readings were wonderful and I couldn't help but daydream a little and imagine myself up there one day as a successful author inspiring young students with my talent!!

I realize almost every day how much I love it down here. Something will happen during a day or I will see something and it will remind me how wonderful it is and how lucky I am to be here. Every day I wake up anxious to see what the day is going to bring me. It has been a long time since I have felt this way.

Welcome back old me:)