I like to do blog make overs at the changing of the seasons; as my little corner of Canada got a dusting of snow last night, I figured it was finally time to surrender to the idea that winter is indeed coming.

I've been thinking a lot lately about what I want to do when I get home for good in 11(!!!) days. It feels like I have so much I need to do for vet-related stuff - finalizing my last two externals, taking boards, hopefully attending a residency interview or two, etc - but I want to do some stuff that I'm excited out, unrelated to school or my career. So here's my breakdown:

1) Food. My dad is a phenomenal cook, and I look forward to getting back into my parents' kitchen after six months of very, very limited kitchen supplies. They have a ton of room, a huge gas range, lots of useful gadgets and a dishwasher! I can't wait to make all kinds of things, from pecan pie to mashed potatoes to huge salads. I also want to go to all of the restaurants that I've been missing all this time: Chipotle, ChikFilA, Fuddruckers, any and all Mexican food places, Roti, Buca Di Beppo, etc etc etc.

2) Friends. I have so many wonderful friends back home that I haven't seen in six months! I have a couple of holiday parties I'm planning to attend, but I also just want to go catch up with these people.

3) Activities. Every year, my mom, sister and I go and paint Christmas ornaments. We've been doing it for years and whenever Danny and I get our own place, I know I'll take mine with me. Danny and I also go to the National Christmas Tree every year - it's just blocks from where he works and it's nice to walk downtown with him even if it's usually cold. I don't know what we'll do if we move away :( But I'm also planning some fun other activities, like going to see certain movies, maybe a hockey game, a couple of museums, etc.

After so long away from home, the last week or two before leaving always seems to drag for me. It doesn't help that this is the last time I'll be away from my husband for the rest of our lives! I get more and more antsy to start moving on - find a job/residency, find a place to live, start digging in for the long haul...all that fun stuff. Running on my last reserves of patience, but I just have to keep going!