Holidays from Home

I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday. I usually work on Christmas presents until the last hour, but this year I got them done early! After finals ended, I went to Dallas and shopped at the Dallas Galleria Mall. It is a huge, three-story shopping mall located in the heart of Dallas. It is surrounded by many restaurants and has good deals on clothes and gifts. I was able to check off everyone on my Christmas list!

Dallas Galleria

Over the holidays, my family and I made traditional German bread, called “stollen”. It is a Christmas bread made with raisins, nuts, and powdered sugar. We bake it every year. We also built a gingerbread house together using a kit my mom bought at the store. I had a great holiday and I’m excited for the new year.

My new year’s resolution for 2013 is to experience more Dallas food! A co-worker of mine is from Dallas and has told me about several places I could go eat. For example, there is an authentic Italian cuisine restaurant called Pietro’s, which has been in business for more than 50 years. I would also like to try Kalachandji‘s, an all-vegetarian Indian restaurant. Before I moved to Denton, I had never had Indian food. Now, I can’t get enough of it.

I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year, full of prosperity and happiness!

-Mel

Post-Finals!

Mel: Hey, Stephanie. I’m so glad that finals are over! I took my last exam on Thursday night, and I can’t wait to see how my grades are. Are you glad it’s over?

Stephanie: Hey Mel! Yes definitely, I am so relieved that I am done with my final exams. Did you get the chance to go get a back massage at the Union to help with the stress?

Mel: Yeah, I did! I went after lunch,  right before my last exam. I think it helped to calm my nerves before the test. So, I know you and I are both heading home for the holidays this week. Are you planning to take part any activities in Denton before you leave for Brazil?

Stephanie:Hmm… so many things to do in such a short time! I definitely plan on walking around the Square to see the Christmas lights, and will go to Fry street with my friends to celebrate life! 🙂

Denton Square Lit Up!

 

How about you?

Mel: Well, there is an adult Holiday Hoops Basketball Tournament in Denton on Thursday. I will probably stop by and see who wins! I’m also going to get some coffee tomorrow with a friend, and sit next to the huge Christmas tree in the Union. It’s so peaceful now that the campus is empty.

Denton M.L.K. Jr. Recreation Center

Overall, I can’t wait until our office holiday party this Wednesday. It will be nice to see everyone and relax before next semester. Well, I’ll see you later! Have fun on the Square looking at Christmas lights!

Stephanie:That sounds fun! I hope you enjoy your last days in Denton before heading home! I will see you at the Christmas party tomorrow! Bye girl

Final Exams at UNT!

After five stressful months of studying, planning, and test-taking, I am happy to say that finals week is finally here! The campus is stirring with activities to help students relax, included play dog therapy in the student union and free massages!

To prepare for my exams, I spent all weekend studying: no doing laundry, no $5 movies at the local movie theater, and sadly… no Big Bang Theory. For the next five days you can find me in one of two places: studying in the Mac Lab on the third floor of Matthews’s Hall or right here in the Recruitment office. I am lucky, though, to say that I only have a couple of exams. I am nearing the end of my degree plan so most of my major assignments have been final projects. I have a strong feeling I won’t be seeing some of my coworkers this week—everyone is buckling down for their exams! Needless to say, we will all be happy when this semester is complete and we can call look forward to our holiday break. Now, back to studying and work!

Students Studying in Willis Library

-Mel