@Goblin: it will be quiet for me too. I already did Christmas with my family after thanksgiving since we don’t live near each other and I was in England to see my husband’s side. We got home just in time before the outbreaks were bad.
So Christmas will just be us two. Which is fine with us. I’ll make food for Christmas Eve and Christmas. I feel like I haven’t even thought of New Years yet. I feel like I should look back on all I’ve done this year and think about what I would like to do in 2022. For sure my biggest accomplishment was getting able to get my two shots. Long story short I have PTSD related to needles and medical staff. I was able to overcome it. I was in therapy for it before the pandemic.

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@Fizzgig: awesome, I've added you to the list. thanks for helping out!

@Wildfire: no worries, maybe next time haha

@Hachi: oh lord that sounds like a lot. Do you even know what you want to do the paper on? And how long until that is your only ‘class’?
It wasn’t COVID. I actually had a test the day before I was sick. (Started getting the sore throat about 2 hours after the test) so there is no way that was Covid. The test can detect it before you have symptoms. Also it is pretty much gone now and I didn’t go anywhere since I’ve been home. Lol
I’m glad I had the test or I would have been so worried. It’s impossible to get a test in the DC region right now. Too many people are in need of one.
For Christmas I’m keeping it simple. Ham, Sweet Potatoes, carrots, dinner rolls and home made gravy. ^^
What about you?

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@Totalanimefan: I'll be done with didactic courses after Year 2. I'm looking forward to it bc juggling both has been difficult
I have a general area I want to work on but no specifics haha.. I'm hoping it'll reveal itself in time

it's good that you were able to get a test! yeah over here if you want a test, it's like a 3 day wait minimum. or you can shell out $150, which is.. yikes
I hope that diagnostics become more available and more affordable.. I feel like it would give me significantly more peace of mind about hanging out with people..

the food sounds really tasty I hope you had a good time!
I spent christmas with my dad. he made steak! on new year's, we'll go to my sister's house.

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@Totalanimefan: I hope so! that's what I hear from older students. I'm a lot more comfortable in research than in classes, so I imagine that it'd be less stressful for me at least.

they do have free testing centers, but it's a long wait (or a long drive...). I haven't heard about getting at-home test kits yet, or maybe they are very limited? I wish we could get free test kits at the pharmacy in the states 😩

that sounds nice! what kind of gifts did you get for each other?
my sister promised a big fancy meal bc she knows I've not been eating properly bc of school haha.... (and I suck at cooking) I asked for a crepe cake, I've never tried one before

@Hachi: You only have to make it until then!
Oh I see. I saw on Twitter today that the tests being giving out at the library in DC are free? I'm not totally sure since I haven't needed to get one. Got tested in England 3 times (which wasn't free lol) and I literally have not left my house since landing. I even get my groceries delivered. lol
I hope that your area is able to get more testing. We ran out of kits last week here, but this week they are just barely keeping up with demand. And there are long lines.

I got some skincare that I bought in England (cause it's cheaper there than here) and also Big Brain Academy for the Switch. I got my husband a belt, some longe pants and some nice stone coffee mugs he wanted. Having a good meal after not having one in a long time is wonderful!

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@Ryume: I'm sorry you missed out! maybe next time! this thread usually pops up around mid-November.