#16-Go See Solvang at Christmas (and updates on life...)

Happy Holidays from the Alexander-Marshall Household :)

My lovely friend Jenny accompanied me to an anti-climatic visit of Solvang at Christmas. Although there were Christmas decorations, there was literally no one in Solvang (it was a Thursday afternoon) and several shops were already closed by 5 p.m. haha... I'd recommend going on a weekend when they have free caroling in the main plaza and more of their "Winterfest" celebrations going on as Thursday afternoons are uneventful and the shops are overpriced--as usual.

Winterfest in Solvang

Jenny at Solvang's "Northpole"

6531 Neighbors <3 

On other holiday notes, my lovely apartment-mates and I hosted several festivities this past fall quarter. Thanksgiving was celebrated with a potluck--complete with Rupert--our Turkey which we brined and then roasted. He was delicious :). We also had people dress up in their holiday best, or come as Pilgrims or Native Americans. The evening ended in a dance party with an uncanny semblance to a Bat Mitzah--complete with a congo line to Gloria Estefan and the Casper Cha-Cha slide.

Rupert.. in his brine bath

Heike, Paul (our neighbor who saved the day--he knows how to carve a turkey!),  Tim & Carmen

My housemates minus Heike

The December holidays were celebrated with an "ugly sweater party." Surprisingly, ugly sweaters are hard to come by in Santa Barbara--it took me three thrift store shops to find a decent one. And then it was $20! Freaking ridiculous--just goes to show that everything really is more expensive in Santa Barbara. Ultimately though, the Xmas tree sweater added to the festivity and spirit of the night.

Sara, Jacquie, Caitlin and Me in our festive gear