The Christmas Shoes:
The story told in the song is also a movie I came across on the Hallmark channel. My friend said she cannot stand the song because it makes her bawl. And I wept a bit in the movie, too. But I recommend any movie that makes me smile at the end.
Stepmom:
Ok, another movie that makes me cry, but is also really good.
The Family Man:
Who doesn't love Nick Cage? Plus, the plot is original.
The Santa Clause:
Aka the best Christmas movie ever. I will always equate Tom Hanks with Santa Claus.
The Christmas List:
I watch it every year and get a kick out of how old it is.
Miracle on 34th Street:
I haven't seen it in a while but I remember loving it. Gotta watch the new version though with the girl that played Matilda.
Jingle All the Way:
Look, it's Arnold back in the day!
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation:
Absolutely hilarious.
Home Alone I and II:
My favorite movie as a child. I named my little brother after the conniving little kid.
All those new movies about Santa's daughter or Santa's wife don't make the cut. It's all about the classics. Except the black and white ones.
So make some hot chocolate and enjoy the heartwarming flicks!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
10 days
So it's been 10 days since I've posted on this blog. A lot of things can happen in 10 days. A lot of nothing can also happen in 10 days.
For instance, a lot of sleeping, eating and homework. But there were also some events I consider noteworthy.
The Gators smashed both the University of South Carolina as well the Citadel the past two Saturdays. I was a witness in the Swamp for both the games. One of my good friends attends USC so I was especially eager to trample the Gamecocks. I took my friend Kelly to her first game, which she enjoyed despite thinking she wouldn't. For the Citadel game, I sat in the Newman block with friends Mary, Rachel and Bridget, who all managed to find tickets, as well as some other cool people. Including Father David who went to his first game. I even got to teach him the Gator bait cheer and chomp. Mr. Two Bits made his last debut on Saturday, leading the two bits cheer for the Gators. Students were handed paper ties in honor of Mr. Two Bits and watched him recieve the "keys of the city" (what those are I am not quite sure.)
I have beeen to three potlucks and Thanksgiving is still four days away. Fortunately, nothing can replace my mom's green beans, sweet potatoes, boiled wine apples, and deviled eggs. Although my friend's mashed potatoes and someone's applie pie were pretty scrumptious.
In those ten days, my room managed to become a horrible mess. My roommate told her mom over the phone that my side of the room was messy and she replied "as long as you keep your side clean." Which made me feel kind of lousy, but hey, my parents are miles away from my room. And I also was able to reconnect with some close friends I don't see very often through lunch. I even attended a bonfire and didn't make smores. That is definitely a first. The atmosphere was kind of hippie-ish, meaning that people ate deep fried turkey and candy bars and sat silently next to the fire watching the flames in the backyard of an old shady house. Then my friend's brother brought out his guitar and livened up some guests with a great rendition of "I Will Survive."
I'm excited for Thanksgiving but everyone seems to be leaving the city of Gainesville before Wednesday. I can't miss my post modern England class so i have to wait until 3p.m. to leave. Still scouting for potential rides, but around ten people I know are leaving earlier. When I do get home my plans look like this: hang out at home Wednesday night, have an early thanksgiving lunch on Thursday, work from 5 to 11p.m., look for a voice recorder on black Friday, work that night, get up and go to work on Saturday, go home and watch the Gators defeat the Seminoles, and come back here on Sunday. I am trying to balance spending time with the family and earning some money, in case you couldn't tell.
And before I can enjoy both those things, I have to write a research paper. Tonight. So...Happy thanksgiving to all and good night.
For instance, a lot of sleeping, eating and homework. But there were also some events I consider noteworthy.
The Gators smashed both the University of South Carolina as well the Citadel the past two Saturdays. I was a witness in the Swamp for both the games. One of my good friends attends USC so I was especially eager to trample the Gamecocks. I took my friend Kelly to her first game, which she enjoyed despite thinking she wouldn't. For the Citadel game, I sat in the Newman block with friends Mary, Rachel and Bridget, who all managed to find tickets, as well as some other cool people. Including Father David who went to his first game. I even got to teach him the Gator bait cheer and chomp. Mr. Two Bits made his last debut on Saturday, leading the two bits cheer for the Gators. Students were handed paper ties in honor of Mr. Two Bits and watched him recieve the "keys of the city" (what those are I am not quite sure.)
I have beeen to three potlucks and Thanksgiving is still four days away. Fortunately, nothing can replace my mom's green beans, sweet potatoes, boiled wine apples, and deviled eggs. Although my friend's mashed potatoes and someone's applie pie were pretty scrumptious.
In those ten days, my room managed to become a horrible mess. My roommate told her mom over the phone that my side of the room was messy and she replied "as long as you keep your side clean." Which made me feel kind of lousy, but hey, my parents are miles away from my room. And I also was able to reconnect with some close friends I don't see very often through lunch. I even attended a bonfire and didn't make smores. That is definitely a first. The atmosphere was kind of hippie-ish, meaning that people ate deep fried turkey and candy bars and sat silently next to the fire watching the flames in the backyard of an old shady house. Then my friend's brother brought out his guitar and livened up some guests with a great rendition of "I Will Survive."
I'm excited for Thanksgiving but everyone seems to be leaving the city of Gainesville before Wednesday. I can't miss my post modern England class so i have to wait until 3p.m. to leave. Still scouting for potential rides, but around ten people I know are leaving earlier. When I do get home my plans look like this: hang out at home Wednesday night, have an early thanksgiving lunch on Thursday, work from 5 to 11p.m., look for a voice recorder on black Friday, work that night, get up and go to work on Saturday, go home and watch the Gators defeat the Seminoles, and come back here on Sunday. I am trying to balance spending time with the family and earning some money, in case you couldn't tell.
And before I can enjoy both those things, I have to write a research paper. Tonight. So...Happy thanksgiving to all and good night.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Highs and lows
Today was the infamous day that creeps upon you every semester. The day that takes your well-crafted plans and morphs them into a mush of garbage.
Today was my course registration day.
Sitting in class staring at my laptop for the clock to turn precisely 10:50, I had a page listing the classes I wanted and needed, as well as alternative options.
Going through ISIS, most of my classes were gone. My back-ups were gone. My back-ups' back-ups' were even gone. I had to call my friends to get suggestions because I was signed up for only 7 credits.
I ended up with a schedule that started at 8:30 four times a week. All of my friends who heard about it looked at me and said I had to change that. I'm a night owl and let's just say I have slept through a class or two.
Then came weighing the pros and cons of all my options which was not easy.
I wish there was a system that made all this mess easier. The funny part is I know that it will probably change completely in the week left until registration closes or during drop/add. So there's really no sense in worry about any of it.
The high point of my day was when I ran into a classmate who told me she had given my flash drive to our lab instructor after I left it one day. I was disappointed that I couldn't find it last week and thought it was gone for good. It was an awesome surprise and I actually didn't know what to say when she told me. I might've muttered a "thank you" but i'm not sure.
I love when something unexpected like that happens. It's just a reminder that there are people out there looking to do the right thing.
Sometimes we find things that we thought we had lost. We get frustrated and then realize the answer is right in front of us. Sometimes we find them, or friends or strangers do. I probably should have considered e-mailing my lab instructor, but I didn't think she would have a clue where my flash drive was. Sometimes, we think too much.
Many times even our back-up plans fall through. We can't seem to find what we think we want and need. Life is kind of like ISIS in a way, doors to opportunities are sporadically closed and opened, and you kind of have to go on a whim. Even the best laid plans falter and that's okay. What matters is that we adapt and know that things will arrange themselves how they are meant to be eventually.
Today was my course registration day.
Sitting in class staring at my laptop for the clock to turn precisely 10:50, I had a page listing the classes I wanted and needed, as well as alternative options.
Going through ISIS, most of my classes were gone. My back-ups were gone. My back-ups' back-ups' were even gone. I had to call my friends to get suggestions because I was signed up for only 7 credits.
I ended up with a schedule that started at 8:30 four times a week. All of my friends who heard about it looked at me and said I had to change that. I'm a night owl and let's just say I have slept through a class or two.
Then came weighing the pros and cons of all my options which was not easy.
I wish there was a system that made all this mess easier. The funny part is I know that it will probably change completely in the week left until registration closes or during drop/add. So there's really no sense in worry about any of it.
The high point of my day was when I ran into a classmate who told me she had given my flash drive to our lab instructor after I left it one day. I was disappointed that I couldn't find it last week and thought it was gone for good. It was an awesome surprise and I actually didn't know what to say when she told me. I might've muttered a "thank you" but i'm not sure.
I love when something unexpected like that happens. It's just a reminder that there are people out there looking to do the right thing.
Sometimes we find things that we thought we had lost. We get frustrated and then realize the answer is right in front of us. Sometimes we find them, or friends or strangers do. I probably should have considered e-mailing my lab instructor, but I didn't think she would have a clue where my flash drive was. Sometimes, we think too much.
Many times even our back-up plans fall through. We can't seem to find what we think we want and need. Life is kind of like ISIS in a way, doors to opportunities are sporadically closed and opened, and you kind of have to go on a whim. Even the best laid plans falter and that's okay. What matters is that we adapt and know that things will arrange themselves how they are meant to be eventually.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Eliot and his story
I caught a glimpse of Oprah the other day bawling on her show and decided to stay tuned.
That's when I learned about these amazing parents and their son, Eliot Mooney, who was born with several complications.
You can see the video on YouTube here.
They also have a blog.
These parents tried to enjoy every moment they had with their son. Each day was treated as special as a birthday.
Eliot lived 99 days.
So many times we forget how blessed we are to be here.
I am not perfect and I often forget about making each moment count. But this blog's title is a reminder to myself and to others about how precious life is.
The courage of these parents amazes me. Their pictures are filled with profound joy for every moment of their son's life. Every bath, ever feeding session, every venture outside. The little things that people tend to take for granted.
Eliot was such a loved little boy. In his short but miraculous life, his parents showered him with love and care.
When Eliot passed away, I can't imagine the heartache they experienced. But I am inspired by their ability to trust God and His will and to remain strong.
Let's take something away from this story. In each battle we fight, let us remain hopeful. With each tragedy we confront, let us remain trusting. Against every doubt and fear, let us walk by faith.
Let us thank God every day for our blessings.
That's when I learned about these amazing parents and their son, Eliot Mooney, who was born with several complications.
You can see the video on YouTube here.
They also have a blog.
These parents tried to enjoy every moment they had with their son. Each day was treated as special as a birthday.
Eliot lived 99 days.
So many times we forget how blessed we are to be here.
I am not perfect and I often forget about making each moment count. But this blog's title is a reminder to myself and to others about how precious life is.
The courage of these parents amazes me. Their pictures are filled with profound joy for every moment of their son's life. Every bath, ever feeding session, every venture outside. The little things that people tend to take for granted.
Eliot was such a loved little boy. In his short but miraculous life, his parents showered him with love and care.
When Eliot passed away, I can't imagine the heartache they experienced. But I am inspired by their ability to trust God and His will and to remain strong.
Let's take something away from this story. In each battle we fight, let us remain hopeful. With each tragedy we confront, let us remain trusting. Against every doubt and fear, let us walk by faith.
Let us thank God every day for our blessings.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Happy belated election day
Exercising my civic duty was such a thrill. I looked through the ballot three times to make sure I filled in the bubbles correctly. I had butterflies in my stomach the whole time! The funniest thing has to be when I asked if they had markers at the booths and the person said yes. But when I went to an open spot I stood there panicked for 30 seconds which felt like an hour, darting my eyes around the entire cubicle, looking for a felt tip pen. It was white and I finally found it lying along the edge. I liked that there were lights and the booth was very bright, but the cord was in my way and left a weird shadow on my ballot. All minuscule things I am just jotting down for the sake of jotting them down. Voting for the first time will be a story I will tell for a while.
Most importantly, I feel so excited that I made a stamp on history. When the election results were in and they tallied up the votes and announced the next President of the United States, I knew I was a part in making that decision. I let my voice be heard. I stood up for what I believed in and voted for the candidate that spoke to my values as an American citizen. I voted for the person who I believe is most qualified to run this nation.
I salute all our founding fathers and all those who fought in the Revolutionary War, as Americans declared their independence. I applaud every soldier, every troop, who has fought in subsequent wars and served this country to uphold the justice it was founded on. I bow my head to every person who risks their lives to protect the rights of American citizens. To the firefighters, the policemen, the troops, the founding fathers, thank you. Thank you for working to protect our rights.
Above all, I have to say thank you to my parents. Who sacrificed everything to bring me to America. To this land of opportunity. They worked hard to give me this. To give me comfort and security and stability. It is today when I feel so proud of my parents and of my country. Thanks to them, I was able to exercise my right to vote, my right to elect officials who will have a severe impact on this country, my right to choose which types of things we amend to our constitution. My right to be heard.
I am so proud to be an American. I realize how blessed I am, how blessed we all are to be able to live here. Sometimes we take it for granted, but this country gives us so much. We have so many freedoms here, so many opportunities, such economic stability.
I know right now, we are in a financial crisis. I know our country is divided on many things. I know the war in Iraq divides many people. I know several people dislike our current President, both American citizens and by other nations.
But I also know that we have the strength to conquer this divide. Look at everything we have been through. The American spirit is not a weak one. We can do this. We will rise up from our challenges and prosper once again. I know if we all work together we can resolve many of the issues that plague us.
Election day was a day to rejoice. A day to realize how fortunate we are to raise our voices, step into a polling place conveniently near us open all day, and be confronted by people who help and answer questions, and if you went to a cool place, maybe even walk away with a cookie.
God bless the U.S.A.
Most importantly, I feel so excited that I made a stamp on history. When the election results were in and they tallied up the votes and announced the next President of the United States, I knew I was a part in making that decision. I let my voice be heard. I stood up for what I believed in and voted for the candidate that spoke to my values as an American citizen. I voted for the person who I believe is most qualified to run this nation.
I salute all our founding fathers and all those who fought in the Revolutionary War, as Americans declared their independence. I applaud every soldier, every troop, who has fought in subsequent wars and served this country to uphold the justice it was founded on. I bow my head to every person who risks their lives to protect the rights of American citizens. To the firefighters, the policemen, the troops, the founding fathers, thank you. Thank you for working to protect our rights.
Above all, I have to say thank you to my parents. Who sacrificed everything to bring me to America. To this land of opportunity. They worked hard to give me this. To give me comfort and security and stability. It is today when I feel so proud of my parents and of my country. Thanks to them, I was able to exercise my right to vote, my right to elect officials who will have a severe impact on this country, my right to choose which types of things we amend to our constitution. My right to be heard.
I am so proud to be an American. I realize how blessed I am, how blessed we all are to be able to live here. Sometimes we take it for granted, but this country gives us so much. We have so many freedoms here, so many opportunities, such economic stability.
I know right now, we are in a financial crisis. I know our country is divided on many things. I know the war in Iraq divides many people. I know several people dislike our current President, both American citizens and by other nations.
But I also know that we have the strength to conquer this divide. Look at everything we have been through. The American spirit is not a weak one. We can do this. We will rise up from our challenges and prosper once again. I know if we all work together we can resolve many of the issues that plague us.
Election day was a day to rejoice. A day to realize how fortunate we are to raise our voices, step into a polling place conveniently near us open all day, and be confronted by people who help and answer questions, and if you went to a cool place, maybe even walk away with a cookie.
God bless the U.S.A.
Welcome to my blog
Hey everybody.
I've always loved to write. So here I am, writing about this awesome thing called life.
About me: I love my friends and family. I love to laugh. I love God. I love chocolate, ice cream, Google products, sunsets, House marathons, and the Florida Gators!
One of my favorite quotes is "I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world" by Mother Teresa.
That's what I try to be. God's little pencil.
Enjoy.
I've always loved to write. So here I am, writing about this awesome thing called life.
About me: I love my friends and family. I love to laugh. I love God. I love chocolate, ice cream, Google products, sunsets, House marathons, and the Florida Gators!
One of my favorite quotes is "I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world" by Mother Teresa.
That's what I try to be. God's little pencil.
Enjoy.
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