Wait For Me

So I've been working this week which is amazing because it means I get paid. This is doubly exciting because I'll probably be able to sustain my out-of-pocket entertainment expenses for the remainder of the semester. However, part of the money I have right now is Christmas money, which I was planning on saving up and spending on dinners and movies and such throughout the course of the semester. This makes me feel like I have justification to make a purchase I've been longing to make for quite some time now.

Let me begin my explanation of this justified future purchase by relating a story that I have from today. When the third graders changed classes today they found their desks and then proceeded to ask me my least favorite yet most anticipated question from young people: Are you married? Of course, I responded in the contrary to which one child responded "Would you like to be?" which would have tickled me if the entire class wasn't on my nerves. (Side note: I really hope someone hires me so I don't have to teach for a living. It's so not my thing.) Anyway, they proceeded to explain to me that I must be married because I was wearing a ring. I didn't feel like engaging 20 eight year olds in a complex monologue about the reason I wear a ring on the finger I hope to eventually wear two completely different rings on that symbolize two different things.

Which leads me to the ring I currently wear there. When I was 12 our youth group went through the True Love Waits curriculum. At the time, I was completely obtuse as to what exactly everything we were discussing meant. However, as time passed I became more and more committed to fulfilling the promise I made as part of the program. I was wearing about three rings at the time already on specific fingers, so I chose to have my ring fitted for an index finger. I knew what the ring symbolized and my parents did (as they bought it for me as a reward for committing to the promise to abstain), but the ring was very nonspecific. It was just a simple band that I liked as I browsed the store. As the years progressed, I ceased wearing the ring on a regular basis due to the finger I had it fitted for and my lack of desire to wear it there. However, as I watched more and more of my friends go down the same road, I found it was time for me to be more vivid with my belief on this subject.

This led me to go have the ring resized so I could wear it on the finger that would help most symbolize the promise. Then I realized how subtle the implication is if you're unfamiliar with my personality, and I started seeing other people wearing this:

Since I finally have enough for this (thank you random $25 coupon sent for no apparent reason), I'll be making the purchase soon. It will not replace the one I currently wear since this is the symbol I chose and I stand by it even if I find it too subtle these days. It will mearly supplement it on a neighboring finger so as to make a statement to those around me.

I will not cave on this. The end.

Witticism of the Day: Threatening to do something multiple times will only get you a temporary fix. If you intend on doing something, just do it. Don't be the boy who cried wolf.

To the Upper East Side

My head hurts pretty bad tonight, so this will be fairly short. I've been sharing these thoughts with my friends a lot recently, so I figured I'd share it with you. Here's my list of recommended books and series.

Please keep in mind that for some reason I can't find many books in any section of the library aside from the Young Adult Fiction section that I find to my liking recently. My tastes currently revolve around books about debutantes or New York boarding school children with a few exceptions.

In order of favoritism:

1. The Luxe Series by Anna Godbersen: (Teen Fiction) This series follows several young ladies around 1900 that are among the Old New York society elite. The books are (in order)

• The Luxe
• Rumors
• Envy
• Splendor

2. The Bride Quartet Series by Nora Roberts: (Romance) This series follows a group of four women who live and work together as wedding organizers. Each book follows a different one of the friends as they find love while creating dream events for brides. The books are

• Vision in White
• Bed of Roses
• Savor the Moment
• Happy Ever After

3. The Gossip Girl Series by Cecily von Ziegesar (surprise, surprise): (Teen Fiction) In case you've been living under a rock, this series follows a group of Manhattan's teen elite through several years of high school, and the final novel recaps what happens to the characters as they begin college. DISCLAIMER: I loved this, but you may not. The books are

• Gossip Girl
• You Know You Love Me
• All I Want is Everything
• Because I'm Worth It
• I Like It Like That
• You're the One That I Want
• Nobody Does It Better
• Nothing Can Keep Us Together
• Only in Your Dreams
• Would I Lie to You?
• Don't You Forget About Me
• Gossip Girl: It Had To Be You (Prequel)
• I Will Always Love You
• Gossip Girl: The Carlyles
• You Just Can't Get Enough (Carlyles)
• Take a Chance on Me (Carlyles)
• Love the One You're With (Carlyles)

(The last four of these novels are a spinoff series under the name Gossip Girl: The Carlyles. I read the four of these after Don't You Forget About Me before reading the prequel or the final book in the series because this was the order in which they were written and our library keeps both series in the same place on the shelf. It's entirely your choice if you want to work your way through these 17 novels what order you do so in.)

4. The It Girl Series by Cecily von Ziegesar: (Teen Fiction) This Gossip Girl spinoff series follows popular Gossip Girl character Jenny Humphrey as she ventures off to boarding school and attempts to become (stay with me here) the it girl. The books are

• The It Girl
• Notorious
• Reckless
• Unforgettable
• Lucky
• Tempted
• Infamous
• Adored
• Devious
• Classic

5. The Blue Bloods Series by Melissa de la Cruz: (Teen Fiction) This series follows one girl's transformation into a vampire (I know, I know...not another vampire series...) set in the same framework of Manhattan's teen elite (get it now?). The series has been the least conventional vampire story I have found as it involves Lucifer himself (ssssssssss) and an intricate story of his falling and the fallen angels that followed him. The books are (so far)

• Blue Bloods
• Masquerade
• Revelations
• The Van Alen Legacy
• Misguided Angel
• Bloody Valentine

6. The Au Pairs Series by Melissa de la Cruz: (Teen Fiction) This series follows three young girls from different backgrounds who all serve as au pairs for a family on their vacations in the Hamptons and the situations these ladies find themselves in along the way. The books are

• The Au Pairs
• The Au Pairs: Skinny Dipping
• The Au Pairs: Sun-Kissed
• The Au Pairs: Crazy Hot

7. The Private Series by Kate Brian: (Teen Fiction) This is a series I started but never finished only because our library seems to have misplaced the third book in the series, and I'm too cheap to buy it just to find out what happened. The series follows a girl who moves to boarding school (are you sensing a pattern yet?) and her strive to fit in with her classmates in the midst of scandal. The books are

• Private
• Invitation Only
• Untouchable
• Confessions
• Inner Circle
• Legacy
• Ambition
• Revelation
• Paradise Lost
• Suspicion
• Scandal
• Vanquished
• Last Christmas (Prequel)

I know I've read a lot more than this and there is one that I cannot for the life of me remember the title of. This is all I have for you at the moment though. Here's a list of what I'm currently working my way through:

1. Secret Society by Tom Dolby: (Teen Fiction) This book follows a group of Manhattan's teen elite as they are inducted into a becoming affiliated with a secret society that opens doors to their futures...but at what cost? (I should totally write those summaries for the book jackets.)

2. La Petite Four by Regina Scott: (Teen Fiction) Frankly, I haven't started reading this book yet, so I'm not really too clear on what it's about, but it sounded good.

3. The Pretty Little Liars Series by Sara Shepard: (Teen Fiction) This series follows four girls in the aftermath of their friend's disappearance. The television series is based off of the series, although I did hear they altered some things to keep from having the whole thing spoiled if you've read the books. The books are

• Pretty Little Liars
• Flawless
• Perfect
• Unbelievable
• Wicked
• Killer
• Heartless
• Wanted

I hope you found something here that sounds good to you.

Witticism of the Day: There's a fine line between reprimanding a child and abusing it. Don't be afraid to discipline, but don't cross the line.

The Home Stretch

I acknowledge the fact that it's been quite a while since I posted, but I wanted to make sure I didn't find an excuse to skip posting anything today (like "I didn't even turn my computer on today" or "I said everything I wanted to say in the last post").

First of all, I've been quite a downer about the holiday everyone in the surrounding area has apparently been celebrating for the last 36 hours and beyond. It's the new year, 2011. Since I've failed to say it to all but a very small handful of people, Happy New Year! (Now I feel better about not responding to the mass texts I received wishing me the same sentiment.)

I find that every year, people choose a resolution for the year that they perhaps have every intention of fulfilling at the time, but they fail to achieve it by the time the year ends. In fact, most resolutions are something like:

• Spend less money
• Lose weight
• Get better grades
• Read more
• Eat healthier
• Etc.

Goals such as these are incredibly vague which defeats the purpose. If you're going to set one of these as your resolution, make sure it's specific to you. "I need to save $X this year for the future instead of spending it frivolously." "I want to lose X pounds by the end of the year." "I want to read X books this year."

As for me, I tend to set semesterly goals to make sure I keep myself in check. I find that shorter periods of time encourage you to stay on top of things. Here are my current goals:

• Find a job
• Lose ** pounds (like that's any of your business)
• Have at least a 3.0 for the semester
• Graduate
• Find a date to College Prom

That's all I've got for now, but the list will likely increase once the semester begins. That's all gravy as long as the list also decreases as time goes by. I encourage you to set your goals in whatever way inspires you to accomplish them.

Witticism of the Day: Regardless of what anyone has ever told you, it is absolutely the furthest thing from important to be THE best at something. What's incredibly important is to be YOUR best at all times. Don't get so caught up in competition that you step on your friends toes in the process. You never know how that will affect them.

But the Greatest Gift of All Was Him

It's been a crazy few days (so much for posting every day...not that I had anything to say anyway), but it's finally a relaxing day here in the house with everyone around and no extras. It's been really great having my grandparents here but it's nice to have the dog not jumping all over them begging for attention only to be ignored. We'll see them again tomorrow though, so it's all gravy from my standpoint.

But today is Christmas day, so I'll keep my promise to tell you what I received this morning from my family. And since it seems to be popular, I'll depict it with visual aids.

In increasing order of importance:

Cash: Lots of it. Which is really a great thing for a broke college kid.

iTunes Gift Card: This is fantastic because I wear songs out really fast once they're downloaded.

Sequin Fedora:   Now I can quit stealing from the boys during rehearsal (which kinda takes the fun out of it...but I still look stylish).

Facing the Giants:  This movie is fantastic. You'll laugh; you'll cry. I'm excited to finally have a new movie, although I've been craving a Moulin Rouge viewing if anyone cares to join in.

Portable Bottle of Burberry Brit: My favorite brand; my favorite scent. It's all wrapped into a tiny little bottle that can be stored in my purse (of the same brand) and used when I forget to spray before I leave home, or if I'm out and about and get really smelly and need to freshen up. Mom's been talking about getting a little bottle for years (I've gone through several full size bottles of this particular scent over the years as well).

Disney Sing It Family Hits: The game we didn't know existed that we spoke into existence, apparently. Now when we get back to school we're totally having a karaoke party!

Padfolio: This isn't the exact one, but you get the general idea. Now once I get a business suit that I'll be shopping for next week and a pair of black pumps that are appropriate for the job hunt, I'll look incredibly professional when I wander around.

Food Chopper: This is incredibly exciting because I can now chop onions in approximately half a minute instead of chopping for half an hour by hand. I can't wait to try this thing out.

Foot Massager: I'm for real about to try this thing out in a while. Now after a long performance that I've stood through in heels I can go home, fill this thing up, and relax. Now if C would get my foot cream back, I'd be in good shape.

Lastly, and most excitingly
BILLY ELLIOT TICKETS:    I. CAN. NOT. WAIT. FOR. THIS. SHOW. I watched the trailer earlier when I was making sure this was a Broadway Across America show and figuring out where the seats were in the auditorium, and I was tearing up and getting chills. I just hope S doesn't freak out if I start bawling during Angry Dance and Electricity during the show (similar to my reactions during Defying Gravity at Wicked this past summer).

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas as well, and that you never forget that the reason we even give gifts for this holiday is because we were given the ultimate gift when Christ was born.

Witticism of the Day: Just in case no one informed you at that candlelight service you were at last night, the candles represent the light of Christ that should be shared with the world and not hidden and kept to yourself.

These Are a Few of my Favorite Things

As we approach Christmas, we also approach the end of the year. I thought I would begin my reflections of the year early in order to make sure I get everything in. There were so many exciting things that happened this year, but I only have space for a few. Here we go.

Favorite Location of 2010:



Highlight of 2010:



Favorite New Addition of 2010:



Favorite Pair of Shoes of 2010:

To be continued.

Witticism of the Day: The holidays are for catching up with the people who move away from you.

And the Award Goes To...

Tonight L and I drove around for our annual Christmas light viewing party. We saw a few things we liked, but mostly we just saw atrocity. Here's how you can avoid being criticized by people like us.

1. NEVER mix LED light strands into your decor with regular lights. It ruins the entire yard. That being said, if you live in one of those neighborhoods where they require you to put out lights lining your driveway and the sidewalk and the rest of the neighborhood used regular lights, don't be the one to put out LED strands instead. It ruins the entire neighborhood which is completely uncool.
2. If you live in a neighborhood that puts out arches, be a team player and put your arches up. It brings unity to the neighborhood and brings cheer to all who pass through. Also, don't try to be different with your arch (i.e., if the rest of the neighborhood has an alternating red/white pattern with their arches, don't put up LED or multicolor arches).
3. Make sure the lights you put up are proportional to the size of your home and yard. If you have a massive home and put out one little decoration, it really makes you look lazy. If you can't afford to do this, don't put up decorations at all.
4. NEVER put up more than one theme for your yard. If you want to be commercial and put Santa out, then leave it with a Santa/reindeer/elf theme (except for those cute cutouts of Santa kneeling at the manger because those are incredible to see); if you want a Peanuts theme, don't mix it in with Disney characters. Having seventeen Santas, snowmen, Disney characters, and nativity scenes in your yard all at once is trashy.
5. Above all, keep in mind that Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas, so keep the decorations tasteful.

Keep in mind, sometimes the most beautiful homes are the ones decorated all in white lights. Sometimes, they're more beautiful with multicolor lights.

Favorite Decoration of the Year: This year's choice is the same as last year's - the strands of lights that hang down in one straight line from the tallest branch of a tree. I have no idea how people get them up there (or more importantly down), but it looks really cool if done properly.

Witticism of the Day: Never send your junior high school child out into the freezing night air to play Christmas tunes on their trumpet. It's festive, indeed, but it makes passerby want to call Child Protective Services on you.

Vacation

I'm finally done, and now it's time to relax (but hopefully I get to work tomorrow at least some so I can have some money). In honor of this occasion, I'll be describing my plans for the break in this post. My goal is to post every day if possible just to see if it's possible that I have anything interesting to say.

• Post Daily
• Drive around town and look at Christmas lights. By this, I mean L and I will drive around town and act as though we're judging the lights displayed, discussing the best new addition to the scene this year, the worst new addition to the scene this year, the best display we pass, and the busiest display we pass (although it's usually the same house ever year...I mean, do you really need seven nativity scenes, fourteen santas, Winnie the Pooh characters, the Peanuts characters, angels, and lights around every tree in your yard?)
• Search for a job! Priority #1, btw.
• Strive to reach my goal of wearing an old dress to what I'm referring to as "college prom" in the spring by visiting the friendly neighborhood YMCA daily and attempting to not eat too much.
• Hold potluck dinners: We learned last Christmas that this is a fantastic way to hang out with friends without spending all our money (like when we visit our friendly neighborhood sbux daily just to have something to do).
• Go to the park with my bestie like we used to back in the day (awww)
• Work out a song to sing before everyone scatters again
• Visit the new outlets (and not purchase anything...as if it's possible)
• Force E to go dance with me at a monthly dance party somewhere
• Force A to hang out with me (it's been a year bubba)
• Learn SAS!! Priority #2
• Visit the zoo a few times: Mom announced this evening that we have an annual membership to the zoo!
• See a movie on Christmas day that doesn't make me bawl (thank you Marley and Me for ruining last year)

We'll see how successful I am at these things. I'll keep you posted.

Witticism of the Day: Blinkers are our friends; use them. Seatbelts are our friends as well; most definitely use them.