are you having a holly, jolly Christmas?

This meant to be a Christmas Eve post, but then suddenly it became 12. So...Merry Christmas! There are so many things I want to write about. Christmas is my favorite time of year, and there are so many traditions and memories and things I am looking forward to. It always seems to go by too quickly. Every adult says, "each year gets faster!" I couldn't imagine life moving faster than it is right now. I am a little sad when Christmas comes because I am so depressed the day after. I never soak in enough Christmasness. Mostly I miss being a kid on Christmas. That was the BEST anticipation. I am sure I believed in Santa until I was 11, definitely the winner in my family. That year I even got a special letter from Santa thanking me for believing in him so long. (I am a very emotional person, and that year was depressing...as much for me as probably my mother) She is always doing sweet things, and finding the perfect surprises for everyone. I am jealous because I know I am not that great of a gift-giver, creative type person. I'm scared to be a Santa for kids because I wish I could be that thoughtful.

 Away from the cold and in a 75 degree Christmas (I don't care what anyone has to say about California...this is the BEST), this is about as close to snow as I will get this year!
I am going to share with you some Christmas traditions that I love-


#1 Christmas Food!
On Christmas Eve we eat clam chowder (ironically a tradition from both sides of my family). My dad makes it each year and it has become his staple.
Christmas morning after our Santa presents and stockings we get orange rolls and sausage. SO YUMMY. This only happens once a year and it is the absolute best. It's like dessert at 9 am.
Christmas dinner- Oh man. No turkey. No ham. Prime rib and twice baked potatoes. Our house smells warm and delicious for the entire day leading up to the prime rib. And the potatoes- my favorite. Ugh. This tradition will never leave me.


#2 Christmas Pj's

We get to open one present on Christmas Eve- and it's always new pajamas. This year's pj's rocked! I asked for some yoga pants in a nice neutral color since the only type of comfy pants I wear around are fire engine red sweatpants. Then my siblings started unwrapping theirs & they all had pretty sweet looking footsies. I was jealous. I opened this lil' number and BAM! All I saw were the kitty foots. Discaimer: I don't like cats, but this print was so wild, I knew these cats were special. The pj's even have POCKETS. I have been wanting footie pj's for quite some time now & couldn't find the perfect pair. Mama for the win.


#3 The Forgotten Carols
We always decorate our tree to The Forgotten Carols. I hadn't been home this year so I decided to look up the songs on youtube, and I realized how little I had actually listened to the meaning of the songs. My dad has sung a few of them throughout the years in church, and he's amazing. The songs are so different than the average Christmas Carols. They tell stories of people throughout Christ's life- like the innkeeper who wished he hadn't turned them down, Joseph, who told people that Christ was his father through his suffering and crucifixion, and a woman who held the baby Jesus. They are really something special.


#4 the, the, the... THE GRINCH

I LOVE the Grinch. These past couple years I have finally understood all the smart comments and cultural references- and they're hilarious! I quote this movie very often, and I don't think many people recognize it. 
 "If you utter so much as one syllable, I'LL HUNT YOU DOWN AND GUT YOU LIKE A FISH! If you'd like to fax me, press the star key."
"Jury duty, jury duty, jury duty, black mail, pink slip, chain letter, eviction notice, jury duty."
"Well, pucker up and kiss it, Whoville."
"Nice kid... baaad judge of character."
"Oh. Bleeding hearts of the world UNITE."
"5:00, solve world hunger, tell no one"


#5 "Homeless Bagging"
Yes, that is what my 6- year old sister called it today. Each Christmas Eve we take bags filled with water, food, blankets, socks and such and deliver it to people on the streets. It has always been a great tradition to prepare something for people and actually see and meet the people you are helping. It always brings a lot of joy to us when we get to serve these people...and hopefully one day my siblings can see to be a little less selfish because we already have so much more than we need. This is one of my favorite traditions and have been inspired to do it more often than just the holiday season.


Merry Christmas, more is sure to come!
 

me likey hats.

Yup, you guessed it! Finals are upon us. So this was my distraction to real work. It get's my brain flowing. ...haha. yeah. sure. mmkay well if this is the last you have heard of me, please find my dead, exhausted, test-failing body and bury me somewhere warm.

What do you mean by "opinionated"?

After my very inspiring and emotional "thanks" post i would like to continue on the ways of classiness with a "rant" post. Here it goes..
Approximately 31 minutes ago I received a text from my friend, Kevin, who is attending LDSBC. For those of you who are not accustomed to the Mormon lingo, this is the Latter-Day Saint Business College, located in Salt Lake City. For those of you who are even less accustomed to the term "Latter-Day Saint", this is the true, un-nicknamed title for "Mormons". Back to the point. He was wondering if I thought he would like BYU since he has spoken to other kids that have stated their opinion on why BYU sucks. Now, I'm not sure what these kids said, and I don't need to. I've heard enough to the people that even attend BYU. I have a few words for you my good friends:

You have no justification. Everything in life is what you make of it. Yeah, sure you can't just wave a wand and make your life a perfectly planned cake walk. But in any situation (even this is a hard concept for me to grasp) you can be HAPPY. This includes a school. Do you think that most kids that complain about their school have stopped and honestly thought about their attitude, and how it might be the root of their problems? No. They are too stuck in their ignorant little minds being selfish and victimized. Harsh you might say? Nay. Our campus is filled with the most outgoing and friendly people. People who will say hi to people they haven't met before, people who look behind them to see if they can hold the door open for them, professors that care about the welfare of you in your life, and not just an exam. I get it...people aren't perfect. And yes, it's not a fairy tale and everyone isn't like that. You find people everywhere you aren't the biggest fan of. But generally, the quality of people surpasses any other school.

What these people are most likely complaining about is the lack of the party atmosphere, right? I mean c'mon...how is the school founded upon the morals of no alcohol, no drugs, and no skank attire not rated first as the greatest party school? If you're here, then these should not be your guidelines for a good time. If these are your guidelines then please stop the corruption and give the chance to embrace the school's standards to someone who upholds them. If you aren't finding your entertainment value, then you're looking in the wrong places. Find some friends and do something you enjoy instead of shaking your fist at your predicament.

Last bit of rant-
This school is an accredited one. A school that is ranked among some of the best in the country. For quite a fraction of the cost. With the certificate of graduation comes a reputation of hard work, honesty, and trust. You attended a school that was not only aimed at your temporal welfare, but of your spiritual one. Whether or not you have a strong testimony of the gospel, attending this school and embracing all it has to offer you with an open heart will help mold you into a better person. If you let it.

Basically, it's up to you. Don't blame a university dedicated to your excellence for YOUR attitude. I love this place and every day I am so grateful to be here. There are so many people who were denied the chance to come here, and for some reason, I was allowed the chance. Same with you. Decide what you will make of it.  If you are so upset about attending this school, or any other blessing you have been given...then step aside and let someone in your place who values this great opportunity.

That is all.