Delayed December Reaction

Every year, it feels like Christmas later and later. The whole festive, Christmas-y spirit doesn't hit me until it's almost the big day, and by this year I was wondering if it would even hit me at all until midway through present-opening. That kills me. My favorite part of Christmas has never been the songs, decorations, peppermint mochas, or any of that crap. It's always been the feeling... the weeks leading up to the 25th, where everywhere you go, there's red and green and lights and scarves and Nat King Cole or Michael Buble on the radio.

And if growing up means every year I get less of that, well then it's Reason #576 why I'd rather not grow up.

But last night, as I was musing over the surprisingly happy ending to the day (consisting of a lovely Skype call, a successful English paper, and reuniting with an old friend over, yes, a peppermint mocha), suddenly, it hit me. I honestly think it may have been in the shower. Or when I was making my "Holiday Box" for calculus.

When I woke up this morning, Christmastime had struck. I was festive.

I fully enjoyed the Christmas music as I was getting ready, despite it being the same songs I listen to every year. I loved the fact that I accidentally got glitter all over my jeans, and that I was wearing snow boots, and I blasted Michael Buble in my kitchen at 7:00am. And loved it.

And literally, it hasn't stopped all day. I've been unnaturally bubbly and excited, all because the Christmas spirit finally hit me. I gave a friend their Christmas present and watched them freak out (because let's face it, I'm the best gift-giver of anyone I know), and I couldn't wait for tomorrow, which will be my Annual Day of Gift-Giving To All My Friends.

In a nutshell: it's officially Christmastime, guys. It happened overnight. I'm in the spirit as of this morning.

Let it snow.

Why He Left Heaven

So if you ever wonder how much you're worth, 

you should know

that you're the reason

why I'm leaving heaven

I love this song.

It reminds me how incredible it really was that Jesus came to Earth. For...us. Measly little us. Just the very basis of his coming... having to leave paradise... was massive. And songs like this remind me not to forget that. I always love listening to it around Christmas, so I thought you all might too. :)

Silver Necklaces And The Annual Day of Gift Giving

So please just fall in love with me

this Christmas...

Can we just take a minute to appreciate the gorgeous feelings that Michael Buble and Christmas together create. 

For another thing, I went Christmas shopping for a few friends today and as I was browsing the jewelry  section of Kohl's looking for a specific pair of turquoise earrings, I saw those adorable pendant necklaces. 

The ones I'm a sucker for. Just a silver chain and something silvery on the end. There was this one with a snowflake... gah. I died. It actually got me excited to give presents, but also I wondered briefly if anyone is actually getting stuff for me. Woah. 

I just love Christmas, okay?

So much so that my favorite day...probably of the school year... has always been the day before winter break. I wear Christmas-y colors to school and pack my bag of presents for friends/teachers and just spend the day distributing them. Boy, did I knock it out of the park last year. I mean, really. I probably had almost 20 gifts. 

That was a great day. 

Whoever said it was better to give then to receive. They're right. Whoever 'they' are. They've stumbled upon a valuable secret. 

I get really intentional about my gift giving, too. I'm never content with a simple gift card... unless it's a super meaningful gift card. (There's something about Starbucks gift cards that are just perfect for some people.) I think of the perfect, fitting gift for that one person. Then when I find it... it's the most satisfying feeling. The best part, though, is handing it to them, seeing the look on their face when you unexpectedly got them something, and then open it and... no way. You didn't. How....

And you're like, yeah. I did. I made that happen. 

Best feeling ever. 

Unfortunately this year, my resources aren't what they were this year. I don't have a)enough money, b)enough friends that I know super well, or c)enough friends in one place to go as all-out as I did last year.

But notwithstanding! Gift-giving is going to be as spectacular as ever. The gifts I did get are pretty darn epic. Examples:

-Pink pens for this girl in my APUSH class. We don't even know each other that well, but she mentioned like 2 months ago that she really wants some pink pens. 

-A certain TV show-themed mug for a friend. 

-A Batman ornament for my drama teacher (aka my Secret Santa for Drama Club) who love, LOVES Batman.

-Certain TV show-themed suspenders. For a friend. They're that kind of friend.

I can't reveal much more, 'cause I'm not certain who reads this and who doesn't. But after Christmas I'm going to be bragging about... well, the good ones. Some were pure luck, but others were pure genius. Some were a bit of both. 

This was just going to be a post about how romantic and Christmas-y that song at the top makes me feel, but hey. It happens.

December 25th

I had this post all planned out, how I was going to do some angst-y teenage thing and post about my feelings.

But that's not really what today is about, is it.

It's about....this. 

I can't compete with that. 

The person who created this

made Himself this.

That pretty much sums it up right there. As for little ol' me, she's pretty darn grateful. 

The Annual Day of Gift-Giving

Yesterday was awesome.

Okay, when they say it is better to give than to recieve, they're right. Listen to them. Whoever 'they' are, they've stumbled upon a valuable secret.
Not to flip my own hair, but I like to think I'm pretty awesome at gift-giving. I'm not satisfied with just opting out for jewelry or a gift-card if I can't think of anything. Or if I do give jewelry or a gift card, it's for a reason. But just walking through the store, with the essence of a specific person in mind, then having a brilliant vision come upon me, sparked by a nearby item, brings me such joy.

So yesterday was the last day before winter break. And that means a whole day of constant surprising and joy-giving.

Such. Fun!

My favorite reactions were probably Coree's and Alicia's. Not only were they surprised, they were overjoyed. Apparently I picked the right things for them. Oh, and Sarah. She was so excited that she insisted in starting Far East Drama practice with reading aloud her new children's book. :)

So after all that, I got to gift-wrap people's presents for them for 4 hours. It wasn't boring. It was so much fun to make things look nice in cheap, shiny paper and ribbons and I felt such a sense of joy and Christmas spirit.

So, all this is to convey to the world my absolute exuberance of the fact that Christmas is only
 8 days away!!!!!

Injuries, Alaska, and Christmas

Today has been a success, I should think. Nothing truly significant happened. I didn't have my first kiss or break a bone. I flew around the exchange looking for Christmas presents for friends. Went home. Wrapped said presents. Performed surgery on a stuffed animal. (It was for a present! Don't ask.) Cleaned the shreds of ribbon, wrapping paper, and stuffing off my floor. Went to youth group.

Ah, youth group. 


Stood outside in the frigid weather discussing Alaskan natives, theme parks, and NFL football. When I say frigid, I mean 59 degrees. Give or take. Ate lasagna and got dragged around in a warped version of amoeba tag combined with musical chairs. Sat with the underclassmen girls and discussed life. Watched guys hurt each other in the most brutal and hilarious ways imaginable. Tried to stay out of the way. Rode home with my other mother-she's Korean. :)

You can't tell me that's not a successful day.

I have a color-coordinated stack of presents to give sitting in my room. My head is full of thoughts about Alaska and ice-skating. I have 6 hours before I get to wake at the ungodly hour of 4:00 am to go sit around a bunch of Marines and watch them scream like little girls at the Army/Navy football game.

GO NAVY BEAT ARMY. :D