Saturday, December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas

After all of the holiday traditional things that I did  to get me into the Christmas spirit, the thing that  reminded me the most about Christmas was my train ride home home from the city.

On my way home from my trip to the city, a man in camo got onto the train. He had a huge army bag and was in uniform. I over heard him say that he was coming home from a leave over seas and that he was going to surprise his family for Christmas. It nearly gave me goosebumps.

The meaning of Christmas is not what gifts you give or get, its about appreciation and family and spending time with the people who mean the world to you. We are very fortunate to be able to pick up the phone, or drive 10 minutes to see our family members and friends. Be mindful that not everyone has that luxury.

There are families who have loved ones over seas fighting so that WE can have a safe place to call home. There are families who aren't able to afford to give gifts to their children and loved ones because they have been laid off or are unemployed. There are loved ones we have lost along the way this year. There are people who don't have a family to spend the holidays with. There are people who are sick on this holiday and are unable to enjoy this time of the year. Be mindful.

This year, take a time out to remember the true meaning of Christmas. It's not too late to do something nice for someone who is in need. Remember the true Meaning of Christmas.







Wishing you very happy holiday...

Christmas in the City

Just yesterday I had the huge thrill of going to see The Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. I loved every minute of it. It was my first REAL show, and I intend on going to plenty more. The show was part of my Christmas gift, and I was hopeful that by seeing the show I would be more in the Christmas spirit.


 This was inside Radio City Music Hall- beautiful!
The amazing Rockettes

My favorite part of the show was the Rockettes, and I think that if I had dancing skills that I would totally audition to be one. You need to be between the height of 5'6-5'10. BUT, height alone will not earn you a spot in that line up...I already asked.

Every time I go to the city I walk down 5th Ave. Obviously I don't have 5th Ave kind of money, but I can dream. I like to say hello to my friends Tiffany and Louis while I'm in the neighborhood. The best thing about 5th Ave on Christmas is the window displays. So even if you don't have the money to show there, you can literally window shop! :)


Also on my trip to the city we visited St. Patricks church. If you ever have the chance to go inside, you should. I don't know much about this church, but I do know that it is breath taking. You wouldn't believe how many people stroll through there just to get a glimpse of the place.




And of course, we visited Rockefeller Center and saw the Christmas tree. An annual tradition!


NYC is such a magical time, especially during the holidays. So if you ever get the chance GO!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Fat Chance

I am hoping that by next year I will have my own place AND my own classroom. I am hopeful that 2012 will treat me right...I know what you and I are thinking. FAT CHANCE...so much for positivity.

Any who, I can't wait to be able to decorate my own home and do fun holiday projects with my future students. There is just so much to do!

While browsing Pinterest, I envisioned these ideas for my upcoming future....

My students will do crafts like these...

 

 


And my home will look like this...






And I will probably have my child do this at some point for a Christmas card...


Heres to 2012 and my hopeful future..and winning the lotto, Cheers!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Pay it Forward

Does anyone else get super emotional around the holidays? Anyone? Anyone?  I seem to get teary eyed every time I see or hear anything emotional.

While watching Kendall Jenner's Super Sweet 16 tonight I almost cried when she hugged Bruce after passing her road test. For cripes sake, Tara! That's an all time low for me. I can't even stand that show, especially that Kim Kardashian.

You know that song, Christmas Shoes? That song is soooo sad. It breaks my heart every time I hear it on the radio. I get the same reaction when I hear Butterfly Kisses. Whats really been pulling at my heartstrings are these secret shoppers I keep hearing about. Random people are paying off the balances of lay-aways. More recently its been happening in K-marts across the country. Country? Or is it the state of New York?

Anyway, the point is that people are spreading the holiday spirit through random acts of kindness and I want to participate! Can I donate as much as these secret shoppers? Probably not. What I plan on doing is perhaps going to a drive-thru and paying for the balance of the vehicle behind me.

I tried to tonight at Starbucks. But, a word to the wise...nobody uses the drive-thru at Starbucks at 8:30pm. I will try to spread some cheer tomorrow. Perhaps you should too!!!!

Wear This, Not That Wednesday- Christmas Edition Part 2

Last week I shared with you the many possibilities of Christmas attire gone wrong in my post Wear This, Not That Wednesday- Christmas Edition.

Like I mentioned in last weeks post, my family got together for our annual Christmas party. This year, my cousins and I choose to dress ourselves. I personally think we did a pretty good job...



Some of us got into the Christmas spirit by wearing the ever so popular, ugly sweaters.

Here are the rest of us, minus a few who couldn't make it :(


For those who aren't into the holiday season ugly sweaters, I found these fashionable pieces. I personally feel that sequence is the perfect touch to any holiday outfit. Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa, New Years Eve- sequence is the answer!





I just wish I had a place to wear these!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Tis' the Season for Giving

I guess the saying goes, "beggars can't be choosers," but let it be clear that when you receive a gift, you are technically not a beggar. You are the recipient of a bad gift. Lets be real for a minute, we have all received a bad gift a time or two. We are talking best and worst gifts, but mostly worst. If you are reading this and are shaking your head in disbelief and are saying, "I appreciate everything everyone has ever given me," then you are lying.

I may have very well been on the giving side of an awful gift, but it happens to the best of us. On the other hand, I have also been on the receiving side of awful gifts.

Lets just say that nicknack's, should be thrown out. Every single one of them. I would like to go to every gift store and knock each nicknack's off the shelf one by one. What's the point of them? They just take up space. Just like my Mom taught me, those things are just dust collectors.


In my one bedroom apartment, or my bedroom in my parents house (potato-patato), I will admit that I have a few "nicknack's" if you will (by few I mean one). BUT they/it hold(s) meaning. Random figurines I am not okay with. Take for instance bad gift #1, a large porcelain angel, practically life size. I will not say who it was from, but lets just say I love that person none the less.  Besides the fact that this thing was enormous, or that I hated the way it looked and had no place for it, I wanted nothing to do with it. Sooo I strategically placed it in my sisters room on a shelf behind a picture or two. That thing was spotted after 3 minutes and 27 seconds, roughly.

Needless to say that thing is longggg gone.

So, how do you know whether or not you are responsible for a bad gift? Watch your special someone open the gift. It's all in the facial expression. Believe me you will know, immediately. How to prevent this from happening? Put some thought behind your gifts, and DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE. 8 out of 10 times you will be regretting your purchase.

With that in mind...lets share some of your worst gifts. Who's first?
 
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