Christmas Lights

My friend Cameron and I have this tradition: we go to a ritzy part of town and then we drive around and check out the Christmas lights.  I'm not going to lie, we get pretty judgy about what is good and what is not a good use of lights.  **Disclaimer I understand that any effort people make in decorating their houses to celebrate their holiday spirit or cheer is important and that I do appreciate their efforts no matter how judgmental my comments may appear.**
In general these guidelines dictate whether or not I like a house:
1. A consistent theme - i.e. If you use colored lights to frame the windows, you better use colored lights to edge the house and same with white lights.
2.  I generally *dislike* only red christmas lights.  It's a little scary and tends to be demonic looking.
3.  Inflatables vaguely resemble mascots so they make me uncomfortable and are generally not appreciated by me.  (Children love them so I get that)
4.  Changing your flood lights to be yellow/blue/green/or red (see number 2).  It's too much and only really cool if you have those vintagy wooden cutouts to show off!  And I'm sorry, but yellow and blue? NOT Christmas colors...
5.  Tree trunk lights.  Oh boy... This is a big one.  If you're going to wrap the trunk of a tree, please PLEASE make sure that you use the same color lights, i.e. all the same brand and type of white lights or the same color (if you're going to go that route).  Do NOT let there be bald spots going up the tree; it really detracts from what you're trying to accomplish.
6.  Lighting Tree Branches.  If you're going to try this, might I suggest you get the twinkling lights that dangle from the tree?  They don't have to be placed perfectly and they look really nice.  One technique that I particularly dislike is when people just take the strand of lights and toss it haphazardly on the branches.  Also, a new fad this year was to take a whole strand of lights and dangle it from the branches creating a weeping willow effect... also not cool.  Weeping Willow does not say Christmas...
7.  Roof Lights.  I really like it when people light the edges of their roof!  I think they make the whole hose look Christmassy!  In particular, I like the evenly spaced alternating red and white lights for roof edges.  I also really like the icicle lights (not the LED ones though, they're too bright!)

These are my *simple* guidelines for outdoor Christmas lights!  Merry Christmas Eve Everyone!  

Happiness

Remember this post from about 2 months ago???  I was incredibly bogged down with everything negative.  Well around my Birthday I promised myself that  I would be happier.  I don't want to be the Debbie Downer in the bunch!  So I did it, I decided to be way more positive and let me just say, BEST DECISION EVER!!! Reasons I'm so happy right now:
1.  I have one final left that isn't even cumulative!
2.  I am going to Vegas in a few days!
3.  I've been spending a lot of time with a great friend!
4.  I've actually had a social life!
5.  It's the Christmas season!! :)  Nothing beats the Holiday season!!!! :)

Thanksgiving

Happy Belated Thanksgiving!!
Thanksgiving is one of my absolute favorite holidays for a couple of reasons!
1.  It's a holiday that is specifically celebrating Domesticity!
2.  You're supposed to eat a ton of food
3.  Naps are encouraged
4.  Shopping is integral
5.  It's the kickoff for the Christmas holiday season!!!
Some of the reasons that this holiday wasn't spectacular this year is this: work.  I had to work a 14 hour day on Thanksgiving.  A majority of that involved me being on my feet which was pretty brutal.  I got to meet a TON of really neat people while I was serving drinks in the box suite for the Texas A&M vs tu game.  While the game was a joke due to poor reffing, the night was pretty much otherwise enjoyable.
Thanksgiving is just a wonderful time of year because everyone gets together and you all get to express what you're thankful for :)
As one of the children I babysit said, "I'm thankful for everything good!"

Serendipity

I'm normally not a fan of watching Christmas movies before Thanksgiving.  However, I will make exceptions.  Serendipity came on TV this weekend and I absolutely love this movie.  It's super sweet and fills any girl with hope that her Mr. Perfect does in fact exist!  I've had an absolutely fantastic week and this was just the serendipitous cherry on top!  In the first few minutes of the movie, Kate Beckinsale's character simply defines serendipity as a fortunate accident.
I'm a huge believer in Karma and Fate and try to put good things out into the universe so that I get good things back! :)  This week I feel like I've collected all my good Karma points; it's been so wonderful!
I would classify myself as a cheerful and positive person; lately, it hasn't been showing.  My friend Twyla told me this week, "I've never seen you this happy!"

21!!!

Ok so in celebration of my turning 21 finally, (YAY!) I've decided to list 21 things I loved about my birthday week! (In no particular order)
21. All my homework was done for the week before my birthday started!!
20. I got to order girly drinks!!
19. I got Carded!!!
18. I have been absolutely ecstatic all week!
17. I started some more planning for my trip to London!
16. I got to talk to one of my great friends in Utah!
15. I finally got to play pool in college!
14. Strawberry Margaritas!
13. Mojitos!
12. I am starting to reconnect with some of my cousins!
11. I got AWESOME presents from everyone!
10. My friend Ashley did my hair perfectly!!!
9. I got a Birthday Banner and gift from the kids I babysit!
8. I got a ton of birthday cards from my students!
7. The weather was perfect!
6. I didn't have to work hardly ever!
5. I went to my first ring dunk! (it's an Aggie thing)
4. I finally got to tailgate!
3. I got to spend time with Jessica for a girls weekend!!!
2. I didn't get carded!!!
1. Getting to see and hang out with wonderful friends!!!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to MEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
I lovvvvvvvvvvve birthdays!! They are wonderful and magical and as adults, we tend to forget how magical it is! Last Thursday, I went to my field assignment and all my students were so excited to wish me a Happy Birthday! I got a bunch of homemade construction paper birthday cards and about a million hugs!!!  Then I went to babysit and the kids I babysit made me a HUGE banner that said "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"  Kids just think that birthdays are the most magical thing in the entire world!  And, ya know what?  I kind of agree.  I had a severe case of the "birthday blues" last year.  Not this year!!! :) This year, I am THRILLED to turn 21!! That's right!! 21!!!!!!!!

I know I know

One of my biggest pet peeves is when bloggers don't blog at least semi regularity.  In order to try and blog every day, I tried the 30 days of lists challenge.  Since we only made through about list 14, it's safe to say, that didn't really work.  I hate this excuse, but I've just been INSANELY busy!!! My mentor teacher has been out about one day a week this last month which makes my job a lot more intense when I'm there and the last thing I want to do after having taught for 8 hours, and then working my other job for another few hours, is to get on the computer and blog.  It's a really terrible excuse and one that I am trying to make sure doesn't happen too much any more which should be easier.  Why might it be easier you might ask??  Well that would be because I only have about 3 weeks left of school and it shouldn't be too hectic! I promise to try better with my blogging and keep it up!