Happy New Year

Tonight Nate and I will be at a Bingo Hall, then meeting up with friends at a Greek restaurant and then attending a party. I'm actually most focused on the Bingo Hall at the moment. We both want to win and we don't exactly Bingo... so it should prove to be an interesting evening.

Happy New Year!

Christmas in Spain

My roommate, The One From Spain, returned to Spain for the holidays in order to spend time with her family. Countless people have asked me where she is and what she is doing, which just goes to show how easily she can make an impression on people. I've told everyone she is Spain celebrating the holiday season to the max. You see, this time of year in Spain is essentially one nonstop party. I recommend reading this article that explains all the festivities in Spain. My roommate had explained many of these details to me before leaving but I hadn't paid enough attention. For one thing, she kept talking about King's Day and I assumed it was a day in honor of the King of Spain. It is not. Three Kings Day (Los Reyes) is actually in celebration of... Can you guess? You can confirm your answer by checking out the article.

* The image in this post is from Getty Images.

Coming soon

- The Best of 2007 (my favorite moments and picks for the year)

- A Christmas 2007 recap

- Plans for the New Year

- 100 Things About Me

... Stay tuned!

Photo selections

Yesterday I finished designing the family Christmas card for my parents. During the process I had to decide on a photo for each family member. This posed a great challenge as I had to some searching through my files in order to find a photo of each person. While I had countless photos of certain individuals I had maybe one or two of others. The lesson here? Take more photos of everyone. Even family members who drive me crazy or hide whenever a camera appears.

For my nephew I used this photo:



My nephew can handle critical phone calls and iPod listening at the same time. He is no stranger to technology. Also, I love his expression in this photo. It seems to say, "Please leave me alone. Can't you see I'm in the middle of important business?" I found out later he was listening to Eragon on his iPod. Children don't have time for opening up real books these days. Oh no! Audio books seem to be all the rage. Don't worry, I'm still giving him real books this Christmas. Last year I gave him this fine work of English literature (soon to be considered for the canon) and this year I am giving him this book with the hope he will take up potions.

For my niece I used this photo:



First of all, I never take action shots. I never take sports-related shots. I rarely go to sporting events and if I do I'm usually completely oblivious as to what is going on. However, in 2007 I happened to attend one sporting event and it was my niece's soccer game. I was actually quite thrilled by it all because first of all, my niece is a fantastic soccer player and second, she plays with heart. She is the tallest player on her team and she has no trouble racing up and down the field with passion.

During halftime (Is it called halftime in soccer?) I saw she was giving pointers to another player on her team. She wasn't being bossy. Rather, she was offering suggestions, such as, "You might want to try this..." Instead of being a player who is only interested in their own performance or glory, she was taking the time to help someone on her team. Where did she learn this from? Could it be Disney? Or ESPN, perhaps?

I should also mention many of the other players on the field did not display this same amount of enthusiasm. Many of the girls appeared bored or indifferent. One little girl kept running off the field in the middle of the game(!) in order to whine to her Mom who was sitting on the sidelines. This little girl had no interest in being there for her team or in kicking a soccer ball. Instead she resorted to tears and begged her Mom to take her for ice cream. The mother gave up after a certain point and they left which was probably for the best because this girl was obviously not too keen on soccer.

My niece's team didn't win the soccer game that day and after the game ended I was worried she might be feeling a little disappointed. She had fought so hard, she had pushed herself to the limits and somehow it didn't seem right that her team hadn't won the game. In my mind I silently blamed the other players on her team. After all, even Beckham can't do it alone. I was expecting disappointment from my niece but instead she smiled and told me with all honesty, "I had fun and that is the only thing that matters. If you have fun then it doesn't matter if you win or lose a game." I was moved by this statement at the time and in remembering it now I still feel a sense of amazement.

You see, it's so easy to fall into the trap of being competitive or constantly moving forward toward the win (whatever the win may be). But to abandon these notions and simply focus on fun? This is something I need to work on for 2008. My niece seems to have mastered this concept at the age of nine, maybe I can master it at the age of 24.

Holiday Links

I love peeking into the holiday plans of others. Here are a few links of interest:

Alexis Stewart (daughter of Martha) has been very busy this Christmas.

Jenny of ljcfyi.com always has the best Christmas projects. You can view her past Christmas projects by going to this page. Look under the Craftiness section.

Artist Camilla Engman has some beautiful gift tags available for (free) download.

Amy of Angry Chicken always inspires me with her creations. This time I am in love with her cupcakes in a jar!

In case you missed it last year I made peppermint bark to give away to friends and family. This year I bought traditional presents with each person in mind. I may do some holiday baking but I haven't settled on any one recipe. Suggestions?

Effect vs. affect

I thought this was funny and useful.



Illustration from Grammar Girl.

Update: Grammar Girl also has a useful episode on Greeting Card Grammar.

Pump it up: The use of music at coffee shops

At the coffee shop I work at we don’t play music in any form, which is very different from most coffee shops in the US. I tend to appreciate this because if I am in a particular mood I have the option of singing while making drinks or completing the latest crossword puzzle. In comparison, Starbucks always has music on. Usually I appreciate their selection or I can ignore it as background music. The other day I ventured to Espresso Royale in order to complete a paper and the experience was nothing short of horrible.

I suppose if I had been in the mood for angry rock music it would have been the perfect location. This, of course, wasn’t the case. The building was packed with college students, like myself, in between studying and writing final papers. I had trouble finding a seat and even then I was stuck between a sea of bodies huddled over laptops and textbooks. But what really stood out to me was the music, the angry rock music blaring at top volume. I felt like I was at a concert rather than at a coffee shop.

“Excuse me, but can you turn down that racket?” I wanted to ask the barista. I didn’t get around to saying this because if I moved I feared my seat would be taken, or I would miss the end of the enlightening conversation between the two male students sitting near me.

“Dude, she’s 27? She’s soo old. You’re gross.”

“I don’t care. If she’s hot, I’d do her.”

“Dude, I bet you’d do a 40 year old. You’d so do a 40 year old. That’s disgusting.”

This conversation lasted for about a half hour. The two went back and forth, debating if a 27 year old girl was too old and if one of them was in fact disgusting. It was a very passionate debate, which made it even more difficult for me to focus on my paper. I kept thinking the debate would end or they would stumble upon a new topic for conversation but no, they recited the same material over and over and over. The rock music did not lessen, either, and I eventually gave up any idea I had of quiet concentration. I returned to my apartment, making a mental note that ERC is not a worthwhile study location.

Dickens didn't skip Christmas

My favorite holiday movie is the 1951 classic, Scrooge. This is the movie that is very much so a part of my childhood Christmas memories. My mind has been replaying scenes from the movie for the past few days, scenes I know very well. In particular, I keep thinking of Ebenezer Scrooge and his total indifference to the holiday. For him Christmas has nothing to do with presents or family or warmth. He is cold-hearted, selfish and cruel. He is content with spending December 25 ALONE. Furthermore, he is content with spending all of the holiday season ALONE. (Yes, I know he changes in the end but that isn't until much later in the movie and my mind hasn't been replaying those scenes.)



This year at Christmas my entire family won't be able to get together. I suppose my siblings claim to have their reasons. One of my sisters will be working. My brother, W, will be spending the holiday with his wife's family in Green Bay. I have another sister who doesn't know how much time she will have to come home... It's not as if anyone is skipping Christmas on purpose... They have their reasons... However, I can't help but think such behavior is so Ebenezer Scrooge. I bet when he was younger he found reasons to avoid spending Christmas with his siblings. "I need to work." "I need to go to Green Bay." "I really need to finish dusting out my curio cabinet."

I should also mention the holidays are a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to see all of my siblings. To have all my family together. To silently wish I was an only child like my boyfriend, Nate. Perhaps you are thinking, "Umm. Aren't you from a freakishly large Catholic family... Meaning, won't you be spending the holiday with a few of your siblings, at least?" Yes, this is true. I'll see a portion of my family. I'll spend time with my parents. I'll pet my old cats. But a part of me will feel like something is missing because, well, something will be missing from the scene. I'm confident Dickens would understand and I'm even more confident he would never skip Christmas. It's no wonder he has been loved throughout the ages. The man had a clear understanding that a life of "Bah humbug" is really no life at all.

The Dalai Lama is coming to Michigan

My sister, T, will be taking a class with the Dalai Lama this spring. She recommended that I take the class, too, but I haven’t decided. I read the Dalai Lama’s book when I was fourteen and am intrigued by different elements of Buddhism. Catholicism… Buddhism… they really aren’t as separate as one would think. I may attend his lecture at the university rather than take the class at Crisler Arena. I don’t want to make Richard Gere jealous by spending too much with his BFF! Also, I'm sure my sister will fill me in on all the details.

Holiday decor

Ornaments from World of Good. They also sell their line of products inside Whole Foods.

Chocolate, anyone?

My little sister, L, would live off chocolate and chocolate alone if she had the option. I think it is the one thing that makes her happiest in life. I saw this Bodum Chocolate Jug and immediately thought of her. Here is a little more information on the product:

"The cleverly devised manual blender consists of a propeller attached to a spiral rod making it a fun-to-use tool and ensuring the best mixed chocolate milk - the "sinful temptation" par excellence! The jug turns into a multi-purpose object as soon as the lid is removed, carrying any liquid from milk to lemonade to water."

Hmm. I like the idea of having something like this around for when guests visit. Right now I can only offer guests espresso drinks (from a home espresso machine), coffee, or tea. But I like the idea of being able to make hot chocolate in a pitcher.

To answer your question

The semester is almost over. Meaning, I have three papers to finish and then I can officially start enjoying December 2007. Someone emailed me and asked what my papers were on. Here is a rather vague answer to that question:

-A paper examining the character, Martha, in Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf
-A paper on Lolita
-A paper on the reception of Harry Potter (in regard to the Christian Right, book bannings, etc.)

The three papers are wildly different (which is a good thing, I suppose) and all in need of completion. Meaning, I really need to stop updating my blog while writing papers.

Just a suggestion

Several people have asked me, "What do you want for Christmas this year?" Each time I've been asked this I haven't been able to give a quick answer. But now I finally have it: This is one item I need/want. It would make my life so much easier...

Sustainability starts here

I am currently writing from the dining area inside Whole Foods. I needed to go somewhere with wireless in order to finish my paper (knowing my apartment is a little too distracting). My Whole Foods offers free wi-fi, which is fantastic, except there are very few power outlets available. This explains why I am sitting in the hallway, next to a pay phone and garbage can, feeling slightly uncomfortable… I have no choice as the only power outlet is in this rather awkward location… people keep walking by and have to step over my cord each time. It’s a bit risky, I admit. I don’t want anyone to trip on account of my computer cord. Of course, I don’t want to not finish my paper, either.

Whole Foods (if you happen to come across this entry): please offer more power outlets in your dining area. I know you are committed to saving the world and all but could you please focus on saving your customers, first? Thank you.


(I feel like I might have written a similar entry on this matter in the past but I’m not certain… This is what happens when you have a blog: your memory becomes hazy about what you have and haven’t said over time.

UPDATE: I did right about this very issue back in May 2006. This is proof I love to repeat myself! Or perhaps it is proof that the fact Whole Foods does not offer more power outlets is one very near and dear to my heart.)

Old fashioned cookie press

Ebay has so many great auctions up for vintage cookie presses. If you know someone who is a baker or is interested in producing holiday cookies this would be a perfect gift. (Or you could just buy the item and give it to me... I promise you I'll love it.)

Censorship

"Most disturbing is the fact that much of the censorship is never reported or discussed because it is done by teachers themselves."

This quote is in reference to English teachers who also have the power to "burn books." Except, this kind of censorship won't be obvious and no one will have the chance to rally against it. I sent the quote onto my brother, W, who just started work as an English teacher. (Okay, he teaches math, too, but let's just ignore those details...) I sent him the quote with the hope it will haunt him. Also, I don't want him turning into a teacher who is afraid of approaching novels that may be controversial, or risqué. Even if a day may come where is forced to ask himself: "Do I really want to jeopardize my career? Is [Insert a Challenged Book Title Here] worth it?" The answer to this question is, "Yes, it is worth it." This way he avoids the wrath of his sister and he is making the world a better place. Who could ask for anything more?

WWF Polar Bear Tracker

I don't think I've written enough about animals lately. For this I apologize. I hope to make it up to you. From now on every post will be animal-related up until December 25. At that point I'll switch over to writing about my love of this BBC show. And so, in animal news...

The World Wildlife Fund has just introduced a new website where one can follow six female polar bears (with cubs!) in Canada's Hudson Bay region. The project will go on for about a year. Click here to go to the official site. The WWF also provides the chance for you to adopt your own Polar Bear. Or an Asian Elephant. Or a Panda. Or, my personal favorite: The Boreal Forest. This is the gift I would give this holiday season if I hadn't already purchased all my presents.

"Mom, this year I thought you could use the gift of The Boreal Forest. Please take care of it for future generations... The responsibility is now in your hands."

Striving for perfectionism

Unhappy? Self-Critical? Maybe You’re Just a Perfectionist
By Benedict Carey

"Yet several recent studies stand as a warning against taking the platitudes of achievement too seriously. The new research focuses on a familiar type, perfectionists, who panic or blow a fuse when things don’t turn out just so. The findings not only confirm that such purists are often at risk for mental distress — as Freud, Alfred Adler and countless exasperated parents have long predicted — but also suggest that perfectionism is a valuable lens through which to understand a variety of seemingly unrelated mental difficulties, from depression to compulsive behavior to addiction.

Some researchers divide perfectionists into three types, based on answers to standardized questionnaires: Self-oriented strivers who struggle to live up to their high standards and appear to be at risk of self-critical depression; outwardly focused zealots who expect perfection from others, often ruining relationships; and those desperate to live up to an ideal they’re convinced others expect of them, a risk factor for suicidal thinking and eating disorders."

(Link via Kyle.)

I recommend reading the entire article.

I have a few perfectionist tendencies. Because I’m finishing up my degree I find it useful to focus on my performance. Meaning, I expect an A on almost all occasions (unless, of course, it is a subject I don’t care about and have ignored-like Chemistry). The other day I was a part of a group presentation and really felt my need for perfection kicking in. It was someone else’s turn to speak for our group and the poor girl was choking with nervousness. Her hands were quivering, her words were jumbled, it was quite clear she wasn’t prepared to carry on. My immediate thoughts were, “Oh no-this poor girl!” followed by, “I must step in or else her performance is going to bring down the grade of the entire group!” So, at the right moment I intervened and stole the show. She gave me a tiny look of relief and the rest of our presentation ran smoothly. I felt a little arrogant because at that point I was dominating the presentation but my interest was in the grade and I wanted to make sure that grade would be an A.

I also have a few perfectionist tendencies in other areas of my life. Such as, I can’t handle having guests over who refuse to take off their shoes at the door. My poor heart can’t take it. My apartment is lined with beige carpeting. Have you seen what happens to beige carpeting over a period of time? It’s a sight for sore eyes… My dream is to live somewhere with wooden floors that do not require such constant care and concern but right now that dream is on hold. Certain members of my immediate family do not understand the importance of taking off their shoes at my door and have knowingly ignored this rule. On these occasions I’ve had to take off their shoes for them. This usually makes the point that I am quite serious about the "no shoes in my apartment" rule and that I’m not the kind of carefree host who can simply look the other way. To further drive home the point, I’ve considered throwing their shoes off the balcony but something has stopped me from doing so. Maybe it’s my need to demonstrate some degree of sanity, however faint?

Plan early

Holiday Baking. Now I really should be getting back to my paper.


* Image from Martha Stewart Living.com.

Link to share

Interesting link: The Female Body Proportion Guide Has Been Updated. Great use of art to make a point.

The now-infamous words of Hillary Rodham Clinton

"I suppose I could have stayed home and baked cookies and had teas."

I'm writing a paper on Hillary and this passage made me smile. I want to know what kind of tea she would have served. English Breakfast? Japanese Sencha? Earl Grey? We may never know.

My new favorite blog

My new favorite blog is The Daily Coyote. The blog features photos of an adopted coyote named Charlie.

"Charlie came into my life when he was just ten days old, orphaned after both his parents were killed. He lives with me and a tomcat in a one-room log cabin in Wyoming."

I saw a coyote around my neighborhood about a month ago and it was the cutest thing. I stopped and stared at the coyote, wondering, "Can I keep him?" In that same week I ran into a family of raccoons and later, a small herd of deer. I live in the city. Meaning, I don't have nature encounters very often... but for whatever reason, all the animals of the forest decided to come out and greet me that week. I felt very special. This is my current favorite photo from The Daily Coyote. Although all the photos are fantastic.