Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

Rockin around the Christmas tree,

at the Christmas party hop,

Mistletoe hung where you can see,

Ev'ry couple tries to stop.

-Brenda Lee: Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it. Today has been a joyous occasion for a lot of us out there. Presents always make the world go 'round, but it really is the family that makes the holidays so special; that warm fuzzy feeling you get when you spend time around your loved ones all crammed into one small room eating your festive meal. Okay, honestly though, presents are a huge plus. This Christmas I received an Ipod Touch 4g from my parents after going through withdrawals for about a month when my 2g ipod touch broke. I was also gifted 4 Pandora beads for my bracelet by my parents and my cousins, who are practically like sisters to me. Along with those, I also got two pairs of extremely cute boots, two jackets, a scarf and your regular stocking stuffer stuff.

Oh traditions. Corny, beloved, silly things. Some are done on purpose such as our family hosting every Christmas, my mom making her stuffed mushrooms, my cousin Laural decorating some epic cake, telling(gossiping) stories and making fun of each other, Christmas Eve at my cousin Allison's house, the little things that bring us together and remind us what is important.


And then you have those traditions that no one outside of your family would understand and your little inside family jokes that you must refer to at least once during any holiday. We call get testy with our family to the point of wanting to strangle some of them at times, but its those small moments that really count.

You Can't Stop the Beat

'Cause the world keeps spinnin' round and round,

And my heart's keepin' time to the speed of sound,

I was lost 'til I heard the drums, then I found my way,

'Cause you can't stop the beat.

-Hairspray: You Can't Stop the Beat

Saturday was homecoming and I had a wonderful time dancing with my friends. A date would have been nice, but no one could replace my friends being there. Homecoming is a great time to socialize with friends and just distress. I really couldn't have thought of a better way to start the beginning of the end of Senior Year. I know that I can look back on this dance and remember all of my friends for years to come.

Of course I'm always a pessimist and there's at least one thing/person to complain about. It was something/one annoying, but  at least I know I'm not crazy and imagining anything... especially when people come up to me and complain about the exact same thing. But no need to spoil a happy post with too much venting.

It was a great night and everyone looked superb. The DJ wasn't terrible and there were some great classics that we danced to such as Footloose and Living on a Prayer.. and of course your traditional Electric Slide and what not.

How Could Anyone Be Gloomy or Depressed?

Be our guest! Be our guest! Be our guest!

Get your worries off your chest,

Let us say for your entree,

We've an array; may we suggest:

Try the bread! Try the soup!

When the croutons loop de loop,

It's a treat for any dinner,

Don't believe me? Ask the china,

Singing pork! Dancing veal!

What an entertaining meal!

How could anyone be gloomy or depressed?

We'll make you shout "Encore!"

And send us out for more

So, be our guest!

-Beauty and the Beast: Be Our Guest

How could anyone be gloomy or depressed with food? I mean honestly... there really isn't much in life that gets better than a good, warm, home cooked meal. You have your tender meats, crunchy vegetables, salty soups, rich deserts, and refreshing drinks; hungry yet?

Nothing says nostalgia better than a nice home cooked meal and family around it. You're 6 and your mom is using the flowers that you just picked as the center piece for the table. Your dad comes home and you rush towards him and greet him with a hug and a smile. You all sit down and discuss the day over a beautifully cooked meal with all of the trimmings. 

But I'm not talking about just meals. I'm talking about food in general; snacks, deserts, appetizers, everything. Who doesn't look forward to eating during the day? 

I'd love to be a vegetarian, but I don't have any will power at the sight of bacon. I'd also love to eat... well less in general... but I can't seem to want to 'waste' any food.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner seem to break up the day into thirds. After work in the morning, I highly doubt anyone can wait for the lunch break and after the lunch break there is always going home and eating dinner to look forward to.

And don't forget your snacks in between. The taste of biting into a sweet clementine or savoring a gooey cookie while working always helps time go by. 

I'm not saying lets all be fat and eat all day... but meal times just are always optimistic. It's hard to not look forward to them. 

Last Friday Night

Last Friday night,

We went streaking in the park,

Skinny dipping in the dark,

Then had a menage a trois,

Last Friday night,

Yeah I think we broke the law

Always say we're gonna stop

This Friday night

Do it all again

-Katy Perry: Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)

So my Friday wasn't even comparatively crazy to that, but it was fun. Pizza? Check. Television marathon with a best friend? Check. Best friend a Whedonite.... better yet... Buffyverse fan? Check and check. Bangel fan? Eh... not everyone's perfect. 

So what exactly did we do? Nothing terribly exciting for anyone outside of the Whedonverse... which is pretty much everyone (shows are titled cult shows for a reason. There may not be many of us, but we are dedicated and strong). 

For anyone who does care, it would be considered one of the best nights ever. I'm sure if my readers were teenagers in the '90's they would be just as excited to watch the best vampires around (and Pirates of the Caribbean Four made it in there too).

Twilight? Sorry Edward, your sparkles don't cut it and Bella needs some acting skills.

True Blood? Think less sex...

Vampire Diaries? Move over Stefan and Damon and make way for your better halves......

Angel and Spike will always win the fight.

I'm biased. Whatever. I've read and seen the Twilight Series, but its laughable to compare that with  the Buffyverse and I've only seen one episode of True Blood and a handful of the Vampire Diaries.

I have to have one blog though (at the very least one) about my favorite obsession (in which I owe my friend who slept over my house Friday). Sure I allude to Buffy and Angel numerous times, but I mean one post that is strictly dedicated to these vampires and slayers.

I know all of the words to Once More with Feeling (which we sang too horribly), know random trivia, and follow the actors and actresses in more current television roles (Ringer, Bones, The Lying Game, How I Met Your Mother, etc.). A road trip to L.A. has also made my bucket list thanks to Angel. I'm addicted and I have a problem. But the first step is admitting your problem, right?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Wrong. This is one addiction that I love too much.

Are You Now or Have You Ever Been?

"Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist party?"

-Joesph McCarthy

Joseph McCarthy, the man who was able to spread McCarthyism and have everyone hop on that 'communist witch hunt' bandwagon (...or if you're odd like me you can relate this title to the Angel episode. Whatever works for you, the message is still the same). Fear caused people to conform to the norm and expel anyone with their own original ideas, opinions and actions  in both cases. While some strive for individuality, others treat it like the plague. 

Okay. We've all been there. The Silly Bandz, Ugg Boots, North Face Jackets, Pandora Bracelets, Skinny Jeans... all the fads that have ever been and will be. I admit it, I conformed. I really don't have a lot of individuality appearance wise. Sure I have my own style, but how individual is a pair of skinny jeans and a shirt paired with Ugg boots? When it comes to your thoughts and opinions, though, individuality counts. If you say what others want to hear, you'll never be heard. The audience will applaud and give you good reviews, sure, but you will never be remembered for the person you truly were. 

Those who aspire change are the ones that change the future. You don't think something is right? Speak up and be heard. Dare to be different (yea.. not that original or different here).  If we all thought the same, had the same opinions, had the same black and white view of the world, the world would be a horrible place. For one, it would be horribly boring. Who would we fight with and blame if we all acted the same? Secondly, who would dare to question? 

Speak your mind and be heard. Don't be afraid of what others will think. They're just too afraid to voice their thoughts themselves.

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

Have a holly jolly Christmas,

It's the best time of the year,

Well,

I don't know if there'll be snow,

But have a cup of cheer.

-Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

Christmas is a time for family and friends to get together around a beautifully light tree and sing songs and drink eggnog. For those of you who don't celebrate Christmas, I'll just do a general Happy Holidays!  'Tis the season to be jolly and cosy up to a fireplace with a hot cup of cocoa with family. It's a great time and everyone looks forward to Christmas.. well maybe not financially, but that's besides the point. I don't know what makes this holiday more beautiful than all the rest, but it has a special sentimental feeling to it.

Waking up early to open presents under the tree never gets old and looking forward to that special lunch/dinner/dunch or whatever always makes me excited. Family tradition is the best; I can't explain why...it just is. I personally can't wait until our family gets around our table and we feast and share stories that you wouldn't dare tell anyone outside of your family.

December is a wonderful time of the year solely because of the holiday. The weather isn't always the best, but that Christmas feeling is everywhere and it inspires many to think about others.

The thought of a holiday break is enough motivation though for anyone to keep trudging through the weeks. Without Christmas, the winter season would seem even more bleak to some (especially those living in the North). The pure white snow covering the trees is gorgeous, but that doesn't mean we want four feet at a time of it. No, the thought of the holidays motivate us to push through the cold winter into the mild spring. It's almost impossible to think of Christmas and not be optimistic. 

Climb Every Mountain

Climb every mountain,

Search high and low,

Follow every byway,

Every path you know.

-The Sound of Music: Climb Every Mountain

A beautiful song from The Sound of Music sung by Mother Abbess to inspire Maria to find her dream and to face her challenges head on. However, climbing every mountain doesn't always lead you to a good place. What am I even talking about? Social climbing. We all know it. That girl trying to become friends with the popular crowd, the man sucking up to his boss...it's human nature to want to advance in life. But really, what is the point of social climbing?

Congratulations. You made it to the top of the hierarchy. What did you win? Lots of people hating you. Yes, jealousy of another's success brings anger and hatred, but I'm not talking about random people envying you (falsely envying you I might add). I'm talking about those friends that you left behind to climb to the top. Strangers now perceive you as cool and popular, but being popular doesn't necessarily mean you have a lot of friends, it just looks like you have a lot of friends. You really have no one and you're probably surrounded around people who will sell you out in a second to save their own ass. Even if you wanted to make new, genuine friends again, you better watch out for that other social climber that wants to be your friend to knock you out of your top spot.

Oh and gossip is always fun. Those constant whispers about your personal life behind your back, people making fun of how snobby you've become. Wait. How did they know all that stuff? Easy my dear, you're on the top, meaning nothing is a secret anymore. There's always someone on the inside waiting to tell the world when you slip up. So it could be embarrassing for you, but it's free entertainment for the rest of us. 

So social climbing isn't all that glamorous. You may think you're hot shit because you're that shark at the top of the food chain, but notice how you're alone and all of those minnows are swimming together. 

Bad to the Bone

I'm here to tell ya honey,

I'm bad to the bone

Bad to the bone

-George Thorogood: Bad to the Bone

Last night a new episode of one of my favorite television shows aired last night, Bones, starring the amazing, talanted, wonderful, indescribable, angelic David Boreanaz and the beautiful Emily Deschanel. We were introduced to the victim last night as hamburger neatly packed into cardboard boxes in The Male in the Mail. -SPOILER- Of course the murderer is the obscure man at the front desk that is only mentioned once in the beginning of the show, but we all knew it had to be him. Why else would Dr. Brennan make a big deal about his pendant?

Highlight of the show? Those awkward moments between poor Dr. Edison and Dr. Brennan and her pregnant breasts. He didn't want to work at the Jeffersonian because private life mixed with work, and I really don't blame him in this episode.

Worst part of the show? Special Agent Shaw. Please tell me what was the point of her in the show? She was not needed and was just plain annoying during the entire duration.

Booth's reaction to his father's death was expected, but he's supposed to be good at reading people. I would have expected him to act less stubborn around his grandfather and show some respect and remorse when he heard the news. He buried his feelings of compassion and love of his father under his stubbornness and hatred of the man. Although I don't blame him, I expected Booth to realize sooner how sad his grandfather was of his son's death. The letter that was left for Booth's grandfather made my eyes tear. It showed that Booth's father did love him dearly and he wished that he could have been a better father for his two sons. I think that this was the beginning closure that Booth needed, finishing with opening the box with Temperance at the end filled with the best memories of his dad.

Bones is such an interesting show to watch. The relationships between the characters never cease to capture my attention and each case is unique. Angela is one of my favorite characters in the show due to her relaxed nature and free spirit; she always knows exactly what to say and is a great friend to Dr. Brennan and the rest of the squints as she is understanding and compassionate. Angela and Dr. Brennan are perfect foils of each other, yet their friendship remains true. I can't wait to see both of them raise their children together.. though I do wonder how they will describe to their kids that they work with corpses everyday. That  should go interestingly.

However, the only real reason I watch the show is because of David. Honestly, If it wasn't for him, I would have never started to watch Bones. I didn't think I was into this genre of shows, but David convinced me otherwise like always. Seeley Booth is witty, sensitive, and has a great back story, but my heart still belongs with his character Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spinoff Angel. No one beats Angel. Sorry Booth fanatics, Angel wins. Boreanaz portrays both of these characters fantastically, though. When I watch each show I forget that Angel is Booth and Booth is Angel, which proves how great of an actor he has become since that first season of Buffy.

The Trouble with School is that They Try to Teach the Wrong Lesson...

...Believe me, I've been kicked out

Of enough of them to know

They want you to be less callow

Less shallow

But I say: Why invite stress in?

Stop studying strife

And learn the unexamined life

Dancing through life

Skimming the surface

Gliding where turf is smooth

Life's more painless

For the brainless

Why think too hard?

When it's so soothing

Dancing through life

No need to tough it 

When you can sluff it off as I do

Nothing matters

But  knowing nothing matters

It's just life

So keep dancing through...

-Wicked: Dancing Through Life

School is important since it pretty much decides your future, but it shouldn't be the most important thing that is on your mind. As a student of whatever level of education you are at, you should know that school shouldn't always come first despite what your father told you when you were 8. So you got a B when you were striving for an A; don't stress about it. There is no use in worrying over something that has already happened. Study a little more next time or don't procrastinate as much, but until that next assignment comes I suggest that you take your mind off of school and relax. Do something fun and entertaining, life isn't all about work. It's a balance between knowing when to sit down and be serious and going out to the movies with some friends.


There is no need to be grade anal either; I know first hand that it's not worth the stress that comes with it. I'm still worrisome about my grades, but nearly as much as I was when I started high school. Sadly, some of my friends still haven't learned that grades aren't the most important things in life. I'm not talking about people who wanted a 95 but got an 80 and are upset; I'm talking about those types of people that wanted a 100 and got a 97 and are upset. There is no use crying over a few points and it won't ruin your GPA or class rank.


When it comes to school, put yourself first. If your brain is fried from the week, spend the weekend having fun. I'm not saying you should procrastinate until the day before, but you don't have to work 24/7.