How to Give a Hug

I'm not the huggy type.  I've honestly tried, but I just can't seem to give them of my own volition.  When others give me a hug, especially in greeting, I become awkward and stiff.  Naturally I appreciate hugs as a display of "I have missed you" or "farewell," but I can never seem to perfect the art of giving a natural embrace.  Because he has been the recipient of some of my awkward greetings or farewells, Karl jokes that I hate hugs, and I most certainly do not hate them, but I have never been a child to cuddle and hold for a prolonged time period. I was much too busy for that.

As the wedding season approaches, I feel that I must perfect this customary greeting in order to let others know that I am actually a warm person, I just might be a bad hugger.  My usual formula is fairly standard. Bend at the waist.  Extend one arm over the shoulder facing downwards and one arm around the waist extended upwards.  Pat back three times.  Release.  I find that this formula is increasingly difficult when one is taller than me.  And apparently I shouldn't use this when I am the shorter (which Karl has so kindly pointed out on occassion).  So now I am forced to discover a new way to hug like a normal person.

If I have given you a hug and you felt I was cold, I actually do like you.  If I have to give you a hug in the future and still feel rather awkward, I still actually like you.  Keep in mind that practice makes perfect, and perhaps you are still on my practice run.

A Child at Heart

Like my affection for Christmas music, there is also a deep love of Christmas movies.  Christmas movies are ridiculous.  Oh, they are enjoyable (mostly), but they are also nonsensical.  Below I have listed my favorite Christmas movies (in no particular order).  And they are childish, most certainly, but try not to judge too harshly.

1.  Eloise at Christmastime

Some might think Eloise is annoying.  And the idea of a small female child romping around The Plaza wreaking havoc is most definitely amusing.  But I love the original artwork from the books that is used in the film, and I adore the multiple story lines.  Each character brings something to the table, and Eloise's "spirit of Christmas" is enviable.

2.  The Polar Express

If you weren't read the book by your first grade teacher on video, then you might not enjoy the movie.  I don't care.  Tom Hanks is fantastic, the artistry and sound superb, and the characters heartwarming.  ELVES!

3.  Home Alone

If you ask me, the Home Alone series should have stopped after the second.  Since Hollywood obviously did not ask me, the series has been tainted by flops; however, the original is the best.  Slapstick comedy is not hard to understand. It's funny.  And even though I sometimes find myself picking out inconceivable events in the film, Macaulay Culkin gave the performance of his life.  Favorite line?  "This house is so full of people, it makes me sick.  When I grow up and get married, I'm living alone.  Did you hear me?  I'm living alone!  I'm living alone!"

4.  Little Women

I don't know why I include this as a Christmas film.  Maybe because it begins in winter.  Either way, this is my favorite movie to watch with tea and a blanket (or multiple blankets).  I can really watch it anytime, but it suits me best in the cold.  It's a classic.  That should be enough.

5.  National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

My fiance's deep love for this movie mirrors my love for Little Women.  His family can quote the entire movie. Sometimes I have to remind him that others are watching the film (me), but he still whispers the lines under his breath.  Again, slapstick never gets old.  And I sense Chevy Chase's drive to have the most awesome family Christmas ever (every year) will be my silent drive as well.  I might not have so many lights, though.

Honorable mentions:  All other Christmas movies

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

My roommate brought back boxes and bagfuls of Christmas decorations.  You know how I feel about Christmas.  So last night, we happily hung ornaments and lights from our new little tree, as well as set up the most beautiful wooden nativity scene on a Christmas-y placement.  Now, lights are up outside, bows and boughs are placed, and the inside is warm with lights.

Snapshots

A few snapshots of my week:

This bug...

...because I'm not the only one who enjoyed the nice weather.

Theo...

...because she really wants to help mom fold the laundry.

This glass of wine...

...because it was the best I ever had. And it was shared with lovely people.

These flowers...

...because they're bright and beautiful.

 These pies...

....because everything was delicious. And made with love.

Domestic

Cooking and baking are both intimidating to me.  There is most certainly an art to making food that is both tasty and aesthetically pleasing.  Pies are especially daunting- fillings can run, crust can rupture, and the overall taste can lack...sweetness.  Furthermore, my mom is the queen of pies. It's a lot of pressure.

So when I decided to make my first real pie for my fiance's family Thanksgiving, I was more than nervous.  But this recipe was excellent, and I think it turned out okay in the taste AND look departments.

The most difficult task...the crust.

Fitting it all inside was no easy task.

The hard part- waiting.

My Christmas Playlist

I know it's not Christmas yet.  But listen.  I love the Christmas season.  Oh yes, I cherish the fact that God gave us His Son on this day, and I certainly will continue to value the true meaning of Christmas.  But I also mean that I love the first snow, winter scarves, warm gloves, fuzzy hats, hot chocolate, and peppermint.  I love twinkly lights and Christmas trees and wrapping paper.  And I love Christmas songs.  Not just Christmas carols or Christmas hymns.  All. Christmas. Songs.

I've decided to share my favorite songs, not because you care (particularly), but because if you're not in the holiday spirit, I find that these songs have stood the test of time.  And by that, I mean that I sing these songs poolside in July.

1.  White Christmas- Bing Crosby

I always want a white Christmas.  Usually I'm sorely disappointed.  And don't you dare play some cover by Taylor Swift or Michael Buble.

2.  It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas- Perry Como/The Fontaine Sisters

This song in particular makes me think of my favorite Christmas-y movie.  The Polar Express.  I especially love the elves.

3.  Baby It's Cold Outside- Dean Martin

The romantic in me can't skip this song.  And Dean Martin?  'Nuff said.

4.  Believe-  Josh Groban

Again, from The Polar Express.  But Josh Groban's voice is simply perfect, and this song is so inspiring.  Well, at least it's inspiring to me as I always want to be able to hear the bells.

5.  I'll Be Home for Christmas

The whole premise of this song makes me want to weep because it is so dang sweet.  I can't imagine how hard it was to wait, wondering if your husband/boyfriend was coming back from war to spend the holidays with you.  I am sentimental like that.  Although Bing Crosby is classic, I've included the Frank Sinatra version because...well...it's Frank Sinatra. 

What song gets you into the holiday spirit?

Snapshots

A few snapshots of my week:

This candle...

...because it smells like peppermint. And Christmas.

This apostrophe worksheet...

...because a student turned it in with commas. I must have said something wrong.

This collection of books...

...because the 7th graders are about to start a unit on fairy tales. I admire the teacher's appreciation of The Hobbit.

This journal...

...because it is made of recycled products, and I love the look of it.

This hot chocolate...

...because we made a special trip for marshmallows. And there are two sunken mints inside.

Prayer

Psalm 143

A psalm of David.

¹ Lord, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
come to my relief.
² Do not bring your servant into judgment,
for no one living is righteous before you.
³ The enemy pursues me,
he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in the darkness
like those long dead.
⁴ So my spirit grows faint within me;
my heart within me is dismayed.
⁵ I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works
and consider what your hands have done.
⁶ I spread out my hands to you;
I thirst for you like a parched land.^[a]

⁷ Answer me quickly, Lord;
my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
⁸ Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.
⁹ Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,
for I hide myself in you.
¹⁰ Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.

Those Little Things

I'm feeling a bit restless.  I don't know if I've gotten too comfortable with my job.  Perhaps I am in the throes of wedding planning and need a break.  And maybe I've poured one too many cups of coffee this morning.  Either way, in lieu of my usual Friday snapshots, I thought that maybe I need to post five things I'm thankful for.

And I have lots to be thankful/grateful for.  Family, friends, food, a job, church, and Jesus...typical Sunday School answers that embody a multitude of truly wonderful things.  But I know that I have a lot more than that to be grateful for. So if you give me a few minutes, I'm sure I'll have at least five posted below.  I'm trying to think of "deeper" things that I take for granted, but I'd also like to think of at least one tangible product that makes my life a little easier.

1. A great educational experience

Yes, I am thankful that I have a job.  But as I look back, I'm amazed at what it took to get me here.  Piles of essays and homework, for sure.  Yet I also accumulated fantastic resources, not in just tangible papers and websites, but in my professors.  I don't know how many college grads can say that their professors truly cared about them, but at least in the English department, I feel like all of them did. I know there are issues with a conservative Christian college and their "rules," but in the long run, those are not what I remember.  I remember good literature circles, fantastic friends, and excellent teachers.

2.  The concept of marriage

I did say that "friends and family" were Sunday School answers that I would not give as one of my five.  I have a fantastic fiance.  Anyone who knows me knows that I believe that.  But I'm lucky that he still believes in the concept of marriage.  In BF, my choices as a young woman is single, baby mama, living with someone, or old and married.  There was no "engaged."  Props to the men who still "put a ring on it" without living with her first.  And props to the men who believe that marriage can be one woman for the rest of your lives.

3.  A closet full of clothes

I am not rich.  In fact, my roommate and I call it "Ameripoor."  Sometimes, I feel like I need to be rich in order to buy professional clothing.  However, as I look in my closet, I know that's not true.  I feel very fortunate to go into the school and have both teachers and students think I look nice and professional.  And even though my family is not rich in monetary means, I know my mom prepared me well to live in a world where the goal is to exude "sexiness" rather than "classiness."  And do not mistake me; I am a firm believer in comfortable sweatpants (which is neither "sexy" or "classy," I'm sure).  However, I know that I am lucky enough to have a choice in what I wear.

4.  Lots of books

I'm glad that people have realized that I like to read.  I feel as if I'm an easy person to buy a gift for; I like books, tea, teacups, purses, shoes, and scarves.  And you can find all of those at thrift stores and flea markets.  However, I'm especially thankful for new books with beautiful covers.  By "new," I mean brand new or new to me.  That can also mean they are actually old.  I am thankful to have a bookshelf with anthologies full of classic literature, books that I purchased on my own because I wanted to write in them, and books that people have bought me because they know how much I love them.  I am thankful for my Kindle, yes, but I will always love a true book.

5.  A copier

Ok, so maybe this is because I'm in the midst of school.  But I am so thankful for a copier.  It truly is a tangible object that makes me life a little easier.  I cannot imagine writing everything I need over and over again for each student.  I am happy to copy resources onto paper once, then I will make hundreds of copies in a couple seconds.  Sometimes, faster isn't always better or easier; but sometimes, faster is appreciated.

Snapshots

Late, but here.  This is my week devoted to good food and a funny book.

Snapshots of my week:

This Oram's donut...

...because Caramel Apple from Oram's is my favorite.

This Panera breadbowl...



...because nothing says "fall" like soup. And LOTS of carbs.

This delicious chocolate pastry...

... because it was free!

This coffee...

...because Starbucks has brought out their holiday drinks.  Peppermint Mocha. Mmmmm.

This book...

...because we love her new show, so Kenz and I decided to read her book together.  Outloud.  Taking turns.

You Can Use Wikipedia for This

Me:  "Today we are going to read a small excerpt from Miss F's book about the Titanic."

Student:  "The Titanic?  Is that appropriate for school?"

Me:  "What do you mean?  This chapter is about the construction of the ship and passengers aboard.  The accident is in later chapters that you will have to read on your own."

Student:  "Uhhhh,wait.  You mean this is real?

*my best confused look*

Student:  "Like the Titanic thing actually happened?  Jack, Rose, Titanic, iceberg?"

*inward palm-to-face action*

Me (in a relatively calm manner):  "Um, yes... This is a true historical event.  This actually happened.  There was a ship called the Titanic, supposedly unsinkable, and thousands of people died when it struck an iceberg and sank.  Jack and Rose's story is not true, but there may have been a couple on board who lived their tale, we don't know.  There was a Jack on board quite coincidentally.  But the whole build-up about the Titanic and its destruction are true."

Student:  "Oh."

Imagine my horror.  Imagine my surprise.  I had heard about this when the Titanic re-released in 3D; I had laughed when I heard about younger people who didn't realize the sinking of the Titanic was an actual event.  But here was a case of that staring me in the face!  I'm not laughing anymore.

Eventually we were able to read more about the ship and the real passengers.  I'm lucky they were intrigued because of the movie and the idea.  But goodness, when these kids saw the movie or heard about it, they didn't Google it at all?!  Even to look up about Jack and Rose?  Although I suppose pictures of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet popped up and they got distracted.  Either way, in order to for them to get the very BASICS, I allowed them to read Wikipedia (which they were more stunned about).  WHISPER:  Don't be fooled; I am actually a fan of Wikipedia in order to acquire other, more reliable, sources.

I hope to teach these students that usually the very best of movies are mere attempts to depict the "coolest" of events or books.  Cross your fingers.