Glee Cast - Do They Know It's Christmas? (Glee Cast Version)

Merry Holidays

It's Christmas time. I love this time. It's the most wonderful time of the year...according to Edward Pola and George Wyle. But, I was thinking...about Christmas and why I celebrate Christmas and the chaotic disorder that floods my house at Christmas time and I decided that was not Christmas. That was just chaotic disorder. To me Christmas is:

Giving



Family



Laughing



Happiness

Hot Chocolate

Lights


and Snow

Christmas is not:

Shopping



Presents



Kitchen Mess



Stress




(Or at least it shouldn't be...)

I just posted a song by Glee...it's good...watch it, even though you may hate Glee.


But when all the superficial-ness of Christmas is stripped away...Christmas is about one thing.



HIM

So, don't watch the Glee song...watch this...

I promise I won't complain anymore

I have a bad habit of complaining from time to time. I try not to...but alas...I do. But today that must end because I have 2 arms and 2 hands and 10 fingers. A girl came into my office today to fill out some paperwork. She had 2 upper arms...and that was it. No forearms or hands or fingers or ever-so-useful thumbs. Because I'm the type of person that can't help staring even though my mother taught me to look away and NEVER stare, I stared and awed and thought, "wow, I'm an idiot," followed closely by "wow, I love my arms," followed closely by, "stop staring." She was writing and picking things up and doing everyday, minuscule activities that I take for granted. I'm never complaining again. Well I might, but when I do, I will quickly remember and respect the girl with half-arms.

People in History

I've always heard that you can't move forward with the future without understanding the past. From my favorite Disney movie of ALL TIME Rafiki says, "Oh yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or... learn from it. So I have selected a few people from the past who have taught me something:

1. William Wilberforce-Fight until it's Finished.

British Politician and leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade...this is long before Lincoln...He led the campaign for 26 years until the Slave Trade Act was passed in 1807. He continued his work to abolish slavery until 1833 when the Slavery Abolition Act was assured by parliament. He died 3 days later.


2. Thomas Jefferson-Be Bold and Make a Statement

Thomas Jefferson, principal author of the Declaration of Independence wrote one of the most daring and bold documents ever written. It's great. Read it if you haven't...although a fourth of it was deleted in the 3 day revision session...

3. "Shoeless" Joe Jackson-Be Different

Joseph Jefferson Jackson, left-fielder for 3 major league baseball teams, most notably the Chicago White Sox. Although his past is sketchy and quite sad, his name describes his desire to stand out! The name came when he was seen running to third base in only his socks because his cleats gave him blisters...he currently holds the 3rd highest batting average. Go Joe!

4. Abraham Lincoln-You can rise above your Circumstances

Abraham Lincoln is known for his honesty, presidency and assassination. However, Abe Lincoln is a great example of rising up even when it seems impossible. As a woman, I will contribute a lot of this success to his step-mother, Sarah Bush Lincoln. When she married into the Lincoln family, she had no idea of the desolate family circumstances or 2 young children at home. Yet she stayed and raised the 16th President of the United States.

5. Walt Disney-"If you can dream it, you can do it!"


Walt Disney Was a dreamer. It all started with a mouse and it became one of the biggest successes ever. It seems appropriate that a common theme in Disney movies is 'fulfilling your dreams' and 'wishing upon stars'. He once said, "Every child is born blessed with a vivid imagination. But just as muscles grow flabby with disuse, so the bright imagination of a child pales in later years if he ceases to excersise it."

Food

I am hungry...but I don't have time to cook. So I eat this,



and this,



and this



BUT I want to eat this



and this



and this



and this




Someday...

Me and Lea

Let it be known that in one week I will get to see Lea Salonga in concert from the front row...Yes I am excited. Lea is my idol and I think she is super pretty, clever and has a stellar voice. Watch, listen and love.

What if?

Sometimes, as I lie awake in bed I fantasize my life as a musical. I would sing songs of love, passion, mistakes, more love, a new life, the same life, love again, friends, family, school and love. These are some of the songs I would sing. You can imagine the rest:



"New Soul" -Yael Naim




"You Belong with Me" -Taylor Swift





"The Story" -cover by Sara Ramirez




"Rolling in the Deep" -Adele




"You'll Always Find Your Way Back Home" -Hannah Montana



"Get it Right" -Glee



"The Climb" -Miley Cyrus




"Amazing Grace" -John Newton




These are just a few...I could go on.

Great Love Quotes

I found some great love quotes:





"Love is a verb. The feeling of love is the fruit of love"
-Stephen R. Covey

"You can't fall out of love because love is something you decide."
-Elder Lynn G. Robbins

"Don't just pray to marry the one you love. Instead, pray to love the one you marry."
-Pres. Spencer W. Kimball

"Love isn't a feeling, it's an ability."
-Dan in Real Life

The Start of Something New

I heard two great quotes that I would like to make the theme of my summer.

First: "The best thing about the future is that it only comes one day at a time."
--Abraham Lincoln

Second: "Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone."
--Anonymous

These two quotes are the start of something new for me. For starters, the future is super scary and things will be hard! Luckily, wise old Abe knew what he was talking about. If we take the future only one day at a time, we can handle it, no problems. I am trying to mold and shape my entire future, but all I can handle is today. SO! I am focused on today, and believe me, today will be great!

The second quote is a reminder for me to step outside my comfort zone, because then and only then, will I be able to live life to the fullest and make my dreams come true. A dream worth pursuing might cause a painful journey. NEVER FEAR and as Justin Bieber would say, "Never Say Never!" So, now I am on the edge and focused on today!

I have a dream

I would like to share my dreams with you:

1. I love to see the temple-I'll go inside someday!



2. Cute...can't deny it! (I want one)




3.This is my hometown and I will go back someday.



4. This is my dream-side-job:



5. This is my dream job:




6. I want to visit:

Florence, Italy



Shanghai, China


Athens, Greece


Prince Edward Island, Canada


7. I want to meet:

Thomas S. Monson




Glenn Beck


Chad Lewis


Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel from "Wicked"


8. I want to:

Write a book


Be a teacher



Be an interpreter


So much more...

My New Hero

I have a hero. This is a recent development. I have recently become a fan of BYU's Jimmer Fredette. I have never met this legend (but I saw him on campus from a distance...) so I can say nothing of his demeanor or humility or personality BUT ...he is pretty cool and I am deeply attracted to his curly hair. Besides his cool-ness and curly hair, I have found him to be an inspiration to dreamers like myself. As a chubby kid in New York, Jimmer practiced hard to be the best in his sport...I think he just reached that goal. For a small town kid with a wierd name he has come very far. I am in awe of his desire to be the very best and work his tail off to BE the very best. James Taft Fredette never gave up and I honestly don't think he ever will. He is driven, more driven than most athletes. Although some of his ability may be raw talent, he took that raw-ness of talent and molded and shaped and created astounding skill. I will be honest for a brief moment. I...was a Jimmer-hater...I know, it's true. I couldn't understand what the huge obsession was with "Jimmermania." I thought that the rest of the basketball team was getting too little credit and Jimmer was getting a lot of undeserved credit. I admit I was wrong. Jimmer is talented and determined. As another hero of mine once said, "Some are born great, others achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them." Jimmer was born with great potential. Jimmer worked hard to achieve great goals. Jimmer has paid the price of hard work to have greatness thrust upon him. So, good job Jimmer and good luck.

http://youtu.be/e1_B9FCZJMA

Stress Reliever and a great song

It has been scientifically proven that human beings use both sides of their brains when participating in the fine arts. (i.e. singing, playing and instrument, dancing, etc.) So what is the best thing to do when I or you get stressed?? DANCE! I did it last night, it was great...School is out and it is summer time, although it feels more like February considering the snow we received yesterday. I am so excited for the summer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! One thing that I have learned is that I like warm weather so I think I am moving to California or Florida, probably the latter. I heard this fabulous song from my sister and I loved it! Listen and love.

These are a few of my favorite things!

SO, I wanted to list a few of the best/favorite things I have experienced lately. Here we go!

1. I got an "A" on my Linguistics test! (yay me!)
2. I got an "A" on my POGP test! (yay again me!)
3. I love working in the ASL lab on campus!
4. I am the ward chorister. (best calling ever)
5. I got bangs again...it's a good look.
6. The weather has been delightful!
7. I have doubled my reading speed...we are talking 90 lines per minute!
8. I have stopped watching "Grey's Anatomy" (thank goodness)
9. My Music 202 professor is from Australia...and hilarious...just imagine
10.I have lots of new friends in my ward...so much fun
11.I have a love for cooking and cooking shows.
That's all for now folks!

My motto

I have recently developed a motto for myself. Ready? Here goes:

NEVER give in
NEVER forsaking
NEVER give up
NEVER fully breaking

What did you think? Ok, it could uses work. You ever feel like giving up? Like throwing in the towel and walking off the court? I have felt that way a lot. But, I can't do it. I can't give up completely. From the movie The Haunted Mansion,

"You try you fail, you try you fail. The only true failure is when you stop trying."

"Look, what do you want me to do?"

"Try Again."

What is the point? Why should I try again? Tell me why and I will. I know that life is supposed to be hard. I know I chose to come to earth and live in this time. But I am struggling to stay afloat. I am tired of school and social life and working 2 jobs. But enough complaining...If life wasn't hard it wouldn't be half the fun. I will keep going...that's all I can do. Just keep going Lucky and you might get Lucky...