Xmas from the heart

My 10yo cousin very much still believes in Santa and the mysterious way in which he gobbles up the cookies every year while she's tucked away in her bed. As tradition, I wrote the 'thank you' note as Santa, thanking her and also telling her I hope she remembers the true meaning of Xmas and to cherish the time spent with family.

Incredibly enough, I realized my own neglect in this area: busy working what seems like around the clock and have not spent nearly as much time as I would like with friends and family.... Having C3 in the car shop for repair does not help matters either {insert sad face here}.

A few highlights from Xmas:

I was lucky enough to have more-than-accommodating parents who picked my working butt up after a short {ha!} 12hr shift at work and then promptly fell asleep at my Nana's house after texting a select few that cheerful "Merry Christmas" text as we do in this day and age, counting down the seconds until it is "officially" Christmas.

This year's outfit: crushed velvet ShopPriceless skirt, favorite pullover sweater {similar}, Star Wars belt, thigh-high stockings, and new loafers.

Gag gifts are inevitable. My fav? Poo-dough, complete with yellow dough to make realistic corn pellets.

I may or may not have worn this in public during the travels of the day....

Obsessed with new robe! And friends found it a real hoot when I posted on social media.

I'm all set for when my favorite Wookie comes a-calling for a romantic date....once he's done saving the galaxy, of course.

Mama set me up for my aspirations at becoming a savant in pancake-making with a super sweet griddle. Chocolate-chip pancakes, anyone?

While gifts should not be the focal point of the holidays, I do quite enjoy giving thoughtful gifts and spreading cheer with something they would like, or something they would love but would never buy for themselves.

Spreading the love, surrounded by good food and wine, and good company - that's what the holidays are about, eh? Taking time away from the real-world problems and focusing on what truly matters. Time's too short not to take time to unwind with the ones who have your back through thick and thin, and to share the love with stories and sweets.

Did I mention I loved the robe?

Star Wars - a new era

*Warning: NO spoilers*

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is officially out and beating several opening records....before the doors to the first screening even creaked upon their hinges. This global enterprise, which includes likely 100's of thousands of fans in its fandom and will likely boast nearly $5 billion {with a B} in merchandise sales, was destined for cinematic history before auditions began {hard to believe it's been 2 years since I waited in line for literally hours at Twickenham Park in London to audition for the role of Rey}.

However, you likely won't be seeing me in a theater near you... Thank you, social anxiety, albeit this is not the sole reason. As much as I love Star Wars, I feel the hype has become overrated, bringing people out of the woodwork, which does not bode well with someone who will require spending some time alone to recharge her batteries from being overly socially stimulated...

Growing up a mega nerd, I often faced mockery and ridicule for the very franchise which is now regarded as one of the largest in the cinematic and sci-fi industry, earning quite a few discerning looks by passersby in high school for my Chewbacca backpack. I find it fascinating that love for this conglomerate is now hailing one as "cool" - funny how that works, eh?

Hot Topic model with the same Chewie backpack I own...
except I don't look half as fab as she.

Trends come and go, cinematic and literary masterpieces gain and lose fandom momentum as the next "it" thing joins the scene...

....but I have a furry feeling that Star Wars may be one to stay, which is good and bad, because I really want to see the new movie without risk of an overcrowded and noisy theater and my R2-D2 ink isn't fading any time soon.

Thankful I have not seen any spoilers via social media, so at least people are being respectful, unlike so many countless other premiered movies.

Perhaps now that I have a few days off, I may venture off to see it...who knows, I just may get a little wild in my current state of being stranded and potentially going stir-crazy.

Final Friday Favorites of 2012

Tis Friday at last....although I haven't much about which to complain; it's been a fairly smooth week without conventional work. Just busy busy busy with the holidays and shoveling. I honestly love shoveling. It's a great workout and for somre reason, I just like doing it.....strange.
It's the last Friday of 2012 [as indicated by the post title] and only a few days until the new year....what will you be doing for New Year's Eve?? How 'bout watching the movie? Fun movie, along with Valentine's Day [even though I don't celebrate that terribly commercialized holiday but enough on that].

Hmmm...perhaps it should be the favorites of the year:

• Going to the beach with Lovely

• My sissy being with me all the way

Xmas 2012 Photo by Mummy

• Lady A, Darius Rucker, and Thompson Square concert!

• Being accepted into the Kingston University in London for study abroad

Cheesy American stereotypical London pic c/o Google images

• Beautiful Tiffany's ring from my Nana

• Alumni band

• All-American Rejects and A Rocket to the Moon concert

 

 

• Valleyfest!

• Discovering Tard the grumpy cat

• Not to appear self-centered, but my birthday makes the list despite the raging storm on that day. Being surrounded by friends, what could be a better way of spending the day indoors?

• Horseback riding tour in Gettysburg

Photography by Logan Kurtek

• Riding a camel at the Philly Zoo

Photography by Justin Roth

• NeverShoutNever concert

• The other concerts with Lovely...Warped Tour in Buffalo, The Band Perry, Hot Chelle Rae

• Winter Formal 2012: An International Affair

• Halloween time spent with Lovely

• Chewbacca hat!

I felt so modern with my outfit yesterday....Mia2 boots [gift from Nana for 19th bday], PacSun tights [gift from Lovely], H&M skirt, Express sweater [gift from Sissy], handmade bracelet [gift from Mum], Tiffany's ring [gift from Nana], and Chewie hat [gift from Lovely].

Tonight my bestie and I are totally geeking out by having a sleepover, exchanging prezzies, and having a LOTR trilogy marathon! Woot woot! Let the nostalgia begin with the Heidi and Jill sleepover traditions :)

I believe one is never too old for sleepovers with one's bestie.

Now...debating on whether or not I should get out of bed yet....

Monster Mash

Yesterday we had classes cancelled [happy birthday to me!] and today they were cancelled as well due to that attention-whore, Sandy.

Last year on my birthday, I woke up to a snow storm....this year, a hurricane. What shall be in London next fall?? Perhaps Mother Nature will spare me because it's my 21st and I'll be studying abroad.

Birthday girl was excited to receive Tangled and The Princess and the Frog from Mummy :) ....along with enough snacks to see me through the storm.

My sneaky friends threw me a party and completely surprised me with a giant card and a birthday cupcake and people sang to me at the campus C-Store. And yes, I wore my crown all day. It seemed like the proper birthday thing to do.

Oh, my....so glad to be surrounded by such wonderful people! They keep me in stitches and I love them to pieces.

New Express dress! Can't wait to wear this out somewhere...

The power went out a few times last time while we watched Paranormal Activity but it sort of added to the suspense [we've seen it before so we knew what was coming]. Afterwards, a couple of us did the Ouija board. There was quite a bit of energy between the five of us; I was surprised. Halloween mood....had to do something spooky and fun!

Today is my friend Trevor's birthday! He's older than I am haha. So 20 doesn't seem so old...although my sister reminded me that I'm now officially two decades old. Thanks, Sis.

Time to work on my management paper a little longer....being a total bum today in my attire. But that's ok, I haven't ventured outside the building once today.

No, no, no. Terrible news of the night.

This just doesn't seem right.

Wenches, Knights, and PIRATES?

Ooooh what a day to go to the PA Renaissance Faire!! The rain didn't dampen the spirit...it just meant shivering in my clothes: jeans tucked into my red hightops, AE tank, and AE blazer. Yes, I know, not properly dressed for the rain and 50s temps but I had about 30 mins to get ready. That's like a minute for a boy hahaha. Oh well....my looks were unimportant in the scheme of the day.

Hence why I did not take any pictures of my outfit.

Sowwy...I ruined it, I know! But hopefully these pics make up for it.

And videos :)

Fire!
Jousting!
Human Chess!

I also saw the Looney Lucey and Ploppy show...but camera had died by then and the rain was beginning to come down...yet again -_-

So....check out the PA Renaissance Faire if you just love knights and dames and drinking (if you're 21, which I am not meh) and eating turkey legs right off the bone like a barbarian. I have update more on today....last night I was just too tired to post about the faire.

I whip my hair back and forth. iTunes is great at picking songs on random.