Since I wasn't home for Christmas this year, I've put all my holiday energy into a New Years party that Kristy and I are throwing tonight. I've been cutting paper snowflakes for two weeks, and spent a good part of yesterday making chocolate covered pretzels.

2010 was a good year, don't get me wrong, but I hope 2011 is even better. I have a really good feeling about it, and I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure it's great. Every year has it's ups and downs, but right now I'm focusing on the positive (and silly) things that happened in the last 12 months.

Things I did in 2010:
-started a new job
-survived a serious relationship
-waxed my eyebrows for the first time
-read a ton of books
-played a lot of flag football
-quit that new job because I was...
-accepted to grad schools!
-drove across the country with my dad
-started grad school in Salt Lake City
-made a lot of new friends (in Philly and SLC)
-went snow tubing for the first time (that was yesterday)
-went to a drive in movie for the first time
-bought my first car
-visited friends in DC, NYC, and Boston
-saw a good friend get married
-turned down the seemingly "right" choice to do what was right for me. Twice.
-went on my first solo road trip to Boston
-took more risks than I've ever taken before...and most of them paid off

Adios 2010, hello 2011!

This is a cranky edition of music monday. I know I should still be filled with the Christmas spirit and all, but the truth is...I'm not.

I'm currently experiencing the frustration of something not working out the way I want it to, another reminder that there are a lot of things that are just out of my control. I hate that.

So this week's song is You're a Cad by The Bird and The Bee. I really love this song, it's super catchy but the lyrics aren't cheerful, which is refreshing. And it's sort of perfect for my mood today.

There is no official video for it..

Before it's too late, I can't leave out my favorite Christmas song:



Happy holidays! I hope you get everything you want for Christmas

Christmas is Saturday, so I only have six (or so) days left to enjoy Christmas music.

Straight No Chaser is an mens a capella group from Indiana that I first saw about a year ago on a PBS special. They do a lot of Christmas songs, but a lot of other music as well.

I wanted to post O Holy Night, since it's my favorite, but 12 Days of Christmas is more fun (at least the way they sing it):

Firstly, please note that I am now officially, completely, 100% done with my first semester of grad school! I finished grading finals about ten minutes ago, after blowing through them at lightning speed.

Secondly, I have been thinking about this post for quite some time. And by that I mean a week. I've been mulling over the idea of guy friends (as opposed to boyfriends) and what I think about the whole thing.

That whole thing being whether guys and girls can be friends (tangent: have you ever noticed how there isn't a female equivalent term for guy? boy/girl, man/woman, guy/? gal? Unacceptable. That sounds like I'm in a bad Western).

It started when I was studying for my film history exam and fast forwarding through Rules of the Game, this French film that is supposed to be amazing but which I did not have time to watch. Anyway, this woman and her maid are talking, and the maid says something like:

"Friendship with a man? That's asking for the moonlight at midday."

So I thought about this (while I studied Italian neorealism), and couldn't really come to a conclusion on whether I thought it was true or not. Then I consulted When Harry Met Sally, one of the greatest movies ever made. I'm pretty sure the answers to most of life's questions are in that movie. Remember that scene in the car? It's below if you don't.



Harry and Sally discuss this on and off for the rest of the movie. If you don't know the story, they end up as close friends for several years. But then...they realize they love each other. And they get married at the end.

So, I was still conflicted. On the one hand, I have a ton of guy friends that I am absolutely not attracted to. On the other hand, I have guy friends that are sort of *more* than friends but definitely not boyfriends. Is it more a matter of what the guy thinks of you than of what you think of the guy? I'm beginning to think so.

Now that I'm at the end of this post, I'm beginning to think it doesn't matter.

1. Sleeping
2. Thinking clearly
3. Studying for my final tonight




*that I should have been doing

One of my favorite things about this time of year is the Christmas music. I LOVE it. I've been listening to the soundtrack for A Charlie Brown Christmas all week in my car; it makes me so happy, and nostalgic, and cozy, and all those wonderful (read: cliche) Christmas feelings.

I especially love Christmas albums that are reinterpretations of the classics by popular musicians. An old roommate (who I did not get along with, actually) put Sarah McLachlan's Wintersong album on my computer, and I can honestly say it was the only good thing she ever did while we lived together. But, I love this album, so I'm really grateful for it.

Today's song is the cover of Joni Mitchell's "River". I can't embed the video, so you'll have to go here to watch it. It's worth the extra click.

Today was not technically the last day of the semester. Tomorrow is the last day, then finals start on Monday.

But...

Today was my last day of real class. It was the last day I had to get to school at 9:30 for class, then waste 3 hours until the class I TA starts. The last time I had to drag a big camera and tripod to my TA class. Tuesday was the last of my 13 hour days, which I've been suffering through all semester.

All that stands between me and semester break is a final, a couple meetings, and about 50 finals to grade.


Today felt so good. I really like when things begin, but sometimes I equally like when they end. This is one of those times.

A lot of my friends have really great taste in music, and one in particular is always introducing me to new bands and sounds. I'm not sure where she heard of Mumford & Sons, but I am so glad she let me know about them.

Little Lion Man is one of my favorite songs by them, so I thought I'd share it today. I'm posting the clean version, but you can check out the official video on youtube.




There is something about their music that feels epic and gritty, and wonderful.

Little Lion Man is also what I call my cat Gus a lot, since he is very much a little lion. Don't you think?

Brunch was a success! I wish I'd taken pictures, but the truth is the food was gone way too fast to take any. I ended up having to make pancakes as well because so many people came.

Since I moved out to SLC, sometimes I feel pretty lonely (even though I have an amazing roommate), and it was so nice to have people come over and have a good time together (even if they were there for the food and not necessarily my fantastic company).

I decided to have friends over for brunch tomorrow, and I am baking up a storm.

On the menu: crumb cake, chive buttermilk biscuits, and apple cheddar tart

Hopefully everything turns out OK. If the smell is any indication, the crumb cake will be awesome.

Now I just have to invite people, or there won't be anyone to help me eat everything!