Is it time for Christmas yet?

I have a pretty firm rule about Christmas music. I wait until the day after Thanksgiving because when I start listening to Christmas music, I only listen to Christmas music. If I start too soon, I get sick of it. But I am really excited for this Christmas, especially since I will be home in time to decorate and enjoy December in Oregon. The point of this whole post? I might have to bend the rules this year because thanks to Nicole and Erin, I found a Christmas mix cd that looks incredibly good. Sara, Ingrid, Colbie, KT, and Lenka all on one cd? It must be a Christmas miracle!

Surprise in the Mail!

A blog that I faithfully read, Marta Writes, also has a store that sells fun crafty things like quote journals and cards. I missed out on the mini journals the first time around, so when Marta posted about a limited-time offer of these adorable journals, I snatched one up. It came a few weeks ago, beautifully packaged in polkadot tissue paper. The design of the journal was a surprise but I love it! As someone who loves the idea of keeping a journal but literally falls into bed every night, it is perfect. I have just enough energy to fill in the blanks and feel like I documented something about my day.


Yes, I did take a picture of it on my bed and no, the quality is not very good. So what?

Here is what the inside looks like, taken from Marta's blog. Click on it to see it bigger and enjoy her amazing handwriting. I would like to make it into font and use it for myself.

Took the words right out of my mouth

While doing my daily check on E!online.com, I saw a picture of Zac Efron with the following caption: "If we could take a snapshot of our dreams, this is kinda what it would look like." It's weird, like they read my mind or something. Ha.

"We are, and always will be, the United States of America."

We watched the speech in my class today and even amidst shushing kids and playing referee, I was really overcome. I thought back to that day, over a year ago, when I flipped to CNN and saw Barack Obama speaking and thought "this is what hope looks like." I am so excited to see our country change and be healed.

"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer."

"This is our time to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can."

I found this website, designforobama.org, that has hundreds of cool campaign-y posters. These are my favorite.

High School Musical 3

This weekend I went to see HSM3 by myself. Not a lot of people my age are as excited as I am to see people break out in song, you know? I would have brought along a couple of my 4th graders, but they all saw it opening weekend. Nevertheless, I woke up so excited this morning and listened to the soundtrack all the way there on the train. I was glad to see that there were other adults there, although the only ones in my row were two grown men. Hmm. The previews (my favorite part) were all good, especially the one with Matthew Perry and Zac Efron.

Now, on to the good stuff. I loved all of the interactions between Troy and Gabriella.
They are so ridiculously cute!

I also loved Gabriella's clothes, especially her dresses. I wish that they listed where the clothes were from in the credits.

My absolute favorite song is "Can I Have This Dance" where T & G waltz. There were some Sound of the Music-esque parts that I loved and the song is great, but mostly I just love the dancing.


Overall, I loved the movie and was sad that it meant the end of an era. I even teared up a little. If you haven't seen it yet, take your favorite youngster and go dance in your seat!