Crazy today...treadmilling the Christmas calories off at the gym...still listening to Christmas music, specifically "Someday at Christmas" by Stevie Wonder, and right when it came on my ipod, I looked up at one of the 20 televisions and it was tuned to CNN, and the most recent bombing in Gaza...at least 228 dead...they vow to retaliate against Israel...in the cafes and streets...then came the images of the crying children, the young boys running, the frightened mothers, the destroyed buildings, the men weeping over the dead, their sons are dead...I could not take it, I just cried. I tried to pretend that I was just wiping sweat, but they were tears.
God help us.
I don't care who knows, I would pray for the world if I could!
Someday at Christmas men won't be boys
Playing with bombs like kids play with toys
One warm December all hearts will see
A world where men are free
Someday at Christmas there'll be no wars
When we have learned what Christmas is for
When we have found what life's really worth
There'll be peace on earth
Someday all our dreams will come to be
Someday in a world where men are free
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime
Someday at Christmas we'll see a land
With no hungry children, no empty hand
One happy morning people will share
A world where people care
Someday at Christmas there'll be no tears
When All men are equal and no men have fears
One shinning moment, one prayer away
From our world today
Someday all our dreams will come to be
Someday in a world where men are free
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime
Someday at Christmas man will not fail
Hate will be gone and love will prevail
Someday a new world that we can start
With hope in every heart
Someday all our dreams will come to be
Someday in a world where men are free
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime
Someday at Christmastime
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas Eve in Cambridge
I woke up this morning, unbeknownst to me that it would be so, to a live broadcast from Cambridge, England of the "Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols." It was 8:00 AM here in America, and 3:00 PM over there. It was opened by a single boy soprano singing "Once in David's Royal City." I wondered if my Mom's Cousin, "Uncle Johnny" were there...at the church in Cambridge. He lives there. He is the same uncle that I will be singing for in Guatemala, hopefully this summer, for a benefit concert to build schools there.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
A Christmas Awake...
Do you know what I love about Christmas? The fact that you see people out and about. People that you never see at any other time of year. But around this time they somehow magically appear and all go shopping at the same time. Every walk of life, every nationality, age and the whole of the socioeconomic strata are there...just shopping. Not the "Black Friday" perversion of Christmas, but the days in between...where everyone is simply coexisting...and smiling at each other. I listen to the conversations and exchanges that are just a little bit kinder...a little bit more patient. They are almost like a special species of animal, these holiday shoppers, that are brought to life only by the December snow, the lights and the Christmas fudge...I watch them, with almost scientific fascination.
Today at the store, I saw my mom's car in the parking lot and, not having seen her yet, grabbed a full box of Peanut Butter Twix, a Blackberry Hostess Pie, Twinkies and two pints of Häagen-Dazs in hopes that she would see me sneaking around with the overstuffed box of naughties and raise an eyebrow or two (hee-hee-hee!!!)...it worked! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! This same mom is teaching me to REALLY play the piano. I am so grateful to her.
I am now snuggling down with what I believe may end up being the favorite book of my life, "A Christmas Carol" (I feel a particular urge for Dickens as of late...I am the same age this year as he was when he wrote the novella). Truly, Dicken's words fill up my soul like no other; they do not appeal to my rebellious nature like Joyce, or any fits of romanticism like Austin or Charlotte Brontë , but to the truest yearnings of the spirit with which I came to this earth, about the world, and easing suffering somehow.
God bless me to do anything half as good with my life.
I will perhaps leave the better part of the reading to tomorrow, it will be Christmas Eve after all. And reading A Christmas Carol on Christmas Eve is like blowing out your own birthday candles...*your favorite wish*...on your favorite birthday cake.
I may not go to sleep, I would like to watch Miracle on 34th Street, too. I would rather not sleep anyway, I could miss something. I like staying awake during Christmas... and a Christmas awake is better than any sleep.
Today at the store, I saw my mom's car in the parking lot and, not having seen her yet, grabbed a full box of Peanut Butter Twix, a Blackberry Hostess Pie, Twinkies and two pints of Häagen-Dazs in hopes that she would see me sneaking around with the overstuffed box of naughties and raise an eyebrow or two (hee-hee-hee!!!)...it worked! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! This same mom is teaching me to REALLY play the piano. I am so grateful to her.
I am now snuggling down with what I believe may end up being the favorite book of my life, "A Christmas Carol" (I feel a particular urge for Dickens as of late...I am the same age this year as he was when he wrote the novella). Truly, Dicken's words fill up my soul like no other; they do not appeal to my rebellious nature like Joyce, or any fits of romanticism like Austin or Charlotte Brontë , but to the truest yearnings of the spirit with which I came to this earth, about the world, and easing suffering somehow.
God bless me to do anything half as good with my life.
I will perhaps leave the better part of the reading to tomorrow, it will be Christmas Eve after all. And reading A Christmas Carol on Christmas Eve is like blowing out your own birthday candles...*your favorite wish*...on your favorite birthday cake.
I may not go to sleep, I would like to watch Miracle on 34th Street, too. I would rather not sleep anyway, I could miss something. I like staying awake during Christmas... and a Christmas awake is better than any sleep.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
And so this is Christmas...
This peppermint hot chocolate was given to me today...for free.
I had left my credit card at home and a girl at the Orem Starbucks told me that it was on the house. I almost started to cry...ah Christmas. Her name was Jordan, "like the Country," she said. We both agreed that the Capital of Jordan is Amman.
I had left my credit card at home and a girl at the Orem Starbucks told me that it was on the house. I almost started to cry...ah Christmas. Her name was Jordan, "like the Country," she said. We both agreed that the Capital of Jordan is Amman.
Christmas Questions
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper, all the way. I am a proud member of the Hallmark Gold Crown Rewards Program. I keep them in business.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Real, Real, Real. I don't know people can have anything else. They just smell so goooooooooood. :)
3. When do you put up the tree? Two weeks before Christmas, usually.
4. When do you take the tree down? Two weeks after.
5. Do you like eggnog? Oh yes. I love anything that has to do with eggnog. Ice cream...truffles...eggnog custard pie...yum.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? (I really will have to think about that and get back to you on that one...)
7. Hardest person to buy for? My Gramma. She is my only living Grandparent.
8. Easiest person to buy for? Kath.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes. People seem to think they need to run off with the baby Jesus, though.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Real, tangible cards in my own handwriting. :) There is something so magical about getting physical cards in the mail. You can keep them forever. :) And that person's soul is forever present...their own handwriting whispers to you...
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Oh dear...I will have to get back to you on that one, too.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I can't pick one. Miracle on 34th Street, It's a Wonderful Life, The Polar Express(seeing this film 3D IMAX at the Universal City Walk was the greatest cinematic experience of my life.)
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? August. No joke.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Dangit...YES! But I am not telling you whose!
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Ham and cheddar cheese grilled sandwiches. ;) And Dobosh Torte from Swiss Colony...help me please.
16. Lights on the tree? 600 white minis.
17. Favorite Christmas song? This year, "Someday at Christmas" by Stevie Wonder. Last year it was "Do they Know it's Christmas" by Band Aid...2005 was "Believe" by Josh Groban. The Christmas of 2004, when I was in London, was "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)" by John Lennon. I usually have one or two songs each Christmas that really stand out to me...I feel that they represent where I am in my life, and my feelings about our world in general.
I could not tell you my favorite Christmas CAROL...they are all so beautiful, and reside in different sacred places in my heart, all of them. If you have time, though...and the inclination, look up the story behind Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's "I heard the bells of Christmas Day." You will never be able to think about it the same. Or read about the unbelievable opposition that came to try to stop Handel's "Messiah" from being performed at it's 1743 London debut in Covent Garden...and about the lead soprano, Suzannah Cibber. It teaches us all about redemption...and that God's music will find a way...it will find a way.
18.Travel at Christmas or stay home? HOME. :)
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Comet, Blitzen, Dancer, Vixen, Prancer, Cupid, Dasher, Donner. And whatever that one reindeer that had that Rhinophyma or something...
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? One present on Christmas Eve, the rest in the morning. :) Ahhh...Christmas.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Hard to find time actually ENJOY it. And that I feel so many of us have TOTALLY gone bonkers and have missed the train on what Christmas is all about. SO sad.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Colonial...anything old. I love the red and green. And anything antique. Cream and Gold.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? We have EVERYTHING...Turkey, chicken, roast beef AND ham. My "Mashed Potatoes of Death" and Moms's stuffing...oh man...the eggnog...I love it all. Most of all I just love who I get to sit down and eat it with. =)
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? A new alarm clock radio. The one I have right now...the alarm never turns off once it starts...a white one would be nice.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Real, Real, Real. I don't know people can have anything else. They just smell so goooooooooood. :)
3. When do you put up the tree? Two weeks before Christmas, usually.
4. When do you take the tree down? Two weeks after.
5. Do you like eggnog? Oh yes. I love anything that has to do with eggnog. Ice cream...truffles...eggnog custard pie...yum.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? (I really will have to think about that and get back to you on that one...)
7. Hardest person to buy for? My Gramma. She is my only living Grandparent.
8. Easiest person to buy for? Kath.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes. People seem to think they need to run off with the baby Jesus, though.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Real, tangible cards in my own handwriting. :) There is something so magical about getting physical cards in the mail. You can keep them forever. :) And that person's soul is forever present...their own handwriting whispers to you...
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Oh dear...I will have to get back to you on that one, too.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I can't pick one. Miracle on 34th Street, It's a Wonderful Life, The Polar Express(seeing this film 3D IMAX at the Universal City Walk was the greatest cinematic experience of my life.)
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? August. No joke.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Dangit...YES! But I am not telling you whose!
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Ham and cheddar cheese grilled sandwiches. ;) And Dobosh Torte from Swiss Colony...help me please.
16. Lights on the tree? 600 white minis.
17. Favorite Christmas song? This year, "Someday at Christmas" by Stevie Wonder. Last year it was "Do they Know it's Christmas" by Band Aid...2005 was "Believe" by Josh Groban. The Christmas of 2004, when I was in London, was "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)" by John Lennon. I usually have one or two songs each Christmas that really stand out to me...I feel that they represent where I am in my life, and my feelings about our world in general.
I could not tell you my favorite Christmas CAROL...they are all so beautiful, and reside in different sacred places in my heart, all of them. If you have time, though...and the inclination, look up the story behind Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's "I heard the bells of Christmas Day." You will never be able to think about it the same. Or read about the unbelievable opposition that came to try to stop Handel's "Messiah" from being performed at it's 1743 London debut in Covent Garden...and about the lead soprano, Suzannah Cibber. It teaches us all about redemption...and that God's music will find a way...it will find a way.
18.Travel at Christmas or stay home? HOME. :)
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Comet, Blitzen, Dancer, Vixen, Prancer, Cupid, Dasher, Donner. And whatever that one reindeer that had that Rhinophyma or something...
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? One present on Christmas Eve, the rest in the morning. :) Ahhh...Christmas.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Hard to find time actually ENJOY it. And that I feel so many of us have TOTALLY gone bonkers and have missed the train on what Christmas is all about. SO sad.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Colonial...anything old. I love the red and green. And anything antique. Cream and Gold.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? We have EVERYTHING...Turkey, chicken, roast beef AND ham. My "Mashed Potatoes of Death" and Moms's stuffing...oh man...the eggnog...I love it all. Most of all I just love who I get to sit down and eat it with. =)
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? A new alarm clock radio. The one I have right now...the alarm never turns off once it starts...a white one would be nice.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Up on the Roof...
If you had opened up a dictionary on Monday and looked up the word 'contemplation' you would have seen this picture of me, on the roof of the Standard Hotel in Downtown L.A. .
When this old world starts getting me down
And people are just too much for me to face
I climb way up to the top of the stars
And all my cares just drift right into space
On the roof it's peaceful as can be
And there the world below can't bother me
Let me tell you now
When I come home feeling tired and beat
I go up where the air is fresh and sweet
I get away from the hustling crowds
And all that rat race noise down in the street
On the roof's the only place I know
Where you just have to wish to make it so
Up on the roof
At night the stars put on a show for free
And darling you can share it all with me
I keep-a tellin' you
Right smack dab in the middle of town
I found a Paradise that's trouble-proof
And if this world starts getting you down
There's room enough for two up on the roof
Up on the roof..........
When this old world starts getting me down
And people are just too much for me to face
I climb way up to the top of the stars
And all my cares just drift right into space
On the roof it's peaceful as can be
And there the world below can't bother me
Let me tell you now
When I come home feeling tired and beat
I go up where the air is fresh and sweet
I get away from the hustling crowds
And all that rat race noise down in the street
On the roof's the only place I know
Where you just have to wish to make it so
Up on the roof
At night the stars put on a show for free
And darling you can share it all with me
I keep-a tellin' you
Right smack dab in the middle of town
I found a Paradise that's trouble-proof
And if this world starts getting you down
There's room enough for two up on the roof
Up on the roof..........
Wolfgang Puck's and the Standard
On the roof of my favorite hotel in Los Angeles, the Standard.
I love this pool but people hang aroud here na-kee all of the time. Ew.
I love, love...
love
love
love
love
love
love this place.
Light on the Standard.
I waited two and a half YEARS to have this maccaroni-n-cheese at Wolfgang Puck's Express across from the Standard in Downtown L.A...it was worth it. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They were playing Vince Guaraldi's Christmas...ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....
Everyone go here for lunch.
630 W. 6th St
Library Court Building
Los Angeles, CA 90189
(213) 614-1900
By the way though...they are closed on weekends. Yes, that is why it has taken me so long to finaly get my maccaroni on!!! =)
I love this pool but people hang aroud here na-kee all of the time. Ew.
I love, love...
love
love
love
love
love
love this place.
Light on the Standard.
I waited two and a half YEARS to have this maccaroni-n-cheese at Wolfgang Puck's Express across from the Standard in Downtown L.A...it was worth it. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They were playing Vince Guaraldi's Christmas...ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....
Everyone go here for lunch.
630 W. 6th St
Library Court Building
Los Angeles, CA 90189
(213) 614-1900
By the way though...they are closed on weekends. Yes, that is why it has taken me so long to finaly get my maccaroni on!!! =)
Christmas in Boulder City, Nevada
"Um, has anyone seen the power bill? Hey honey, why is the paper shredder on?"
On my Way...
to an eventual L.A. ...
Thank Heavens for the invention of the ipod.
And what was I listening to the whole way...?
Thank Heavens for the invention of the ipod.
And what was I listening to the whole way...?
Saturday, November 29, 2008
A Misty Thanksgiving
A very foggy day after Thanksgiving in Boulder City, Nevada.
The way that I never experienced it before. Thoughts I should have written down. That could have given me entry through the door. I am tired now. Like the place I never saw this way, I never saw it this way. I never saw it this way.
The way that I never experienced it before. Thoughts I should have written down. That could have given me entry through the door. I am tired now. Like the place I never saw this way, I never saw it this way. I never saw it this way.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Seven Random Things About Me
*Disclaimer*
This list is in participation of a game that my friends are playing about putting random things about themselves on their blogs. Unashamed as I am, I am not accustomed to revealing myself like this on a casual basis.
KAY LISA!!! HERE YOU GO!!!
Oooooo...how honest and explicit should I be with these?
1. I have loved the taste of blood since I can remember. I must have an iron deficiency. Some of my friends who know me very well call me a vampire. I paint with my own blood (not a LOT of it!!!), I get in trouble for it (a LOT of it).
2. I absolutely cannot stand kissing scenes in movies. They make me so uncomfortable that sometimes I get tears in my eyes. I look down or away and then some kind person will tell me when it is over and I can resume viewing the film. I feel an IMMENSE sense of guilt if I watch...the thing is, you would never stare at two lovers kissing in real life (please picture yourself, flopping down right next to two lovers going at it, and getting comfortable with some warm popcorn..."No, NOOO! You two go right-on-ahead! Don't mind MEEEEE!! *munch*munch*). Besides...observing such things makes you lose your focus...and I must keep my focus.
3. I live the life of a nun (you really could spell that N-O-N-E), but nothing could be more the antithesis of my true nature, or personality. Were I not a religious person, I would be an absolute heathen (well, not in all areas, I don't like causing people pain, in any way). My self mastery is due to the fear of God. I sometimes secretly envy those who spend their energy in riotous living...they live interesting lives while I stay at home and write stories about my suicidal fish. I sometimes feel that they are not afraid, not afraid to really live. I guess that somewhere in myself, I feel like I am afraid...to really live.
4. I own about $15,000 worth of makeup.
5. I used to bury toys as a child, and dig them up later; very typical INFJ behavior. I can also see the future (not kidding) and know who is calling on the phone (I really can) and I can sometimes guess people's birthdays down to the exact day. I also love math and physics.
6. I have night terrors so bad that I scare my roommates and my family with my screams. The subjects of my dreams are so nefarious and horrific that I fear going to sleep.
MAN...I should end with a positive one!!!
7. If I could have any super-power, it would be the ability to time travel, or I guess to never die...in retrograde motion...I would be the best historian on the earth that way. And I would perhaps then be able to come up with better solutions for our troubled world. I wish I could time travel so bad that sometimes I actually cry. In truth I have wanted to save the world since I was about six years of age.
ONE MORE!
I can name every capitol of every country in this world (it has taken me a while to memorize them all). YAY!!!! AND STARGAZER LILIES ARE MY FAVORITE FLOWER!!!
*The seven people I tagged* Naomi, Ilaria, Brandon, Priscilla, Suzy, Margaret and Emily.
This list is in participation of a game that my friends are playing about putting random things about themselves on their blogs. Unashamed as I am, I am not accustomed to revealing myself like this on a casual basis.
KAY LISA!!! HERE YOU GO!!!
Oooooo...how honest and explicit should I be with these?
1. I have loved the taste of blood since I can remember. I must have an iron deficiency. Some of my friends who know me very well call me a vampire. I paint with my own blood (not a LOT of it!!!), I get in trouble for it (a LOT of it).
2. I absolutely cannot stand kissing scenes in movies. They make me so uncomfortable that sometimes I get tears in my eyes. I look down or away and then some kind person will tell me when it is over and I can resume viewing the film. I feel an IMMENSE sense of guilt if I watch...the thing is, you would never stare at two lovers kissing in real life (please picture yourself, flopping down right next to two lovers going at it, and getting comfortable with some warm popcorn..."No, NOOO! You two go right-on-ahead! Don't mind MEEEEE!! *munch*munch*). Besides...observing such things makes you lose your focus...and I must keep my focus.
3. I live the life of a nun (you really could spell that N-O-N-E), but nothing could be more the antithesis of my true nature, or personality. Were I not a religious person, I would be an absolute heathen (well, not in all areas, I don't like causing people pain, in any way). My self mastery is due to the fear of God. I sometimes secretly envy those who spend their energy in riotous living...they live interesting lives while I stay at home and write stories about my suicidal fish. I sometimes feel that they are not afraid, not afraid to really live. I guess that somewhere in myself, I feel like I am afraid...to really live.
4. I own about $15,000 worth of makeup.
5. I used to bury toys as a child, and dig them up later; very typical INFJ behavior. I can also see the future (not kidding) and know who is calling on the phone (I really can) and I can sometimes guess people's birthdays down to the exact day. I also love math and physics.
6. I have night terrors so bad that I scare my roommates and my family with my screams. The subjects of my dreams are so nefarious and horrific that I fear going to sleep.
MAN...I should end with a positive one!!!
7. If I could have any super-power, it would be the ability to time travel, or I guess to never die...in retrograde motion...I would be the best historian on the earth that way. And I would perhaps then be able to come up with better solutions for our troubled world. I wish I could time travel so bad that sometimes I actually cry. In truth I have wanted to save the world since I was about six years of age.
ONE MORE!
I can name every capitol of every country in this world (it has taken me a while to memorize them all). YAY!!!! AND STARGAZER LILIES ARE MY FAVORITE FLOWER!!!
*The seven people I tagged* Naomi, Ilaria, Brandon, Priscilla, Suzy, Margaret and Emily.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
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Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
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