how do you want to be remembered?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Welcome 2011.

I'm posting this now because I have plans and don't know if I'll be able to post at all during the day. (Technically it's December 31st right now so it counts.)
As 2010 comes to an end I find myself thinking about all of the things that happened in the last 365 days.
I lived on my own.
I graduated from college.
I went skydiving.
I went to Alaska (which encompassed a whole lot of list items)
and now I find myself questioning even more, What will I do next? and Who will I become?
So, in the spirit of self discovery I give you this question...

"How do you want to be remembered?"

This is what I would ask any person I interview... oddly enough, it's Jay-Z that comes to mind when I think of it but there you go...

So, with the start of a new year I invite you to think of this question yourself and maybe even be brave enough to post below.

When I'm gone I'd like to be remembered as a loving and loyal family member (daughter, sister, cousin etc.) who sought out the best in everyone and tried to remain optimistic about every situation. In my dream world, everyone on earth would remember me as a philanthropist, entertainer, and classic style icon who did things because they were right, not because they were popular. I want to be remembered for making a positive difference in the lives of everyone I've come in contact with, and for having fun and making the most the one life I was given.

Now let's hear from you...

My Christmas Wish for You

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I heard "May You Always" by Harry Harrison for the first time about a month ago and it almost brought me to tears. I immediately wanted to share it with everyone and I thought, given it's length that this would be the best forum to post. So, enjoy the day and here's my wish for you...




Here are the words, in case you want to follow along - or if one part speaks to you more than others...



Courtesy of: http://www.musicradio77.com/mayyou.html

Christmas fashion dilemma

I have absolutely no idea what outfits I'm going to be wearing for the next 3 days.

This makes me very unhappy because I feel like I'm not properly prepared for the holiday!!

Requirements:
Red and/or green
somewhat fancy but nothing overly formal
church, travel, and family appropriate
and of course, look halfway decent in it

what to do what to do....

favorite christmas movie quotes

Here's an incomplete list of some of my favorite Christmas movies and my favorite quotes from those movies...If you have any to add please comment on the bottom! I'd love to hear your opinions.

Eloise at Christmastime: "I absolutely love Christmas!"

Home Alone: "Buzz your girlfriend... Woof!"

Home Alone2: "Kevin!! You spent $967 on room service??!!"
"Give this to Kevin... Give this to Kevin... Give this to Kevin...Kevin's not here... Kevin's not here..."

"Don't gimme that! You've been smoochin' wit everybody! Snuffy. Al. Leo. Little Moe, with the gimpy leg. Cheeks. Boney Bob. Cliff..."

Polar Express: "At one time most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I've grown old the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe."

Miracle on 34th Street: "I'm not just a whimsical figure who wears a charming suit and affects a jolly demeanor. You know, I... I... I'm a symbol. I'm a symbol of the human ability to be able to suppress the selfish and hateful tendencies that rule the major part of our lives. If... you can't believe, if you can't accept anything on faith, then you're doomed for a life dominated by doubt."

"Mr. Kringle is not concerned for himself, if he was he wouldn't be here. He is in this regrettable positon because he is willing to sacrifice himself for children. To create in their minds a world far better than the one we've made for them. If this is, as Mr. Collins suggests, a masquerade then Mr. Kringle is eager to forfeit his freedom to preserve that masquerade. To subject himself to prosecution to protect the children's right to believe. If this court finds that Mr. Kringle is not who he says he is, that there is no Santa, I ask the court to judge which is worse: A lie that draws a smile or a truth that draws a tear."

"I shall never forget you. In all my troubles past and all my troubles yet to come, I'll never find a better friend."

How the Grinch Stole Christmas: "And his fib fooled the child. Then he patted her head, he got her a drink and he sent her to bed. And when Cindy Lou Who was in bed with her cup, he crupt to the chimney and stuffed the tree up. Then he went up the chimney himself, the old liar, and the last thing he took was the log for their fire. On their walls he left nothing but hooks and some wire. And the one speck of food that he left in the house was a crumb that was even too small for a mouse."

"'If I can't find a reindeer then I'll make one instead.' So he took his dog Max, and he took some black thread, and he tied a big horn on the top of his head."

"And what happened next? Well, in Whoville they say that the Grinch's small heart grew three sizes that day. And then - the true meaning of Christmas came through, and the Grinch found the strength of *ten* Grinches, plus two!"

A Charlie Brown Christmas: "You DO think I'm beautiful, don't you, Charlie Brown? ... You didn't answer me right away. You had to think about it first, didn't you? If you really had thought I was beautiful, you would've spoken right up. I know when I've been insulted. I KNOW WHEN I'VE BEEN INSULTED."

"I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It's not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love. "

and of course...
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"

black swan

I saw Black Swan tonight and I was blown away. I feel like I didn't blink the whole time I was watching; it was absolutely riveting. Natalie Portman was unbelievable and Mila Kunis was terrific too!
I haven't decompressed yet to be able to give a review but my recommendation is to absolutely go see it!


Photo courtesy of: http://www.screenaddictsshow.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/black-swan-natalie-portman-version-1.jpg

don't do these... especially during holiday shopping

Please don't do these...especially during the holiday shopping season...

When people come to pick you up and they beep - this is twofold. You should know what time they're coming and be ready by the door so they don't have to wait. They should have the patience and courtesy not to rush you when they know you're coming.

People without phone manners are insufferable. Even worse? People who don't return phone calls.

If you bump into me while we're shopping, just say you're sorry. Please don't give me an evil look like it's my fault, and please don't pretend like it didn't happen.

Nothing good can ever come of telling someone who is angry with you to "Calm down." Seriously, it's like a fire starter to me, you're in big trouble if you ever do. Ask my brother.

Please don't cut the line. We all know that you know you did it and it's just plain mean, especially at this time of year.

Elevators are confined spaces, not everyone wants to hear all about your divorce settlement of the doctors visit you just had. Keep conversations - on the phone or with someone there- to a lower volume. The ride is only going to last a few minutes anyway.

Parking spaces are like buried treasure. You work hard to find them and if someone steals it from right under your nose, you're going to be pissed. Be respectful and find your own space, don't steal.

If someone is waiting for your spot, please don't take a year and a half to load your car. It's unnecessary and we know you're just trying to piss us off.

Pedestrians - another twofold concern. If you are walking and someone is waiting for you to go by, put a little pep in your step. If you are driving and people are waiting to cross, let them. It's cold out and they're packages are probably heavy.



Have anything to add? Comment down below!

muppet outtakes

I'm currently following a terrific blog called A Cartoon Christmas.

Yesterday's post was about Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas and a hilarious Muppet outtake video was at the end of the post.

There are 2 things I love about this:
1. Outtakes and Bloopers are my favorite part of any DVD or movie
2. I have never seen puppet bloopers, let alone Muppet bloopers and they're great.

I'll include it here but I highly suggest that you go searching for more Muppet bloopers because they're really a treat.

sunday sundries

Hello!

apologies again for the delay but I have a few random things I thought I'd post for today before I get back to wrapping presents...

Yesterday, I found out that True Blood's Marianne and Lorena were in back to back episodes of Alias approximately 5 years ago! How weird is that ?

The Daily Show should be required television for every American of voting age. I'll admit that I don't watch it on a consistent basis, but this clip really hit home with me.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Lame-as-F@#k Congress
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog</a> The Daily Show on Facebook

The Disney store is having great sales on stuffed animals! ( I LOVE stuffed animals)

Does anyone know if the Vampire Diaries is any good? That one brother is really cute and I trying to decide if the rest of the show is worth my time.

and... I'm trying to bring myself back to phase 1 of south beach, it's a slow process.

Any ideas for posts in the future? Anything you'd like to see me write about ?

glee christmas

We all know that I'm not a fan of Glee but I honestly have to say that tonight's holiday episode was FANTASTIC.

I didn't focus too much on Rachel's ridiculous lip singing and aside from the scene on stage where she tried to get Finn back, there wasn't a lot of extra stuff that made me want to gag.

The stories were all so sweet and the music didn't feel forced.

I know I'm a sucker for a holiday special but I honestly thought this one was a really great way to get in the holiday spirit!

When it comes out on hulu.com I highly recommend taking the 45 minutes and watching it. I promise you'll walk away with a smile, if not a tear in your eye.

photo courtesy of: http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS274&=&q=sue%20as%20the%20grinch&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1280&bih=575

Jackie O

I must apologize for my long absence, there really is no excuse except laziness. I promise to be more conscientious in the future.

For today's topic, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. I recently mentioned her in my "Sundries" post because I was reading "Are you a Jackie or a Marilyn?" by Pamela Keogh. I finished the book last week and I really loved it. As it turns out I am very clearly a Jackie and I'm impatiently waiting for my darling Becky to finish so we can compare notes. (She's very much a Marilyn in my opinion) The only thing I found that Jackie and I disagreed on was money. Keogh wrote that perhaps because Jackie came from money, she was not exactly generous in giving it away. I hesitate to criticize the great Jackie in any way, but I would say that though I don't have that much personal wealth I find myself loaning or giving it away if someone needs it.

I highly recommend the book because it's a really quick read and I truly felt like I could be as glamorous as both Jackie and Marilyn with just a little bit of effort. (I really am too lazy anyway) For me, Jackie led her life with such grace, poise and elegance that one can only try to emulate it. Her style was so classic and she just oozed perfection; her family was her first priority and though not overtly sexual she had men eating out of the palm of her hand.

Ironically, my latest issue of Vanity Fair came in the mail today and one of the feature articles was about Jackie in her working years. I can't wait to devour the article, though with the preparation I've gotten from Keogh's book I'm sure I'll have a grasp of some of the facts already. So, if you're looking for a Christmas gift for the glamour girl in your life, consider "Are you a Jackie or a Marilyn?" It really is for any girl who may be looking for a little sparkle in her life.