omg. chris thile and yo-yo ma

I spent part of last night watching the Kennedy Center Honors. Great people were honored this year including Neil Diamond (whose music represents my childhood), Meryl Streep (one of my favorite actresses), and Yo-Yo Ma. I was blown away by the musical show put together to honor Yo-Yo Ma. Chris Thile. James Taylor leading "Here Comes the Sun," and others. I had chills...and tears. You should try to track it down.

I didn't know that Yo-Yo Ma and Chris Thile work together. Chris Thile has been a favorite of mine since his Nickel Creek days. I wanted to find a clip from last night's show, but couldn't. Instead, here is a clip from NPR. Check it out. Be amazed.

Oh, and another reason to track down video. You have to see Yo-Yo Ma's reaction. He was exuberant. I want to be his friend.

Home for Christmas

"That's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown." -Linus

Christmas break began Wednesday afternoon. This year, I'll be home with my family for about 2.5 weeks...significantly longer than last year. This also means that I have watched more Lifetime Christmas movies in the last 36ish hours than I care to admit. I've also watched both A League of their Own and the Charlie Brown Christmas Special twice, Love Actually.

When my brother and I were little, he'd camp out in my room on Christmas Eve and we'd fall asleep watching the Flintstones Christmas special. Once the Flintstones came on tv, we weren't allowed out of my room so Santa could come. It's one of my favorite Christmas memories.

Merry Christmas & Happy Chanukah.

a break from the cheesy Christmas songs

This afternoon, over a rainy Monday afternoon art project, a friend introduced me to Sting's album "If On A Winter's Night." We only listened to two songs while she was over, but both gave me chills. (Linked here is Sting singing "Cherry Tree Carol").

I don't know about you, but I'm already tired of Christmas songs. The radio plays the same 10 songs on repeat all day long. If I hear "Frosty the Snowman" one more time, I'm going to have some choice words with Mr. Frosty and put him in a not-very-Christmas place.

I love project runway marathons.

Project Runway. Season 2. Marathon. Santino. Andrae. And I can't stay here and watch it all day.

thankful

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It feels like being wrapped in a warm blanket. My life has been crazy and full of changes as of late. I needed the time to hang out with friends and family, drink a good glass of red wine with my cousin, take a fabulous post-turkey nap, and simply relax. 

{l}

10. NCIS marathon on Thanksgiving day

9. Will & Grace Thanksgiving episodes (and a few other favorites) today.

VINCE: "No one's fault"? He pressured her into trying on these four-inch hooker heels. And then he told her to "work it, girl." [snaps fingers]
WILL: Okay, in hindsight maybe it wasn't a good idea to make her climb up on the display case and... shake her "groove thang," but you know-- She was having fun up until the time that she fell, and her skirt hiked up, and she showed her groove thang to the whole store.

(Queens for a Day)

{love this

8. Coffee

Preferably in a vat.

 7. Sunshine & 60+ degrees in late November.

After last year's Minnesotan winter, I need to slowly ease into colder temperatures and snow. It's absolutely gorgeous outside today.

6. Laughter & hugs

the alphabet reunion - homecoming weekend 2011

{for picture of anuradha koirala}

5. People in this world who are dedicated to making a difference, raising awareness, and speaking out.
L: Fr. Roy Bourgeois, founder of SOA Watch. Last weekend, I had the opportunity to travel to Columbus, GA (Ft. Benning) for the School of the America vigil. The procession on Sunday morning was one of the most moving experiences of my life. Fr. Roy is dedicated to speaking out against the SOA and advocating for women in the Church.
R: Anuradha Koirala was one of the CNN Heroes of 2010. She works with trafficked women and children in Nepal. Last night, CNN aired a special about her ("where are they now?"). Amazing women. You should check out her story.

 

4. This past year

It's been one hell of a year. From St. Cloud to the Villa. From working with refugees to trying my hand on a farm. I'm so grateful for all of the experiences I've had.

3. Community

After college, I missed the community atmosphere -- the always knowing that someone is around, the support, the laughter, the tears, the everything. I regained it while in MN. I'm officially part of an amazing community this year.

2. Friends (see laughter & hugs)

John, Gram, & I playing scrabble last year @ Christmas.

1. Family
My family is crazy. We fight. We love.

Close the SOA

I am currently in Columbus, GA at the SOA Watch vigil to close the School of the Americas. I am in the midst of amazing women (and men) -- some of whom have spent time in jail for crossing the line.

Last night, I heard Fr Jim Barnett, OP and Nelly de la Cid (a Honduran woman) speak. Both were incredibly inspiring. When will we change our world viewpoint? When will there be an end to war?

I apologize for the lack of attention I've paid as of late to this blog. My life is crazy even though it's not a tenth as crazy busy as it was last year at this time. I'm trying this new thing where I don't make to do lists, but it's not working out as well as I planed. I still make to do lists and don't follow through with them because I still don't look at them after their incarnation.

I anticipate another blog absence until Thanksgiving (or so). While you await my return with bated breath, I suggest you watch clips of your favorite cheesy 90s tv shows.