A Lovely Puzzle: December 2011

Nothing says "Holiday Season" like laying on your living room couch wrapped in a cozy blanket and watching 12 straight hours of "The Lord Of The Rings" Trilogy. This is how I spent one of my lovely Thanksgiving break days. *Sigh* It was magical. How did everyone else enjoy their Thanksgiving? My holiday was wonderful. Food, friends, family and foolin... the whole works. It took a little detour for the worse when I caught some sort of a monster plague that left me sick as a dog and unable to fully enjoy my family's famous dressing and gravy. I spent 3 agonizing days in bed until I got up enough strength to move to the couch (where said "Lord Of The Rings" marathon took place). I was so sick that, just for a minute, I believed I was watching an actual account of our world's history; And that I should be thanking my lucky stars, Frodo, and the Riders of Rohan for my existence.

Thank you Frodo! Because of you, I can watch "Glee" every Tuesday without the fear of Sauron's wrath.

Even with that slight misfortune, it was still wonderful to be back in the south for a bit. Porches, pie, nighttime silence and all the "Honey-child's" you could ask for. A place where the sweet tea and Bojangles never stop flowing.... ahhh... love it. I may be in the Big Apple now but, I don't think I will ever lose my southern peach. Hmm... that sounds weird. :/

Like a shaken snow globe, Christmas has exploded all over New York. With one flick of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree switch, the city was thrown into a fun-loving Hallmark Christmas film. When I returned home, I couldn't believe that I'd only been gone for a week and a half. Entire blocks were covered with lights and I could hear the sounds of the salvation army bells on every corner. A nice Brooklynite helped me carry my suitcase up from the subway. When I said thank you, he said "Absolutely! Merry Christmas to you!" I couldn't help but smiling all the way to my apartment as I rolled my suitcase behind me. Even the church bells around the corner play "O Holy Night" every night at 6pm. I know its obvious from my rambles but... I adore it.

Christmas has always and will forever be my favorite holiday. Ever since I was a little tater tot, I loved every aspect of it... from the religious to the fantasy. I remember when my Gran-Gran told me the story of Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus. It was so beautiful to me. I would look up in the sky and find the brightest star ( now i'm pretty sure it's a planet :/ ) and tell Jesus happy birthday. And of course, who could forget the excitement of Santa Clause and his crazy Reindeer. Lets not forget how many years I fell asleep clutching The Polar Express book in my arms. Christmas was magic. I'm 27 years old now and even though I've past the age of sleeping with one eye open, trying to catch Santa, I still feel that "magic" this time of year. But now its about different things. Yes.. of course it's still about Jesus to me. Yes.. I still love the anticipation of ripping open the wrapping paper of a gift (who doesn't). Now, it's so much more. Its about seeing my mothers face when she wakes me up on Christmas morning, happy and excited about sharing the day. Its about seeing my cousin Dadrian get loaded down with gifts (even though he has enough stuff... seriously, he has too much stuff!) and how happy he is to show me his presents. Watching my non-sentimental stepfather's face light up whenever I'm eating the Christmas dinner he spent the night before making, and I tell him its delicious. Being frustrated while out shopping amongst the cray-cray crowd and hearing your favorite Christmas song and immediately feeling... happy, hopeful. You don't know why, but you feel it. I don't know. Things are just so much closer to my heart this time of year. Its like you have extra permission to dream and believe in miracles. Its a feeling I try to keep with me all year. But here, in December, it like my body is a live wire to optimism.

In the great tradition of Christmas, I spend the entire month watching "Happy Holiday" movies and baking yummies that would make my Weight Watcher scale give me the stink eye. This year was no exception. Last night my roommate and I decided to Xmas it up around the city before we both head home to our families. We joined in the classic NYC tourist tradition of visiting the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. I will never get over how beautiful that tree is. All the lights and the huge star at the top... it steals your heart. The Area was surrounded by beautiful angel sculptures playing horns and toy drummer men.

Off in the distance, the Empire State Building glowed green and red while the Saks Fifth Avenue store played a Christmas projection story on the side of it's building (it's hard to describe.. but it was cool!). Haley and I watched all the people ice skating for a while. Which was fairly entertaining for an event where people just go round and round in a circle. We watched as young girls twirled pretending they were Kristi Yamaguchi. Others around them weren't as graceful. People were always falling left and right, laughing their asses off as they tried to get up. We even got to see a proposal (How's that for magical?). Seriously, it was so cute it might make you gag. The newly engaged couple circled the skating rink with the biggest smiles I've ever seen. And ohh yeah (this is for you Jen Brett), I had pretty much the best hot chocolate EVER!. It was called "The Italian Thick Hot Chocolate" made with vanilla cream and white chocolate. After having that hot chocolate, I walk around for an hour with a post orgasm look on my face. I think I may love that hot chocolate. I think I may rename it "The Stallion" or maybe Clive Owen... he's not Italian but, still... you get what I mean.

Yes, i'll have an apple cinnamon muffin and a grande Clive Owen with a dollop of whipped cream. Thanks, merry Christmas.

After all that wonderful awesomeness, it started to get mighty cold so, we ventured back to Bushwick to have our annual "Love Actually" night. Basically once a year (Christmas time) we watch "Love Actually" with and without commentary, cry alot and eat yummy foods. Its one of my favorite days of the year :).

Anyhoo, that's pretty much it for me. Tomorrow I will be returning back to NC to celebrate with my family and friends. If I don't write again until January, have a great time ringing in 2012! I personally can't wait to discover what lies ahead next year. 2011 has been nothing but amazing to me. Its been the best year I've had in a long time and I will be sorry to see it go but, new memories are ahead! If you're into making resolutions, make it a good one. Not just "lose weight" or "stop being obnoxious". Make it something grand and specific. Focus on it and make it happen. Last year my resolution was move to New York... this year, i'm not sure. I'll keep ya posted on that one. No matter what you believe in or celebrate... or even if you don't celebrate at all.. I hope you have a wonderful Merry Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa..... basically have a great couple of weeks. Talk to ya when I return.

PUDGE WATCH 2011

Things have been going great on the weight loss end of things. I joined a gym and I am so excited about it! This place makes me feel comfortable and also has amazing classes including Zumba! I have an appointment with a personal trainer when I get back from the holidays. My trainer told me to visualize goals I want for each month. One of them includes a killer dress to ring in 2013 with. Ahhhhh! I am so ready to shed these pounds!

Love Always,

The girl who still hears the bell (Polar Express...forever and always).

10 Things I'm Digging On At The Moment: Christmas Edition

1). National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

I love love love this movie! Whenever I hear the intro, I automatically start laughing!

2). Elf

This scene always makes me happy! I love Zooey Deschanel's voice and I love "Baby It's Cold Outside"...even with it's slightly "date rape" lyrics.