There It Is

I always have a problem starting these things. Perfect one liner opening? Usually takes me awhile to find. I have the need for a perfect segway to start discussing things which really clashes with my abrupt spazoid tendencies to jump from idea to idea, no connection necessary.

So I'm skipping that today.

Just imagine something about how the things you want to do the least sometimes bring the most benefit..

..and go to me sitting in institute this morning. I've been slacking this semester in my attendance and was actually planning on not going today. I got up early to stand in line to sell my textbooks back in the vain hopes that if I was one of the first they wouldn't tell me they'd already bought all those books back and don't need mine anymore - so find another use for your useless csis book. Cuddle up with that behemoth of required reading. Hmph. Snobs.

And a whopping 25% later I'd finished - much earlier than planned. If I hurried I'd be just barely late to institute. To go or not to go? On one hand hot chocolate and a newspaper was calling me. On the other hand "do something your spirit wants to do but your body doesn't." Thank you BYU Education week years ago.

I went.

Before I go any farther let me preface with a story about that good 'ol Christmas spirit.

I have none.

I went to music and the spoken word downtown a week or two ago and the message was about enjoying the preparation of Christmas as much as the final event - something I agree with whole-heartedly. But where is the preparation? Snow yes. Check. So. Much. SNOW. (I wanted to say dang but i refrained.) Advent Calendar? Yup. But in all reality my thoughts are preparing for finals week instead. I have every day planned out, I'm always thinking hours ahead so I don't forget all the things I need to do. Preparation is pretty much squat. Yes family, this does mean your presents will be bought probably on the 20th and probably from the DI. My bad.

Ok now back to institute. (Sorry for the background, stop snoring. People are looking.)

I walked in as they were singing the opening hymn. O Come All Ye Faithful.

And woah - there it was.

Suddenly I felt it. A touch of Christmas excitement. (And that day the Grinch's heart grew two sizes more. Or whatever the darling rhyme is.)

I spent most of the hour reading words to some of the Christmas Hymns. I wanted to belt it out actually, but some things are just not socially acceptable. and I pictured people cowering with hands over their ears. possibly sobbing. (voice = slightly off-key). So I just read.

"Sing choirs of angels (not me obviously)

Sing in exaltation;

Sing

All ye citizens of heav'n above..

..yea Lord we greet thee,

Born this Happy morning;

Jesus, to thee be all glory giv'n.

Son of the Father,

Now in flesh appearing;

Oh come let us adore him,

Oh come let us adore him,

Oh come

Let us Adore Him

Christ

The Lord."

And that Charlie Brown, is what Christmas is all about.

Merry Christmas.

Is this for real?

Can anyone listen to this without laughing? Really?

I swear I'll pay you if you can.

Please just imagine my reaction because I don't have the words to describe.

Nothing says Christmas like chinchillas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NViv04wJUTA

For Ang

Normally I'm not much for posting pictures of myself.

But a comment from this gal changed my mind. "Girl. Pretty sure reading your blog is going to become my favorite pastime. Can I make a request? I wanna see that 4 inch long A line of yours. Yes, I might have just read ALL of your posts."

Stop right there. You read all my posts?

*Falls to the floor in a faint*

Request anything you want.

My affection and undying loyalty have been bought. I am not above bribery - go ahead, stroke my ego. I'll blog about whatever. Heck I may even write you a song.

(Mom I think the reader total is high** enough now, you can stop paying people.)

Ang thanks for making my day.

**five. SD = plus or minus 3

Grandma, Grandma!

Carol.. here's to hoping you'll catch that title reference.

What I hear on a daily basis:

"Oh I could see your grandma bun across the library."

"Nice old lady glasses."

"Hey we're supposed to dress up in 90s clothes tomorrow.. so Sierra you can just wear what you normally would.

"Buttnugget (guess who this one is from?) you need to stop doing your hair in that compound swoop, Warren Jeffs went to jail today."

"Sierra, is that shirt from the DI?"

It's ok. I'm old. I also like to go to bed early, knit, and bake cookies for my grandchildren. Just call me babushka.

A Grouchy Rant. Or a Call to Higher Standards. You Choose.

You know what phrase I hate? Not actually like a catchphrase (what's the sitch?) but something people say all the time when talking about service. It's become so canned and cliched. The conversation goes something like this, "service doesn't have to be hard guys, just a simple smile can make someone's day."
Aaaaaand cue: vomit reflex.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all about being friendly, having a positive attitude, and taking a minute to do something kind. But I am so past this "just smile" junk. Because I think we can do more.

Guess what? We're out of Jr. High. That was back when smiling at the wrong person could mean either:
1) you like them (and heaven forbid anyone find that out)
or
2) social suey. "what??? you just smiled at that girl?! She has braces AND last years jeans. You are OUT! Go sit by the trashcans at lunch."

Most people I interact with on a daily basis DO smile. I think it's time we went a little bit farther. How about sincerely asking how someone is, not accepting "fine" and actually listening to the answer? How about writing a short note to someone thanking them for a service they did? an anonymous note about a specific characteristic you love? Pick up someone's favorite candy bar or pack of gum at your local wally-world. (I so live in a college town.) Actually don't do that, the Mart of the Wal = bad bad place. Go to a mom and pop store instead, fight monopolizing corporations and make someone's day. Two birds with one stone. Boo ya. Or pull an Alyssa and scrape the snow off of my car. Pull a Landon and toss me a chocolate pudding like it's no big deal.

By all means keep smiling. That's wonderful. A great first step. But please someday move on - move up. Cut the surface-y junk examples and think about REAL life.

We can do this people.

It Is.

Today we sat in the Pastry Pub and talked about a test you had to study for.

You told me all about what you were learning in Chemistry.

Enzymes, peptide bonds, inhibitory molecules on the active site.

And then you stopped. Grinned. And said, "all this talk is pretty sexy isn't it?"

Here's the thing.

Yes. Yes it is.