Day 35: November 30, 2010.

I posted yesterday about loving this time of year in regards to the Christmas festivities that are all around us.
I also love this time of year for another specific reason, and that is....

It's clementine season :)

I don't know about you, but I love these little suckers...for such a little fruit they're pretty dang delicious!  I love regular oranges, too, but rarely eat them because there's a lot of effort that has to go into peeling them before you can actually eat it!  Haha!  It may sound silly but it's true, which is why I enjoy these guys so much!  Plus since they're so small, I can snack on them all day :)  (And I never get sick of 'em!)  I always forget how much I really do like them until mid-November/December rolls around...Thankfully the time has come yet again for the clementine feasting to begin! :)

Today, these easy-to-peel, on-the-go friendly, healthy, and juicy and delicious seasonal treats make me happy! :)

Day 34: November 29, 2010.

I LOVE the Christmas season.
Everything about it.
Here in New York it's amazing the way the city lights up with the holiday spirit...Decorations everywhere, songs heard all the time (like in the grocery store tonight!  Made me so happy!)...They're right when they say NYC is a magical place this time of year.

This is not to say, though, that I'm not missing the Christmas season at home with my family.
Fall and early winter are the two seasons when I'm really aware of any onset of homesickness and I find myself walking through Memory Lane a little more often than usual.  Maybe it's because the weather's getting colder so the house just feels warmer.  Maybe it's because they're in the middle of Nutcracker season at my studio at home and that was such a huge part of my life since such a young age (and it's something I'm finding myself miss more and more each year that passes!).  Maybe it's because come Thanksgiving day the Christmas songs go on and throughout the house one can probably hear Mariah Carey, Dave Barnes, Jimmy Buffet, and Bing Crosby all at the same time!  (And feel free to replace those names with pretty much any musical artist who has a Christmas album out...I'm positive we've got it!)  Maybe it's because all the decorations at home and at church are up.  The spirit of the Christmas season is everywhere and while it's no hard task to find it here, it's just not quite the same!  And it's even more obvious how different it is when you find yourself thinking about wishing how you were home instead of going out an enjoying what's right before your eyes!

So that's why this made me REALLY happy today!  I posted awhile ago about the farmer's market at the corner of 2nd and 10th outside St. Mark's Church that's held every Tuesday.  Well, here's what I saw--and smelled!--as I walked to and from class today!  (Not the best pictures, but I think you'll get the idea..)

They've got the Christmas tree lot set up :)

For as long as I can remember my family has gone to cut down a fresh Christmas tree every year, so all through the holidays our house smells distinctly of wonderful pine.  As I was walking to class this morning I could smell the trees before I saw them and when I looked up there they were, lining the sidewalk and filling the square with bundles and bundles of cut trees.  There was even a little hut where they sold wreaths and other smaller holiday decorations.  I loved it :)  The scent and the sight was just what I needed to remind myself that even though I'm not exposed to some of my favorite holiday traditions and associations daily, there are still plenty of ways to find the same excitement as I'm blessed to know in my family's house in Virginia!

So on this Monday evening, Christmas trees, the Christmas spirit, and the fact that no matter where I am my joy for the Christmas season will never diminish make me happy :)

Day 33: November 28, 2010.

I am currently reporting en route to New York via 95 North, and I'd be fibbing a little if I said I was fully excited about it.  This always happens on Sundays, though...Sundays are home really are what I miss most, especially this time of year.  I got to see and talk a little with some of the most beautiful people I know at church this morning, so that on top of the wonderful amount of Christmas decoration's they've got up already made it harder packing up my suitcase to come back.

But now that I'm on the bus and headed back to my home, I'm remembering why I love living where I do, doing what I do.  Getting to see everyone tomorrow at the studio, getting to start rehearsing for the Tisch Gala on Wednesday night, getting to enjoy a few weeks of holidays in the city...I really have no room to complain. (And I really don't want to!)

But here in this moment, I'm thoroughly enjoying my travel time on the Vamoose bus line (first time riding this one..so far so great!)  I love bus travel.  Some people hate it, but I find the four and a half/five hours or so (or more if you hit bad tunnel traffic...) to be really relaxing for the most part.  Also, I managed to luck out with a seat to myself on this go-around, which is fabulous!  Of course I don't mind sharing when the bus gets really full and usually everyone keeps to themselves anyway so there aren't any problems, but it's always nice every once in awhile to be able to take up both seats and stretch out and enjoy some real "me" time.  Which is definitely what I do: nap, read, write, think...I'm always so thankful for this time to myself before jumping back into the chaotic whirlwind of a city that's waiting at the other end at 30th and 7th!

Also, this morning on my way to church something kind of cool happened.  I was stopped at the red light at the intersection of Claiborne and Hay Road when the woman in the little car next to me got my attention.  She rolled her window down, looking like she had something to say, so I did the same.  At first I was nervous, thinking she was going to critique my driving or something...I didn't think I was speeding or anything!  It turns out she saw the NYU stickers on the back of my car and was just taking a second to share that that's her alma mater, asking me what year I am and what I'm studying.  Just as the light turned green for us to go she gave me some words of encouragement and well-wishes for the rest of the semester, year, and college career.  I just really appreciated her taking the time to encourage a total stranger.

Today, my VA home, my NY home, my VA friends, my NY friends, my VA life, my NY life, and the consideration of complete strangers make me happy :)

Day 32: November 27, 2010.

This day.  Was fabulous.
This break.  Was fabulous.
God's love.  Is FABULOUS.

Today was my last full day in Virginia for the much-anticipated Thanksgiving break and I am more than happy to report that it fulfilled every expectation I had.  Honestly, I could use a few more days, but I know that I'll be home in less than three weeks and then once I get home for the long winter break I'll be complaining and itching to go back.  So here's to living in the present and enjoying what we've got right now!

Today was an awesome last full day home, though!  Friends (for some reason that doesn't look like it's spelled right? Haha!) AND family AND some "Michaela" time outside were all included into this day...Every moment was different, every moment was perfect!  Started off by sharing in some awesome conversation with an awesome friend over some Starbucks, followed by Thanksgiving leftover lunch at my grandparents' house (both of which took place in Reston.  I LOVE Reston, VA.  Especially this time of year with the trees being so big and their colors changing so beautifully!)  I was able to come home for a bit before heading out again for the evening and I couldn't stop marveling at the beauty of the world outside my window so I decided I had to get myself out into it for at least a bit!  It was freezing but that didn't take away one bit from the absolute beauty of my surroundings.  The sun was just beginning its descent into the Western sky, reflecting off the ripples of the pond at the Windmill Recreational Center close to my house and lining the fast-moving clouds with golden borders of brilliant light.  Even in Suburbia the purity and simplicity of God's Earth are still able to be found.  So awesome!  I then hopped in the car and headed up to Lansdowne to have, you guessed it, Starbucks! (YES!) with another beautiful friend of mine before both heading over to Josh and Crystal's (my old youth pastors from high school) to spend some time with some seriously AMAZING people!  Lots of loud laughter was had.  I so appreciated it :)

So this puts me here.  Sitting on my bed.  Unwillingly anticipating my departure back to the city tomorrow, but knowing that once I leave I'll be excited to back and to get back into dance classes and finish off this semester!  These last two and a half weeks will be killer, but the weight that will be lifted come December 16th will be so, so worth the effort :)

On this Saturday night (almost Sunday morning), home and everything and everyone that's associated with home make me happy :)

(P.S. I'm also loving that the Christmas decorations are well on their way to being up and that today in my house there were three different sources of Christmas music being played on each level of my house. Love it.  Love the holidays :))

Day 31: November 26, 2010.

This break has been one of the most wonderful breaks from school I've had to date.
Anyone who knows me well will know that I can be lazy, lazy, lazy!  When I have downtime, especially when I'm home from school on break, one can usually find me on my couch in my sweatpants doing absolutely nothing.  That's fine, but at some point it's time to say "Enough" and get back into the world!  This break so far has been a great balance of relaxation and reconnection and so far, it's been exactly what I've needed!

I went back to my high school today to watch the Stone Bridge football game.  I never went to many games while I was in high school but going back today was awesome.  It felt good to be back on home turf, being back in the place that I spent four great years of my school career.  Stone Bridge won today (GO BULLDOGS!) and while I'm excited about that win for them, I'm more glad about the fact that I was able to see so many people from my high school class, many of which I haven't seen since graduation.  Even if it was for only a moment or two, just being able to exchange a quick hug and a smile and a, "HEY!  How are you?!" was perfect!  This evening I was then able to spend some time with some girls from church who I always love catching up with!  They're such beautiful people and I'm so inspired by them every single day!  I'm also really happy to say I'm able to share time with some more fabulous people over the next day and a half before I head back to school Sunday afternoon.  Such beautiful people who are always constant reminders of what true friendship means!  SO AWESOME!

While Facebook and other technological means of communication are great for keeping in touch quickly and easily, nothing beats face-to-face conversation!  I'm SO thankful for all of the conversations I was able to be a part of today and hope that this serves as a precursor for what is to come in a few weeks over Christmas Break!!

Today, friends and home make me happy :)

Day 30: November 25, 2010.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!


I can't believe it's this time of year again.  It honestly and truly does feel like we were just celebrating Thanksgiving not more than a few months ago (not 12!), Christmas last week and ringing in the new year yesterday!  (Well, not really, but you know what I mean!)  I don't know about you all but I love, love, LOVE this time of the year!  I finally decided this year that autumn is my favorite season, and I think I decided that Thanksgiving may actually be my favorite holiday!

I don't like to celebrate the holiday season before Thanksgiving; 12 noon, for me, marks the true beginning of the holiday season.  When Santa rolls into Herald Square at the end of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the holiday season has begun!  Thanksgiving is not only a day of giving thanks for all of our blessings (though every day should be a day of giving thanks!), but it's also day one of the Christmas season and what better way to kick start the holidays than laughing and eating and singing and dancing with family?!  I LOVE IT!!

The parade this morning was wonderful as always...Too many commercials but the fact that they were almost all holiday-related made them okay :)  My sister and I sat on our respective couches-well, sprawled out like vegetables, rather!-while Mom and Dad came in and out throughout the three hours, but making sure to be in the room at the end of the parade to watch Santa make his appearance, of course!  The kitchen smelled fabulous all morning--Dad put cinnamon buns in the oven for breakfast while Mom chopped and diced for the stuffing and mashed the potatoes.  It was the perfect setting for a post-parade nap, so my sister and I couldn't resist.  I'm so glad we gave in and did so because now we're up and ready to go for the food fest that's about to go down at Nana and Pop-pop's house with Aunt Mermie, Uncle Chris, Peter and Katie!  CAN'T WAIT!  And I'm ready to go, sporting leggings today instead of jeans...Elastic waistbands on this particular holiday are almost necessary :)  Also, did I mention the intense remote-control car races that are about to go down??  Yup, it's true.  Forget football!  We play our own games!!  Long story short, this family is in for a wonderful, wonderful afternoon and evening and I can't wait to get it all started!

What a day :)  I hope everyone is enjoying their Thanksgiving day as well, finding joy and celebrating in every blessing!!  And start blasting that Christmas music, hang those wreaths, get up those Christmas lights....the holidays are HERE!!! :):)

Today, the giving of thanks, holidays, family, and beautiful combination of the three make me happy, happy, happy :)

Day 29: November 24, 2010.

I love being home.  I love being home.  I love being home.

I've got so much joy taking over my whole self right now :)  So much happiness!

Today a very close friend of mine and I were able to spend a few hours together sippin' on Starbucks and sharing life updates and happenings with one another.  Corinne and I have known each other since kindergarten and even through life's craziness, and the fact that almost all of what each of our respective lives entail is completely different, the solidity of our friendship remains constant and I feel like these first 15 years of friendship are a pretty good indicator that many years, many laughs, and many more coffee dates are still in store!

And it turns out I'm going to get to see another of my friends for some wonderful conversation as well in just a little bit!  Shiori is another one of my closest friends...We met in middle school and have yet to part ways!  So thankful for, again, for the strength of real, genuine friends like her!

Both of these girls and their beautiful hearts are such blessings in my life!  I can't really express in words the extent to which my gratitude extends for them, but I'll just say this...I pray that you have a "Corinne" or a "Shiori" in your life...I pray that you have an longtime friend who you know remains no matter how far apart you may be or how many days go by without an exchange of conversation.  While immediacy is ideal, it's actually unnecessary for true friendship to last.  It can withstand more than we may perceive!

Today, these friends make me happy :)