Merry Christmas to all….

What does Christmas mean to you?

As I was doing the last of my Christmas shopping this morning (prior to the mobs) I had time to reflect on what Christmas means to me.

Of course it means lots of good food, presents, parties, etc.  But for me it’s more about spending times with the friends and family you love and care about.  It seems fitting that Christmas falls toward the end of the year because I feel like it’s a great time to appreciate the people who mean the most to you and who have been a part of your life.  Christmas, while a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus (for you religious folks out there) is in my opinion, a time to celebrate the gift of life, love and friendship.  When I give someone a Christmas present, in a sense it’s a thank you for being a part of my life and making it better.  There is so much commercialism during this time that I feel a lot is lost in the giving of gifts.  You make a list of the people you HAVE to give gifts to…it becomes a hassle, you get frustrated with the crowds or not knowing what to give people.   Even I get get caught up in this from time to time, but I always try to remember what Christmas means to me….and this morning I had time to really think about it and let it sink in.

If you’re reading this, I hope that you take some time out to think about what the holidays mean to you…and find some joy in it.  For those of you who are a part of my life, thank you for being there.  You are appreciated even if I don’t say it enough…know that I think it on a regular basis.  And for those of you who don’t know me but happened upon this post, I hope you too find some joy and meaning behind this holiday.  Whether your religious or not, I think everyone can find something positive in this season.

Merry Christmas to you all, with much love, joy and peace.

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My Twelve Days of Christmas…

Isn't this a LOVELY quilt?!

Well, that doesn’t really look like my twelve days of Christmas but it made me laugh.

So, by twelve days of Christmas I mean that I’m challenging myself over the next 12 days (actually, I started yesterday) to work out every day.  Why, you may ask?  I need something to counteract all these damn parties where I’m drinking & eating far too much!  Plus, it eases me into the New Year where resolutions are always to be more healthy and active! 😉
I will report back on 12/31 to confirm whether or not I was able to make this possible.  For those of you who know me and talk to me on a regular basis, feel free to gently remind me to work out!  Yesterday was the first run I’ve done in over a month!

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Happy Holidays….wait, I’m not ready!

Hello there.

It’s been a crazy month of big happenings at work, parties and concerts. I’ve not really started my Christmas shopping (which is why I’ll never be a true Capricorn…I procrastinate far too much) but I at least know (or have an idea) of what I’m getting everyone.

Meanwhile, The Choral Project has been preparing for our upcoming concerts this weekend entitled Winter’s Gifts: Solstice.  This is how it’s described on our website.

“The Choral Project and the San José Chamber Orchestra present their annual holiday offering Winter’s Gifts, featuring music that highlights wintertime and the Solstice with Native American music and traditional holiday pieces. The two ensembles combine with the stellar talents of Ann Licater, a specialist of the Native American flute, to weave a rich tapestry of seasonal sounds with which to celebrate the yuletide. Works include “Winter” from Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, Vaughan Williams’ Fantasy on “Greensleeves,” and Eric Whitacre’s Winter, set for strings, harp, sitar and choir.”

It should be a pretty good concert.  Not Christmas-y but we haven’t done that in years.  There are some beautiful pieces with the sitar and Native American flute.  I also have a solo (really an interlude between pieces….just myself and the orchestra) that is quite beautiful.

Shows in SF and Santa Clara.  If you’re interested in going you can purchase tickets on the website.  Fingers crossed we have a few people at the SF show as we haven’t performed up here in years (so not much of a base).

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Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz …

Not all of these descriptions fit me but a few do! I ❤ silly quizzes!

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz…

You Are a Marilyn!

You are a Marilyn — “I am affectionate and skeptical.”

Marilyns are responsible, trustworthy, and value loyalty to family, friends, groups, and causes. Their personalities range broadly from reserved and timid to outspoken and confrontative.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Be direct and clear
• * Listen to me carefully
• * Don’t judge me for my anxiety
• * Work things through with me
• * Reassure me that everything is OK between us
• * Laugh and make jokes with me
• * Gently push me toward new experiences
• * Try not to overreact to my overreacting.

What I Like About Being a Marilyn

• * being committed and faithful to family and friends
• * being responsible and hardworking
• * being compassionate toward others
• * having intellect and wit
• * being a nonconformist
• * confronting danger bravely
• * being direct and assertive

What’s Hard About Being a Marilyn

• * the constant push and pull involved in trying to make up my mind
• * procrastinating because of fear of failure; having little confidence in myself
• * fearing being abandoned or taken advantage of
• * exhausting myself by worrying and scanning for danger
• * wishing I had a rule book at work so I could do everything right
• * being too critical of myself when I haven’t lived up to my expectations

Marilyns as Children Often

• * are friendly, likable, and dependable, and/or sarcastic, bossy, and stubborn
• * are anxious and hypervigilant; anticipate danger
• * form a team of “us against them” with a best friend or parent
• * look to groups or authorities to protect them and/or question authority and rebel
• * are neglected or abused, come from unpredictable or alcoholic families, and/or take on the fearfulness of an overly anxious parent

Marilyns as Parents

• * are often loving, nurturing, and have a strong sense of duty
• * are sometimes reluctant to give their children independence
• * worry more than most that their children will get hurt
• * sometimes have trouble saying no and setting boundaries

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

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I <3 Google Image Search

This is what I got when I looked at Self Sabotaging Behavior…

That and a picture of Tom Cruise…oy vey.

Somehow I’ve managed to fuck up one potentially good thing in my life…live and learn, I suppose.  My self sabotaging behavior has led to self hate at the moment.  I’m sure I’ll get over it…but I’ll be kicking myself for a while.

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