"Play it once, Sam, for old time's sake."

I'm listening to As Time Goes by from Casablanca. I know Casablanca isn't a Christmas movie, but for some reason this song reminds me of Christmas...like it should be in It's a Wonderful Life or something.

It doesn't quite feel like the holidays yet. Perhaps it's because it was in the seventies just last week. I'm starting to get there though. Thanksgiving's in a few weeks, and I'm going to Madison to see my sister this year. It's going to be my first Thanksgiving away from my parents...not to mention my first time traveling by myself. I'm excited for two reasons. First, I haven't seen my sister since March, and I am in desperate need of some sister time. I'm ready to laugh over dumb things until my stomach and cheeks hurt for a few days :) Second, Thanksgiving marks a whole month and then some of Christmastime. I love Christmastime! There's so many great things about it. Just to name a few:

*Obviously it marks the birth of the Savior
*Family
*Old movies and musicals
*Christmas trees
*Snow
*Sledding
*Christmas candy, cookies, and chocolates
*Pumpkin pie
*Christmas shopping
*Christmas music
*Hot chocolate
*Sitting by a fireplace
*Twinkling lights and decorations everywhere
*Break from school/work
*Snowangels, snowmen, and snow forts
*Sweaters, scarves, and mittens
*The end of one year and the beginning of a next
*Celebrations
*Watching the ball drop
*Memories
*Gingerbread houses
*Wrapping presents
*People filled with holiday spirit

*Sigh* I can't wait :)

Giving In

I try to make it a habit not to make New Year's Resolutions. To me, they just seem to be somewhat disappointing. I never even remember what they were by the end of the year, and some of them don't even matter anyway. But this year I'm looking at things differently. I'm really not sure why. Perhaps on one extreme it's peer pressure--on the other, (and a more likely reason) I'm stubborn and I believe that I can this year. No matter the reason, I am going to make my resolutions now and I am definitely going to follow through with them this year. So, here they are:

• Do my devotions on a regular basis.
• Stop procrastinating in school and even get ahead at times.
• Stay informed on political and current events.
• Drink less soda.
• Stop pointing out the flaws of others.
• Learn to play the guitar (at least the basics).
• Save more money.
• Be there for my friends more.
• Put more effort into my writing.
• Extend my vocabulary.