a somewhat CHRISTmas rant.

I celebrate the holiday, Christmas, as the birth of our Lord and Savior. It is a time to remember that He came and died for us so that we may live with Him forever in Heaven. However, due to Hallmark, among other media influences, Christmas has made its way into many other traditions that have nothing to do with Christ.

I understand that this is only probably in today's society. I also understand that the people who follow these traditions do not typically celebrate Christmas in the same manner. We all have different traditions, but I find that Christmas tends to be the holiday most mocked when it comes to traditions.

As a Christian who celebrates Christmas as Christ's birth, I do not try and shove this belief down the throats of others who do not believe or celebrate in this fashion. I respect other's religions (thanks, U of M) and do not put others down, or other's celebratory holidays because I do not believe in them. For this same reason, I do not appreciate others trying to make a mockery of the most important date in Christianity. I understand everyone is entitled to their opinions, as am I, and that the whole freedom of speech notion allows us to express this to anyone and everyone. At the same time, looking for trouble by immaturely posting mocking comments about things important to others, or making fun of things important to others, is not exactly a tactful and respectable way to go about expressing one's opinions.

All in all, the message is simple: treat others the way you would like to be treated. Poking fun, putting down, and ridiculing others is not a way to make friends, or keep them, especially on a matter so important. I know that this is not the last time this will happen, but I can say that I have never had it happen this often.

Whether Christmas is a time for Jesus' birth, family, friends, traditions, or just another day, please be respectful of others and their entitlement to freedom of religion or lack thereof.

and it begins.

caffeine. caffeine. caffeine. caffeine.

Meet my future dog!!

I want this little pup... though she is no pup, she is a smarty! and super cute too! Meet Sunflower! A pitbull-terrier mix from the Huron Valley Humane Society! I've been keeping my eye on her for about four months now and she has yet to be adopted. I'm hoping that the next apartment I can get, I can have a dog and finally adopt her!! : DD well, after I get a job and save money of course...

waaaaait for it, THERE'S VIDEO.

I'm in love.

isn't she precious?! Though I'm pretty sure Sunflower would not stick.. I was thinking more along the lines of Bella, or Kenzie, or Keely... Idk, I've got time.

SO. Everyone pray that

a) I can get a subleaser in my current apartment.

b) I can get the studio apartment I want in Ypsi.

c) The landlord allows pets.

d) I can save up enough money for this little bundle of joy!!

I have two weeks before this is me... and it is honestly terrifying. I am beyond thankful to know that I am not entirely moving on to the next chapter, aka: taking a less than adequate job and trying to make it on my own living in a box. Fortunately, I just get to prepare for the next chapter of my life by signing my name away with around six figures in debt and growing excessive amounts of gray hair in relation to my age (gray hair should never be around a 20-something year old's life . . . ha. I am already well on my way though thanks to here... THE MICHIGAN DIFFERENCE : T /\/\ D).

Regardless of the fact that I am moving on, I will miss many aspects of the last four years that I could not have experienced anywhere else. Surprisingly, just thinking about it makes me feel a bit emotional, though I attribute this to the extreme stress I am currently going through with finals coming up and the fact that Ms. Mother Nature is still around (reference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ap5eQyNdDk). TMI, my apologies. Stressssss.

Even though I am in a2 for another semester attending classes somewhere else, it's so hard to think that I won't be attending another lecture in Chem 1800, or will no longer be attacked by half-sheet distributors on the Diag on my daily stroll to class. And don't even get me started on no longer obtaining sick and awesome student section seating at the Big House, that's an entirely different level of emotions that I have not yet allowed myself to visit.

All I can do is sit back and appreciate the lessons I learned, the information I was rigorously tested upon, and the millions of memories I have had with friends over the last four years. Bowling in the Bbarbs hallways, handstands at frats (completely sober, I may add = pathetic but so much more fun and way easier to wake up and do work the following day), a multitude of 21st birthday celebrations, and row 22 football seats are just a few highlights of each year.

I would never wish to go back and do it over, it was too much fun the first time to take back those times and replace them. If I could just go back and use a camcorder to record as much as i could, I feel it could make for some great visits back to college. And probably would account for some extreme embarrassment as well as a few tears due to both laughter and sadness.

Regardless, time to accept the inevitable and realize that the college "glory days" are officially over. Well, in two weeks, and unfortunate for me, I have no possibility of experiencing any more "glory" in the next week and a half due to my stupidity in signing up for 18 credits this semester (but necessary for my early graduation . . . win-win sitch, I think?)

Time to grow up . . . sort of.

: )