The Most Wonderful Time

How was everyone's Christmas? Mine was really, really great. Maybe one of the best Christmases ever. I was able to go home for a few days to spend time with my family. Despite my parents still having some shopping to do on Christmas Eve, everything was very relaxed. Everyone was in a good mood (very little squabbling, which is a Christmas miracle all its own) and we spent the days watching our favorite Christmas movies, exchanging gifts, and taking naps.

Christmas is far and away my favorite holiday. Really, it's one of my top five favorite things in life (below Harry Potter, above pajamas). There's just something about it, you know? The music, the twinkling lights, a buzz of anticipation everywhere you go. There's a camaraderie of sorts among strangers. Sure, gift-shopping can get a little hairy, but in general people are good to each other at Christmastime. Everyone shares in the joy and excitement. It's the closest we get to real magic, if you ask me.

At Austin's Trail of Lights in Zilker Park, there is a giant Christmas tree made of lights strung from the top of a moon tower. For some reason, when standing beneath this tree, everyone has a sudden urge to spin around–literally everyone. There were children on their parents' shoulders, elderly couples laughing, middle-aged men spinning as fast as they could. Each person anchored themselves to another, threw their heads back, and spun until they became too dizzy (or fell), cheered on by strangers and friends.

Moments like these–these "love actually is all around" kind of moments–are what help me to remember that, despite how bad things can seem, people are mostly good. Life is mostly good.

I hope you had a very merry Christmas. Here's to the new year!

-Maggie

Rhinestone Studded Punks

I finished school over a week ago, but it took a couple days to set in that I'm finally finished with the semester. This probably has something to do with how busy I've been since I turned in my last paper. On Friday, I (finally) got the recall fixed on my car, went to lunch with Austin and Kiera, and then made the six-hour drive to Austin with Austin. (We carpooled since he was going to see his girlfriend that weekend. Also, let me mention here that we played the Alphabet Game and I won with Z for Zephyr, Texas. *self five*)

Upon arriving, Melany and I met Britny and KaCee at Magnolia for our traditional meal of omelettes, hamburgers, and mimosas. Afterwards, we went back to Melany's apartment, and Melany and Britny studied for awhile* while KaCee and I talked and drank rum. On Saturday, we slept in, ate Chipotle, watched this hilarious stand-up, and saw Frightened Rabbit.

Specifically, it was "A Solo Night with Frightened Rabbit," which meant only the lead singer was there with his acoustic guitar (so technically it should have been called "A Solo Night with Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit" to avoid confusion, but I digress). Graham Wilkinson opened for him and also had really great boots. Then Scott came out in all his bearded, Scottish glory and was like, "I thought I'd just sing all of Midnight Organ Fight and then take some requests," and everyone was like, "UM, SURE. SOUNDS GREAT, SCOTT." It was beautiful, to say the very least.

I could have listened to him sing for many more hours, but luckily he didn't because my car almost got towed. I say this nonchalantly, like it wasn't a terrifying experience, but it totally was. We paid for parking until eleven, and when we walked up at 11:24 my car was already rigged and being lifted. I, incredibly confused and beginning to panic, ran up to the guy and said, "Um, this is my car?" He never said a word, but immediately let my car down, took all the stuff off the wheels, and drove away to me (still confused) yelling, "Thank you?" after him.

The moral of the story here is this: If the only options for parking are until 11 PM for five dollars or until 6 AM for ten dollars, go ahead and pay the extra five even if you aren't planning on being downtown past midnight because you may not always have a nice, mute tow truck guy that gives you your car back.

On Sunday, we went to the Elf quote-along (which was a blast) and met KaCee and her boyfriend Kyle for a late dinner at 24Diner (which is a new favorite). On Monday, I finally got to go kayaking with KaCee. The day was relatively warm, we brought Gretel along, and ate sandwiches Melany made for us under the Pedestrian Bridge. I see many more kayaking adventures in our future. That evening, I went with KaCee to get her tattoo, which turned out so freaking awesome. I was incredibly tempted to get one of the three other tattoos I want, but resisted the urge. Mainly because I am incredibly broke at the moment.

And now, we are a mere THREE DAYS away from CHRISTMAS. I work tonight and am leaving to go home for the week tomorrow. Santa's coming. I'm stoked, guys.

-Maggie

* The fact that Melany was frantically trying to finish a paper for three of the four days I was in Austin is the real reason it took so long to realize I was already finished with school. I was stressed by association.

Another List

● I only have one day of class left, and nine days until I'm completely finished with this semester.

● In less than two weeks, I will be headed to Austin.

● As it's finally December, I can now be unabashedly enthusiastic for Christmas and, unlike the last three months, no one can be annoyed with me for it.

● Once I finish all of my essays, I'm going to use the paper to make a million snowflakes.

● I am probably getting sick, and have eaten roughly twenty of Ricola's cherry honey cough drops since yesterday.

● StarKid's new musical Twisted was finally released, and I cannot wait to watch it.

● This is a really good song.

● So is this one.

● Currently on season six of my perpetual Frasier marathon. Daphne and Niles are still not together.

● Only 23 days until Christmas!

-Maggie

And to all a good night.

Christmas Eve is the longest day of the year and Christmas Day is the shortest. It's always over all too quickly for my liking, but it is wonderful just the same. This year we got a dusting of snow, and the cold outside has kept the fire going inside all day. Presents were given and received. Mashed potatoes were eaten and naps were taken. It was a good day.

I hope all of you had a marvelous holiday like I did, and that Santa brought you everything you'd been hoping for.

Only 364 days until Christmas.

-Maggie

Monthly Mix: CHRISTMAS!

Christmas is my very favorite time of the year. I just get so INTO IT. Unfortunately, the first part of the month is spent struggling through the end of the fall semester, but once I finish finals WATCH OUT. Tomorrow (well, today seeing as it's nearly three in the morning) is my last final, and you better believe as soon as I get home I'm going to watch The Muppet Christmas Carol and make snowflakes.

It should come as little surprise to you that I've made a Christmas mix. There are so many people (too many people) that hate Christmas music and I've never understood it. Usually, their main complaint is that it plays literally everywhere through the month of December, but THAT'S THE BEST PART. We only get this music for one month a year, guys! EMBRACE IT.

1. It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas – Fruit Bats
2. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow – Dean Martin
3. We Need a Little Christmas – AgesandAges
4. (Everybody's Waitin' For) The Man With the Bag – Black Prairie
5. All I Want For Christmas Is You – Quiet Company
6. Baby, It's Cold Outside – Glee Cast
7. Wonderful Christmastime – The Shins
8. Are You Coming Over For Christmas? – Belle & Sebastian
9. Winter Wonderland – Billy Gilman
10. Angels We Have Heard On High – Quiet Company
11. Christmas Is Coming – John Denver & The Muppets
12. The 12 Days of Christmas – Straight No Chaser
13. All That I Want – The Weepies
14. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On an Open Fire) – Paul McCartney
15. Jingle Bells – Ben Rector
16. Little Saint Nick – John Denver & The Muppets
17. White Christmas – Sleeping At Last
18. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – Michael Bublé
19. We Wish You a Merry Christmas – John Denver & The Muppets
20. O Holy Night – Quiet Company
21. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Sleeping At Last
22. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? – The Head and the Heart
23. Auld Lang Syne – Barenaked Ladies

Honestly, it took a lot to not make this mix every version of "All I Want For Christmas Is You," "Baby, It's Cold Outside," and "Auld Lang Syne" I have. Those are the best.

-Maggie

Oh, fudge. Except I didn't say fudge.

We're halfway through our second viewing of A Christmas Story and my parents are asleep on the couch. They asked to let them nap for thirty minutes and now, two hours later, refuse to wake up. Zak went to bed around eight, which is odd, but I'm not complaining. Meanwhile, it's making Emmy very restless that my parents haven't started wrapping yet. She keeps messing with the fireplace bellows, despite the fact that my mom wakes up each time and threatens to burn all of Emmy's gifts.

By some brilliant stroke of luck, not only did I not have work today, but I don't work the two days after Christmas either, so I drove home last night after my shift and don't have to leave until Tuesday! (Of course, they have me scheduled to work thirty-four hours in the four days remaining in this week, but I'm going to be rich, so it's okay.)

It's nice to be home. I missed my family and Schnookums (a.k.a. the best, cutest dog ever in the world) who is curled up next to me as I type this.

Since I've been gone, my parents have taken out the wall between the living room and Emmy's room and added a fireplace, so Emmy is in what was my room. It doesn't bother me that I don't have a room at home anymore, but I do really miss my bed. Alas, I shall have to wait until I get an apartment to be reunited with it.

In other Christmas-related news, the Blogger Family did a Secret Santa gift exchange, and I got mine from the lovely Lizzie on Wednesday.

I was bouncing around as I read the letter and looked through everything. She not only gave me a magnet of my favorite picture of Joey Richter (complete with speech bubbles), but a collage of James McAvoy, a bracelet, and a great mix CD.

Have I mentioned lately how much I love the Blogger Family? I really, really love the Blogger Family.

In true Maggie fashion, I sent out my package way later than I was supposed to. A combination of my general procrastination and starting a new job set me back, but it is chock-full of stuff, so hopefully my person will come to forgive me in time.

Well, I must go to bed now because SANTA is coming soon, so Merry Christmas to everyone! And Happy Hanukkah! And other holidays!

-Maggie