Let it Snow!

The snow has been coming down for over an hour now and the accumulation is building up quickly. I absolutely love snow, it is what makes Winter such a wonderful season. Growing up I wasn't so blessed with Winter Wonderlands and White Christmases. That is because I grew up in the South where a snow flurry is enough to shut down businesses and schools. 

Even if it is only a flurry, just the tiniest bit of snow makes me happy. Which is why I am ecstatic that we are having a snow storm! Ich liebe schnee!

Shipping Christmas

Today I mailed five boxes to my family in the South. I decided to use UPS this year because they are faster and cheaper than the USPS. Also, it was closer than FedEx. I'm so excited about this year because I bought my oldest brother a really great gift that I absolutely know he will love. The suspense has been killing him and on Christmas Eve/Day, he will be videotaped so that I can see his wonderful reaction. I can't WAIT! 

Anyway, now my Holly tree looks lonely without the gifts all wrapped up underneath. Maybe I'll be surprised later. Who knows. Then again, Christmas isn't about the gifts. It's about the family and that is much more important than anything anyone can ever give me. ^_^

Being Sick Sucks

Since Friday I have been suffering from an annoying cold. Of course it didn't help that I went on a cruise on Friday and battled the cold wind, then danced up a storm and became all sweaty only to go back outside again. This weekend I had to work at the airport and so being around other sick people didn't improve my chances either. Last night I woke up twice due to nausea but since my stomach was empty I had nothing to do but stand around and try to feel better. Today I am hot, icky, and stuffy but maybe that is a good sign. Hopefully by tonight I will feel 100% again. Either way, I'm still going to the gym later to try and sweat out the toxins so that I will be better soon. Besides, who wants to be sick during the happiest times of the year, right? 

NYC Lunch Cruise

Yesterday I went on a Lunch Cruise with some friends of mine and with the International Student Organization (ISO). We set sail in NYC on the Hudson and East rivers. Our ship made its way past the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Downtown Manhattan, and under the Brooklyn Bridge before turning around and returning to the dock. I had such a great time dancing, eating, and taking pictures of this beautiful city. There were only a few things that I didn't like such as the club music that was played so loudly I could not even hear myself speak and the cold weather. It was extremely windy and brisk out so that wasn't much fun for me, especially since I am suffering from a cold. Other than those two things, the cruise was fantastic and I plan on doing it again with my boyfriend. 

*The above photo is copyright of Lydia R. Gillis. Any copying or using of this photo without my permission is stealing. So please, before you use just ask. You can ask me via comments on the most recent post of this blog. Thank you.*

New Projects

It has been seven years since I've played my flute. During those 7 years I have picked it up a few times and tried to play but I've noticed that I'm really rusty and my sound isn't as great. Plus, I've had nothing to drive me, to motivate me to play. That is until YouTube started this online audition for an orchestra. That's right, people will be submitting videos of them playing selected pieces to become a part of an orchestra that will play in Carnegie Hall in April 2009. I'm really excited because they are asking people from around the world, amateurs and professionals, to submit their videos. Now I finally have something motivating me to play my flute. I have until January 28 to submit so I really need to start practicing. Even if I don't get picked, just being a part of this first time event is well worth the time. Plus, I get to play my flute again. 

Another project I am participating in is a photo contest that is being held by my town council. The theme is Winter in [mytownsname]: A Great Place to Live, Work, and Play. I already have some great winter shots from my town but I need more. Again, they are looking for amateurs and professionals of all ages and so I'm really excited to be a part of this contest. I feel like I am finally part of this town, which means so much to me since I've felt like an outcast for so long. I really hope I win but if not it will be fun taking pictures. 

Music and photography are two passions that I seem to never have time for anymore. Yet, with these projects I am able to have reason to utilize my talents. Hopefully more projects will come along that will bring more joy into my life. In the meantime I am enjoying the present. 

Autumn Flowers

Back in June I went down to Tennessee to visit family, go to a wedding and a baby shower that was held on the same day, and catch up with some old friends. My friend Sherry had given me some flowers just before I left to come back home and it was in the end of October/beginning of November that my mum finally bloomed. I was so afraid I would never see its flowers but I'm glad that wasn't the case. This orange bloom is only 1 of 2 from the small plant and hopefully come next year there will be many more. 

Anyone with a green thumb, or close to a green thumb, will know that some plants hibernate in the winter. If you never knew this before then you must not be from Earth because just living on this planet would tell you that. Why else do trees keep coming back every spring. We do not cut down the tree in the winter simply because it has lost all its leaves. No, we let it grow and mature so that the next Spring it will be bigger and more beautiful. This morning one of the maintenance guys tried to throw away my High Ginger plant. I was shocked and came running out yelling at him to stop. It took a few tries to get him to actually listen, mostly because of the language barrier. He told me that the office had informed him to throw out all garbage and so he assumed that my not dead plant was in fact dead and therefore garbage. First off, who are these people think they are telling employees to trash other people's belongings. I know I live in an apartment and so I share the land with others but that doesn't give them the right to throw away my plant. I called my future mother-in-law (FMIL) and asked if I could store my plants at her place for the winter. She was happy to oblige and so next week I will be making the trip to Pennsylvania to save my plants from the dumpster. I just cannot believe someone would do that to someone else's property. Egads. 

So anyway, winter is fast approaching and I cannot wait. I love the snow and as luck would have it have already had two snow falls this season alone! The second one being on my birthday. It was a wonderful gift from God, that's for sure. I hope we have a great snowy winter, I would love to be able to make a giant snowman this year. ^_^

*The above photo is copyright of Lydia R. Gillis. Any copying or using of this photo without my permission is stealing. So please, before you use just ask. You can ask me via comments on the most recent post of this blog. Thank you.*

The Birthday

Yesterday was such a great day. I received such wonderful gifts but the best part was that I was spending it with my family. Not everyone of course. It was my lovely boyfriend, his parents, and my dad that I celebrated with. There wasn't a cake but rather pumpkin pie with a dozen candles on top. Six of them were trick candles and when I saw them spark, I knew right away what was in store for me. I started laughing so hard that I could barely blow out the regular candles!!! It was a great time and delicious. 

As for the gifts, I received some speakers for my MacBook, a wireless mouse to use at home for my MacBook, and $200 cash. I don't know what to do with the money. I'm debating on whether I should buy a Wii, some new clothes, or just put it in savings. We'll see soon enough. 

^__^