Happy New Year!

As 2010 draws to a close, I've been reflecting on all the amazing things that have happened over the past year and thinking about what my hopes and expectations are for 2011.

It's been a pretty phenomenal year.

So many things have happened to and around me in 2010, all of which have influenced me, I'd like to think for the better. Many of these things may have seemed small or insignificant at the time, but accumulatively have most definitely changed me.

Overall, I feel like a better, stronger person than I was this time last year. And I have my friends, family and experiences to thank for that. I can only hope that 2011 will be even greater. I'm already taking steps in the right direction.

Before I get too sappy and sentimental (because I'm just in that kind of mood at the moment) I will leave you with a question. What shall I do with my hair in the new year? Go dark, return to natural, red again, stay whiteblonde, other? Let me know ^.^

Resolutions for the new year:

1. Be more confident

2. Take care of myself

3. Create things I'm proud of

4. Be more proactive

5. Live, laugh, love.

Current Harry Potter Book: Philosopher's Stone

Page Number: 127

As my mum always says,

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good fight.

That is the way, isn't it?

Every family has their thing, and even though you try every year to put on a good show of smiling, happy families, sometimes it's just impossible and the inevitable argument ensues.

but soon enough, you're all over it and opening gifts and eating chocolate and all is well.

I got some really lovely things this year, as I do every year.

What can I say? My family has impeccable taste ;)

It was a particularly slow and lazy morning.

We didn't finish unpacking gifts until about two o'clock.

And now we're all dead tired and decided to take naps in various rooms in the house.

So if you'll excuse me,

my bed and my new adorable owl shaped pillow are calling me.

Good night!

Christmas is the greatest

I just got home from Christmas dinner with my family. We do it on Christmas Eve because that is traditional in Denmark and my mum's side of the family is Danish. However, we still open presents on Christmas morning, as my dad is from England.

It was a hilariously wonderful night, full of song and laughter, joy and good conversation. My family are a great bunch to be around, and though I sometimes feel my ears are exploding from how immensely loud we get, I simply love any chance I get to spend with them all. (although, we were missing a few this year, due to circumstance. :O and since Janna was in hospital (after just having a baby) we had no one to ceremoniously stick something up their nose!) ((I know, we've got some strange traditions in my family...))

I just love Christmas and all our wacky antics and family traditions.

Christmas dinner with my family does not involve turkey. We eat duck. And a special rice pudding, called ris ala mande, for dessert. And dessert involves a game. Whoever finds the almond in their bowl of rice pudding wins the chocolate prize. Of course, there are rules.

1. No stirring or mixing of the serving bowl!

2. No spoons may enter the bowls or mouths until everyone is ready.

and 3. If you find the almond, be coy and wait to see how long it takes the rest of the table to notice that you've got it.

This year, my dad won :)

After dinner and dessert, we then sing carols from our little song books. Everyone gets a chance to choose a song to sing and we end on 12 Days of Christmas, a competition between two sides of the table. One side gets odds, one side gets evens and it's a fight to the death for who can sing the loudest and essentially be the most obnoxious. Oh yes, and of course we have to stand up and down on our alternating turns. Such fun!

And now I'm home and it's bedtime. My sister and I have just opened our new Christmas Eve pajamas (another tradition) and I will soon be climbing into bed, snuggly and warm, with fleecy pink monkeys on my legs.

I hope you all are having a wondrous Christmas! Or whatever holiday you may (or may not) be celebrating. It's likely I will post tomorrow about things. Perhaps make a video about my hoard of stuff ;)

Goodnight all!

just a little blog to fill you in

Hello blogger, it's Christmas time.

Here are a few things that have happened recently.

1. We welcomed the first baby into the family! My cousin Janna gave birth to a lovely baby girl named Madeline Rose. This is so very exciting for everyone in the family. Janna and Travis are going to be amazing parents! I'm so happy and proud! I cannot wait to meet the little darling!
2. We got our Christmas tree! (finally!) Unfortunately, this was the first year I was unable to be a part of the selection process, as I was working. But this means it is officially Christmas time!
3. I finished all my Christmas shopping. Phew!
4. I took a trip to Narnia for a few days. ;)
5. I got the DVD from my Glee Camp performance. I watched the whole thing and cried, just a little. Apparently, I was a touch off pitch and look incredibly awkward on stage D:
6. My dad is home from the hospital and much, much better! He's well and eating, though definitely not in tip top shape just yet. But at least he'll be able to eat at Christmas dinner! He says he's "building up to it" because he "waits all year for this meal and [doesn't] want to miss out!"

I hope everyone is having a happy holiday season, whatever you may be celebrating!

Peace, love, hope and happiness!

Current Harry Potter Book: Philosopher's Stone

Page Number: 121

Project For Awesome 2010

This is my first year participating in Project For Awesome.

I made two videos for P4A.

The first is the one I made with my friend & fellow YouTube addict, Laura.

We spent a day spreading love and hope around our city

in support of To Write Love On Her Arms.

The second is a very short and simple video I made at the last minute about

Child Foundation.

I would have made it earlier, but I kept thinking I wouldn't have time and because I'd already made one and blah blah blah.

But in the end, I just had to. It meant too much to me not to.

It's been a hectic week and my brain is kind of frazzled, otherwise I would write more.

But I think, ultimately, the videos speak for themselves.

Current Harry Potter Book: Philosopher's Stone

Page Number: 112

quick update about my dad

He is home now since yesterday morning.

He's still not well, but definitely getting better.

He's able to eat, just a little bit, which is a very good sign.

Luckily, he works from home and so, can get some business done since his clients must be thoroughly confused about his unexplained, four day absence...

The doctors at the hospital are still not sure what exactly went wrong, but seem to think it was some kind of viral infection. They have done many more tests and he will be going to his regular doctor next week. Hopefully everything will be sorted out.

But for now, he's home and resting and slowly but surely getting better.

That was quite a scare.

I hate hospitals.

The past few days have been pretty rough, although I'd like to think I've maintained a reasonable amount of composure.

My dad has been in hospital since Saturday afternoon and is staying there again tonight. Doctors aren't sure what's wrong, but he's been violently ill and severely dehydrated. They think it may be some type of infection. He's undergone several tests and is in for a few more tomorrow. He's hooked up to an IV to get some fluids into his system and he can barely eat. When not at the hospital visiting with him, I've either been at work or at home trying to keep my mind preoccupied and distracted so I don't stress out too much. It's not working.

Tonight I went to see him and it was one of the scariest moments of my life. It's terrifying to see my big, strong dad looking so weak and tired and hooked up to machines. I'm not telling you this because I want sympathy, but more because I just need a place to talk about it. I plan on visiting him again tomorrow, but I find it very difficult to be inside a hospital. It brings back a lot of awful memories.

He's doing a little better today, but they don't seem hopeful that he'll be coming home just yet. If they sort out what's wrong tomorrow, they might be able to give him the proper treatment and send him on his way. But for now they can only treat the symptoms, not the illness.

Thank you to everyone who has sent their well wishes so far, it's great to have your love and support.