oh the places I'll go...

This is my to go list:

-the grand canyon (i just want to)
-the louvre (art nerd)
-picayune, mississippi (for a wedding)
-yellowstone (to go on a hike)
-sequoia national park (because I like trees)
-graceland and graceland too (because i like elvis and lisa marie)
-columbus, georgia (but only if audra and payton are there)
-london (to sing "london calling" and "werewolves in london")
-egypt (because it's beautiful)
-aspen (to ski and snowboard)
-south africa (to play with small children and tell them about jesus)
-crater lake, oregon (to swim in a crater)
-dead sea (because it's disappearing)
-vatican city (for the art)
-new orleans (ew, not for mardi gras)
-wiltshire, england (for stonehenge)
-arctic ocean (to see narwhals and whales and penguins in the wild)
-washington dc (because im so american)

I'll probably add to this list... but it looks pretty good right now.

2008: a playlist

After looking through my top 25 on itunes, various playlists, and cd's in my car... this is what I've come up with. My 2008 playlist! Some of these songs are just songs I like and listened to 348729387 times this year. Some of these songs just have speacial meaning. Some of them remind me of people or places or events from 2008. However, most of these songs were NOT written or recorded in 2008. I'll give you a story on some... but not all because that would take me 3 years to write.
Here we go.

seeing is believing - wild sweet orange

ghost - laura marling

wash my feet in the waves - chuck ragan
Because i like the harmonica so much

hallehlujah - jeff buckley

great divide - hanson
Because of the small african children.

heart in a cage - chris thile
Because I love this song. And I love the banjo so much. I need to marry a banjo/harmonica player. Send them my way.

behold the river - the snake the cross the crown

night terrors - wild sweet orange

ghetto superstar - pras, mya, odb
Because of that roadtrip I took with Brie.

sentimental heart - she and him

with god on our side - bob dylan and joan baez

after hours - we are scientist

oh my sweet carolina - ryan adams
Because of Ray.

remember the mountain bed - billy bragg and wilco

let go - frou frou
Because of Audra.

what would life be like - fuge mission videos
Because I watched kids give all the money they had. Because I saw adults cry while making out checks. Because I could hear what they were saying.

american music - violent femmes

annie waits - ben folds

way over yonder in the minor key - billy bragg and wilco

california - copeland
Because Cliff, Nathan and I sang it to Alee over the phone when she had to fly home to Mississippi. And we sang "come back from mississippi" instead of "come back from california". She cried.

all i can do - dolly parton

holy holy holy - sufjan stevens
Because it was the first song on my fuge kid's quiet time playlist. I listened to it every morning this summer while I prayed for a good day.

viva la vida - coldplay
Because it reminds me of staying up late with Payton making posters.

looking out my back door - creedence clearwater revival

ain't nothing wrong with that - robert randolph and the family band

i sing a lot - a rose by any other name
Because sadly this song is so true for me.

world spins madly on - the weepies

keep breathing - ingrid michealson

murder in the city - the avett brothers
Because I used to not be a fan, but I really do like this song.

hey jude - the beatles

john the revelator - son house
Because Audra and I love it... and lady Stacy hated it.

close your eyes - jump little children

fix you - coldplay
Because Nathan made that end of the summer video.

the seeker - dolly parton


There are probably more, but this is my list right now. If I was really cool, I would have just taken a screneshot of the playlist on itunes... but I don't know how to do that.

surviving ufo's and the japanese

I've been really sick for the last couple of days. So I've just been laying around, taking meds, and watching weird tv. Really weird tv. Now, I'm pretty picky about the shows I watch. I hate almost all sitcoms except the office. I don't like super sad overly serious shows either. I don't like shows that get too intricate and crazy and you never have any idea what's going on (hello Lost.) I'm so picky. I usually just end up watching reruns of Ace of Cakes. Anyway, here's some of the abnormal shows I've been loving lately:

1. UFO Hunters - Okay, this isn't too out of character for me. I love a ufo. However, this show was a little different. They are mainly trying to actually prove crashes happened. They try to base facts on evidence more than just eye witness accounts. Fun fun.

2. Survivorman - This guy fascinates me. Never would I ever want to go into the wilderness alone and then just try to survive for a week. I don't want to eat bugs or mystery plants or decaying animals. I don't even want to sleep outside. Well, this guy does and he always manages to survive. I'm impressed. And I promise I'm not a super priss.

3. Whale Wars - Now, this is the strangest one for me. This show is about the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society founded by Paul Watson. They sail around on a ship called the Steve Irwin (ha!) and try to deter Japanese ships that hunt whales in the name of "research". The Japanese are known for illegally killing numerous whales in order to sell the meat and pretty much make bank. Anyway, the sea shepherds are known for crazyness like throwing stink bombs onto the Japanese whaling ships in order to protect the whales. They have to be real smart and sneaky. These people are so passionate about whales and many of them risk their lives on a regular basis. I like it.

prayer for a new year

For those who lost hope
For those who were hurt
For those who lost passion
For those in conflict
For those who are hiding
For those who are running
For those who feel alone

I pray for life, peace, joy, forgiveness, hope.
And above all else, love.



Today I read someone's new year prayer. This is mine.

Merry Christmas

krumpmas eve

-Those trolls are on my mantle.
-I wrapped so many gifts today (because i've been procrastinating all month).
-I watched Best Christmas Pageant Ever. It was the best ever.
-I took lots of meds because im still so sick. I'm probably high right now.
-I decorated cookies for Santa. They kind of taste gross.
-I made the macaroni and cheese for Christmas eve dinner. Delish.
-Now I'm watching It's a Wonderful Life... but I'd rather be watching Meet Me in St. Louis or Christmas Vacation.
-I saw a ufo last night. Ray and I decided it was probably Santa. And Santa is probably an alien. North Pole is probably code for Jupiter.
-My mom just gave me and my sister a Donny and Marie Osmond dvd. She thinks she's cute and funny.

Here is a fun picture from a party last night. We are children.


There should be more people in the picture... but we're the only cool ones that dressed up. Way to be lame. I wish I had a better picture of my vest but I don't. FAIL.

It's almost Krumpmas.

shepherds

I like that the first people to see Jesus were shepherds. They were dirty and smelly and pretty much outcasts to religion. They weren't allowed in synagogues or temples because they were around dead animals all day. They weren't allowed to come to the parties and festivities in Jerusalem. I bet the churchy people (synagogue-y people?) weren't big fans of shepherds.

I wonder who is the equivalent to shepherds today. Maybe homeless people? Or poor people? Or those those kids that wear all black? Hurting people? Broken people? The people that don't have it all together? I don't know. All I know is that the angels told the shepherds about Jesus first, not the priest or pharisees. I really like that.

I guess this is just some foreshadowing.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Luke 2:8-14


Merry Christmas.
Don't forget the shepherds.

sickly

This morning I woke up and felt horrible. I went to work but they sent me home after 3 hours because I was sweating and then I was freezing. Hopefully it's just a cold and not anything like the flu. It seems like I'm always sick around this time of year. I'm really bad at breathing through my mouth so I hope my nose doesn't get extra stuffy.

-I need to wrap gifts but I have no motivation.

-I have to make a side dish for a Christmas party tomorrow. Baked macaroni and cheese. Yum.

-I've been researching the circus lately. And I finished my book.

-I'm thinking about doing some fun art pieces inspired by the circus.

-I need new books to read. Any suggestions?

-Tonight I saw some beautiful Christmas lights at Stephen Foster. I should have taken pictures but I forgot my camera.

-Two of my good friends will be getting engaged soon and I am really happy about that.

-I forgot how much I enjoy the show Big Love.

-Because of Big Love, I will probably start researching polygamy. And choosing the right.

-The people I work with think I'm boring because I'm not a square. Thank goodness I'm not a square.

-I need new jeans.

-I need to not feel sick.

3 days until Christmas!

Recent AZN experience

So I tried some AZN food again last night. This is part of my plan to try new and different things (like AZN food and graphic design and Texas). We went to Fu King and I ordered an egg roll (because I had that good experience at my work Christmas party) and some chicken fried rice.
As you can tell, I was a little apprehensive. Here's what it looked like:
The egg rolls were pretty much mediocre and the chicken fried rice wasn't good at all. I even tried 4 different sauces thinking that would make it better. It didn't. I did have a bite of a delish crap and cream cheese thing. I don't even remember what it was called though. Then, I spilled soy sauce all over my pajamas...
LAME. My fortune : Remember three months from this date. Good things are in store for you. Hmmm... Well that will be March 20th. I'll try to keep that in mind.

Today I was told that all asian food is mediocre and people just like it because it's different. I think that might be true.

Circus... not the B. Spears cd

I've recently become obsessed with the circus. Seriously. A few nights ago I watched a special on the Flying Wallendas. They are a 7 generation family of circus performers focusing mostly on the tightrope. Oh and PS- the don't use nets. They were pretty much regulars in the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus in the 30's and 40's. Several family members have died after falling off the tightrope, including patriarch of the family, Karl Wallenda. Despite all this, the family has always continued to perform. They are really amazing.
Thursday I started reading Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. It's about a traveling circus in the 1930's. It's also about elephants and they are one of my favorite animals.


I've only been to the circus once and I think I was in 4th grade. All I remember is that some kids got to ride the elephants and I didn't. Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus will be in Jacksonville in January and I would definitely like to go. Who's with me?

quit it

Sometimes I read blogs or status updates that are really sad and hurtful and I wonder if I ever really knew that person at all. Like maybe they just showed me their fake self. Maybe they never trusted me enough to be honest. Maybe they lied to me. I wish I didn't have to see it because it just makes me cry.

Fu King Christmas

Don't judge me by the title.

I've never liked AZN food (or asian food for you people over the age of 16). I'm not really sure why. Maybe it's because when I was a kid and my parents would eat it they would just buy me and Brie a happy meal instead. We never asked for it... that's just what they did. When I got older sometimes we would have stir fry but I never liked it. That may be because it came from a bag.

I spent a summer in Mississippi and the only food we ate besides horrible cafeteria crap was BBQ (good news) and japanese food (bad news). I tried lot of different dishes. After 2 months I decided that I only like certain sushi and rice (but not with egg in it).

All that being said, today I ate an egg roll at my work Christmas party and it was delish. The only reason I tried it was because the person that made them was standing beside me and if I didn't take one she would talk about how I was rude for the rest of my life. Anyway, it was good. Real good. I hope this will become a trend for me.

I really want to like AZN cuisine. When picking a restaurant I'm always the girl people hate. There is a chinese place in Lake City called Fu King and I would like to eat there on a regular basis (specifically for the name)... but I don't because the food is so gross. I'm hoping one day I will feel differently.

What exactly is figgy pudding?

First off, one week until Christmas! Yay! I'm not even close to being done with all of my shopping. I hope all of you are finished. Every year I decide that I'm going to start shopping early... and every year I put it off. Way to go.

As you know, I've been listening to LOTS of Christmas music. I love it... but sometimes I just need something else. So, lately I've been listening to the lilies and sparrows. I'm not sure why I like them so much... the songs are really simple but also really true and meaningful. Wonderful. I've also been listening to a lot of Ryan Adams, creedence clearwater revival, wild sweet orange, and the sumarines. I have not been listening to B. Spears or creed. Good news.

Tonight I went downtown to look at Christmas lights. My sister and I didn't feel good so we're making sad faces. My deformed lip is a mystery.

This picture is kind of horrible, but here is a little looky-look at the beautiful Lake City lights.

A few weeks ago I actually helped put up those wonderful lights. See! We even got some credit!

Speaking of Christmas lights, have you seen the terrifying blue icicle daggers of death? Wow, totally scary. I'll have to take a picture for you guys to get the full effect.

Okay, I kind of feel horrible and I have to be at work in about 7 hours. Hopefully I will write a better blog tomorrow.

Let your heart be light.

Sometimes it's hard to be happy during Christmas. We miss our families. Our friends. Our memories. We don't always know what comes next. New years can bring new hurts. New disappointments.

In the past few months I have dealt with things that have made my heart heavy. Maybe you have too. Know that we all deal with these things. We all get hurt. We all get let down. We all get left out.

Let your heart be light. You have a choice.

Know that we don't have to feel like this forever. Know that love and hope and peace and joy really do exist. God, give us comfort when our hearts are heavy. Give us love when we feel unloved. Let us see hope when life seems hopeless. Let us have peace in chaos. Let us see the joy in who you are.

It's Christmas time. Let your heart be light.

"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."
- Luke 2: 10-11

the 12 days of Christmas was written by a bird lover

Last night I went to an ornament exchange christmas party. I didn't think I would have fun because I'm super picky about oranments/decorations. I like vintage/kitschy handmade type stuff or silly things kids make... usually not the hallmark special. However, I ended up having a pretty good time. I made my ornament out of shrinky dink. Good food, good people, and a good game of scatergories (which the Demott sisters dominated). High five. I wore a puff paint christmas tshirt my mom made for my dad in the late 80s and red yarn in my hair. I'm festive. After the party I got to hang out with Ashley (who I haven't even see in about a year) and her precious new daughter Harper! Isn't that the cutest name? I'm a fan.

My friend Daniel and I are going to a progressive dinner party on the 23rd and are trying to convince the party goers to come in holiday attire. I will be wearing a snowman sweater vest. He will be wearing a turtleneck. Many pictures will be taken.

I think people just pretend to like eggnog. No one really likes drinking spiked eggs.


My current non-christmas winter playlist:
winter - josh radin
lump sum - bon iver
midnight rider - the allmand brothers
play with fire - the rolling stones
blood of the lamb - billy bragg and wilco
remember the mountain bed - bill bragg and wilco
hallelujah - jeff buckley
seeing and believing - wild sweet orange
holy holy holy - sufjan stevens
let it be - the beatles
the seeker - dolly parton
samson - regina spektor
murder in the city - the avett brothers
come thou fount - sufjan stevens
brightest hour - the submarines
night terrors - wild sweet orange
say yes - elliot smith

You know this made me cry.

Head Sways and Hands to Chest Galore from Behind the Scenes on Vimeo.

Top 10 Christmas songs

Look, I like lists. So do you. There is nothing that gets me into the Christmas spirit more than the music. It's been on the radio since black friday. I'm a happy camper.

1. Carol of Bells - performed by the Trans Siberian Orchestra
2. Joy to the World - performed by Parkview Baptist Church choir circa 95'
3. I saw 3 ships - performed by the Muppets
4. Good King Wenceslas - performed by my 6th grade band
5. O come O come Emmanuel - performed by anyone
6. Ava Maria - performed by Whitney Beach
7. that Was the Worst Christmas Ever - by Sufjan Stevens
8. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - performed by Ethan Embry in All I want for Christmas (ha)
9. Do You See What I See - performed by copeland
10. I Celebrate the Day - by Relient k

Honorable Mentions:

1. Go Tell it on the Mountain - performed by Dolly Parton
2. Little Drummer Boy - performed by Jars of Clay

Here's video that should make you happy.

What are your favorite Christmas songs?

Top 10 Christmas movies

Here are my top 10 favorite Christmas movies. Please tell me yours!

1. Muppet Family Christmas - Muppets, sesame street, and fraggles singing Christmas carols?! My favorite scene is when they reenact "twas the night before christmas" and grover is a non-stirring mouse.
   
2. Muppet Christmas Carol - I love Rizzo so much.
3. Christmas Vacation - My family usually watches it every Thanksgiving and then again every Christmas eve.
4. A Christmas Story - Yes, I do watch it for at least 10 of the 24 hours it's on. My dad says he knew a kid that actually got his tongue frozen to a pole.
5. Small One- Not many people have even heard of this one. It's a 1978 Disney film about a little boy that lived in Nazareth and his old donkey named Small One. The little boy has to sell his donkey, but because he's old and weak. The only people that want to buy Small One want him for his skin. At the end of the day the little boy meets a man named Joseph who wants to buy Small One for his pregnant wife to ride during their upcoming journey. I cry uncontrollably during this movie every time I see it. This still happened last year.
6. Best Christmas Pageant Ever - Again, you may not have seen this one. It's about the Herdman family who get involved in a church Christmas play and end up learning the true meaning of Christmas.
7. Home Alone - "Look what ya did ya little jerk"
8. Home Alone 2 - "This happened to me last year and almost wrecked ME Christmas"
   

   9. A Charlie Brown Christmas - Classic and wonderful.

10. Smokey Mountain Christmas - If you've ever met me you know I love Dolly Parton. This movie is kind of a Christmas version of Snow White. It's pretty ridic, but I love it with my whole heart.

Honorable Mention:

1. Christmas Eve on Sesame Street - Bert and Ernie want to give each other awesome Christmas presents, but they are both broke (hello Dave Ramsey). Bert trades his prized paper clip collection to buy a soap dish for Ernie's rubber duckie, but Ernie trades his rubber duckie to get Bert a box for the paper clips. How sweet?! Also, Big Bird is worried that Santa can't come down the chimney. It's overall good news.
2. Nightmare Before Christmas - This didn't make the top ten because I think it's just as much a halloween movie as it is a christmas movie.

pink is my favorite color?

No aerosmith, actually it's green.

Right now I'm listening to relient k Christmas songs.
Dear Relient K,
Even though my musical taste has changed since 8th grade... I still love you. If I saw you in concert today, I would still probably be excited. I still sing "pressing on" in my head when times get tough. I still have your tshirts in my bottom drawers. Thanks for being around.
Love,
Allison

I think maybe I'm becoming a middle schooler. Sometimes I chat via facebook or google... not in a sketchy chatroom though. I think about getting bangs... then I remember my forehead is too small. And I think I like pink again...

bringing good cheer

The last week has been good.

1. Wednesday night dinner at Moe's with some of my faves. Also, an amazing Christmas sweater sighting while dining. Good news, Moe's Christmas tree topper is a sombrero.
2. Thursday night bible study and tacos at Olivia's. She lives in a cave.
3. The Office. I would vote for new chairs too...
4. Christmas shopping with Riti... except I didn't really buy anything. She bought the makings for a pretty incredible mystical wreath. Dragons included.
5. A new hoodie I made cooler with some boy scout patches.
6. Albany, GA with Audra and Payton coming soon. I love you.
7. Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer. Twilight, but from Edwards point of view! I'm addicted... again. Speaking of vampires, true blood on hbo is pretty good. Ray told me about it a long time ago, but I didn't start watching it until recently. The best opening credits I've ever seen. Seriously.
8. Craft hour with Daniel. Okay, he didn't really make anything. And actually, I didn't make much either.
9. Suck it tide.
10. Underwear earrings.
11. Starbucks festivities with wonderful people and wonderful drinks.
12. Churchy-church. The trinity. Community.
13. Picnic lunch and feeding the ducks with 4 little girls. This may have been the most beautiful event of the weekend. Those girls broke my heart. They were all dirty and wearing old tattered clothes... but that didn't matter because they were feeding the ducks. They were happy.
14. And finally.... Christmas card making party! Yay!

boughs of holly

I like this girl's cowgirl outfit. What's up with kids wearing costumes on Christmas? Remember the bunny suit from "A Christmas Story"? There is a picture of my dad when he was about 10 on Christmas morning wearing his cub scout uniform. Kids are funny.

Today I felt kind of crappy so I wore a tshirt and jeans to work. That made me feel a teeny bit better. Suck it dot! Christmas decorations also make me feel better.
Top 10 fave holiday decorations:

1. popcorn garland
2. paper chains
3. old fashion large lights
4. tinsel
5. light up yard nativities from the late 70s
6. white/silver/or pink trees
7. paper snowflakes
8. mistletoe (yes please)
9. popsicle stick stars
10. unconventional wreaths

Want to know some of my least fave? Animatronic Christmas figurines, giant blow-up snowglode yard ornaments, ginormous bows as tree toppers, trinkets.

Tonight Brie and I went Gainesville to do a little Christmas shopping. We weren't very successful. However, we did pick up lots of fun crafty stuff at Michael's. Yay!

A couple of months ago I said that I didn't "get" the avett brothers. I didn't see what the big deal was. Well, I may have been wrong. Or maybe I listened to the wrong album. Either way, I'm sorry. A few weeks ago I decided to give them another try and I decided I like "will you return". Then, last night a friend showed me the video for "murder in the city" and it was absolutely beautiful. I'm still not sure if I like all of their songs... but I do like those two.

Two videos in one week. I'm getting out of control.

laptop stroke and me as an alien

I have a sad broken laptop. I don't even know what happened. The people I work with think I'm a computer wiz because I know how to use excell... but in real life I don't know anything about computers. Last night the entire right side of my keyboard started freaking out. Maybe it had a stroke. Poor thing. Anyway, I happen to have a close friends who is a real computer wiz, so hopefully everything will be okay. And hopefully I wont need a new laptop for Christmas. Obviously I'm typing this on a different computer.

On to other not so good news. I need to find a new job. I currently work for the state of Florida, and if you haven't heard, we are running out of money. Thus they cannot pay me. Along with hundreds of others. So, I need a new job. Great. I've filled out a few applications so we'll see how it goes. Maybe this will be a good thing.

I might be going to the Dominican Republic for a mission trip at the end of next summer. I'm extremely excited! It will all depend on the dates of the trip and if they don't interfere with camp. I'm praying that it will work out.

So since I'm not able to use my laptop and am now using the family computer, I have rediscovered some wonderful things.

One being this picture of me as an alien:

a picture of Lauren's bedroom wall from high school:

Nick the cat (rest in peace):

and me being a bandit:

I hope you liked those. I also hope you liked that video I posted earlier. The end.

non-christmas blog

This is too cute. I hadn't seen this video yet. Thank you Jessica.

Ps-I forgot the mention that this is she and him... but mostly just Zooey Deschanel. She was in Almost Famous (which was an amazing movie) and she was in Flakes (which was a horrible movie).

3rd day...

Today was a good day... and I think they are just going to keep getting better. The holiday season is wonderful like that. I listened to Sufjan Stevens' Christmas albums most of the day. I might even break out the relient k Christmas album tomorrow(you know I love them with my whole heart). Want to know what I WONT be listening to? Celtic women, il divo, or George Strait singing christmas carols. No way Jose.

I love Christmas decorations. I'm really into the vintage/cute/kitschy stuff. I really want a white tree with teal and pink vintage ball ornaments. Sometimes I'm tacky. No bows or anything gold. Here's some stuff I love:

Great sockings huh? Haha.

I love buttons.

Obviously.

I really like the tiny pink tree.