Next year, I am going to blog more. I am also going to try and break free of the writing format of the list. Next year.
December Highlights, in no particular order:
1. I taught my third grade class "Silver Bells." During the chorus, I sing first, then they all echo. Having 24 children's voices echo mine gives me chills every time. I love Christmas.
2. Yesterday, I came home at 6:00, sat down on the couch with my computer, and promptly fell asleep. I woke up at 12:30 am, put on my pjs, read some scriptures, and slept soundly 'til morning. Sleep deprived? Perhaps.
3. This last Sunday, I conquered one of my lifetime fears. I sang in church. No, it wasn't a solo. But there were only three of us--hardly room to hide behind anyone. Although I am a quite musical person, I have always had such a horrific terror of going flat that I have been escaping to the piano for years now. This Sunday, I did it. And I did just fine.
4. It's really nice to not have finals. Staying four days longer than everyone, not quite as nice.
5. I have the best roommates. They each help me to be a better person.
6. I learned: When it comes down to it, what everyone really wants is to be wanted and loved. In big ways and small ways. It's not about the most interesting, the most beautiful, or the most funny person. It's about being the person that makes those around him or her feel valued.
7. I saw 500 Days of Summer. I have my reservations about it, mainly because of cleanliness issues, but I really loved aspects of it. I felt like I completely related to the main characters, which is funny, because they are so different. Probably reflects my own bipolar relationship struggles. :D
8. Every time of my life is associated with songs. Songs of November and December:
a. Your Ex-Lover is Dead by Stars
b. The Swell Season by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
c. Hooked On a Feeling by Blue Swede. Ooga chuhgas and all.
10. The day I wore my purple turtleneck to school: "Miss Thurber, I just love you! You look just like. . . .just like. . . . a giant purple strawberry!"
1. Over Thanksgiving, my brother and I accomplished a Thurber family first: putting up Christmas lights outside. He helped me with my fear of heights and I helped him figure out the light contraptions ("Are we supposed to screw these in?!" "No, they should just snap on." "Snap on how?!" "Just wedge them between the shingles, that'll do" "That looks ghetto" "We are ghetto"). We did figure it out eventually, survived the panic over what to do about the chimney, and were the most festive house on the block. 
2. Aren't we great? I think so. Family photos, however, are a miserable thing, at least in my family. This is how it goes, every time: First, we have to delay something fun (opening presents, going to bed, cleaning our bedrooms) to take pictures. Then we position ourselves, taking into account our different heights, genders, and outfit colors. Then we do it all over again, remembering that we have to fit Dad in, too. Dad presses the button, scampers into the picture, and we all discuss whether or not the timer is working. Either it doesn't, and we all sit there forever, or it does, and we have a lovely picture of our discussion. So we try again. Then we have problems with the sibling-whose-name-will-remain-anonymous who won't smile properly. Or even make a normal face. After a few shots, we all crowd around the camera and critique. We repeat the whole thing a few more times. It's tortuous. Finally, he-who-must-not-be-named gets a sort of shocked look on his face that looks a little bit normal. We call it good, even though I secretly bewail the fact that the most acceptable overall family picture is my least favorite of myself. However, I think our endeavor turned out rather nicely this year. We took these over Thanksgiving. We're a good-looking bunch. 
3. I found this picture of me in all the christmas morning mess from last year. I like it.
