The 100th Post

Hello from Canada! I'm in my godparent's house in Coquitlam, British Columbia, which is about an hour from Vancouver. This place is simply gorgeous, hilly and snowy, and when it's all lit up at night it's really a sight. We came back from Whistler ski resort last evening.. that was an experience right out of a Christmas postcard. It started snowing on Tuesday while we were walking around the village. I never knew snowflakes were so tiny! At times, the snow came up to our knees. I had to keep hiking up my skinny grey jeans from Far East Plaza to keep the snow from slipping down my butt :)

I'm also writing this from my week-old MacBook. I'm still getting acquainted with it but I think it's true love. It's so convenient to have a camera and a microphone built in, instead of having a morass of wires taking up half my desk. This baby was required by the College of Education, since I'm starting the Professional Development Sequence next semester. Just in case some of you are thinking I'm on some crazy electronics shopping spree...

Since this is the HUNDREDTH post on this little blog, I'm gonna do somethin' special. Let's have a contest! It'll be simple. Since the year is coming to a close, why don't you tell me what 2007 means to you in 10 words or less. Like this: "For me, 2007 means [your 10 words or less here]." 

Post your entry on the COMMENTS part of this post with your name or a pseudonym, if you must. Make it funny, sweet, sappy, philosophical, cryptic, broad, narrow, whatever. Write a haiku if you want! Just don't be mean. Mean or offensive entries will be deleted because I am a happy person. The contest will end midnight on Dec 31, 2007. After that, I'll choose the best entry and the winner will receive a MYSTERY PRIZE (which just means I haven't bought it yet, but it will be cute, I promise). One entry per person. And if I only get entries from my immediate family, I'm gonna be sad and cancel the contest. Even if you don't usually tag, it'd be great if you could participate. So start submitting your entries now!

A Caption-less Christmas Post

My Silver Box of Joy

About an hour ago, I was in the school computer lab, trying to churn out a comment for my history class, when I decided to check the status of the Canon camera I ordered last Monday. I'd been eagerly tracking its journey from Pennsylvania through Tennessee to Texas this past week. This is what I saw on the FedEx website:

Date/Time Activity Location Details Dec 5, 2007 12:53 PM Delivered Austin, TX Left at front door. Signature Service not requested. 7:45 AM On FedEx vehicle for delivery AUSTIN, TX (ARRGGHH!!!) 6:41 AM At local FedEx facility AUSTIN, TX 3:06 AM Departed FedEx location FORT WORTH, TX Dec 4, 2007 9:09 PM Arrived at FedEx location FORT WORTH, TX Nov 30, 2007 1:39 AM In transit MEMPHIS, TN Nov 29, 2007 10:54 AM Departed FedEx location LEWISBERRY, PA 2:19 AM Arrived at FedEx location LEWISBERRY, PA Nov 28, 2007 7:59 PM Arrived at FedEx location BETHLEHEM, PA 6:37 PM Picked up BETHLEHEM, PA 12:40 PM Package data transmitted to FedEx

So I jumped out of my seat and raced home, praying all the way that no one would steal my brand new camera. No one told me about the 'signature service'! I got to my apartment, ran up the stairs, turned the corner and... yes. A FedEx 'Padded Pak' along with a copy of the New York Times (which none of us ever ordered, but we get it anyway, which is great. But I digress). Whew.

I opened the package, opened the box, lifted the warranty card, Canon software and instruction manual, and there it was. Nestled snugly in its little styrofoam compartment, just waiting to be let out of its plastic covering and caressed by adoring human hands. The first thought I had was, "You're cute." Like a creepy guy at a bar. But there really isn't any other way to describe this:

Ever Ever After

Enchanted captivated me from its pop-up storybook opening sequence all the way to its swirly, girly ending credits with this song playing in the background:



I think I was smiling throughout the entire movie. And when it ended, everyone applauded. All of us hardened, jaded, hypercritical 21st century moviegoers were cheering for a princess film with a happy ending. It was pretty amazing :)
Kirsten put it really well in her movie review/op-ed piece. Click here to read it.

Senses

At JP's Java, waiting for the SSA meeting to start:

Smell of roasting espresso
Sound of quiet conversation and Jose Gonzalez's "Crosses"
Sight of fellow muggers
Taste of warm broccoli quiche
Touch of the soft leather couch and my laptop keyboard