Christmas Report - Throwback Commentary #62

Hey there! This is a commentary about the post I wrote on December 26, 2014! Click here to read it!

December 2014.

My parents ask me, "What do you want for Christmas?"

I say, "World Peace. The cure to hunger. A pet zombie."

Christmas Day 2014.

Of course they came through, surprising me nonetheless. And every single one of those gifts they got me are still on my desk, along with the rest of my desk ornaments.

It's amazing to me how much a gift can mean and how long the appreciation for said gift can last. I still have some gifts from years back that mean a lot to me, even if sometimes I feel like a bit of a pack rat.

But to be honest? 'Gift giving' is not my top love language. I would say it's one of the bottom two, if not the very bottom. At the same time, I truly do appreciate the sentiments behind heartfelt gifts.

And I'll never forget them.

What are your most cherished gifts? Be sure to comment below!

Hey there! This is a commentary about the post I wrote on December 26, 2014! Click here to read it!

Family-Approved Quotes of the Year 2015

I don't have too much of a blog post for Christmas today; I'm just sitting fat and happy for now.

However, my family did release their 'Quotes of the Year' yesterday. I'm featured fairly prominently.

Here's a sample:

"Dad! Nate's not letting me lick his back." – Zac

If you want a better glance into my sense of humor, or even where I get it from, then check it out here.

By the way, did you know I'm the only member of my family born in an odd-numbered year? Weird, huh.

Thinkjoust Tuesday #27 - Are you going home for the holidays?

Last Week's Results: When Should Christmas Decorations Go Up?

Sometime in the month of November - 55.5%

No earlier than December 1 - 44.5%

It's been a while since I've seen so many options not voted for! Answers receiving a 0% vote include ...

- All Dang Year, Son.

- A bit before Halloween.

- Bah! Humbug.

As we continue our theme of holiday thinkjousts, I've been curious about where you all are heading for the holidays. Are you going to see your families? Did you have to make a decision about which holiday for which you're headed home?

Be sure to add your voice to the poll. Or, if you want to comment, you can now use your Google account, your LiveJournal account, your WordPress account, your TypePad account, your AIM account, your openID, your name, or even anonymously! Don't be scared to start a discussion down there. I'll be waiting in the wings.

Thinkjoust Tuesday #26 - Early Christmas Decorations?

Last Week's Results: Do You Plan Your Day?

I plan some parts out. - 50%
Of course! - 25%
No way! - 25%

Well, that was a pretty simple spread. I approve.

As far as I can tell, people are of two philosophies regarding Christmas decorations. Yes, I'm aware philosophies and beliefs come in a spectrum, but literally, everyone seems to be of two minds.

The first philosophy is simple. "OMG I LOVE CHRISTMAS I WANT TO CELEBRATE IT EVERY DAY CHRISTMAS IN JULY WHEEEEEE!" These people wouldn't mind if Christmas decorations were left up all year round.

Then you have the second philosophy. "Please! Please can we just keep Christmas to the month of December only?" These people get severely frustrated when Christmas decorations go up in September.

Sometimes, I think these opposing views prompt hatred between parties.

So, what do you think? Use your Google account to comment below! Add your voice to the poll on the right! Let's settle this debate once and for all!

Christmas Report (with Added Commentary)

Matthew 2:11 - "... they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh ..."

My parents are very thoughtful people. A few days before Christmas, we had this short conversation.

The two most important lines are the first ones, but the rest was pretty funny, too.

I just about forgot about the conversation until Christmas morning, when I found this waiting for me under the tree.

It's a pun! Get it? Get it?

The outside of the box.

The inside of the box.

Yes, even my third request.

My parents are silly critters, aren't they?

Hey there! I wrote a commentary about this piece on March 17, 2016! Click here to read it!

What thoughtful gifts did you receive/give this Christmas? Be sure to comment below!

Merry Christmas 2014

Luke 2:11-20 - "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

"And suddenly there was with the angle a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

"And it came to pass, as the angles were gone away from them in heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

"And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

"And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

"And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

"But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

"And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."

Merry Christmas from the cast and crew of Change and Cherish! May everything be cheery and bright! See you tomorrow for a full report on the day today!

Hindsight: SLC Filming

Luke 2:9 - "And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid."

Last Christmas, while I was on my mission, my family made a video they sent to all our family and friends. Because I was in Jamaica, I was, unfortunately, unable to be a part of the video.

This year, as part of our jaunt to Logan, we ran down to SLC for about half an hour to film this year's Christmas video, and I was actually able to be a part of it!

Unfortunately, in a few days, we'll be splitting again. Most of us will head on up to Washington tomorrow to spend Christmas eve there, and then, about a week later, I'll be back down to Provo.

When I was younger, all I ever focused on was leaving the house and cutting my own swathe through life. My appreciation for what I had was diminished by my focus on what I didn't have. I wanted this now, I wanted that later, I wanted to be on my own. It was only when I left that I was truly able to understand what I had. Experiences like these are going to be far and in between, but while I'm here, I'm going to appreciate every second I have.

Here's to hoping you will, too!

Choices: Family Time Commences

Luke 2:8 - "And there were in that same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night."

I honestly could go any direction with this blog post.

I could talk about how home is where the family is, because we never seem to vacation at any place any of us would actually call home. We're actually all just cooped up in some stranger's basement for a few days.

I could talk about how awesome it is to be with family. After all, my sister won't be able to spend Christmas with us, so we had a mini-Christmas right here in the basement with her. Only a family would go so far to break the very bonds of tradition for one of their own.

I could talk about how obsessive I get about things, like with our new board game Pandemic, especially considering its cooperative nature. This means a loss only serves to infuriate me more because we have no one to blame but ourselves. It's especially embarrassing when an series of inanimate objects trounces you repeatedly.

I could talk about forgiveness and love in times of trial and need.

I could talk about the importance of the sacrament and our determination to get the entire family to one together before who know when we'll be able to do that again.

I could talk about honesty and the bravery of one of our own in the face of miscommunication.

I could talk about how my point is, something about being with family teaches you a lot of things about life and yourself that you really can't learn on your own. Even when you're out of the house, families can still teach you so many things, which is probably why a lot of us go looking to form our own when its time. So, no matter the situation, no matter who or where you are, be sure to enjoy what you have as much as you can.

Love you guys! See you under the tree in just a few days!

It's a Resident Assistant White Elephant Christmas Special!

Luke 2:1 - "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed."

What up! No colons today, suckers!

No, for reals, Christmas is coming, which means there's going to be Christmas specials all over your TV and movie theaters, Christmas decorations in every nook, cranny, and slightly cavernous nasal cavity, Christmas bunnies going door to door to beg for Christmas chocolate so they give it to their Christmas sweethearts while they eat Christmas turkey around the Christmas fireworks.

What all that means is that you are going to get a lot of sweet and probably sappy Christmassy messages pounded into your skull from any and all sources, INCLUDING ME, so today, I thought I'd give you some slack before things get for realsies and the Christmas mafia comes through your chimney.

For some reason, Christmas seems to prompt a lot of stress in people, what with travel and shopping and hearing "All I Want for Christmas is You" ten jillion times a day. In many cases, I've seen individuals totally forget that Christmas is supposed to be a happy and fun time! The horror of it all, I swear!

So, my challenge for you today is this: if you feel yourself getting stressed or frustrated this season, make sure you punctuate your huge lists of to-dos and slam down some good old fashioned fun! Just like my fellow RAs and I did last night, when we all chorused, "Forget Staff Meeting!" and ran a hilarious White Elephant instead. My kick-butt sewing kit granted me immunity in the third hour, and I had a blast throughout. I want to hear you doing the same! So go! Have fun! Right now! Seriously, why are you still reading this sentence still, are you even fluent in English? GO.

Our White Elephant, formally presented in Nostalgia-vision! Only $2.99 at any major local retailer! No, I'm not getting paid to plug someone else's product! Whatever are you talking about?

WHY UNU STILL FI READ GWAY NAH! Goodness, attention must be starving, because he's getting paid SQUAT.