The One with the Fairy Tale Stories.

Holy cow. I look at my days, and I honestly wonder how I am still going after a few weeks. Things really start picking up starting next week, and especially the week following. Tech week for Drowsy plus Carols rehearsal. Eeeeek! We open Drowsy in two and a half weeks. I can't believe it. (Are you coming to see it?)

Even in the midst of my busy schedule, I still have time to reflect. I am seriously SO amazed at the things I have learned even in the last few weeks!

I read a lot. Sometimes assigned school readings, sometimes books that I discover (or that others help me discover) - like The Hunger Games series (one day I'll actually finish it) - and sometimes just really random things... like old fairy tales or childrens' stories. Today, I read The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen. It's a fascinating story with some incredible life lessons in it. I think I read these stories because I miss my family. We never really had bedtime stories or anything like that, but I do remember knowing all about fairy tales and the like. There was a movie I remember, especially, called Hans Christian Andersen, starring Danny Kaye. Alongside The Snow Queen, the real Hans Christian Andersen wrote stories like The Little Mermaid (read his original version... it's so sad), The Little Match Girl, and The Ugly Duckling. I know it sounds a little juvenile, but I am obsessed with these stories. Obsessed. If you don't feel like actually reading any of them, maybe this will give you some idea. It's the best video depiction of The Little Match Girl I've ever seen. I ALWAYS cry.

I love Christmas. (Yes, I just watched that video and segued into this.) I am so lucky that I get to start Christmas early this year. How, you ask? The musical at Weber this semester is an original one-act musical called Five Carols for Christmas. That means I get to indulge myself in Christmas music from now until... well, Christmas! I am so excited. Confession: I sometimes listen to Christmas songs when it's any month but December. Sometimes, it's the 'N Sync Home For Christmas CD. Probably more often than I should... everybody has something... I still have my undying love for that album. I also can't help listening to Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown. Don't worry, it's always just in the comfort of my own room or car. And on bad days. You have to admit, Christmas music is happy. And there's nothing wrong with me wanting happy.

I have learned, even over the past few days, that I should not ever let a day go by without realizing how grateful I am for even the tiniest things I have. Life can just be snatched away from me without warning. I can't take it for granted. This morning, I talked to my mom. It wasn't a particularly easy day, but getting to hear her voice made the day perfect. She is an absolutely wonderful woman, and I am so glad she raised me the way she did.

I am so grateful for my friends. I know I may not be the easiest to get along with; I know I may not be the nicest person on the planet; I know I may close myself off; I know I may not be the easiest to understand... but I am truly grateful for the people that put up with me everyday that I can call my closest friends. I cannot take it for granted, and I cannot let a day go by without my sweet friends knowing that I always have and always will care.