Home for Christmas: Some Christmas Teachings

So yes, this time last year I arrived home for Christmas just I have done this week, although it's fair to say it doesn't feel like the same experience. For those of you who keep up with my blog, you'll know my visit over summer was eye opening. How I'd become truly Americanized and that I'd started to miss things in the US a lot more than I had ever expected. Well its fair to say that that's still the case. I am now using words like "sweater" and "soda" with much more commitment than ever before. In fact typing on an English keyboard as I write this is slowing me down immensely. To be fair, the little English things are less of a novelty now compared to summer. I think I've now fully accepted I belong in two worlds. So with that in mind, it seems silly to repeat myself from last Christmas, and instead perhaps I will share some free wisdom's that I have come across from my experience. There are 5 items altogether. These may come across a bit ranty but that's because I am passionate about the topics. I wouldn't bother writing about it if I didn't think that at least some of it was worthwhile. I have inserted some images to make it less painful.

Higher Education:
Firstly, I'm not sure if I would recommend higher education. Granted I have learnt so much in such a short space of time, but that's the problem. I can now fully appreciate the term "Ignorance is bliss". Let me explain. My current education involves higher level psychology and sociology, particularly within the power of the media and the representation of minority groups (well actually everyone). As a result I can no longer live my life in peaceful happiness. Every TV show, movie, news broadcast, social situation, and conversation, I am plagued by the knowledge and understanding I have of how every word and image effects the world and effects us. We are all products of our society and yet we all believe we are free to choose our own destiny. I can't bare it. I can't bare knowing what I know.
For example last night: I can't bare to watch The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug to see that there are only TWO black people in the entire movie. TWO. Are you seriously telling me, Mr Jackson, that a black person does not emulate the perfection of the Elves? Can you tell me for a fact that if Middle Earth DID exist that the only black people would be two peasants that live on a lake? Another example: Every time I hear someone casually use the words 'retarded' or 'mental' or 'gay' or 'n***er' or 'bitch' or 'slut' I cringe because they have no idea the power of words and how they are shaping the world around them. And sure, I could rant about every television show and every movie and every conversation in the same respect, but here's my real problem: If I'd gone to see The Hobbit two years ago, I wouldn't care. Two years ago I could sit and watch television and have conversations without seeing all the bad stuff. I was ignorant to it all. So now I wonder who has it better? We all look down on people who drop out of school, but perhaps they did the right thing, because at least they're happy.

Parents
This category has come from my experience away from my parents. I know I've mentioned it before, and I know we are all thankful for our family on the surface because it is socially acceptable to do so (sorry but it is). So how many of you can say you've sat back and thought about how much time and money your

parent/s have put into keeping you happy? How many holidays, dinners out, nice cars, or spa days they could have had if you weren't around? And now with more of us living at home because of the cost of living starting out, how many of you are living with your parent/s for minimal rent, and how many of you actually go home over Christmas and pay for the food you eat? It's sounds idealistic perhaps, but it's hard to look away when you realize the sheer scale of it. I'm not pointing fingers, but merely stating something that I can now see clear as day. My trip to America would not have been possible without my parents. I plan to do my very best to pay them back. And I think the world would be a better place if we all took more time to thank our parents.

Pets
Yes yes ok I'm sorry, I've ranted a lot. I just wanted to share something I read about dogs, and I think it applies to most pets to be honest: "He may only be a part of your life, but you are everything to him". Pets are incredibly valuable to us and they bring so much joy and happiness. It's so easy to forget that you are all they have. I'll never forget that quote now I've read it, and so even though its rainy outside and I have a bunch of chores and a thesis to write, I'll make time to take my dog out for that extra walk. Right now my dog is barking at Kung Fu Panda.

Books
When I looked back on 2012 I had so much to be thankful for. I had graduated, we had the jubilee, the Olympics, I moved to America, and of course my health and my family. I knew that 2013 would struggle to follow. I have had an amazing year and seen basically everything California has to offer, although I think looking back I will always thank 2013 for rekindling my love of books. This year I read The Hunger Games trilogy and fell in love with it. I have become a Hunger Games fangirl and I think I like it more than I like dinosaurs. I've been captivated by the stories, and with the movies coming out I couldn't be more thrilled. Before you laugh, the trilogy helped my through the hardest time of my life, and so there's something to be said about losing yourself in another world. I also read Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. It's a must read to anyone who considers  themselves a know-it-all, because I assure you, you don't. Finally, I am now reading Wooden. Coach John Wooden is something of a hero in the world of American basketball and perhaps that won't interest any of you, but he's lived a successful life, and that should interest everyone. So what's my point? Book are getting lost in the world. People stopped reading, and so people stopped learning. I have learned so much from these 5 books in the space of one year. Books are education, and books are entertainment. It seems that instead people care more about Facebook, vine, snapchat, and instagram. Those sites provide short term happiness and are only telling you that your friend from school who you don't talk to anymore tagged herself at winter wonderland and has a new boyfriend. Get off Facebook and read an actual book. And I know you use Facebook because that's how you got this link. Stop it.


Christmas Cards
So my final food for thought is about Christmas cards, and it actually ties in with the Facebook thing. So my parents currently have window shelf of roughly 30-40 Christmas Cards. The majority were sent through the post although the neighbors would have just posted them by hand. My parents also sat down the other night, wrote all theirs, and posted them the next morning. Here's the thing though. I'm 22, my brothers nearly 20, and we have friends old enough to use the postal service and afford it. How many Christmas cards do you think we have received? 1 each. Both hand delivered by our Grandma, from our Grandma. Since when were our parents more popular than us? Do you have to be married to merit a Christmas card? Do you have to live at your own address perhaps? If you're reading this you're probably around my age; do your friends send you Christmas cards? I remember buying a 100 pack at pound-land and writing one for every kid in my year group, including a number of kids I didn't even talk to. So whats different now? And let's be honest, I think we know what it is. I'm gonna get a group text on Christmas day from a few of you aren't I? Maybe even a Facebook message. Call me traditional, but IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY! GET YOUR FACE OUT OF THAT SCREEN AND READ A BOOK! Wait I mean TALK TO YOUR FAMILY! Ok I sound old, but I don't care. One day I'll be the only adult who writes a Christmas card to my friends and family, and it'll be my own rebellion against the (anti)social media generation.

The End of My Blog Post
So if you're reading this you've either skipped to the bottom of the page or you've endured the full force of it. If it's the latter good job, I'll write you a Christmas card. I'm sorry that this didn't follow suit of my usual blog posts, but these are the lessons I have learned from my travels. I've had to learn the hard way, and I am giving you this information for free. Merry Christmas.


From your very grumpy friend x

Christmas already?

So I really have to apologize. It looks like the last time I wrote was at the start of the semester, which  was probably the last time I had any free time. This semester has been pretty busy, especially with my Thesis work taking all my free time, I really have had a limited social life. It's all been one big blur to be honest. As a result I haven't been contacting my UK friends at all really, so I am really sorry about that. Especially Kayleigh since she had a birthday 3 days ago! I hope it was awesome buddy!

I suppose looking back over the past weeks, I only really have had two big milestones.

Firstly, Catching Fire was released. It's fair to say I'm a big fan of the books, so to see the movie twice at the cinema that weekend was so great. Imax definitely blew me away too. It was hard to come away happy though - I won't post any spoilers - but the ending of course leaves us hanging big time, and having read the books I know it's a long time now until good things happen again. They did do a good job of adding plenty of comic relief through out the movie though.

Secondly, Thanks Giving. This was my second Thanks Giving ever, and I was once again hosted by the lovely Allen family. This time though we certainly had more guests than last time, which made it all the more entertaining. What can I say, the food was great as always, in fact I hope I can get some of those recipes! It did rain for some of our stay, but otherwise the south California mountains were as beautiful as always.

I have had a few day trips to speak of. As you may have seen on my Facebook, I was very excited to have seen Paramore live in San Jose. That really was amazing. I also visited Sacramento for the first time a few weeks back. I was especially excited to visit Old Sacramento, which felt very western with their Saloons and horse drawn carts.
The Christmas build up has also started, although it doesn't feel very Christmassy with the sun in the sky each day! This past week the weather has turned much colder, to the low temperatures I know all too well from home. I've certainly been wrapping up in the layers these last few days!

I really wish I had more to talk about, but my head has been buried in my books unfortunately. I will be flying home for Christmas on the 14th December - once again my parents generosity has gone far beyond my expectations. So for those of you reading in the UK, I'll see you soon! And those of you reading in the US, have a good Christmas and I'll see year in the New Year!

2014. Jeeze.