MY FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS YOUTUBE VIDEOS
by
Chantelle
- 5:02 PM
1. This viral video was released just recently. Have you seen it? #sharethegift
3. This flashmob in Montreal gave me goosebumps!
4. "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown!"
5. *Sobs*
2. I know it's a commercial for a clock, but the animation is stunning. (BONUS: The soundtrack is one of my all-time favourite songs!)
3. This flashmob in Montreal gave me goosebumps!
4. "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown!"
6. And finally, the world's largest nativity! And the Piano Guys! And like a million beautiful voices!
HOW TO TALK TO A 20-SOMETHING
by
Chantelle
- 10:43 PM
I love my relatives and family friends, but in recent years I've grown to dread seeing them at holidays. Why? Because literally without fail, every conversation goes something like this:
Can I be real with you for a minute? I HATE when people ask me about school just to make conversation. I'm on a break. I'm still on edge from writing finals two weeks ago. I don't even want to acknowledge that post-secondary institutions exist. Also, I know fully well that the only reason you're asking is because you feel obligated to speak to everyone in the room at least once. Don't get me wrong, I'm flattered that you want to talk to me! However, it's one thing if you're genuinely curious about my academic career, and another when every. single. person. is asking me about school. Want to know a secret? Most people my age actually have a life outside of textbooks. Dude, I know you have no idea how to talk to me anymore. It's okay! I know that you've graduated to a world of babies and mortgages, and might be a little rusty on your Youngadult-ese. No worries! I've got your back!
As an early Christmas present to all my older cousins, extended family, well-meaning adults, etc. I have put together a handy guide to talking with your favourite 20-something.
Loved One: Hey Chantelle!
Me: Oh hey!
L.O: How's it going?
Me: Pretty good! How are you?
L.O: Great! How's school?
Me: School's fine!
L.O: Well that's good. *Politely nods then leaves to go get more chips*
Can I be real with you for a minute? I HATE when people ask me about school just to make conversation. I'm on a break. I'm still on edge from writing finals two weeks ago. I don't even want to acknowledge that post-secondary institutions exist. Also, I know fully well that the only reason you're asking is because you feel obligated to speak to everyone in the room at least once. Don't get me wrong, I'm flattered that you want to talk to me! However, it's one thing if you're genuinely curious about my academic career, and another when every. single. person. is asking me about school. Want to know a secret? Most people my age actually have a life outside of textbooks. Dude, I know you have no idea how to talk to me anymore. It's okay! I know that you've graduated to a world of babies and mortgages, and might be a little rusty on your Youngadult-ese. No worries! I've got your back!
As an early Christmas present to all my older cousins, extended family, well-meaning adults, etc. I have put together a handy guide to talking with your favourite 20-something.
Good luck, friends. Pass this along to whomever you see fit.
Together, we can create a world without small talk.
(Oh man. How great would THAT be?!)
CHRISTMAS MIRACLES
by
Chantelle
- 8:27 AM
You want to know a secret? Every year around November 25th, I morph into this creature that's part Buddy the Elf, part Martha Stewart, and part sparkly EVERYTHING.
My name is Chantelle, and I am a Christmas junkie.
I love decking the halls! I love baking! I love staying up until all hours of the night building marquee lights and painting wooden toy castles and tying perfect bows on presents! I love having the same four Christmas albums on repeat! I love that my basement looks like Santa's workshop! I love that Michaels smells like cinnamon potpourri and empty wallets! (Mostly mine)
I blame my dry, cracked lips less on the dry, cold winter air and more on the fact that I literally smile all. the. time.
(Me.)
I love those parts of Christmas, but it's really easy to get wrapped up in them (pun intended) and forget that they're just fluff. Every year when I decorate my house for the holidays, the first thing to go up are my Nativity scenes.
Growing up, we had a Nativity scene in almost every room in our home. Our advent calendar wasn't daily chocolate, but an interactive felt wall hanging that moved Mary and Joseph closer to Bethlehem each day. One of the challenges I faced when leaving home was figuring out how to keep the tradition of making Christ the center of Christmas. One thing that I have found helpful is making time to just be still at the end of each day. I love to sit and reflect when the house is quiet and only the Christmas tree lights are on.
This Christmas, I've found it a little easier to focus because our family has been blessed with many miracles. SO many. The latest one happened just yesterday. Last week, my sister came home with really bad back pain. When a kid with spina bifida says their back hurts, you don't mess around, so they trucked her off to the hospital pretty quickly. We were told that she had fractured one of her vertebrae, but weren't told how severe it was. Worst case scenario, a fractured vertebrae meant back surgery, or at very least, a stiff plastic brace. The family had been planning to travel to Alberta to spend Christmas with my grandparents, but this threw a major wrench into their plans. Yesterday, they took Sarah to see one of her specialists in the city, and a miracle happened.
The doctors in Melfort had misread the x-ray. There was no fracture.
We were ecstatic and very, VERY grateful.
God has always given the best Christmas gifts.
P.S.
(This year's rejected Christmas card.)
Stress Acne
by
Chantelle
- 3:19 PM
Exams got me like:
I will be taking a leave of absence until next week. But! I'm leaving you with some internet goodies to enjoy in my absence. Enjoy, and may the odds (or the grade curve) be ever in my favour.
-How to pluralize your last name (Just in time for your Christmas cards to go out!)
-Have you seen this commercial yet?
-Turn your instagrams into wearable art
-A to X Writing Advice (May reference this during the onslaught of end of term papers!)
-My favourite Christmastime breakfast
-Pipe cleaner ninjas
-I love this speech. So many good things in it.
Welcome to HELL the end of semester. Wanna know how I can tell? I'm listening to depressing music. And I have stress acne. I counted four whole zits this morning. Maybe that doesn't sound like much, but for me it's a BIG. DEAL. OKAY?!
Anyways...
I will be taking a leave of absence until next week. But! I'm leaving you with some internet goodies to enjoy in my absence. Enjoy, and may the odds (or the grade curve) be ever in my favour.
* * *
-Have you seen this commercial yet?
-Turn your instagrams into wearable art
-A to X Writing Advice (May reference this during the onslaught of end of term papers!)
-My favourite Christmastime breakfast
-Pipe cleaner ninjas
-I love this speech. So many good things in it.
1. Pantone postcards because email is so passé
2. An Instax camera
3. Classic Movie Trivia. (Because Gene Kelly is a classier piece of meat than Brad Pitt ever will be. I mean...)
4. A Beyoncé shirt to help them feel fierce
5. Pillows for their world travels
6. And, if all else fails, gift them a Scottish title
GIFTS FOR MUSIC LOVERS
by
Chantelle
- 11:00 AM
Since most of family and most of my friends are musical, in a music program, or really, really enjoy music, today's guide was a no-brainer. Hopefully some of these CLEF-ER gifts make it onto your LISZT this year!
Sorry...
I know puns aren't really my FORTE...
They always seem to fall FLAT...
I'll stop now.
2. A good old-fashioned hand-crank music box
3. I have one of these record players, and I love being able to tote it with me when I visit the homeland. (I've found the cheapest place to get them in Canada is from Sears.)
4. A modern mixtape with all your favourite songs
5. Soundwave art print of your favourite quote, song lyric, or loved one's voice (BONUS: You could also just make your own!)
