Bringing some Christmas Cheer to the Desert

Woah....I'm back less than a month of my last post?? Merry Christmas to all of you. I kinda go

back and forth as to whether Fall or Christmas is my favorite time of the year. It usually ends up being whichever one is actually happening.....and it doesn't hurt that they are back to back. Yall, I love Christmas....everything about it. Now please know that I know the reason for Christmas and celebrate that above all, but I love every aspect about it....even the over commercialized parts...woops...you judging me??

I love the season and how people think about others and are generally happy. I love the music, the food, the ugly sweaters, the smells, and the family and friends you get to hang out with. I love Christmas!! The thing about the desert is they don't really do Christmas. Sure, Western stores may have decorations, which I appreciate, but it's pretty much business as usual here. I find myself wanting to be places like this...

Yall.....Europe knows how to do it!!! My heart wants to explode just looking at these pictures. And don't worry, plans are already in the making for a Christmas markets of Europe tour. I might weep the whole time. So rather get jealous (or more jealous) of places like this, I knew I had to bring the Christmas cheer to the desert....and so here are my tips for making anywhere feel warm and cozy...and lined with twinkle lights.

1. Music......yall should have seen this one coming. I love music so of course I've collected some good Christmas albums along the way. Matt, Dave, and Ben are my favorites year round, so obviously I'm gonna play their Christmas music. They don't know this yet, but one day we're gonna be real life friends...you just wait.

2. Decorations! This is also a favorite. I love a good Christmas tree, and while I am a die hard real Christmas tree lover....the one I saw here was $300!! So I picked up the best looking artificial I could find.....even though I had to go back and exchange it because all the pieces weren't included. So it doesn't smell Christmasy, but it's pretty cute.

3. Food! I bought cookie cutters the other day for the sugar cookies I plan to make in the next couple days...and I think there's even plans for cheese biscuits on Christmas Eve (an ingenious Griffin family tradition). And I may have found a beat up advent calendar on Dec 10th....but I still made use of it. When all else fails....by an over-priced cupcake with a Christmas tree on top.

4. Find something where you are that reminds you of the change of season....anything. It actually does get pretty chilly here....like in the 60s. Let me tell you...around here those kinda temp make people (this girl) go out and buy emergency fleece coats because they are so cold....are you judging me again?!?! Anyways, when the cold temperatures hit, the men here where different colors (other than the usual white) and may even throw a vest on. It seems like such an insignificant change....but a little color and some winter clothes make me so happy.

Anyways, if you ever find yourself in a place that doesn't burst with Christmas, hopefully these tips will make it feel a little more like home. Obviously Christmas is more than trees and food, but those things help me remember that this season is different. This season is when Hope came....and a weary world rejoices. Have the Happiest Christmas. And get ready Merica....I'm coming at ya next year!!


 

The Year I Changed My Birthday

Ok so my birthday has always been on November 7....it's one of those things that doesn't change (wow Susan, thanks for teaching us new things). 2015 hasn't exactly been by friend...so I was on mission to end it well. And of course....any good, fun seeking adventure for me involves a trip.

Me and the trusty travel buddy, Brittany, had gotten ourselves some Taylor Swift tickets. Now judge me all you want....I've been a fan since she had curly hair and I stand by it. Good...glad we got that out of the way. We were meeting in Singapore and heading to the concert on Nov. 8.

Well I got to the airport and checked in, and when I got on the plane, I had been upgraded to business class by surprise!

 Yall....I was one of 4 people in the whole section! I couldn't believe it.  Somehow everyone knew it was my birthday! In just a few hours I would be eating Outback with Brittany.....or so I thought. After a little while of sitting on the plane, I noticed that they weren't closing the cabin doors. Finally, they announced that the pilot was sick and we were unable to leave. What? I have to leave business class? Wait....what?? This airline told us to return to a certain gate and wait for instructions. Everyone did what they were told....but instructions never came. I've heard crazy travel stories, but they have never happened to me until now....happy birthday susan.

I finally tracked down someone from the airlines with the help of another passenger, but they said the next flight wasn't until the next day....Taylor Swift day. What? Don't cry Susan....you are too old for this....but it's my birthday and I'll cry if I want to!! (Sorry I had to....that was a softball of a joke....you can't let those things pass you by)

Well, I decided to change airlines...Oman Air was the super hero of the day. Them, and the travel agent that got me on the flights. Well Oman Air, the travel agent, and Eleyse Griffin who patiently listened to my meltdown that may have included me saying "I hate everything" several times....it was a dark moment people. The new flights meant I would get to Singapore about 10hrs later than expected....which meant I would spend all of November 7 in an airport or on a plane. I decided then and there...waiting for the second time in the same airport (with the shakes from not eating or sleeping all night), that my birthday would be November 8 this year (then I went and bought a muffin to remedy the shakes).

It was a very long day and it didn't go as planned....but I was super thankful I got to my destination. Brittany was waiting at the airport with a red velvet cupcake (she knows me well)....it was 12:02am on November 8- a good start to my birthday.

We slept for a few hours and played around Singapore then headed to the concert...

The joy is obvious. We had even better seats than we expected and Taylor Swift did not disappoint. Say what you want, the girl can put on a good show. And when the beginning beats of the first song started, I was about to burst....because somehow....I was allowed the grace of having a crazy happy moment with my friend. I was so thankful to be there and be happy, and to be giving the hard parts of this year a run for their money.

To top it off, when we got back to Brittany's house, she had made the cake my mom usually makes for me every year....the surprises kept coming. Who do I think I am??? Needless to say November 8th was a great birthday.