Raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens.

Two favorite things for today.

1. I was reading through a magazine and came across my horoscope at the end. So of course I read it, and the first line went something like this: "You are about to enter a wonderful new romantic relationship."

My thought, "Yeah, right."

Next line of the horoscope, "Stop being so cynical and sarcastic."

2. I was relaxing watching Castle last night. If you haven't seen it - hulu.

Detective Beckett: "It's a good thing he reads."
Other Detective: "It's a good thing he reads Russian literature. If he read Nicholas Sparks, he'd be dead."

Maybe you laughed a little. I laughed a lot.

One day when you're older, that'll turn out to be a gift.

Done, done, done with my Christmas shopping.

I was thinking about when I was little and how I had all kinds of things that I wanted and would ask for at Christmas. Somewhere in there I can to the understanding or developed the assurance that my parents (obviously this was post-Santa belief) would get me what I asked for (also obviously I was not asking for huge or ridiculous things... I think... maybe I did ask for a pony once).

There is one time this belief was tested. My mom asked me what I wanted for Christmas and I said I didn't know. I had had a thought, but had forgotten what it was. So shortly before Christmas (I don't remember how shortly, I just remember it being really close to Christmas), I remembered that I wanted to ask for a camera that year. And I did.

I remember doubting that I would get it, because it was a big gift and I knew that Christmas was not far away.

I got it. I probably still have it in my parents' attic actually.

Even though I always believed that my mom would get me what I asked for, there was still so much anticipation on Christmas Eve. I could never fall asleep (Heather always fell asleep).

But now I have decided that the person who said "Tis better to give than receive" was an old person. Now I am not awake all night thinking of what I will get, instead I am so excited and anticipating my family members opening the gifts that I got them.

I'll be the first to admit I had a pretty lame year of gift giving. All the birthday presents that I gave were a little lacking. And then I worried that I had used up my one and only stroke of brilliance when I thought of giving Kim a digital camera for her birthday. But fortune smiles, and I have actually managed to think of good ideas for two of my seven family members. (Sorry to the rest of you).

So excited.

And only 3 more days until I get to go home!

Buddy the elf, what's your favorite color?

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Unfortunately for you, my wonderful readers, the only way I can get through grading all these papers and exams is to share the best with you. So round two of Favorite Student Writing:

In reflecting on his work during the semester: "I then realized that you were not like the teachers that my brother and sisters had in college. You were actually expecting us to write about what you had assigned."

It's the first half of your favorite word

It's that time again. Favorite student writing. Yay!

This comes from a student's reflection about what he learned this semester:
"Writing was one of my downfalls and in particular run-ons were my major negative, it was something I couldn't help doing unless I put a lot of commas into my sentences/paragraphs, but I'm glad I can incorporate something else into my writing so my piece doesn't look like one big sentence."

My comment: Is this meant to be ironic?

Uh, it's just easier to say TMI. I used to say don't go there, but that's lame.

Yes, this will probably be a TMI post. But I just have to tell someone.

One of the toilets at work fills up with boiling hot water.

Weirdest experience ever.