"The Best Way To Spread Christmas Cheer Is Singing Loud for All to Hear"

It's officially Christmas time for me! My finals are over, I'm home for Christmas break, the tree is up and decorated, and I watched Elf last night. Christmas time is my FAVORITE season/holiday without a doubt. I'm not sure what it is about Christmas but it just puts me in a good mood.

When I was younger Christmas was special because of the presents but now it seems to have a much deeper meaning. There is just something magical about Christmas time. For me some things must be a specific way when it comes to Christmas. The tree must be put up asap, the nativity scene must be in the center of the dining room table and only I can do it correctly, and Mariah Carey Christmas music must be played while decorating the tree. Maybe it's my type A personality shining through, me being an only child, and/or Christmas is just that important to me that things have to be done these ways. Last year I got upset that my aunt stayed over for Christmas...pathetic I know but hey it's Christmas!

The first night I was home for break(Friday) a few friends wanted my bf and I to come over and I refused to go over unless the tree was up and decorated and even said 'No one messes with my Christmas' when Aaron said we were expected to be at the friends' house a lot sooner. Okay, yes I could have put it in a less obnoxious-only-child-like-way but again it's Christmas! Last night we watched my favorite Christmas movie, ELF with Will Ferrell. I can't help but smile while watching that movie and I know the movie like the back of my hand. There is just so much innocence and pure Christmas cheer in that movie that it is hard not to love it and quote every line. Now I just need to watch Home Alone 1 and 2, and maybe the old school Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer if I can get my hands on it. Ohhh yeah, and go Christmas shopping...

Speaking of shopping...
This year it has been really hard for me to think of things to go on my wish list and also what to get people. Usually I have a good idea what I want, I guess it was a lot easier when all I wanted were Barbies and toy horses. Now that I'm older and have better taste it's hard to ask for things because all the things that I want are expensive. I blame my mom for making me look through Vogue as a kid and making me appreciate good looking and good quality things like Louis Vuitton bags and designer shoes. The Earth Kit song "Santa Baby" sadly sums it up:

"Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight
Come and trim my Christmas tree
With some decorations bought at Tiffany's
I really do believe in you
Let's see if you believe in me
Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing, a ring
I don't mean a phone
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight"

Obviously I can't expect people to get me these expensive things but I really don't 'need' anything but food, money, and maybe a new pair of Rainbows.

I'm also unsure about what to get friends and family, especially my boyfriend. My requirement for whatever I usually get him is that I know(before purchasing) that he will use it. I really don't like giving people gifts that they won't use. Sometimes I have to give in if the gifts are funny or fit the person's personality but I'm very picky about presents for friends. I put a lot of thought into things I buy or make for someone. Maybe that's another reason why Christmas is so special to me, the joy of giving is such a reality. I have to feel good about what I give people because I know if I don't like the gift I'm giving they probably won't either.

"Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on,
Our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas"

Confessions of a Retired Sorority President

Yes, it's true; I am no longer the Collegiate Chapter President of my sorority!! Tonight I handed my gavel, binder, ritual book, and badge over to the incoming President and it felt so good! You know how people say that cliche phrase about "a huge weight being lifted off your chest?" that's how I feel! I totally feel like someone lifted 20lbs of something(most likely made of stress, responsibility, and emotions) right off my chest. It's like I can finally relax and breathe easy again. Although I am all smiles right now from passing on the torch, there is some bitter-sweetness.

After one year of being the President I have experienced and learned a lot. The year not only boosted my resume it gave me invaluable life experiences that will last me a life time. I have seen how I handle certain situations and how I deal with people, mainly difficult ones. When in a position of leadership/management around others in similar positions you get a good look and insight to peoples' "true" personalities as well as your own. Over the year I have learned how I could have dealt with people in a better and more delicate way. Yes I have been a bitch and sometimes I needed to be. I have had to put my foot down at times by pulling out the 'President card' but learned when to pick my battles and also wage my wars.

Something I wish I knew before taking the position were tips from some management books(I took a class this quarter on management). The books like the class textbook, Who Moved My Cheese and The One Minute Manager had great advice on how to be an effective manager and what to consider when being a manager. Any one who will be in a management position someday or is currently in one should definitely read The One Minute Manager. It is a simple but helpful read.

All in all being a sorority President was a very rewarding position. It pretty much forced me to grow up fast, live and breath my sorority for a year, realize what I was capable of and show me how much I really do care about things I invest myself in. I'm sure at the next chapter meeting it will hit me more that I'm not President anymore when I am sitting with the rest of the chapter but that is one of the things I am excited for. I can't wait to sit with my sisters during the chapter and reconnect with them.

Hopefully this year will be a lot easier on the new President and the Greek community as well as my sorority can continue on the same 'right' path set. I also hope that the new president has a lot of fun and gets the same rewards out of the upcoming year that I had with mine and even more. Times will be hard, stressful, overwhelming, emotional, tiring, and difficult but in the end it is worth it and I can't wait to see the strides my sorority will make in the next year under the leadership of our new President.

To Blog? Or Not to Blog?

Here is my first official blog. I might as well jump on the bandwagon with everyone else. Now that I have a blogspot and a catchy blog name all I need is something to write about....Stay tuned for some blonde logic; it should get interesting!