First Day of Grad School!!

Well, we're NOT in Kansas anymore ladies!  The first day of grad school was terrifying!  The best analogy I can concoct is that the first day of grad school is reminiscent of the first day of middle school. You go in feeling like a pretty confident and secure 6th grader...then you see all the "other, older 8th grade girls"and you freak out inside.  All these girls are older than you.  All these girls are more mature than you.  All these girls have more experience than you.  And suddenly you are transported back to walking through the doors at Delran Middle School wearing your Scooby-Doo overalls in a sea of actual teachers who are married, have children, actual careers and lives.  They pay big people bills, wake up early to feed their children, and have far more worries/cares/fears than I do.  Sooooo, what is one to do during the first day of 6th grade grad school?  CLING TO YOUR FRIENDS FOR DEAR LIFE!  I've said it before and I'll say it again, the girls in my cohort are seriously the best people in the world.  Truly the face of NJ teaching is blessed to have these women.  Truly the most caring, generous, creative, hilarious, sweet people of all time.  So my friends and I all huddle together in the back of the classroom.  We all exchange anxious glances and sideways eyes and get ready to buckle up because it's going to be a rough ride.  

The atmosphere was completely different than my regular undergrad classes at TCNJ.  In our regular classes the atmosphere is jovial and light and 22.  Last night's class was fun but more mature.  I have the feeling that no one will be bragging about their weekend being too rough in this room.  There was fear coursing through our veins last night.  Legit fear.  Not like my fear of rodents or cats, but real fear.  A fear that makes you sit up and realize that you don't know an ounce of what these people know.  

This class will make me work.  REALLY REALLY REALLY WORK!  I'm not saying that I don't work my butt off now, but I will be working harder than I've ever worked before.  It's usually pretty easy for me to get an A in a class but I have a feeling that I'm going to have to work overtime/extra long  and hard to get the kind of grades that I want.  

Our professor is awesome.  She is very knowledgeable and approachable but tough.  I know that I will learn an insane amount from her and I am blessed for that.  I also know that I will know what it means to work hard after having her as my professor.  She gave our class a very strong talking to and bestowed upon us a great amount of responsibility.  I'm sure this speech is given in 10000000's of classrooms and lecture halls around the globe and I know it's just to separate the girls from the women but it was still scaryHORRIFYING.  We had to do an activity with a partner, luckily my partner was my friend (phew), and our prof handed us a paper with 12 boxes on it.  The boxes all were filled with legal jargon and requested more concentrated answers then we knew.  We knew the meat and potatoes just not all the trimmings.  Everyone else seemed to know exactly what she was referring to.  The SPEDs just looked around like "holy crap, what have we gotten ourselves into!"

I am still excited about grad school, but I have my reservations about what it will actually be like once syllabus week is over.  Oh Lord I'm scared already and it's only syllabus week!  God help me the rest of the semester!  LOL  So long story short, I'm terrified but in a good way.  I still love my program and know that this is the best possible career path for me.  I am excited and can't wait to be a teacher.  I know that passing through this scary grad class full of real life grown ups is just a stepping stone towards being Dr. Erin Kitley, EdD.  I keep repeating Dori's mantra...Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming. 

xoxo,

Er

My 2013 New Year's Resolutions!!

Since 2013 has been here for 11 days I can say with full confidence that I think this year will be a FABULOUS one!!  (Actually I have no idea what this year will be like but I believe that if you put positivity out there you will get it back.  So here's hoping!)  I have never been the kinda girl who makes outlandish resolutions because I will most likely definitely not keep.  Last year my NYR was to save all of my change and cash it in at the end of the year.  I actually stuck to this resolution and saved about $300.  I was very impressed!!  Mostly I credit this to the change I receive from my daily caffeine fix of a medium coke with no ice.  

So here are my resolutions:

1)  Save my change!!

2)  Donate every month to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

3)  Run

Reasons:

1)  I am a huge shopper and I think that I need to save my money.  This is a quick and easy way to make sure that I save my money.  

2)  I love the idea of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.  Deserving families can sign their children up for Imagination Library and every month until the child turns 5 the child will receive a new book.  This facilitates reading, imagination, sequencing skills, etc!!  It's a great charity idea!

3)  Run...I hate running.  Running sucks.  I only run when I'm being chased by a murderer (which has never happened) or I'm running towards a sale (which happens all the time).  But running is good for you, blah, blah, blah.  I can run I just get bored easily and I'd rather read a book while riding the stationary bike.  In order to keep my motivation for running high, I'm getting new shoes!  They're hot pink leopard Nike running shoes.  I love new shoes and I'm hoping this motivates me!

XOXO,

Erin

Why Denzel Washington Should Be Andy Reid's Replacement

     
     Soooooooo, with Andy Reid graciously leaving (I agree that we need a change but I will be sad that he's leaving.  He's an iconic person in Philadelphia sports' history and deserves that much respect.  I wish him all the best with his future NFL endeavors.) the Philadelphia Eagles are in search of their next coach.  I have taken it upon myself to help narrow the selection for Jeff Lurie.  Here are my top 5:

1) Denzel Washington
2) Coach Beast
3) Matthew McConaughey
4) Pat Summitt
5) Rudy Ruettiger


I think Denzel is our safest bet.  Here are my reasons

1) Geography:

Denzel's son goes to UPenn.  Therefore he's already in the area/knows the people/gets the vibe of the city/MOST importantly he knows how nuts Philly Phans are!  WE BLEED GREEN!


2) Acting Cred:

Denzel has played everyone.  Literally EVERYONE!  He was a Civil War Hero in Gettysburg, a gangsta, a pilot, fairy-tale voiceover, and he even filmed on location in Philly for Philadelphia.  He's been nominated for numerous Oscars and Golden Globes.  He's perfect.  He will study up and be ready come Training Camp.  


3) Football Knowledge:

We ALL saw Remember the Titans.  He coached TC Williams' High School to a winning season.  He overcame adversity, racial divides, lack of skill/talent, personality conflicts, and violence.  He's a great coach.  If he just channelled Coach Boone he would be GOLDEN!!  He also is tough as nails!  His "If you drop my football, you run a mile!" quote is amazing and so inspirational.  Also, training camp would be a blast!  I think the Eagles should interview each other to get to know each other better.  So Cute!!  Also, Ryan Gosling will tap dance.  The Rev and Louie will duet.  All of this is just perfect and not something they have ever done before.  #Yourmamajokesrunwildpuuuhhhllleeeeeze


4) Built In (Trustworthy) Staff:

Hayden Panettiere, as Cheryl of course, could be our new announcer.  

Coach Yoast is a great Assistant Coach!

Louis Lastik, great high school lineman, plus he has a great personality!!  Philly girls will eat him up!  And Geno's will be glad that he's here!  And since I doubt he will be reprising his role as Frankie in the upcoming and much anticipated (and feared) Girl Meets World.  He could be O Line coach!  



5)  Ryan Gosling

I know that I don't really need to give anyone a reason why Ryan Gosling is an additional bonus main reason that Denzel should come coach the Birds. In my mind, they are clearly friends, like besties status.  Ryan will want to come to support his main man Denzel.  Therefore Denzel will bring Ryan to Philadelphia and make every woman in the tri-state area swoon and happy.  The living embodiment of the Ryan Gosling memes in our very own backyard!  EEK!  


Okay people, so while the Philadelphia Phans are waiting with bated breath, I just want you to let this idea roll around in your phanatical minds.  Denzel is our guy.  The remaining cast of Remember the Titans can feel free to come along, too.  Because I think they are stronger together than apart.  


xoxo,

Er

My #1 Pet Peeve

What is my number 1 pet peeve?  Is it mandals?  Is it people who don't respect my personal space?  Is it men in pea coats?  No, no, no.  It's something way worse.  It is the question:  Are you seeing anyone?  We all get asked this question and unless it is immediately followed up with, my brother Channing Tatum is free, it should NEVER be asked. 

I'm not talking about guys you meet out at  a bar, club, or in life.  No please single cute guys keep asking.  I'm not talking about old friends you haven't seen in a while, no that is permissible because every one's just trying to catch up on your life.  I'm talking about fringe people in your life.  When fringe people ask, "are you single/seeing anyone?" It's just awkward and uncomfortable.

Why Erin do you hate this question?  Well, I'll tell you.  There is no appropriate way to answer this question.  As a perpetually single lady I have been asked this question multiple times and have NEVER been able to find an appropriate way to answer this question.  When asked this question, your answer basically falls into one of four categories:  Bitter, Man-hater, Desperate, Boring/Super Busy.  I am not any of these, yet I am forced to assimilate into one of these categories.  Why?  Because these are the only answers appropriate for a question of this caliber.  The other response is rude.  This is not appropriate though and I don't suggest/encourage it.  Rudeness answering rudeness does not solve anything.  While it may be entertaining and make you feel better, you just look rude and/or bitter.  No one wants that.  Rude isn't chic.  

Bitter-"No, I went through a really rough break up and I'm just trying to lay low right now."
"I got really hurt by my ex and I'm not ready for a new boyfriend,"-DON'T EVER SAY THIS!  NEVER!!  IF YOU SAY THIS PEOPLE WILL LITERALLY RUN AWAY FROM YOU.  YOU'LL GET AN OPEN MOUTH HEAD NOD AND A TURN ON THEIR HEEL GOODBYE.  No one wants this...

Man-hater-"I don't need a man"-true, but don't ever verbalize this or you will die alone.  Also, this is rude...no one likes a rude girl (well some guys do but we don't want them ladies)  Remember what we learned in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, "Be the neck and turn the head,"  Pretend like you need them.  Personally, I think it's best to be wanted not needed because it isn't a duty it's a privilege.  
"There are no good men in the world"-While most women would agree, you can't verbalize this!!  While I agree that if men wanted us to believe they were awesome they should send better representatives to planet Earth, we can't say this.  Why?  Because as women we must fulfil our womanly duty and believe in the naiveté that when the stars align, when God sees fit, when it's your time, (insert whatever cliche your mom/aunt/friend/sister/cousin/gramma told you in regards to men) Prince Charming will come along.  We have to believe the fairy tale because let's be honest, sometimes always its rough out there.  I wholeheartedly agree, but you gotta keep the faith and keep calm and carry on.  Not all men suck.  Some do, yes, that IS true.  But some are fabulous.  Think like Dori and just keep swimming.  

Desperate-"Yes I am single. *insert sigh/look at your food/puppy eye the questioner* Do you have a great guy to set me up with?"  OMG never ask...seriously...
"I've just been hurt so many times/I've given up/I don't know where to find guys *says weeping girl*" Ok, instead of getting the blind date like you might be angling for you will get a referral to a mental health professional.  We've all been hurt.  But we're women, channel your inner country song and just smile and look good.  No one wants to hear about your break-up/emotional pain/scars.  Unless it's your bestie/mom/mental health professional NO ONE CARES!  How do I know that?  Because I have paraded my breakup battle wounds around and believe you me, after so many glazed over eyes and poor you sympathetic faces you realize, hey everyone has problems, mine are mini problems.  Don't do desperate...it's not cute.  It looks just that...desperate.

Boring/Super Busy-"I have so many things going on right now, I couldn't even dream juggling a boyfriend now,"  ok, seriously?  We're all busy.  If the right guy came along, you'd find time.  
"I'm just super busy with school, I'm working two jobs, and I really like hanging out with my friends, and being a homebody"-this is a direct quote from yours truly.  Ummmm, yes while all of this is true, I would/could easily fit a boyfriend into my busy lifestyle.  And I have!  With luck and success.  This luck and success was fleeting but yes I made it work.  

The final reason why I don't like this question is that it is a conversation ender.  I'm a HUGE fan of talking (if reading this blog it isn't obvious to you, you probably don't want to appear on any game shows because you won't win) because I'm a social girl!  I like people, I like learning about people, and I do not like conversation enders.  After I rattle off one of these aforementioned answers to the question that should not be named, the questioner just stares at you.  Why?  BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING TO SAY!!  Sometimes these questioners say, "Well, don't worry you'll find someone," or my favorite "It's okay,"  Uhhhhh, I know it's okay!  It's freakin' awesome!  I have a great time with my life.  I love my life!  It's just this question that peeves me because I don't want to be bitter, desperate, boring/super busy/man-hater.  But when asked this question I have nothing to offer up.  It's also hard to answer this question and not sound rude!!  I'm not rude and I don't like being rude but when asked this question I immediately go on the defensive and feel the need to defend my singleness.  What would you like me to do?  Just go to the boyfriend farm and pick a ripe one?  If that farm existed, TRUST me, I'd be there.  But, quality over quantity ladies.  We're all just waiting for Prince Charming.

So, please, in conclusion, do not ask this question.  If you are the recipient of this question and come up with a great/non-rude/make yourself look awesome but not braggy   response,  please let me know because I have no clue how to do this!

xoxo

Erin

How To Be The Bad Guy

Okay, this is a sad/awkward/personal post.  This is about boys who are just really nice guys.  They are the guys that would treat you like a princess.  You know the guy that would do anything to make you happy.  Literally he would drop anything just to see you smile.  However, this lady doesn't like to be treated like a princess.  It's just too much!  We've all seen the episode of Sex and the City where The Russian writes a song for Carrie, buys her the pink Oscar dress, and takes her out on a romantic night on the town.  The whole night is perfect, everything any girl would want.  Then Carrie faints.  She says, "It's just too much!  I'm an American!"  This captures my feelings to a T! 
     
I prefer to be treated like a lady.  What's the difference between a princess and a lady you ask?  About a million miles!!!!  A princess girl (PG) will write on her honey's Facebook wall at least once a day.  These posts usually fall into 2 categories:  Extreme Praise or Extreme Complaining.  An example of each?  Sure!  

Extreme Praise post:  "I love love love my (enter name here) because he painted my nails OPI's Privacy Please before he bought me new diamond earrings then surprised me with dinner at (enter name of an expensive chain restaurant)!  I love you baby so much!  Mwah!"  This is just a typical usual post for the princess girls.  

Extreme Complain post: "(enter name) I couldn't say good night to you last night because you didn't answer your phone!  Now I'm sad and mad at you because I had to go to bed without saying goodnight.  I love you!"  This is a passive aggressive post from PGs.  If you want a really good laugh just read the comment from her honey that follows...it usually looks like this "I'm sorry I was out but I texted you before saying I wouldn't be able to talk,"  poor guy.  GET OUT NOW!! RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!

p.s.  These PG posts are probably written within 2 weeks of dating.  PGs say I Love You like it's their job...because it very well may be.

Ladies are women that don't need a man.  They want a man.  Their man doesn't define their lives he only enhances the level of awesome.  Ladies don't expect men to do anything for them.  Ladies go on dates without expected men to pay for them, but ladies allow men the privilege of paying for them.  Ladies also offer to go halvsies on dates because ladies have jobs and are not self-conscious about ordering "real-girl dinners".  Ladies act like ladies and do not post a lot on their honey's FB walls.  Ladies' posts fall into many categories (because a lady is not defined by such simple constraints as praise/complain)  These categories are (but not limited to) funny jokes that are not too personal, random  YouTube videos, quotes from movies/tv shows you have seen together, NO WHERE/WHEN/TIME/PLACE will a lady ever complain or air her grievances with the Facebook community.  Why don't ladies do this?  Well, because ladies know that if their man doesn't answer them there is probably a REAL reason.  Ladies also have full plates and don't have time to worry about where their honey is.  Ladies trust their men.  

Okay, so now that I have explained the difference (and you probably have categorized every girl you know into one of the two) I will now go back to the title of the post.  How to be the bad guy.  We've all been there, the guy we've been on a date or two with just isn't it.  He's probably too sweet, too put together, just too much!!  He's the guy that you'd be lucky to date, but there's just no spark.  

Sparks...ahhhh the worst line in any break up.  Literally I hate this word, but sometimes there is nothing else to describe that certain je ne sais quoi.  Sex and the City calls it the zsa zsa zsu.  Another one of my favorite bloggers, Shallon Lester, calls it The Icks.  The Icks means that the guy is probably attractive, sweet, nice, smart, great, but you just aren't attracted to him.  

Okay, why am I writing about this?  Because I have recently experienced this.  A few times actually.  I'm not the type of girl who always has a boyfriend...the opposite is true.  I'm usually the girl who is single because I am extremely picky.  (That's for a different blog post)  I really like being single and doing my own thing.  I need my space and with that being said I really don't like when guys crowd or suffocate me.  Some of my most successful and happiest relationships have been long distance ones.  LDRs work for me because I get my space, he gets his space, and when we see each other it becomes a treat not a chore. 

So, what to do when the nice guy starts talking to you and you realize there just isn't anything there.  Well, here's what I do...please tell me if you have a better plan because I would like LOVE to know.  Okay here goes:  

Put your big girl pants on and fess up-he deserves an honest answer.  I always say, "I did have fun tonight, but I'm really not looking for a relationship.  I don't want to lead you on.  I wish you nothing but the best and I hope that (enter career venture/class/hobby) goes well."  BE HONEST!  You would want/deserve that from someone and he does too. You need to respect him and his feelings.  

Accept that you are going to be the BAD GUY-You are the bad guy there is nothing you can do about it.  This is going to hurt him but you want to do it as gently as possible.  He's probably going to be sad or upset or hurt and you need to take the focus off you and just make it as quick and painless as possible.  I hate when people say it was amicable or no one's the bad guy, because let's be honest, someone wanted the other person more, somebody got hurt, and somebody IS the bad guy. You can be the nicest person in the world and be as caring as possible but if you dump someone, you hurt them, and that makes you feel/look like the bad guy.  Most times when you dump someone you are the bad guy and you have to accept this.  I try to point out all of the positives in the other person and I never say what they were lacking.  That's disrespectful and rude.  That is not "accepting being the bad guy" that's relishing in being the bad guy and that is wrong.  

How did I come up with this?  Well, my dears, it comes from being dumped...repeatedly.  I have been dumped with a variety of fun excuses.  Here are some of my favs:

"Your birthday and Christmas are really close together and that is expensive!"  Ahhh what  a gem!
"You're not the kinda girl anyone dates in college.  You're the kinda girl you marry."  This one is a sorta compliment and I do take it this way because it clearly says A) I'm not a slutty girl B) I'm marriage material lol
One person quoted the scene from He's Just Not That Into You...I didn't appreciate the irony because Jen Aniston is my girl and she's in that movie..

Most girls would be sad and upset about this (and believe you me, I was/am) but I brushed myself off and learned from these experiences.  I decided to dissect these words and compiled a list of things I wished they would have said.  I also mined these lines for things that I did like.  (i.e. the marriage material bit).  And what did I come up with... my bad guy line.  Obviously after you are the bad guy, you need to bow out gracefully.  DO NOT text/call/email/FB chat/comment/tweet/like/retweet/etc them. Let them move on with dignity.  Don't confuse people or lead them on.  





We can't help who we are attracted to.  We can't like someone we don't.  But we can follow the Golden Rule which is "Treat Others The Way You Want To Be Treated".  This is a motto that LADIES follow.  Princesses don't follow this motto.  PGs only care about themselves.  Ladies care about others' feelings before their own.  So remember be a lady not a PG and tell him early and as nicely as humanly possible.  You don't want to waste theirs or your time.  

xoxo,

Erin

Birthday Weekend!!

I don't know about you, but I'm feeling 22!!  

     These are the words that have been ringing in my head for almost a week now!  I LOVE being 22.  Twenty two is gonna be a good year.  Every two years I always have a GREAT year.  I feel that my 22nd year will be my time to shine.  When I was 20 I had a great year.  Twenty one was okay.  But 22 will be awesome! 
     My birthday is also doubly fun because it signifies the end of the semester!  And after the semester I had, I am soooooo ready to for winter break!  This semester wasn't particularly tough, it was just, well, tough at the end.  I had 4 enormous projects due within 2 weeks.  So, yes, by December 14th, I was ready to be done! 
     I decided to celebrate my birthday at Dave & Buster's in Philly on December 15th.  I am not really a bar, club, or AC kinda girl.  I prefer just being a six year old stuck inside a 22 year old's body.  If a child would find the activity amusing, chances are, so would I!  So I invited about 10 of my best friends to join me.  I love love love my friends.  I have always lucked out when it comes to friendships.  For this I am truly grateful and know how rare it is.  And I do cherish them!  None of us are big drinkers but we are big on playing car racing games and eating junk food so Dave & Buster's seemed like the perfect fit! 
     But since we had such a big group going it was inevitable that not everyone could go.  So we decided to celebrate a little on Thursday with half apps at Applebee's!  Applebee's half apps literally sustains most of the TCNJ students.  Half apps is a brilliant concept.  At nine we all trekked over to Applebee's and had a variety of treats!  We all got wings with various sauces, fried green beans, dessert shooters, and Red Apple Sangria.  We cleared our plates...no need to worry about us.  We're not those girls that only order "cute foods"...we eat wings, then order dessert, we're those kinda girls!  I loved dinner with three of my friends because we just have so much FUN!  Not bad girl fun, just good wholesome, silly, laugh til your sides hurt fun.  The Best Kinda Fun!

Brunette side of the table

Blonde side of the table (we didn't plan this but it's still funny)

All our delicious food!

     So I come home and my roommate and I wait til midnight and then....We sing happy birthday and play T-Swift's 22!  Best song for the occasion.  So I go to sleep and then get up and go to work.  I love my job because my kids are awesome!  I love love love all of my students.  Then, I went to my second job, teaching ballet to 3-5 year olds.  It was so sweet!  I made them cookies and they sang to me.  When they asked how old I was I told them and they were like, "Miss Erin, you are old!!"  and "You're a grown up!"  I love it, they're so cute!  So from there I went home and just relaxed!  For the first time since August I had NOTHING to do!!  I loved every second of it!  The first few days of break are always the weirdest.  Not only can I read what I want, do what I want, but I do NOT have homework/projects/papers etc! Best Week Ever!  Well, it is awesome until I start getting random mini panic attacks that I haven't turned something in, or that I should be doing homework, or my teacher voice starts saying, "Okay only five more minutes on Pinterest Erin then you have to do your work."  But no!  I can relax and have fun!
     On my actual 22nd birthday my parents and I went shopping at the mall.  I couldn't have been happier!  I had a California Chicken Cheesesteak while shopping the Christmas sales...that's my kinda birthday!  Anyway, when we got home we had cake, double chocolate cake from Wegman's!  Seriously this is the best cake of all time!  DAAAALISH!  I got Tiffany blue ball earrings for my birthday.  Every year since I was 13 I have gotten something from Tiffany's for my birthday.  I love this tradition and plan to continue it with my future daughter(s).  Some stand outs have been a Tiffany champagne flute for my 21st and a Tiffany key chain with my key to Madden for my 17th.  For my 20th I got a beautiful cross.  I love the simplicity of Tiffany's designs.  Just beautiful!

So Saturday was finally here!!  Because I have Murphy's Law when it comes to hair.  I can straighten it or curl it but nothing in between.  So I decided to have my hair blown out for my birthday.  Best.  Decision.  Ever!  It looked fabulous I was so happy!  It only took her 35 minutes to wash, blow out, and curl...how?  It takes me 30 minutes to just blow it out, let alone style it, perfect it.  Hairdressers are miracle workers.  It's the truth.  

     So I drove back up to my house and got dressed, did my makeup, and waited for my friends.  Five of us rode together and met three of my other friends at the barcade.  Everything was perfect!  It was so much fun and we literally laughed the whole 4 hours!  I love my friends because they know me so well.  One of my friends got me a box of chocolates--perfect!!  I have the world's biggest sweet tooth.  My other friends got me books--all Kennedy/Princess Diana related books!  I have some reading to do over break and luckily none of it is school related!  My friend/co-teaching partner/ex-cake competitor gave me a framed picture (which she made herself and it looks fab) of our kindergarten class!  They were so cute and the picture literally brought back so many memories.  We were doing our observation in Trenton.  Being from a small town you really are jaded to the world outside your little bubble.  

 The most beautiful bridge!  I love this city!

Pretty girls racing cars

 Me losing at racing cars...at least my car is PINK!

     This was a great birthday!  I couldn't/wouldn't change a thing!  I was so grateful to be surrounded by such an amazing, inspiring, beautiful group of ladies that I'm fortunate enough to call my friends.  I was also happy that I got to spend quality time with my family!  Also, Dylan came home Sunday!  I miss my little brother a lot when we're both away at school but I know that he's having as much fun as I am and that he'll love college as much as I do.  We celebrated Dylan's birthday a week late but it was still great.  Dylan gave me Boy Meets World on DVD and I gave Dylan a shirt from Gap.  

      All in all it was a great birthday.  Very low-key, very fun, very me.  I had a great time and am so happy that my friends were with me to celebrate!  I love love love them and am going to miss seeing them when we're on break.  

xoxo,

Er

     

     HO HO HO!  Christmas came early this past weekend for me and my two best friends!  We made the annual trek to Macy*s to see the light show and the Dickens' Village.  This show is tradition for so many people in the Philadelphia area.  I grew up going to this endearing holiday tradition and I will continue to go every year until I'm a billion.  The place is kitsch to the enth degree.  AND I LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT!  
     So my friends and I drove over to Philly jamming all the way to B101.  After belting multiple Christmas jams, we finally arrived.  We walked into Macy*s which is the old Wanamaker Building in Philadelphia.  The Wanamaker Building was home to Philadelphia's first department store!  (History for the shopping inclined).  Macy*s is home to the Wanamaker Organ. This beautiful and historic building now houses one of the best Christmas Spectaculars in the area.  Every hour on the hour there is a musical light show that tells multiple Christmas tales including The Nutcracker.  The show is spectacular and so much fun to watch.  We missed that hour's show by 10 minutes so we lined up for Dickens' Christmas Village instead.  
     Dickens' Christmas Village is a miniature replica of animatronic figures acting out Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol.  It is adorable!!  The only thing that is not adorable is the line.  The line is about 30 minutes in length.  It does move pretty quickly and you get to walk through historic rooms in the Wanamaker Building.  These rooms are etched with gorgeous sculptures and designs.  You also get to watch Yes, Virginia, in the second of 3 holding areas.  On a side note, I always end up watching the movie from the same scene.  EVERY.  SINGLE.  YEAR.  How does this happen?  I don't know.  I think it falls under the same magical shtick that you never get to hear Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You from the beginning.  I think this is so as to keep any/all passengers I have in my car from trying to escape Madden* by any means humanly possible.  Anyway, when we finally entered the animatronic heaven, we were greeted by animatronic, slightly  extremely scary Charles Dickens, and he welcomed us to the show.  As you walk through the animatronic figures you can read a synopsis of each coordinating scene at each stop.  When Scrooge is greeted by the Ghost of Christmas Present, the little girl in front of us asked her dad who that man was.  She asked, "Is That Santa?  He's not old.  He doesn't have white hair.  But he is wearing a red suit!"  Her dad looked at her and said, "Yes!  That's Santa when he was 35."  This answer pacified the little girl and melted our hearts.  I want my husband to be the cute and to think that quickly on his feet!  ADORABLE!  
     So we finished walking through the Village and then watched the light show from the optimal viewing location:  2nd floor, dead center.  The show was great.  Even the intense PDA couple couldn't ruin this for us.  #PDAisgross.
    After we left Macy*s, we were going to go to Reading Terminal Market for the BEST pretzels/cannolis in Philly, but it was closed.  But, what to our wandering eyes should appear but Mids and Cadets fresh out of the Army v Navy game at the Linc!  Whhhaaaat a great day!  If anyone is wondering which side I'm on I will state for the record I support Navy.  I have only good things to say about Navy and the Mids.  Plus, the uniforms are way better.  You would be surprised though, three different girls, three very different opinions about which uniform is better.  Anyway, Navy won for the 11th straight year in a row.  Bravo Zulu Navy!  
     Next, we went to Geno's.  Parking at Geno's is the only draw back to the experience.  We ended up parking on what can only be described as a Christmas Street.  Lights hanging across the street, beautiful decorations in every window, greenery and garland hanging from the doorways and windows.  Exquisite.  It put us in the Christmas mood.  Geno's is the greatest place in the city.  You can not get a better steak anywhere in the world.  Plus the people watching is second to none.  Plus there were tooooons of hot Mids there.  All the more reason to enjoy our dinner!  We congratulated several Mids on the win and ate our steaks and fries (for me).  It was the perfect ending to a perfect day!  
      This was the best way to put all of us in a Christmasy mood.  It was also the perfect distraction from studying for finals and writing term papers.  

     So spread a little Christmas cheer and visit Charles Dickens' Christmas Village because it will instantly brighten your day!

My two besties!

 Cutest Village

Kate & me

Lights Show!

xoxo  Er
 *Madden Rowse is the name of my beloved car.