Why Don't People Dance Like This Anymore?

I wish this was how people danced nowadays, not just on film but in real life too.  It is not even that they are as technically flawless as the dancers you see on So You Think You Can Dance.  It is more about Fred and Ginger's charisma and charm.  It is the way they carry themselves and their effortlessness.  I swoon as I watch them dance.  Aaaaaaand it makes me want to dust off my tap shoes and find a partner. Move over Ginger, I wanna dance with Fred.

A montage of the greats, including Cary Grant, Gene Kelly, Cyd Charise, etc.:

A modern homage to the greats (I want to learn this, perhaps over winter break when I have endless free time):

Let's start a movement to bring this dance style back to life.  Who's with me???

Christmas in October

Ok, I am not one of those crazy Christmas obbessed people.  Yeah, if you're reading this I know who you are and I know your kind.  I don't start listening to Christmas music in July, I don't have a countdown, I don't start buying Christmas gifts in March.  Don't get me wrong, I love the holiday.  I love the significance of Jesus coming into our broken world in human form.  I love when we sing Christmas carols at church.  I love the secular parts too, the decorations, the songs, the festive parties, the overall holiday cheer.  But I love it from Thanksgiving to Christmas.   Not really before or after.  I htink by overcelebrating we become desensitzed to it, or at least I do.  HOWEVER, today Matt Wertz released his Christmas album.  And I've unashamedly had it on repeat this afternoon as I procrastinate on paper-writing.  It's the best one since Dave Barnes' in my humble humble opinion, and it's much better than Justin Bieber's sorry excuse for a Christmas song in which he compares following his heart to the wise men following the star.  Pathetic.  You can listen to the Matt Wertz album, Snow Globe HERE.  You're welcome.  Use this as an excuse to embrace Christmas in October for just today.

Conviction

Whew.  What a day.  So basically I had this whole wedding post planned out for today.  And then something happened.  I went to church and heard this sermon:  http://mail.trinitycville.org/mp3files/TPC-20111023-GT.m3u.  It is incredible and I highly recommend taking some time out of your day to listen to it.  Greg Thompson is such a gifted speaker.  Anyway, the message really really really convicted me about where my heart is and how I live my life.  I won't go into too much detail, but I am just really looking into my heart and my faith and struggling with God about certain things.  I don't think it's a bad thing at all but it is definitely a hard, real thing.  One of the things I'm coming to terms with is how much I idolize wanting a relationship with a guy.  And one of the things that feeds that desire is my obsession with wedding blogs and videos and photos.  Don't worry, I do NOT have a wedding planned out for myself, but I do look at them and idealize and idolize marriage and romantic love and that's the problem.  So I am going to take a break from my wedding obsession.  My goal is for a month.  Then perhaps I will share the post that I meant to post today.  The wait will be worth it.  No worries.

Also, I'm going to work on memorizing this psalm.  If anyone wants to do it with me we can be accountability partners!  Any takers???

    O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;

        my soul thirsts for you;

    my flesh faints for you,

        as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

    So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,

        beholding your power and glory.

    Because your steadfast love is better than life,

        my lips will praise you.

    So I will bless you as long as I live;

        in your name I will lift up my hands.

    My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,

        and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

    when I remember you upon my bed,

        and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

    for you have been my help,

        and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

    My soul clings to you;

        your right hand upholds me.

    But those who seek to destroy my life

        shall go down into the depths of the earth;

    they shall be given over to the power of the sword;

        they shall be a portion for jackals.

    But the king shall rejoice in God;

        all who swear by him shall exult,

        for the mouths of liars will be stopped.

(Psalm 63 ESV)

Fall Break

Y'all, last week (ok two weeks ago, I'm very late in posting this) I had the most wonderful fall break.  It was the first time I didn't go home for it. And as much I missed my family (especially my mom's cooking) it was such a perfect time spent with housemates and friends exploring Charlottesville and doing fun activities we don't have time for with classes and homework and extracurriculars.  Unfortunately I was so busy having fun that I didn't take many pictures.  So I'll just tell ya all about it.

For me, break started Thursday (no Friday classes!!).  I spent some time with my dad in the afternoon because he was picking up Kim to go home.  We went to Sweet Frog, my absolute favorite frozen yogurt place.  Then a couple friends and I went to see the play, Parade, that Lindsay was in.  It was phenomenal.  And it was great seeing her doing what she loves.  Jessie and I ended the evening at a crazy fun dance party.  And this was just the first day of break.

Friday:  No classes!!  I spent the afternoon in a garden with Lindsay and Anna.  We napped, snacked on bread ends and house dressing and rolled down a hill.  A perfect afternoon, if I do say so myself.  Then Friday night Jessie and I went to the men's soccer game where they beat undefeated Maryland.  A GREAT game.  Next we went to Wal-Mart to shop for crafting supplies (fun Friday night, woooohooo).  Obviously, we went straight home to craft with our friend Hilary.  Oh and watched Shakespeare in Love to top it off.

Saturday:  Lindsay took us to a resevoir near her house (she's from Cville) and we spent the afternoon canoeing in seclusion.  It was a gorgeous day and there was no better way to spend it then basking in the Lord's creation.  That night, Jessie and I took some friends to a drive-in movie about an hour away (mini-roadtrip!).  Oh and we stopped at Sonic for dinner on the way, of course.  We saw the Help which I've been wanting to see for awhile, which was a bonus.  Then we came home and crafted some more.

My craft:

Sunday:  Yet another beautiful day.  I woke up and went to church then had lunch with a lovely friend at Bellair Market (one of my favorite places to eat in Cville).  I spent the rest of the day working and hanging out with friends.

Monday:  Had a lazy day of homework and then that evening went with some friends and housemates to Lindsay's house for a BONFIRE (one of my favorite things...I love nothing more than having the scent of a bonfire in my hair and clothes afterward).  We nommed smores and banana boats, played on her trampoline and hung out with her beautiful family.

The Best Kind of Therapy

Who needs therapy when you can drive around in your car and belt this at the top of your lungs?

For da ladies

So I know this quote is borderline cheesy.  But I don't care.  I think every girl needs to be reminded of this.  At least if you're anything like me.

A Cappella Fellas (and some ladies)

I started this post about 2 weeks ago.  And am just now finishing it.  How embarrassing is that?

Who doesn't love a cappella music?  Or more accurately, what self-respecting UVA student doesn't appreciate a cappella music, groups, concerts, etc?  They will forever be ingrained upon the UVA culture.  Here are some of my favorite a cappella songs/groups.

1) Ok, so maybe not a UVA group, but hey, I don't discriminate when it comes to this genre of music.

Southern Girl - Clef Hangers

2) My favorite female group at UVA (I may be biased since one of my friends is in it). Beautifully haunting.

You Lost me -Virginia Belles

3) They are the boy band (or better yet, the Justin Bieber because that is a way more relevant reference to illustrate the kind of effect they have on girls) of UVA.  Note, all the screaming girls.

Always Be My Baby - Hullabahoos

4) They best represent the class and tradition of UVA.  Probably my favorite of the UVA male groups.  Also, probably biased.  It was really hard for me to choose one video.  And then I remembered it's my blog and I do what I want.  

Sweet Caroline and King of Wishful Thinking - Virginia Gentlemen