1. What did you do in 2006 that you’d never done before?

Lived in North Carloina.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Last years was to not buy anymore books till I read the ones I already own. Yeah that went out the window really quick. I think this new year I will have the resolution to make realistic resolutions.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Seems as though half of my friends gave birth this year, all boys too. Soon David and Rebecca will have a little girl! And I just found out Kathleen and Josh are having a little girl too!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

My Grandpa last Janunary. It was a hard month to start the year.

5. What countries did you visit?

None, wish I had though. 2007 I hope to make it to DC and New York. (I know they are not othe countries but its traveling)

6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?

Time. Since moving I felt like its been the busiest time of my life. Maybe thats what its like having a full time job, youth minstry and a full time boyfriend to jungle?

7. What dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Jan 2nd, the day my Grandpa passed away. June 12th, the day I left California. July1st-5th Kari’s birthday weekend, it was a lot of fun. September 11th, when Gwen got hit.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Moving to North Carloina and getting through all the crap with my car.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not knowing how to be there for my family when durning out rough times durning the year… and there were a handful. I just felt unable to help my parents or brother, so I felt like I failed.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

My body didnt know what to do with all the new things it discovered in North Carloina, it felt like I was sick for the first months I lived there. Nothing like a new place and being sick far away from “home”.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I got my car in Janurary, that was great…love Gwen dispite the bad luck she seems to bring. I also bought a nice film camera from a friend that I adore (spite my new found love for Own the new ditigal).

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Every person who listened to me whine about car troubles does. Hate that its a running theme of 2006 but it happened a lot.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Gosh I dont know, but if I did I dont think I would publize it on my blog.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Developing film. Moving costs.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Thats a lot of reallys. I was excitied to move to NC but scared too. Visting Stars Hollow. Getting Gwen.

16. What song will always remind you of 2006?

I cant pick a song, I really tried but I cant. Im gonna go with mix cd: Mike and Kari’s mix for my drive from Ca to NC. I adore those three cds.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?

a)Happier. Being close to your boyfriend does that sorta thing.

b)Fatter. Which is intersting since usually when Im sad I eat more. I maybe I was sadder this year but dont over all think so.

c)Richer. I say this becasue I have a savings account. I think I mange my money better than I did last time I was out of my parents house. And its cheaper to live in the south.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Cleaned more, that seems to be my down fall. I lived in three different places this year none of which I seem to keep neat enough to make my life feel in order. Isnt there something about how you keep your home/car is how your life feels?

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Not returning phone calls and emails. I hate the amount of them that went unanswered, hope to improve that soon.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

I spent Christmas in California with Jason and my family. It was wonderful.

21. Did you fall in love in 2006?

With North Carolina, yes.

22. How many one-night stands?

Really? This is a question?

23. What was your favorite TV program?

The Office, Gilmore Girls, House MD, Amazing Race, Project Runway and How I Met Your Mother

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

I dont think Ive hated anyone even I did I wouldnt share it for all the world to see.

25. What was the best book you read?

To Own a Dragon by Don Miller and Contemplative Youth Minstry by Mark Yaconelli I really didnt really a lot this year… I hope to keep a record next year of all the books I read.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?

M. Ward for sure. I didnt discover him though, Mike introduced me.

27. What did you want and get?

A new camera but didnt expect it but low and behold I got one!

28. What did you want and not get?

Some books. But this is the perk of having your birthday so close to Christmas. More presents will come soon.

29. What was your favorite film of this year?

Devil Wears Prada and Little Miss Sunshine (I looked through list of 2006 movies I didnt see nearly as many movies as I usually do. I guess thats good?)

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 24. Jace and I had a joint birthday party.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Knowing my girls more in my small group. It takes time, and we’re getting there but I wish I were closer to them.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?

More earth tones have made it into my clothes more than ever this year. I really like earth tones though but I still have splash of other colors outside of those.

33. What kept you sane?

Good music and lots of it.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

I got really into Meryl Streep this year.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?

Nothing stirred me… I didnt register in NC in time to vote and I forget to get an mail in one from California so I didnt read up on anything. Heard a lot on the radio and from others, but those are opions not mine. As much as I loved studying goverment in school, Im suprised Im not more into political things than I am.

36. Who did you miss?

My family. I didnt know how much till I cried the night before I left California.

37. Who was the best new person you met?

Hmmm hard to pick. Ive made some increadible friends in the other girl leaders at church, so I will have to say them.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.

I cant think of just one, I feel like I have learned a lot this year. Between all my car troubles and moving to a new city theres a lot to learn.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

“Grows up like wild flowers, free and restless with the wind. I dont half reconize myself for this condition that Im in. ‘Casue its like a shelter above my head. Turn the sky and moon to red…but we walk the distance another day, the road is thin but does not give way…He walks with us make no mistake, He holds us when our hearts they brake.” All the Miles by Sandra McCracken

Since the day after Christmas I’ve had a hard time adjusting holiday’s. Its not longer “Merry Christmas” its now “Happy New Year”. I have nothing against the New Year but all this build up all month long of lights, parties, music, and yummy food and now its all over. Day after Christmas I didn’t know how to feel, what holiday spirit to be in. Being that Christmas felt different this year, without some traditional Christmas things to make it feel like it was coming, maybe I never really settled into accepting Christmas was here. It felt like I did when I was sitting around the tree with my family opening presents. Going to church on Christmas Eve to a very dressed up church that normally is littered with people in reefs and shorts. Or seeing my extended family at my Grandma’s home for a big meal. Now I sit here with two days left if 2006 wanting to soak in every last piece of Christmas there is since it feels like it just went right through me. As if the moment my Christmas vacation ended, so did Christmas which is not what I wanted. So on with the Christmas music as I drive around enjoying the glow of the remaining houses with Christmas lights on them.

(Stolen from Kari )

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate?
Usually I like both but earlier this month I had an over dose of egg nog so I’m keeping away from that stuff for a while. My mom thinks Id like it better with rum in it, but I’m still weary of it. All of that to say, hot chocolate (especially peppermint hot chocolate).

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
I never believe in Santa because, to quote my mom “I wanted all the credit.” We watched some home movies from past Christmas’ and apparently my parents signed presents from Jesus. It was all about Jesus’ birthday (we had a sign and a cake - angel food cake of course because Jesus is friends with angels) but we got the presents. I’ve also never had stockings, which I think went with the whole Santa thing.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
My family’s tree has loads of ornaments so white lights are a must or its just a big overwhelming with color. My parents have white lights on the house for years now, but growing up we had those big outdoor colored lights. I think white lights are more classic and classy but that doesn’t mean I don’t adore color lights. My favorite lights this year are balls of colored lights hanging from the trees in Greensboro.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
In the past my family has, because we sold it as a friend raiser at church. My parents liked to gross my brother and I out when we were younger by always standing under it. But I’m not big on hanging it myself.

5. When do you put your decorations up?
About a week after Thanksgiving. There needs to be a little bit of time passing between saying good bye to the pumpkins and hello to the smell of Christmas trees. I like though how cinnamon smell is just the smell of holidays, whether Thanksgiving or Christmas.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish?
Being that my family is simple when it comes down to big holiday meals… the sides are the same at both Thanksgiving and Christmas just turkey and ham is switched. My mom makes really good green beans, which gets almonds and bacon bites. Those always go first, even before crescent rolls which are quite popular too.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?
The “bear incident” is what my family calls it. My parents got Kenny and I both teddy bears for Christmas and Kenny LOVED my bear. As in wanted nothing to do with his own but wanted mine. I as a 5 year old was to understand I should share my new bear with my 2 year old brother. There was pulling of the bear, crying from my brother and confusion by me. Its much better on video.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
See number two. I probably ruined Santa for a lot of kids but don’t remember getting in trouble ever for saying anything.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Yes. Apparently that was a big deal in my family growing up. My dad didn’t think we should till Christmas day but since we always went to my Grandparents on Christmas day my mom didn’t see it fair to have us open new things then have to leave them to go my Grandparents (where we got more new things but that wasn’t the point). So we started opening one on Christmas Eve Eve then on Christmas Eve night after church and dinner we’d open all our presents. We don’t go in the morning like we used to on Christmas day to my grandparents but we still open most (all but one) on Christmas Eve.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
Lights first. I’ve always wanted to do garland, make popcorn kind or dried fruit if some sort but never have. Then put on the ornaments that mean things to me and then balls go on to be the fillers. Star goes on last. My parents put the lights on first then the star then the ornaments (balls are no longer needed in their collection).

11. Snow! Love it or dread it?
I like snowboarding in snow. Making snow angels and snow balls. But snow doesn’t remind me of Christmas, it reminds me of Winter retreats in high school. I’m a little dreading it even though I’m excited for it this winter. Scared of driving in it might be better than dreading it.

12. Can you ice skate?
I’m a little rusty at first but I get the hang of it again after a few minutes.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
We got our dog during Christmas time but she wasn’t a Christmas gift. She was sorta unplanned… one of our cats scratched her on the ear and made her bleed. I guess that was a selling point to my parents, that and my brother and I promised to walk her everyday (yeah that didn’t happen).

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you?
Being with my family and a real Christmas tree.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
Jesus’ birthday cake (angel food cake).

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
I don’t know if its a tradition but my parents have always worked for a nursery and the house is always filled with poinsettias. My mom always says dad brings too many home but I love how they are all over the house. This year we have rare kind, marble looking and fancy.I also love Andrew Peterson’s Christmas concert in Nashville which I sadly missed this year. Though I was in a coffee shop today and they were playing the cd! I got so excited.

17. What tops your tree?
A star. We had an ugly angel for a while (don’t tell my mom… though there might be a reason we might have a star now).

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving?
I love giving. Year round really though. But I also love getting (really who doesn’t?). I like the process of giving a lot though, thinking about my list and what to get people and shopping and wrapping. Then watching them unwrap it.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song?
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman” reminds me of my dad a lot for some reason. I think he likes it a lot so he played it a lot growing up and now I love it. But Amy Grand Christmas album is Christmas for me. Though this year I got a nice large collection of Christmas music from Mike and Kari this year which I’m so excited about making part of my future Christmas’.

20. Candy canes! Yuck or yum? YUM! Put them on the tree! Packages! You know its an upside down J that stands for Jesus, right?

As I sat in my seat waiting, I made myself busy by looking out the window at the men ruff up the luggage a little. Its always awkward to be coming down the isle while everyone looks at you with big eyes wondering if you will be their seat partner. You are always unaware if its a look of rejection or acceptance until you sit down. The plane is filling up quickly as I say a quick prayer: “Jesus, short, skinny and not smelly.” Its always my luck that the huge, tall or stinky guys sit down next to me. They see me with a twinkle with delight in their eye knowing this is gonna be a roomy flight. I never have enough nerve to say something, everytime I get an overflowing body part from the seat next to me that they did not pay for that part of my seat. If they did, Id love to know where my refund is as I get elbowed in the shoulder for no good reason. Not only does the sit next to me not get filled but the three seats across the isle where also empty. An odd character whos ticket number does not match the empty row next to me sits himself in the middle of them. I look away before I can no longer keep my facial expression to myself. When I believe the doors of the plane have been locked shut I hear a man tell our odd character friend that he is in their seats. A sweet family of four quickly take their seats, the man next to me. I thank Jesus for answering my traveling prayer as I turn to the window and smile.

Not sure how to feel about this warmish weather we seem to be having here. I thought I was going to get on a plane in a few days glad to be leaving the chilly weather behind. Seems as though I will be trading one warm sky for another, just on different coasts.

Jason and I seem to have a full week ahead of us in California. It includes but is not limited to: lots of family time (including extended family Jason has not yet met), birthday dinner (my mom makes it every year for me…hmmm), WB Tour (ie GILMORE GIRLS SET! No, Im not excited AT ALL), eating at Food network guys restaurant (who again, Jace?), Hollywood walk of fame, checking out Christmas lights and watching Oreo play in the tissue of opened presents.

And yet, it doesn’t feel like I’m really getting on a plane in a few days.

Apparently there is a two dollar threather in Graham, NC that one old guy runs the whole place on his own. Including recording the times and such on the theather’s machine and he, well, you just need to call it and hear for yourself. 336.226.1488 This is one of the reasons I love living in North Carloina, for old guys who share so much of thier movie theather’s life with anyone who calls to see whats playing.

I havnt share with you all this neat little corner of internet that some friends of mine have started an online magazine on. Its called Cornertableonline.com and I just posted an interview with the one and only Tara Leigh Cobble . Be sure to add Cornertableonline.com to your bookmark or RSS feeds.

Also, I took some photos of our new downtown park. Enjoy.

My new downtown neighborhood lit luminaries this evening and all were a flickering glow, accompanying me on my last bit of my drive home. Its amazing how magical such simple things in the night can be.

Dear Social Security Office,

Dana and I were fascinated by your misting airfresher. We had been up since 430am that morning and worked a long day so that might of been it. But we thank you for keeping the air smelling fresh like gingerbread. That’s very festive of you. We were also very amused by the security guy you have that makes a very big deal about locking the doors at 4pm. I was a bit disappoint after all the build up that he didn’t let us know the moment he put the key in the lock. But,the waiting time was useful for me to study for my driving test that I had coming up. Also thank you for giving me the good news I can take the print out you gave me to DMV.

You are very helpful,
Alisa

Dear Drivers License DMV,

This is the second visit to your grounds that I have taken recently. I did not have all my paper work last time, my social security card had taken a long walk away from me. Today it didn’t seem you even needed it which was a bit discouraging. That was quickly forgotten by the quick wait I had (good thing because I forgot my book) and the nice man who helped me through the process. He also joked with me how there are not many “cattle crossings” in California. Your test made be a bit nervous but I passed none the less.

You made my head way too big on my license photo,
Alisa

Dear License Plate DMV,

Why are you not in the same place as the Drivers License DMV? Other states (as my brother calls it “God’s state”, California) have their act together and you can get all your car paper work needs in one location. Or did you two have a fight a while back and haven’t made amends yet? It would of been really nice if you two could of made up by now because I had to drive on the street I got in a car accident on. Nevermind that happened in September its very nerve racking. Oh and what is up with your wall of cheesy vanity plates? The Christian ones especially made me giggle inside.

You got the most money out of me today,
Alisa

Dear State Inspection place,

Thank you for putting on my NC plates along with passing Gwen for inspection. During my long wait I got to catch up on “What I Like About You” and “Reba”. You need to make the bathroom easier to get to if you are going to make people wait so long. Also, you must have really good food in your vending machine because your workers went to it. A lot.

Gwen is happy for her shiny new sticker,
Alisa

Nevermind the fact that my Advent calendar has Santa across the front of it, I’m trying to keep the purpose of it on Jesus and not forming a chocolate habit. (Though I bet you if chocolate was around in the days when Jesus walked the earth, He so would of had some.) Due to a last minute decision to see Tara Leigh into the late hours of Saturday night, I slept in. Meaning, I only made it to middle school group and not big church. I’m unsure if my new church does much for Advent but John teached out of Luke when Mary was spoken to by the Angel. John asked the kids to close their eyes while he read the verse again. They were to think of the feelings that would be going on in that room. Scared. Overwhelm. Shock. Amazement. Then John reminded them that Mary was a Jr. Higher when she was give the news about baby Jesus.

Next to the story of Adam and Eve, the Christmas story is one I really can never get tired of hearing or reading. I think mainly because the more I grow up, the more I learn from the women in those stories. This time of course being Mary. Lets look what she has going for her; she is unmarried and now pregnant in a culture where her rights are really, are none. She trusts in God’s promise to her and with Joseph goes to the town of David to give birth to this baby. Things are already been really tough for Mary, but now in this town where God told her to go, there are no inns for her to have the Son of God in. Poor girl cant catch a brake now can she? You’d think that God would open some doors for her, like on in a nice inn. Of course God knew better than us all, and Mary may never had this mind set. Though when I read this story, putting myself in her shoes, Id be wondering what the heck God was doing. At the same time, its comforting to know that God uses people who don’t have it all together. She was out of the norm (so it really seemed to everyone else she didn’t have it together) for her culture and no home to give birth to this baby in. Yet, God provided this setting for his Son to be born in. Makes me take a back the not all together parts of my life and if I look, really look, usually after the fact, God is using that for His greater glory.

Who knew a window could bring so much joy? Being downtown there seems to be always something going on outside, even if its just the busy traffic. The trees in my front yard dance in the windy sky with a few brown leaves still hanging on to fall. From my view, it seems like such a large view. When I look up at my window from the street it seems rather small, as if anyone would ever notice me staring out my window. Amazing how much this window has distracted me from unpacking my new home. I will just sit on the edge on my bed or elbows prompt up on the seel peering out to the world below me. No hurry to winter, but Im looking forward to watching the trees grow new green leaves. Then when fall comes watch them pop with autumn colors.

If you came to my home you’d be greeted by a wreath with tiny soft pink, green and silver ornaments complete with a silver bow. My roommate has set up some mini Christmas trees in a row with, as I call “Cindy Lou themed”. We both have purchased a chocolate advent calendar to have each day this month. Looking into finding Advent verses to read each day too, though I’m unsure if there is any such thing. I just thought I should celebrate Jesus a little more than eating a bit of chocolate each day. Time to start wrapping presents to put under our mini trees. It does and doesn’t feel like Christmas time is quickly approaching; 25 days folks. I wish my decorations where here instead of California. One can never have enough twinkle lights.