Advent in progress

   Dear diary,

   I know I didn't write to you when I was supposed to, but these past days I got caught in something so beautiful, amazing and creative it got all my attention. I didn't do anything else but plan and organize the Advent Calendars for 7 of my closest friends:) I can't wait to get to work! 

   The thing is that this is the first year I'm doing this. Funny how every year I stumbled upon it and I never understood its purpose but I never thought about looking it up. I guess we keep learning all our life. The beautiful thing is that it came in the right moment. You know I already started looking for Christmas decorations but that's just for me. This thingie... this is about paying the Christmas spirit forward. And making people happy. And inspiring them. I can't tell you how happy this idea made me feel when I finally understood what it meant and how enthusiastic I am now while planning it. Like I told my mom the other day, it makes me feel like competing in a terrific crafting contest:D 

   Actually I want to tell you something. I feel the need to be thankful today. First, I'm thankful for those people who planned a vacation in the middle of the semester cos this way I get to have 2 free days (Thank God!) Then I'm really thankful for the people who invented the Advent Calendar. I know it comes from Germany. God bless Germans! Third, I want to thank the awesome people who posted online so many free Advent templates that we can print, craft and decorate. Yesterday I behaved exactly like a kid on Christmas morning. I was soooo happy to discover so many beautiful ideas that I can put into practice for my friends:) I... just.. LOVE it! I love the idea of an Advent Calendar which helps you get into the Christmas spirit with those little things that can change your whole day:) ... or even your whole month:) 

   Dear diary, I donno about other people, but even though I don't particularly love winter, Christmas is DEFINITELY my time of the year and not those 3 days in particular but the whole month and a half that precedes it:) This Christmas fever makes me forget about anything that might worry me. And the Advent calendar is the best way of making Christmas gifts. Because this way, instead of getting something big that you might not like all that much, you get little pieces of a terrific Christmas to be:)

   I don't think there are enough words in the English vocabulary to describe how I feel right now. It's that feeling when you find exactly what you were looking for. The thing that completely describes you. Do you know what I mean?:) You do, don't you?

Until next time,

Advent(ian) love,

D.

Day 94. Let it snow

     Today I stood quietly behind the window and I gazed at the amazing spectacle outside. My eyes went wider and wider with joy while I was saying "This is soooo pretty! Just the way it used to be! I wish it would last til Christmas." 

   I was so excited by the snow that I even wanted to decorate the fir tree today... and then I changed my mind. I remembered I want that time to be as magical as it was every year and not just a "let's get it over with and look at how pretty it is for weeks until Christmas is here" thing. So I settled for staring at the decorations from time to time. Nevertheless, I can't wait for 15 more days to pass. Or not. I really enjoy these days. These days right before it. The moments when I plan the gifts for my loved ones while listening to carols, the moments when I take the bus home and I see the Christmas lights in the entire city and I daydream about Christmas. These days are magical. And snow just makes them perfect.  
   Now I know: 2012 was my best year ever and I can only thank God for His support and unconditional love:) He really is awesome:)

Day 84. Christmas is coming to town

    I'm really enjoying every moment I'm spending in the kindergarten:) Everything is so new to me even though 20 years ago I was a kid too. 20 years! Wow! 

   Today I was pleasantly surprised to see that all the teachers in the kindergarten have started to decorate their classes for the beautiful month of Christmas. There were cute snowmen, fluffy snowflakes, colorful tinsel and Christmas balls everywhere:) 

   The teacher in the photo chose to decorate the Christmas tree with the kids. You should have seen them waiting in line full of enthusiasm to give the teacher a Christmas ball for the tree:) It was magical:) The way Christmas should be. Pitty the prettiest part are the preparations and that Christmas passes so fast. But meanwhile, let's enjoy the preparations!:)

   Starting with Monday, I'm directing my attention towards Christmas gifts for my family!:) This year, I can really afford it:) I can't wait to make them happy! They deserve it for being so great:)