Blog Maintenance

As you have noticed I have switched to a new commenting system called ECHO. I got Eco because HaloScan is passing on, will cease to be, will expire and go to meet it's maker, will be a stiff and be bereft of life, will soon rest in peace, will be pushing up the daisies! Its metabolic processes will soon be history, it will soon be off the twig, will soon to kick the bucket, will soon shuffle off its mortal coil. Its curtain is ringing down and it will soon join the bleedin' choir invisible! In short, it will soon be no more.*

I have found out that with this new system some people cannot leave comments on my blog. Hopefully this is a problem that ECHO is working on but until then if you cannot leave a comment e-mail it to me at my gmail account (peregrina@gmail.com) and I will copy it over to my blog. I know this is a pain but I do appreciate your comments and would miss them greatly.


*Plus HaloScan recommended them and told me I would lose all my comments if did not switch soon (OK, its true, I panicked.)so I did what they suggested.

Rules For Being Human

1. You will receive a body. You may love it or hate it, but it will be yours for as long as you live. How you take care of it or fail to take care of it can make an enormous difference in the quality of your life.

2. You will learn lessons. You are enrolled in a full-time, informal school called Life. Each day, you will be presented with opportunities to learn what you need to know. The lessons presented are often completely different from those you think you need.

3. There are no mistakes, only lessons. Growth is a process of trial, error and experimentation. You can learn as much from failure as you can from success, maybe even more.

4. A lesson is repeated until it is learned. A lesson will be presented to you in various forms until you have learned it. When you have learned it (as evidenced by a change in your attitude and ultimately your behavior) then you can go on to the next lesson.

5. Learning lessons does not end. There is no stage of life that does not contain some lessons. As long as you live there will be something more to learn.

6. “There” is no better than “here”. When your “there” has become a “here” you will simply discover another “there” that will again look better than your “here.” Don’t be fooled by believing that the unattainable is better than what you have.

7. Others are merely mirrors of you. You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects something you love or hate about yourself. When tempted to criticize others, ask yourself why you feel so strongly.

8. What you make of your life is up to you. You have all the tools and resources you need. What you create with those tools and resources is up to you. Remember that through desire, goal setting and unflagging effort you can have anything you want. Persistence is the key to success.

9. The answers lie inside of you. The solutions to all of life’s problems lie within your grasp. All you need to do is ask, look, listen and trust yourself.

10. You will forget all this. That fact is itself a lesson.

Merry Christmas

King's College Choir

O Come All Ye Faithful
O come, all ye faithful, joyful, and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels!

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord!

God of God, Light of Light,
Lo, he abhors not the Virgin's womb;
Very God, begotten not created.

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord!

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens, of heaven above!
Glory to God, in the highest!

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord!

Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be glory given;
Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing.

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord!

The Christmas Song

-Nat King Cole

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,
Jack Frost nipping at your nose,
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir,
And folks dressed up like Eskimos

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe,
Help to make the season bright,
Tiny tots with their eyes all a-glow,
Will find it hard to sleep tonight

They know that Santa’s on his way
He’s loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh,
And ev’ry mother’s child is gonna spy,
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.

And so I’m offering this simple phrase,
To kids from one to ninety-two,
Although it’s been said
Many times, Many ways
Merry Christmas to you.

(Musical interlude)

And so I’m offering this simple phrase,
To kids from one to ninety-two,
Although it’s been said
Many times, Many ways
Merry Christmas to you

That's What I Want For Christmas (2)

Our kindergarten students wrote their letters to Santa this week:

Dear Santa,
I want some new hairbands with pink bows or white kittens. Something else I want for Christmas is Moxie Girlz 2 , MP3 player and a white stuffed kitten with a pink bow in it's hair. I hope you can come to my house this year because I've been nice by helping my mom feed my dog Missy.

Hailey

P.S. I want a white shirt with my name on it.


Dear Santa,
How do you get in my house? Can I have for Christmas a deer stuffed animal, pheasant stuffed animal, football players-Vikings and Green Bay (Pro football teams), balloon, pet turtle, a real NASCAR (I'm sure he means a toy car), earrings for Mom, motorcycle for Dad, and a stuffed panda for my brother.

Caleb


Dear Santa,
What I want for Christmas is a Nintendo DS and a pet monkey. I also want a pet turtle and a pet lion. Santa, I have been very good this year and I am going to leave you cookies and milk. Please come to my house.

Kaden
(OK, remind me not to visit Kaden's house after Christmas.)


Dear Santa,
How are your elves? How's Mrs. Claus doing? How is Rudolph? Is Rudolph's nose still shiny? I've been very good this year. I want a Nintendo DS and the baby nursery game also. I look forward to opening my presents. If you give me extra presents I'll leave you cookies and milk. To get in my house use the key under the mat.

Hadleigh
(Sweetie, you do know we all know where you live, don't you?)


Dear Santa,
I have been very good this year. I helped my best friend Vivian put her mat and blanket back were it goes (after class nap time). How have the elves been this year? Does Rudolph have a brighter nose than usual? I love to pet my kitties and sometime I would really like to pet Rudolph. When you come you many come through the door because we don't have a chimney. I will have cookies waiting for you.

Lyden



Dear Santa
What I want for Christmas is Toy Story Pop-up Play World and a go-Kart that look like Grave Digger. I also want a Nintendo DS and a Batman Obstacle Course. I am going to leave you chocolate cookies and milk.

Cutter
(I don't think Santa will be able to fit that Batman Obstacle Course in his sleigh.)


Dear Santa,
I've been very, very good this year. I am also very excited that I am going to get a present. I like to leave cookies and milk. I am very excited to leave reindeer food. I also like to put up a Christmas tree every year. I want a toy car from the toy store. I also want a bicycle with training wheels.

Adam


Dear Santa,
I don't have a very big chimney. I want some dominoes, please. I want a tool box, please. I want a book bag (backpack) for hiking, please. I wonder about Rudolph. I'll give you some cookies! I've been good and only lost one clip(?) on the third.

Joshua


Dear Santa,
I would like a puppy, kitten, teddy bear, Barbies, puppy posters, necklaces, makeup, shoes, books. How are your elves doing? How many cookies would you like? I would like to have a Barbie movie. I really want and like snowmen. I want a fish for Christmas. I would like butterflies also. I would really like a reindeer. I would like to have a bear. I want a jacket for the cold. I really want it to snow.

Kara
(She got the last thing on her list today and I'm hoping she gets that jacket.)


Dear Santa,
This year I have been a really good girl and this year I would like some gum, crayons, flashlight, and a pen. Santa how many cookies would you like? This year for Christmas I hope I can get lots of presents under my tree. This year for Christmas I am going to play games with my sisters. I hope it will snow. I hope you have a very great Christmas.

Taiya


Dear Santa,
I want a remote control John Deere tractor and ice skates-any kind. And a chalk board with chalk. And I'm going to make you some chocolate chip cookies. And I want a train track with a train that comes with batteries.

Shannon Lee


Dear Santa,
This year I would like a Barbie Doll and a Nintendo DS because I have been a good girl this year. And I would like Santa to come down the chimney. Thank you.

Bailey


Dear Santa,
What I want for Christmas is a Barbie and DS and a bike. I want these toys because I have been very good this year. I want to make cookies for you. The cookies are going to be chocolate chip cookies.

McKenna


Dear Santa,
How are you, the elves, and the reindeer? What I would like for Christmas is a pink horse and a Barbie and a bear and a car. How do reindeer fly? How do you get into my house? And I will leave you cookies.

Vivian
(Ah, Lyden's friend.)


Dear Santa,
I will leave cookies for you. How much do you weigh? I would like a football and a Nintendo DS. Santa, you can come in the chimney. I have been good this year.

Isaac


Dear Santa,
I've been really good this year!!! I was wondering how you fit in your sled? How old are you? And how much do you weight(sic)? I'm going to leave you cookies, milk, and carrots for your reindeer. Where is the North Pole? For Christmas this year I really want a bike, flowers, stickers, and some hot red lipstick. I hope you have a great Christmas!

Kylee


Dear Santa,
A dolly reindeer is what I want. How are you doing, Santa? I will leave you delicious tree-shaped cookies on Christmas Eve. How is Mrs. Claus? I also want a bell for Christmas. How are the reindeer? I will also leave you milk. Merry Christmas.

Amanda


Dear Santa,
I want one-blade ice skates, a real huge diamond. I will leave cookies for you, Santa, with frosting and a glass of milk. I love you Santa!

Mia
(If you are only going to ask for only two things it makes sense that one of them is really huge.)


Dear Santa,
Will you bring me presents this Christmas? I hope you bring me a bike. Are you going to eat the cookies and milk in the kitchen? I would wish for a PSP (PlayStation) this Christmas! I hope you give me or get me the iPod. Will you wake me up?

Alvaro


Dear Santa,
I would like when you bring me presents. I want a Nintendo DS. And I promise to try to be good. I will make cookies for you Santa, maybe. I like Rudolph. I like to open your presents. How is Rudolph? Does his nose still shine? Are you(sic) eyes greenish-bluish? How are you going to come to my house? I want games with my Nintendo like Hannah Montana. I will maybe remember to put my key under the mat so you can come in. I want lots of board games. I want most of all is lots of dog games for my Nintendo DS.

Dawn
(And since she promises to try and be good, Santa will bring her everything she wants, maybe.)


Dear Santa,
I have been really good this year. I have been nice to all my friends and classmates. This year I want a nice metal, blue pocket knife. Also, Santa, how has Rudolph been doing? I will have cookies and chocolate milk for you. We have a chimney and I will tell my Dad not to light the fireplace. Also, how are all the elves? I would also like a toy gun. Thanks so much and I can't wait until Christmas!

Eli


Dear Santa,
I will leave homemade cookies and milk for you. I am very excited about Christmas this year. I was just wondering if I could borrow your hat for awhile? I don't know if you remember but earlier this year I sat on your lap and asked for a Nintendo DS and a kitty.

Jordyn
(I wonder what he is going to do with Santa's hat?)

That's What I Want For Christmas

-Nancy Wilson

When you said yesterday that it's nearly Christmas
What did I want and I thought just love me, love me, love me
That's what I want for Christmas

When I walk through a room let them see you need me
Walk through a room let them see you love me, love me, love me
That's what I want for Christmas

Anyone can wish for all the trinkets in the window
Some can even buy the things they see
But the presents that I want
You'll never find in any window
Bring me love and bring it just for me

When you come home at night
Take me in your arms and hold me
And kiss me, and say you love me, love me, love me
That's what I want for Christmas

Hold me
Kiss me
That's what I want for Christmas

Rocking Around The Christmas Tree

-Brenda Lee

I See The Lights

Today is Winter Solstice which marks the end of night's slowly creeping consumption of daylight. From now on the nights will grow shorter and the days longer. We move from the soul's despair of "a winter's day in a deep and dark December" to its joy in realizing that "the party lights" are not that far away.


A winter's day
In a deep and dark December
I am alone
Gazing from my window to the streets below
On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow
I am a rock I am an island

I've built walls
A fortress deep and mighty
That none may penetrate
I have no need of friendship
Friendship causes pain
It's laughter and it's loving I disdain
I am a rock I am an island

Don't talk of love
But I've heard the words before
It's sleeping in my memory
I won't disturb the slumber of feelings
that have died
If I never loved I never would have cried
I am a rock I am an island

I have my books
and my poetry to protect me
I am shielded in my armor
Hiding in my room
safe within my womb
I touch no one
and no one touches me
I am a rock I am an island

And a rock feels no pain
And an island never cries
-Simon and Garfunkel





(Party lights, I see the party lights)
Woo-oh, ooh,
(They're red & blue & green)
Party lights
(Everybody in the crowd is there)
Mama, I wanna go, go, go, go, go, yeah, yeah yeah, yeah
(Mama, Mama)

Well, Mama, dear, oh tell me, do you hear?
They're partying tonight
I tell you I can't sleep
Because across the street
Oh, oh, oh, oh, I see the party lights

I see the lights, I see the party lights
They're red and blue and green
Oh, everybody in the crowd is there
But you won't let me make the scene

Mama dear, oh, look-a-here, look here
There goes Mary Lou
I see Tommy and Joe
Oh, oh, and Betty and Sue
Oh, oh, oh, oh, there goes my boyfriend, too

I see the lights, I see the lights, I see the party lights
They're red and blue and green
Oh, everybody in the crowd is there
But you won't let me make the scene
Listen to the party, Mama!

(instrumental)

Hey, Mama dear, oh, look-a-here, look here
I'm feeling oh so blue
They're doin' the Twist, the Fish, the Mashed Potato, too
I'm here a-lookin' at you

I see the lights, I see the lights, I see the party lights
They're red and blue and green
Oh, everybody in the crowd is there
But you won't let me make the scene

They're doin' the Fish, they're doin' the Twist
The Watusi, the Mashed Potato
I see the lights, I see the lights
They're doin' the Bop, I wanna go
(Mama, mama)
I want to go
I want to go
I want to go
-Claudine Clark

You will find a scientific explanation of Winter Solstice here.

You will find an article about Winter Solstice customs and traditions here.

Christmas Quotes

“When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?”
-G. K. Chesterton

"And a Merry Christmas to you too, Mr. Scrooge."
-Me

Christmas, Christmas Time Is Near

We are getting closer to Christmas day so here are a few links to help get you into the mood:

1. Christmas lights.

2. Christmas trees.

3. The Jackson 5 singing Jackson 5 singing Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.

4. Snowmen.

5. Listen to Christmas carols. (Don't forget to ask them to sing Adeste Fideles.)

6. If that's not enough here are Alvin and the Chipmunks singing The Chipmunks Christmas Song. (Click on "more info" to see the lyrics.)
.
7. Now that you are in the mood you can finish up by writing your own Christmas carol.