DECEMBER 25, 2010 WEEK 8

DECEMBER 18, 2010 WEEK 7

BAKING COOKIES AND WATCHING CHRISTMAS MOVIES!

Ok so this is not really going out and doing something, however this past week has been nothing but shopping, working, christmas decorating and running errands.  Making christmas cookies was on the list of things to do soo I decided to make it a weekend GOAL!

After consulting with several people on what cookies to make I setup shop.  I made the traditional chocolate chip as well as walnut, oatmeal, peppermint pinwheels and peanut butter blossums.  It took a total of 4 hours to get all the ingredients made and chilled in the fridge.

Meanwhile, I watched the ending of the amazing White Christmas and the fantastic Miracle on 34th Street (the original version).  I LOVE THIS FILM!

With the smell of christmas cookies in the air, the tree lights glowing and the miracle occuring on 34th street, I had a wonderful life, I mean time!

DECEMBER 21, 2010

ECLIPSE OF THE MOON!

I thought this would be a special treat for everyone!  Here's a little tidbit of info:

First of all what is a lunar eclipse? 
A lunar eclipse is when our planet passes between the sun and the moon.

What is so AMAZING about this lunar eclipse?
Well it will be the first lunar eclipse since December 21, 1638 that will coincide with the winter solstice.

What is the winter solstice? 

It is the longest night of the year AND after which the days will get longer.  The winter solstice is supposed to also be the start of winter but you know how that goes.

When does this lunar eclipse start and how long will it last?

The beginning of the eclipse will start at 2:41am EST and last for 3.5 hours.  NASA says 3:17am is the preferred time to watch!

The other cool thing about a lunar eclipse vs a solar eclipse (the sun being blocked out) is that you don't have to wear protective eye wear.  You can stare at the moon as long as you want!

I got to personally experience the lunar eclipse!  I was very tired that night so I asked my boyfriend to call me around 2:45am (because he stays up late) and so I threw a blanket on (it was cold) and some shoes and walked outside with the dog and looked up.  I didn't really get to see the "red moon" , I did however see about half the moon covered  and attempted to take several pictures.  They all turned out looking like a tiny white dot. 

FYI>> According to EarthSky the next lunar eclipse will be on June 15, 2011 but North America will not be facing the wrong direction.  After that December 10, 2011 but might not be very visible.  However on April 14-15 2014 we will be having an amazing lunar eclipse!!!

DECEMBER 10, 2010 WEEK 6

MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY EARTH AND SKY

This was an interesting play!  I didn't really know what to expect because I never really read up on it.  I did however close my eyes and add buy the tickets!  Another reason why I love to just "GO FOR IT!"

Well I arrived at the playhouse again LATE but this time only by five minutes.  I was coming from Carlisle again and I miss judged the time.  I arrived and a girl took me to get seated.  This play wasn't as packed as the last play which kindof gave the play more of a mysterious feel.  The fog was in the air, the set was in the middle of the floor, audience surrounding it from both sides.  Very Chicago, very scandalious!
I have to give the lead made props for taking this role.  She spoke through the entire play, every scene!  It was amazing!

DECEMBER 4, 2010 WEEK 5

HERSHEY BEARS VS BINGHAMTON SENATORS AT THE HERSHEY GIANT CENTER
Cost: $22.50

B E A R S WOO!  That's right I went to a Hershey Bear's Game!  But more on that after work... got to go and I will return!

OK I'm back and ready for action!  My friends Megan, Matt, Darina and Rem asked my significant other and I to go to the game.  However he had to work. :( so I went solo.

We all decided to meet up at Your Place in Hershey for dinner.  I would have to say that it was much more exciting and the food more delicious than the last time.  We also saved a butt load of money with the coupons that I had brought for the gang.  After dinner we piled up in the car (very nice car with heat) and headed off to the game. 

Now at this specific game they held a teddy bear toss. This is where you throw a teddy bear out onto the ice and they are donated to the Children's Miracle Network. It was exciting!  My friends had actually brought two garbage bags full of bears!  I didn't realize how serious this toss was at first, now I know for the next time.  As soon as the first goal was made stuffed animal
 flew through the air!  I took some pics before I said goodbye to mine.  He didn't make the ice but it was fun anyways!  During the game it was announced that      7,199 bears were thrown onto the ice.  But the actual count is 7,200, why you ask?  There was one stuck in the net, lol. 
The middle of the game went pretty smoothly I got a drink during one of the breaks and even spun the wheel at the Belco table and got a chip clip.  Yeah I'm a winner! 

However the ending of the game seemed more like a boxing match than a hockey game.  Fights were breaking out left and right, even after the final game buzzer both teams were at it again!  All in all a good game!

Hershey Bears win again (4-0), I had a good time hanging out with friends and I GOT OUT OF THE HOUSE!  Goal Achieved!

  

DECEMBER 3, 2010 WEEK 5

FRANKLIN AND MARSHALL 2010 FALL DANCE CONCERT                                    Cost: $10

So welcome back from our slight vacation!  I am full of turkey and tired of putting up Christmas decorations already!

For the first week back, I decided to try another college event (which I LOVE) because it reminds me of all the good times I had in college, plus they are interesting and cheap!  Franklin and Marshall directed and produced a dance concert this past weekend to highlight and grade students on their end of semester learning.  This time I made sure I knew where I was going, lol!
The show consisted of 8 dances ranging from Jazz, Ballet and Abstract.  The first dance,  My "Sista's Keeper"  was a traditional Malian dance that celebrated the bonds of "sistahood".  This African dance also included six drummers in the background keeping the beat!  It was a very intense performance!    
The second was a Jazz ensemble which reminded me of an old 1940's movie and a Michael Jackson music video.  A man standing in the middle of the stage holding a hat brim down so you could not see his face.  Meanwhile girls danced on a off stage as to tease him.  The dimly lit stage also added to the effect.
Next came an interesting dance called "Klezmertanz" which had several female dancers dancing in circles with towels and then showing the motion of crying into them.  I liked the dance however it wasn't explained in the program what exactly it was about soooo I did!

"Klezmer" refers to musical instruments but can also mean the musicians themselves.  This type of music is often referred to as "Yiddish" music.  The "tanz" part of the word means "Dance!"  These types of dances change the pace from fast to slow and usually include a type of circle dance.  An example of this would be the Hora!  See you do learn something new everyday!

With a quick intermission and a stretch I was ready for the next performance!  Two interesting and WEIRD abstract interpretations!  The music was also weird with sounds of crickets, clocks and a radio playing in the background?!? Weird.  The pieces were titled "Gone Time" and "Line Up (Excerpts 1976)" were mainly of performers trying to into line but they had many invisible and not so invisible barriers that they tried to get around.  After about 20 minutes I can report...THEY GOT INTO A LINE!  Was a little boring in the middle but interesting and intense movements.

Finally, I think they wanted the audience to leave on a lighter note so they did three fun and known dances.  The first "Buenas Intenciones (Good Intentions)"  a flamenco dance, second "Campus Tour" which was a group of students crammed together in the beginning and then separate and free flowing in the end.  You get the interpretation.  Finally, "Relent(less)" which a fast paced wake you up if your sleeping kind of ballet dance.  I was impressed with the lighting and the movements flowing together.

At the end of the performance they had a table of fruit and cookies for the performers and guests in the lobby.  I of course took advantage of the cookies! 

An added bonus, my car didn't get towed because I was parked in a parking for faculty and students only!!  A perfect end!

Getting into the Christmas spirit and changed the background! Can't wait for the weekend!