So, I’m pretty sure this post is self-explanatory, and also slightly obligatory. I mean practically everyone does one! I wasn’t going to do one, but then I realized that I really do want everyone to have a Merry Christmas! I hope you all have fun with your traditions (or, that you adjust nicely to having your traditions changed while you were away, and that you figure out how everything is scheduled, somewhat. Like me. Grrrr.).

I’m off to bed now, because as you know, Santa only comes while you are asleep!

However,  I am planning on quite a few wake-ups during the night, due to the fact that I saw “Sweeney Todd,” this evening. I really enjoyed it, but it is pretty gruesome! I hope I don’t wake up when the Big Guy is here, and he finds out, and high-tails it home before leaving my presents!

Love, Aisling <333

Not everyone loves Christmas. I am not one of those people. I love it. I love having my house completely decorated in a festive way. I love shopping, especially downtown, because I love the feeling of walking around, with everyone so busy, sipping coffee, and then going into one of the many downtown malls. I love wrapping gifts with ribbons and bows. I love writing Christmas cards, and e-mails, and knowing that my words are making someone smile. I love belting out the songs and carols. I get caught up in the materialism of the season, but I also take time to reflect, and to help others by donating to different charities and relief organizations. I am definitely a cheerleader for the season.

I can understand why some people are not a big fan of the holiday. It practically starts on November first, and does not end until well into January. It can be a long and stressful season. And I fully support you if you don’t want to get into the spirit until the 24th, or ever. But please, don’t spoil it for the rest of us.

Today I heard something that made me very sad.

In Canada, Canada Post sets up a thing where you can write to Santa. His address, for those wondering, is Santa Claus, The North Pole, H0H 0H0. I’ve written to Santa every year when I was younger. I even wrote to him last year when my Katimavik group and I volunteered at a local Christmas party for the Food Bank. And I got a response!

The responses are written by 11 000 Canada Post employees. They are lovely, and personalized. They’ve brought me little spurts of joy for at least 16 of my 19 years.

And someone has decided to ruin it all.

One of the employees has sent obscene letters to about 10 children living in the Ottawa area.

Because of this, the entire program has been halted until the “rogue elf,” as they are calling it (more like, “sadist bastard.”) has been caught.

I’m just… well, I’m pretty upset to hear about this. I don’t even know what to say, other than, if you do not like the whole “Christmas thing,” don’t try and ruin it for others. Just… go home to your mansion, and sit there in the dark. Don’t mind the clanking of chains.

Sorry for the lack of updates! I came down with the flu on Monday night, and then the Internet was taken away from me, because of that. I just got my router back today, ha ha.

There are so many reasons to be happy.

I’ve spent a fair amount of time being “emo,” and quite frankly, it became tiring. Unhappiness is draining, not just on yourself, but on everyone you interact with. As I dive further into the ocean of self-discovery I first located just over a year ago, I’ve come to take on lighter and more optimistic ideals. When I was in school, I used to be generally sad, with small bursts of enjoyment. Now, I find myself being extremely happy for days at a time, lightly peppered with sadness that is easily brushed aside.

I know my turbulent teenage years were a phase. But is this a phase too? I hope not.

Often, I appear to be so chipper, that people become wary, perhaps perceiving my cheerfulness as fake, although, I assure you, it is not. For example, today, I set up a booth for Katimavik at the career fair at my former high school. Generally, when I talk to anyone, I get excited, but even more so with Katimavik it seems. Since it was such an amazing part of my life, I get extremely hyper, as I try to explain every aspect of the program in as little time as possible. While many appreciate the enthusiasm, I did notice one or two people seem to shrink next to my outspoken excitement.

I felt badly for maybe making the person feel uncomfortable with my million watt sunshiney-demeanour, but I feel it begs the question: Should I curb my enthusiasm to suit the comfort zones of others?

I remember back in the day, when I was in one of my moods, my friends telling me to be happy and to appreciate what I do have. I worked hard to improve my optimism and esteem. Should I give that up to cater to the more pessimistic needs of people?

I saw “The Diary of Anne Frank,” performed at Mount Royal College last night (which was excellent. My friend, Sarah, plays Anne. If you’re in the Calgary area, rush out to see it before closing night this weekend!), so I will refer to a quote from Anne Frank, herself:

We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same.

If we are all striving for happiness, is it our job to help others find it? Or is it a personal journey? Should we be actively seeking it, or allow it to find us, and catch us by surprise? Will we know when we have a grasp on it, or will we remain oblivious until it slips through our fingers?

I don’t know.

Click here for quotes on happiness. Let me know if you find it!