Currently Watching The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe see related

Soo.... only a short philosophical post.  Mainly I was getting tired of hearing everyone around me complain about how they hate- yes, HATE- <insert petty annoyance> about the Christmas season.  I kind of understand, but this year it just struck me how much getting hung up on stuff takes the joy out it.  Yeah, Christmas is commercialized- honestly, so what?  That doesn't change what it is truly about, only your feeling of "connection" with the average stranger walking down the street.  If you're a Christian spending time with another, then does it really matter what the world says about Christmas?  That guy walking down the street may not have a clue about Christmas, but if such is so, then any "connected" feeling is just false anyway.  Christians are aliens in this world, remember?  Our fellowship is with light, not darkness.  Now, I'm not saying not to care about people, but I would humbly suggest caring more about the person- like enough to share the Gospel with them- than caring more about some candy-coated fluffy feeling.  Yeah, I know the Christmas holiday can be depressing for a lot of people for a lot of humanly valid reasons, but isn't that why we're supposed to find our joy in the Lord.  And I am making a distinction here between joy and happiness.  It is perfectly possible to be joyous about Christ and the season and at the save time be hurt and grieving.

All right, that out of the way, Christmas was really good this year.  I got to be with my whole family all together.  That doesn't happen often anymore...  Other than that, break was some much-needed down time.  Why was it needed you may ask?  ...or not, but I'll tell you anyway.  First, because last quarter was brutal.  More so in the way I handled it, I think than in the actual schedule.  I have higher hopes for this one based on what I learned last quarter.  Second, because this next quarter is going to take a lot out of me.  Less so academically than in other areas, but those are areas I lack experience in, so it's probably going to cost me...  Oh well, I wouldn't put myself through this if I didn't want to...  Speaking of putting myself through it... I found out yesterday that I may be able to set up a independent study program for French that would get me through the intro courses fast enough to finish the advanced courses at the same time I finish my Spanish degree.  French minor, anyone?  The only question I really have is whether it's worth it.  Do I really want to do this to myself and those around me?  It bears thinking on...

So anyway, high hopes for the quarter... How was Christmas for everyone?  Oh yeah... saw Narnia... I'll post after I watch it again in non-critic mode...