Dan's Christams Journal

2005-12-08T21:34:00.000-08:00

Tonight I went and saw a presentation given by Gordon Pennington. Gordon formally worked for Tommy Hilfiger in advertising and now, while still in advertising, tours to universities to talk about American consumerism, what drives Americans to buy, and even what drives humans to make everyday decisions. I thought that it was interesting that the things he talked about apply to everyday life. Not only during the holiday season are we "tricked" into buying unneccesary items. We are influenced by hundreds of signals a day that say "you want that," "buy that for someone," "you need to eat this!" This lack of control that humans seems to have led Gordon to question why we are here. Who are we and what do we really want to do with our lives? If we have goals, are we really doing everyting we can to obtain them?

Towards the end of the discussion, Gordon began to stress the importance of news, books, and brain-drain caused by the media. His comments made me question what he felt universities across America could do to fix the problem of being too busy or too lazy to pick up a book and read it just for content and ideas. Since high school I have found it nearly impossible to pick up a book and be mentally stimulated by it. Every time I pick up a book for fun I put it back down because there is always a paper that needs to be written or a text book that needs to be outlined. I think it would cool to go to a school where the classes are just like book discussions. No papers, no assignments, no tests! Just reading and discussing! I understand that this system seems impractable when trying to prepare people for the "real world" but knowledge can never be over rated.

I was really intrigued by Gordon's discussion and I think that, because entire school reform is impractable, that at least the INTD classes could become more about reading classic liturature and discussing it with less emphasis on writing, ect.

2005-12-07T09:15:00.000-08:00

I know that it was mentioned in class on Monday that the most recent chapter of Nissenbaum, Wassailing Across the Color Line, was easier to comprehend because of its relativly proximity in time to today. I also believe that this final chapter of Nissenbaum was simple to understand. I also thought that the chapter had some of the most relevent information in reconnecting the idea of role reversal during the holiday season. I thought it was interesting that this text actually made slaves and their masters seem like real individuals. In most history classes I have taken slaves, masters, and all historical figures rarely seem like real inividuals who make descisions based on human values and perform human actions. I know that in many of my history classes we have read primary sources, autobiographies, and hagiographic sources that really make people seem like people who can make mistakes and have flaws. I think, relating back to Nissenbaum, that the masters really had less control over their slaves then one would think. While reading the chapter, I pictured a master and his family running around trying to entertain slaves who were completely taking advantage of the freedom they were being allocated. I am interested in how the class discussion will be for this chapter because I know that there are many good points that were made by Nissenbaum.

2005-12-02T09:17:00.000-08:00

I hear alot of people complain about their INTD classes. They call them pointless and a waste of time, but I feel that I have learned alot about writing and reading comprehension through INTD 105 The Battle For Christmas. I have learned how to better organize my introductions to get straight to the point. I have learned how to make my sentences concise and reduce run-ons. I have also learned that if two independent clauses are joined by a conjuction there needs to be a comma before the conjunction. I have already used many of these tools and facts while writing papers for other classes, and I believe I will get better grades for doing so. I know that I still have many flaws as a writer, but I understand that I will continue to learn more here at SUNY Geneseo.

Through INTD 105 I have also learned alot about Christmas. Several sections of Nissenbaum's book were confusing to me, and perhaps I didn't take the time I should have to carefully read and comprehend every individual mentioned. Although I did read every section assigned, if I could take the course again I would spend more time trying to understand everything that I
read.

I have to get to class right now so I am going to finish this BLOG.

2005-11-28T09:31:00.000-08:00

Now that Thanksgiving is over everyone can stop complaining about Christmas decoratations, because it is officially the Christmas season! As soon as the doors opened and little old ladies were trampled over on Black Friday the Christmas season of festivness and joyfulness kicked off. I was disgusted when I saw the way people behaved on Black Friday and could not believe how childish adults can act as soon as sales are throne in their face.

This week when I went home for Thanksgiving my family and I put up the Christmas tree. I also put up the Christmas lights outside on my house. This Christmas I know that my house will not be as decorated as much as usual because I doubt that my dad will take all the decorations out of the garage and I know my mom won't want to deal with the "clutter." I think that I am going to appreciate this holiday the most though because I will be returing home and have very few responsibilities. I will not take my family for granted and everything that I get will be a suprise because I really didn't ask for anything.

I wish that I could re-write the first paper because this class has helped me to realize all the traditions my family has and why they are there. I have a better appreciatioin for all the little things that have made the holiday so special to me.

I have also been thinking alot about what to get for the person who I drew for the Secret Santa. I know the person's roommate and I am going to contact them about this individuals favorite food, candy, music, etc.

Sorry that this is rambling but I will edit it later. I really need to get back into school mode.

2005-11-18T08:50:00.000-08:00

Wow, it has been a long time since I have done this blogging thing. Recently in class we have been discussing Charles Dickens' "A CHRISTMAS CAROL," and we have been discussing many aspects of the British community in the 19th century. On Tuesday when we were discussing why Scrooge was so obsessed with money the point was brought up that there was a fear of being poor. Society in the early to mid 19th century was very split amoung those who have and those who do not have. In high school I wrote an extended essay about the Irish Potato Famine and I am making many connections to our discussions. My thesis, against popular belief, for the paper was that the British did try to help the starving Irish and that there were places that people could go to if they wanted to better their life in Ireland. After reading "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" I kind of feel that now I was like Scrooge who talked about the workhouses and the prisions. I am starting to realize, however, that here at SUNY Geneseo I truly am spoiled and that I should be grateful for all that I have. I have matured in recent years and have realized how good my life really is. I know that I will spend some time, like I do every day, during the holiday season to reflect and thank those individuals who have made my life the way that it is. I know that we have learned many of the alternative motives behind giving to charities and giving presents at Christmas time in INTD 105, but in my mind I truly give because I want to and I am going to make the most out of this holiday season!

2005-10-31T09:43:00.000-08:00

We are currently over halfway through the first semester of the fall 2005 season at SUNY Geneseo. So far I really enjoy SUNY Geneseo and the experiences that I have had. I enjoy all of my classes and have been able to stay on top of all of my work. I have also met alot of good people who share common interests. The hardest part of this semester has been being away from home. I found however that I look foward to going home and coming back. I understand now that I can't always, ever, get a 100% on tests. In high school I was babied and given points for everything but there is definetly a difference here. I would reccomend Geneseo to anyone who was interested in these programs offered. I enjoy the dorms, the academic facilities, and all the activities that there are offered on the weekends and throughout the week.

One big change is the fact that in high school I could get a perfect grade on everything and here standards start as a B.

I do feel that this is a very intellectual environment and that everyone is usually interested in talking about whatever subject is brought up. I think that there is an expectation here that you are educated about what you are discussing. It is hard when there are discussions about politics and I am not educated about what is going on or what has occurred.

I will edit and finish this later...

2005-10-28T09:35:00.000-07:00

Last class we talked about how to raise children and whether it is better to raise children like the Puritans and punish a child to break their spirits or to be like the Unitarians and encourage children to be honest through rewards. Growing up I was punished if I behaved in a bad way but never severely. I had my fair share of "spankings" and learned my lesson quickly after that (everytime I was ever "hit" my dad would apologize and tell me what I had done wrong and why I shouldn't behave in the manner which I had). My parents taught my brother, sister, and I how to be mature and we were both punished for acting childish and rewarded for behaving. When I raise my children I hope that I will never have to hit them. I hope that my wife and I can agree to encourage our children and not spoil them. I hope that my kids will be humble but also accomplished. I understand that many parents have high standards for their kids and wants their kids to achieve greatness but sometimes attaining goals is harder than dreaming about them. Sadly however, when raising kids you only have one chance to succeed because there isn't any going back.

2005-10-26T08:45:00.000-07:00

I recently have been working on my fourth paper for INTD 105 and was suprised that it wasn't as challenging as I had anticipated. As of right now I would like someone else to read the paper and edit it for mistakes but other than that I think I am done. The hardest part of writing this essay was deciding on a title. I was always taught that a title should be creative but also give an insight to what the paper is going to be about. I would like to be creative by changing the lyrics of a Christmas carol to be depressing because in my paper I talk about how Nissenbaum's inturpretation can be a downer in the holiday season but I also need to incorporate how I am going to talk about contrasting views. Right now my title is Have Yourself a Dismal Little Christmas: Contrasting Christmas Perspectives of the 19th and 20th Centuries. Unless someone replies or has a better suggestion it will probably remain this way but perhaps in class we could talk about formating a title and what is the best way to go about doing so.

2005-10-19T06:07:00.000-07:00

I personally am very glad that Americans celebrate Christmas in the manor that they do today. Just like most things in this world, Christmas, at least while looking at the big picture, has evolved from a time of rowdiness to a time of quiet family gathering. No longer do wassailers invited themselves into homes and threaten the owners for food and drink and no longer do drunken snowball fights errupt in a neighborhood so people can "let off alittle steam." Yes, while there are still times when office Christmas parties get alittle crazy, for the most part Christmas is about spending time with ones family while opening presents or eating a meal.

I believe that the holiday became more peacefull because of people that didn't think it was proper to "let off some steam" in such a primitive manor. In the early 19th century many people spent their entire day doing physically demanding labor and therefore a break in the year was well deserved and well enjoyed. It wasn't until New Yorks' "proper folk," like the Knickerbockers and Moore, published poems and articles about new Christmas traditions that the holiday moved indoors away from the rowdiness and drunkeness.

I personally enjoy most aspects of today's modern Christmas tradition and am glad that it has evolved into what it is. I understand that Christmas has changed and will continue to change and I obviously don't "blame" the 19th century Americans for celebrating the way that they did. I understand that I live pampered life at home and here at SUNY Geneseo and that for me "relaxing" is something much different. Today's society, throughout the entire year, has much more time to party and get drunk and that is why Christmas isn't only a holiday from working but also a holiday from our normal celebrating habits.

2005-10-17T06:13:00.000-07:00

Fourth Paper

Find a primary source text from the nineteenth-century that describes Christmas customs, traditions, or activities. Write a 3-5 page essay that (1) briefly summarizes some aspect of the text related to Nissenbaum's analysis of Christmas's evolution in America, and (2) demonstrates how the text either supports, contradicts, or adds to Nissenbaum's analysis. Document your use of this source and Nissenbaum using MLA citation conventions.

Find a scholarly monograph - book, chapter, or journal article - on any aspect of Christmas customs or Christmas literature. (Coffee-table books and encyclopedias are not scholarly texts.) Write a 3-5 page essay that (1) briefly summarizes the thesis of the monograph, and (2) demonstrates how the monograph either supports, contradicts, or adds to Nissenbaum's analysis of Christmas's evolution in America. Document your use of this monograph and Nissenbaum using MLA citation conventions
__________________________________________________________________
Today I began thinking about my fourth paper for INDT 105. I am currently brainstorming different holiday traditions and then trying to find out if they originated in the 19th-century. All ready I have found that the following traditions have origins in the 19th-century: fruitcake, wassail, table top trees, stockings, yule log, Christmas cards, Poinsettias, candy canes, presents. Some of these traditions have much earlier usage in other nations of the world but were incorporated into the American Christmas tradition during the 1800's. If I can find the resources, I would like to write about either wassailing, stockings, candy canes, or Christmas cards. I would like to talk about the evolution of the tradition and then compare the 19th-century tradition to modern tradition by interviewing people and asking them about how they celebrate Christmas. After rereading the assignment for paper 4 I also see that I may choose a piece of literature - I may look into this more if I can find a holiday poem or song published after "A Visit from St. Nicholas."

2005-10-14T06:27:00.000-07:00

As Halloween aproaches I can't help but think of all the things that we have discussed in INTD 105 The Battle for Christmas. My roommate mentioned that some people in his community believe that Halloween should not be celebrated because it is the celebration of the devil but I truly believe that it is more about role reversal steming from the Roman holiday Saturnalia. I also look at the holiday and related it to days like Cinco de Mayo where people remember and honor those who have died. With the recent death of my grandmother I think that I will begin to look at Halloween differently.

For every Halloween since I was about 10 I decorated the house with webs, lights, manicans, and a fake graveyard. This year I will not be able to decorate my house so I am going to try and bring the "holiday spirit" to my residence hall by throwing a Halloween Niagara Nightmare Party on Sunday, October 30. At the event there will be pumpkin painting, movies, and snacks. I hope that alot of people from the Niagara residence hall attend.

On another note, I am finding it very interesting that recently all the material in my five classes seems to be intermingling. In my HIST 105 class (Intro to Western History) we read about Horace and his satires. We also read about the Roman Saturnalia and the celebration at the winter solstice.

2005-10-11T20:40:00.000-07:00

Today I returned back to SUNY Geneseo after a much needed fall vacation. While looking at the WIKI I noticed that there are two areas I think the class needs to work on. First I think that the class has to cite their information better. I would ask that everyone who contributed to a section go back and re-read it to see if they by chance used something from books that they should cite. I also think that the class should clarify all, or most, of the pronouns used throughtout the entry. The WIKI would sound much more educated and would be much easier undersood if pronouns where changed to proper nouns. I hope that others read this, agree, and then help to make the changes.

2005-10-07T11:17:00.000-07:00

Class October 7, 2005

Today in class Professor Schacht was not able to make it but myself and a few others took over and talked about the WIKI. The people that contributed most to the conversation were myself, Seth, Katie, Julian, Tina, and Julie. As a group we decided that we need to erase some of the redundancy and cite our sources as well as make more links to seperate sites. I am not going to work on the WIKI this weekend because I will not have access to a computer. I hope that over the weekend the WIKI changes and I can edit it on Tuesday when I get back from vacation.

2005-10-05T20:52:00.000-07:00

This week alot of my attention has been given to the paper 3 assignment of working on the INDT 105 WIKI. At first I thought that I wouldn't be interested in working on the WIKI but after playing around with it I found that it was really easy and interesting. I know that in this project there are no leaders and that we are all inteded to work together but what I hope to get out of the WIKI is a clear understanding of the works (The Battle For Christmas, Author Unknown, The Case of the Christmas Poem, and A Visit from St.Nicholas). I also hope that a clear definition of people involved (Nissenbaum, Moore, Livingston, Knickerbockers, ect.) is given.

I will not have access to a computer this weekend but hope that when I return from fall break most of the paragraphs are writtten and that I can continue editing.

2005-10-03T08:59:00.000-07:00

I think that the one thing that has impressed me the most so far in INTD 105 is the connection between Christmas traditions and the history of different civilizations at the time. Like good literature, studying how distinct cultures celebrated Christmas provides no only an insight on the common family and society but also a look into local politics, economy, and values of that culture.

This past weekend I wrote a paper for my HIST 105 class where I defended Odyssues and King David as heroes of their respective cultures. I found that by looking that these individuals and their custums, one can discover many aspects of history that can not be found by archeologists.

In class on Wednesday, September 28, 2005, Professor Schact asked if the understanding of Christmas and Santa Claus is important and I truly believe that it is. I believe that everyone should understand why they spend hundreds of dollars every year to supply presents to their family and friends. I also believe that people should understand that holidays and custums evolve - this is a point that I argued in my second paper for INTD 105.

2005-09-30T11:46:00.000-07:00

Thank you Professor!

Last night I recieved one of the best text messages on my cell phone. It was from my INTD 105 teacher who wrote that class was cancelled. I hope that everything is okay with my professor but enjoyed having the day off because, once again, I am sick.

I am really starting to enjoy INTD 105 with the discussion about the different Christmas topics but I hope that other people start discussing and participating more. As a suggestion I think that next year the class should go straight into discussion rather than focusing on the computer aspects of the class. Worrying about the coffeehouse, wikis, and blogs was boring the first week but the discussions are good.

2005-09-28T10:14:00.000-07:00

"Yes, Professor Schacht, There is a Santa Claus"

Today in class, Wednesday, September 27, 2005, a catastrophe occured. Mr.Paul Schacht admitted to our class that there is no Santa Claus. This news upset me and I will still not tell my parents this because they told me as soon as my brother, sister, and I admit that we don't believe we stop getting presents. This whole believing thing reminds me of how I discovered the truth about the tooth fairy...sit back and listen won't you?

When I lost my last tooth I had to create a plan to find out if the tooth fairy existed or not. I lost my tooth and waited until my mom was asleep on the couch before I told her. When I told her she mumbled and fell back asleep. I put the tooth under my pillow and when I awoke there was no money. I did the same thing the following night and yet again there was no money. On the second morning after losing my tooth I was in the basement with my brother and sister. My mom came down the stairs, handed me a dollar and said, "Here you go, you're done." That was the last time the Tooth Fairy visited my house.

So, as you can see, it would be unwise for me to say or even hint at the fact that there is no Santa Claus because that would mean that Santa Claus would stop coming! So Mr.Schacht please keep your opinions to yourself and quit trying to ruin my Christmas (I'm just kidding).

2005-09-27T20:50:00.000-07:00

Today I finished my Paper 2 for my INTD 105 class because I am sick of looking at it and reviewing the same things over and over. I think that I did an okay job on this paper but did think that it was a very hard argument. Like I stated in another post, I don't think that I picked the strongest argument I could have but I did want to focus on Christmas and could only think of the one I chose to write about.

In my paper I tried to have my seven year old cousin tell me that in a couple generations it may be possible that the image of Christ at Christmas will be minimal. My favorite line of the paper is "If the Romans celebrated Christmas without Christ who is to say it won't happen again." Here of course I am talking about the Roman Saturnalia and as we all know the Roman Saturnalia had nothing to do with the celebration of Christ but many of the celebrations originated from the celebration of the summer solctice.

I hope that this paper has a stronger, more recognizable thesis than my paper 1. I think I developed my arguments strongly enough but the paper does get complicated when trying to understand exactly where a seven year old child is coming from and what their basis of knowledge is.

2005-09-27T17:47:00.000-07:00

I recently read two articles surrounding the debate of the author of "A Visit From St.Nicholas." I realized while reading these articles that it wasn't the information that was presented that convinced me to believe in one possibilty over the other regarding authorship, but rather, it was the way in which the authors presented their information. Information that was presented more clearly helped me to understand and caught my attention. If an article is interesting I want to continue reading it but if an article is boring the assignment becomes too much of a chore to really enjoy and care.

In my opinion, while reading the articles, it seemed that Don Foster, the author of "On the Trail of Annonymous," seemed to only "bashing" the integrity of Moore instead of providing information in support of Livingston. The "mudslinging" technique used by Foster upsets me during the campaign season and did again here in the article. I will of couse like to hear the discussion in class about these articles but, in my opinion, the only thing that Foster says is that Moore was a religous man and wouldn't write a children's poem regarding a different meaning for Christmas. I think that it is very possible for a religous man to have an imagination though and therefore Moore should not be completly removed from the authorship race.

I personally support the argument that says that Moore is the author of the poem but I want to hear the other side of the argument in class and hope that many others argue against me.

2005-09-26T12:28:00.000-07:00

As a follow-up to the class discussion about grammer on Monday, September 26, 2005 I was wondering if someone could help me with the following sentence...

"Is everyone sure that they brought my presents?"

does this turn into "Is everybody sure that they brought my presents"? I know that everyone is supposed to be singualr but now I don't know if I am talking to a plural group (in this case my family) or each person in my family as an individual.

If anyone reads this an has an imput please let me know so I can fix it by Friday. Thanks

2005-09-26T11:10:00.000-07:00

I have been keeping another blog also and will include a link to that blog so that it is understood that I have been updating my blog several times a week...

http://dehollanderstuff.blogspot.com/

This link is composed of random journal entries but now that I understand that I should focus more on Christmas I will begin doing so. I hope that this isn't held against me. Thank you.

2005-09-25T21:57:00.000-07:00

PAPER 2 HELP!!!!

This last week I wrote my second paper for INTD 105 but am very concerned with it. The assignment was to write a dialog between two opposing sides and have the person whose view is different from mine have the upper hand. I didn't have to, but I chose to discuss a Christmas topic and tried to relate to some of the things we are discussing in class. I think that by limiting myself to Christmas I chose an area that will not provide as strong an argument as when compared to my classmates' who will discuss things regarding politics, religion, and other social conditions.

If anyone would like to read my paper and help me I would be very appreciative. I just hope that my desire to write about Christmas won't hurt my grade or my spirits in the long run.

2005-09-24T21:05:00.000-07:00

Today I am going to write about the grade and comments of my Paper 1 assignment for INTD 105. I got a "B" on the paper and of course am not happy with that grade but would just like to reflect on some of the comments on the paper so I can try to clarify some things and learn from others.

COMMENT 1:
Waking my sister, who has already been laying in bed for an hour, the duo [PS1] then creeps to my room. >>Dangling/Misplaced Modifier

[PS1]Actually, the duo doesn’t wake your sister – only your brother does. See The Guide on dangling modifiers.

*I did read the Dangling/Misplaced Modifier but still am still confused how "the duo" doesn't symbolize my brother and sister. If I would have taken the inserted text out the sentence would have read ... "Waking my sister, the duo then creeps to my room." Does this comment mean that I should have written..."After my brother wakes my sister, the duo then creeps to my room"?

COMMENT 2:
...the family finally arises and goes to the basement where tables and food have been placed out for everyone to enjoy [PS1] .

[PS1]Sounds like people are going to enjoy the tables as well as the food.

*I completly understand this comment

COMMENT 3:
...whose tags have already been inspected for the recipients by everyone under the age of 20. I am 18.

*These two sentences are supposed to show that I have also inspected the tags. I thought it was a cool area area of my paper that would require the reader to think and then reach the conclusion that although I am 18 I still peek at the gifts under the tree like a child but apparently no one else thinks the same way that I do.

COMMENT 4:
My aunts prepare dishes for their children, slicing meatballs and spaghetti [PS1] .

[PS1]Slicing spaghetti??

*Yes, the parents slice spaghetti for their kids along with the meatballs. It makes it easier for them to eat with a spoon. Maybe I should have used the word cutting? Does slicing mean cutting it the long way?

COMMENT 5:
drinking coffee from light blue [PS1] mugs

[PS1]Any particular reason for the color?

*Yes, there is a reason I added the minut detail of the color. I was just adding a detail about Christmas that I have noticed and have remembered from throughout the years. At the end of the paper I talk about different decorations and dinnerware and although these may seem like small changes they are somethings about my grandmother I remember and will miss this Christmas. I was attempting to make a connection.

OVERALL:
I am not entirely happy with my grade. Not only do I like getting "A's" but I also was very proud of that paper and got very emotional while writting it. I am not happy with my second paper and am now very concerned with what the grade it is going to be. I am going to try to add more to make sure that my thesis is reached and is much clearer. I understand how in this first paper I may not have defined the tradition stronly enough.

2005-09-23T10:10:00.000-07:00

Recently in my Intro to Western History class we began talking about Socrates and other classical philosophers. I noticed within the reading that the Socratic Dialoug was mentioned and stressed. In a Socratic Dialoug two opposing sides must relay arguments and counterarguments to try and reach a conclusion. In my Theory of Knowledge class last year we often used this method to facilitate a conversation without the help of our teacher.

I believe that this Socratic Dialoug plays a major role in what we are discussing now with our master-slave conversations and paper 2. I hope that we can utilize this method of discussion in INTD 105 but to use the method more people would have to start talking.

2005-09-18T09:41:00.000-07:00

Paper Two Brainstorming

Hmmm.....what to write about for paper two. I know that I have to base this paper on a argument and counterargument about an idea, thought, or belief that I may have. The belief does not need to focus on Christmas but I kind of want to think of an argument that may.

One option would be to possibly argue about hunting but this arguement does not deal with Christmas. As a hunter myself I support hunting for the most part but could easily see and portray the counterarguments against it.

I could discuss the reality of Santa Clause. We have all read the thing that states that over and over Santa cannot physically exhist. I could pretend to be a supporter of these facts and then strongly state the counterarguments against it stating thing that Santa can pause time and stuff.

I could always argue about the "true meaning of Christmas." Perhaps I could have a child try to persuade me that the true meaning of Christmas is Santa Clause and presents. The child could mention that during the Christmas season they have seen very few references to Christ on the television and that they have never seen his image on a Coke can. Even in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" the point is made that Christmas is not always about presents but no referrene to Christ is made. The child, who has great knowledge, could tell me that the corporate aspects of Christmas is what makes Christmas the way it is today. I think this discussion would be fun because usually this argument is heard from the other side. The side saying that Christmas is about family, friends, and the celebration of Jesus Christ. The child could make references to TV, radio, advertisements, Christmas morning rituals and traditions, and decorations. The child could also mention that during the Christmas season no one goes to the mall to get their picture taken with a Christ look-alike.

I think I am going to use option three.

2005-09-07T12:58:00.000-07:00

There were several Christmas traditions that I drafted while thinking about what to write about for Paper 1 of INTD 105 The Battle For Christmas. Some of the traditions I did not mention were things like watching The Grinch, decorating the tree together as a family, putting the manger in the living room, or putting the ordaments on our "countdown to Christmas felt tree." I chose not to use any of these traditions because each one seems to have changed each year. My brother and sister don't seem as excited as they once did about the countdown to Christmas or putting the manger up but every year I have found myself patrolling these jobs.

I feel that it is my responsibily to bring the Christmas spirit to the family. Once Halloween passes one can often find me listening to Christmas music or shopping for the perfect gift. When I shop I walk up and down the mall looking at everything and predicting how the recipient will like it. I think that I usually do a pretty good job picking out a thoughtful and useful gift. When my grandma was diagnosed with lung cancer just following Thanksgiving 2004, it was the fact that she seemed distant at Thanksgiving dinner and forgot food like the corn and had done things previously like leave the water running or the iron on, that my mom thought she should go to the hospital where they found brain tumors, I decorated her house so that she would feel more comfortable when she came home. I found that she put most of the decorations away because she didn't like the clutter but a tiny Santa Clause that I placed on a shelf in her living room remained there until the day her things were boxed away after her death in that same room.

Since my sister left for college two years ago it has been difficult finding time to do these jobs as a family and now that we all have boyfriends or girlfriends we often find ourselves doing different things on days like Christmas Eve when we used to have everyone over to our house. We used to have friends of the family come over and we would blast Christmas music and there would be all sorts of food and drinks like my mom's "snowflake resembling" pizzells. Us kids would play in the basement or just watch Christmas cartoons in the illumination of the Christmas tree.

I always love when the Christmas tree is lit up. When the lights are lit there are very few other lights on in the house. A sleeping Santa that snores and whose stomach moves up and down is usually heard in the background and the white lights under the manger spread light on the reason we are celebrating Christmas in the first place.

The stockings are hung on a bookshelf and the Christmas pillows and blankets all smell like cedar after their 11 month storage in the cedar hope chest.

My lights are all lit up on the front porch and the icey windows reflect the lights into the living room in strange patters.

Before I go to bed on Christmas Eve I always leave out milk and cookies and carrots for Rudolph. One Christmas Eve night I swore that I awoke to see a red light in my backyard.

There are memories and things about Christmas I am definitely going to miss while I am here at SUNY Geneseo but I know that when I finish my last final (December 21) I will be able to go home and absorb all the things about Christmas that I love.

I am grateful for the fact that I am taking an INTD course about Christmas and that I get to think about the most wonderful time of the year all semester long.

2005-09-07T09:39:00.000-07:00

Paper 1 - Reflection

This weekend I sat down and wrote the first draft of my first paper for INTD 105 The Battle for Christmas. I truly believe that this was definitely a good idea for a writing seminar. It was very simple to write down my feelings regarding different elements of Christmas. In recent years I have gotten more and more into the Chirstmas spirit. My job at home is usually to hang up the lights on the front porch and even though I have a brother and a sister I often find myself doing this job alone. Doing this job alone gives me time to reflect and be artistic as well as problem solve with organizing plugs and burnt out lightbulbs. Each year I try to do something new and I enjoy leaving the lights on as much as possible. I will definitely miss hanging the lights this year and will probably only do a couple around my railings.

For Paper 1 I decided to write about the Christmas tradition of going to my grandmother's house for dinner. I got emotional when I was writing this paper because my grandma passed away at the end of May and I know that this upcoming Christmas will probably have more moarning then celebrating . I think that leaving home, even though she is gone, has been a million times harder. My aunt recently got sick and now I am constantly wondering how people are and constantly trying to stay in touch with my family.

I will probably use this BLOG to ramble about stuff so if your interested in my life just keep reading and responding.

I have work to do so I will close this blog but I'll definitely be adding more.

2005-08-31T14:05:00.000-07:00

It isn't about the gifts that come each year or the snow that does or does not fall. For me Christmas is truly about the joy people feel as they pass Christmas lights on their way home from a family party or the comfort felt when a stressed individual turns on the radio to hear Frank Sinatra's rendition of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and is instantly calmed. I grew up in a family that doesn't attend weekly church services - in fact I have only attended two church services, besides weddings and funerals, and that was with friends - but still I believe my family understands the sacredness of Christmas even if it has moved away from it's original intent - to celebrate the birth of Christ. The first Christmas that I could fit all my presents, or cards with money, in a single box was depressing but as I got a job and took the time to read the cards that were given to me I quickly learned that I truly am grateful and fortunate. I will continue this journal later and will continue adding some of my favorite features of Christmas and then reflect upon how SUNY GENESEO'S INTD 105 "The Battle For Christmas" has altered my perceptions.