Really, now.

I'm an obsessive music lover. When I find a song that I like, I listen to it. I listen to it again and again and again. For me, it never gets old. For other people... well, they usually just leave the room.

But today, I've outdone myself.

I went to see War Horse the other day with my sister, mom and a couple of friends. I won't even try to tell you how great it was (that might take all day). It was pretty simple for me: horses + English people + rolling green fields where said horses can run for a gloriously long time + a backdrop of one of the deadliest and most tragic wars in history + a phenomenal musical score (which I will mention again) = a pretty awesome movie. It was heartfelt, yet at the same time not at all the syrupy mess most horse films degenerate into about five minutes after the opening credits. It had a lot of suffering and tragedy woven into its plot line, yet at the same time, no matter how many battles you saw or how many characters died, you always knew in the back of your mind that everything was going to be okay in the end. It was a blend of real life and child-like faith in what seems impossible, and I think everyone involved in the making of the film pulled it off brilliantly.

I mentioned in my last post that I was expecting the score by John Williams to be good. Well, it wasn't. It was spectacular. So spectacular, in fact, that I've been haunting the War Horse official website for the last 15-odd hours, refreshing the page so that I can hear a three minute long snippet of the music.

That's pretty disturbing even for me.

With that, my friends, I'm off to Grooveshark to deliver some well-earned respite to my family, who by now probably have the theme for War Horse seared onto their very brains.

Day{s} After

         Christmas Break is almost over. So's the year, for that matter. I hope everyone had as great a time as I did. Now, it's time to get back to business: I have lots of homework to finish, work and school starts back up in less than a week, and, pretty soon, life goes back to normal. Sometimes I wish I could just live in a perpetual Christmas break--bask in the light of our decorated tree all year round, listen to bubbly Christmas songs until my ears bleed, sleep in until ten every morning and then spend the entire day doing nothing but reading the deliciously wonderful books thoughtful friends and family members have dumped upon me in a cascade of ribbon and wrapping paper. It would be nice, in some ways. But, then again, in the two weeks I've had all to myself, what have I done besides the aforementioned activities? Not too much. No writing, no drawing, not a whole lot of reading. Those are things I can only seem to accomplish when life gets crazy; when I need an escape from the whirlwind of activities around me. When I'm left to my own devices with too much time on my hands, the only thing I do is sleep. Way to be a good steward of your time, me.

                                                     

That said, I really did enjoy Christmas this year. I felt that our day was balanced--tentatively, but rightly so--between family, food, gifts and a quiet, inward recognition of the Gift we have recieved. I was able to give away the gifts I'd bought for friends and family, and, I must say, I was really spoiled this year. My mom picked up the last book in the Auralia's Colors series--that was the one gift I was not expecting! I devoured it in two days and am still reeling from the confusing but satisfying conclusion to one of my favorite fantasy series. And--well, instead of me rambling on about all gifts my wonderful family & friends threw at me this year, why don't you just deduce from the picture?

       Ahaha. Yes. Believe it or not, I surprised myself and was actually thrilled about recieving Matthew Henry's commentary on the Bible. It's something I've been wanting for a while, though not something I think I'd ever buy for myself. All in all, I think the bag was my favorite gift. It's just... awesome. Although it doesn't hold as many books as I thought it would. Meh. Nuance.

      As if I hadn't already recieved enough, there's ONE last Christmas gift I have to tell you about (even though it's technically from me to me and I haven't given it to myself yet). Tomorrow, my mom and I are taking my sister and a few friends to see War Horse for her birthday.

     YEAH. How cool is that? Even though I have to pay my way, I'm pretty excited. I don't know whether or not I'd be more excited to see the play....

....where the actors actually ride on life-size puppets.

       Meh. I think the movie score by John Williams (yes, THAT John Williams) will make up for any absence of puppets.

      Lastly, I'm sure you noticed that I've resorted to editing my blog template once again! Let me know what you think--I believe it needs a splash of color to really look good.

     Wishing you and yours a happy New Year,



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Fields of Athenry

This song has officially made my day. Dare you to listen ;)

Loving the Irish Tenors,

Elisabeth, who is destitute without her sig :(