Reason for the Season

As a society, I think we have lost sight of what the holidays are truly about. It's not about the gifts and how much the gifts cost. It's about spending time with the people you love and who love you. It's about giving not receiving. And it really bothers me that people have forgotten that. Seriously. There are some really shallow and materialistic people out there. Those tangible items can't help you where you're going, buddy!

Ok so, now that we've gotten that out of the way...here's the real reason this is bothering me so much. This guy I'm dating (I would call him my boyfriend but I'm not sure if he is...another blog for another timme), anyway, he told me that he didn't want anything for Christmas. And I asked him for weeks: What do you want? And each time, he would say "I don't want you to buy me anything." And I'm thinking, "Who doesn't want a Christmas gift?" Well, on Saturday I learn the realy reason why. Are you ready for this? It's a doozie! Are you sitting down? Ok...here it goes. Basically, it's because of his ex-girlfriend. She was able to buy him expensive things and I can't. Year #1: Jordans. Year #2: $1,200 cash. Year #3: laptop and printer. And since his Christmas this year won't be like those Christmases he doesn't want anything at all. Unfortunately, I don't think he realizes that money doesn't buy happiness and it sure as hell doesn't buy love. And he should know that because THEY AREN'T TOGETHER ANYMORE! So, I'm listening to him rattle off all the gifts and such and I begin to feel bad. For like 5.2 seconds. Then I realize: That's a personal problem. Where do people get off? Seriously. Why haven't some people learned some of the most valuable life lessons? I tell you one thing though, I'm not interested in teaching anyone life lessons...that's a parents job. Right?

I care about this guy...I really do. But sometimes I feel like a placeholder. I'm just here for the meantime until someone "better" comes along. Someone who is prettier and has more money. But you know the bottomline is this: I'm an amazing, educated wonderful woman with a good heart. I don't need this drama.

I plan on having a very stern, mature talk with this young man this evening. And we'll see...

2008 Reflection...

Today is December 1...December 1?!? Where the hell did the year go? Am I the only one that thinks that 2008 went by way too fast. I almost feel as though I've wasted a year. I mean, in 2007 at least I could say "I graduated from college..." But this year I don't feel like I've done anything spectacular. Yes, I did receive a promotion at work...so? That's really all I have to show for 2008. Sad. I've made some personal progress...I've learned a lot about myself this year. I've learned a lot about other people this year. So I guess I will say 2008 was a year of lessons learned. I learned that people will often disappoint you and fail to live up to your expectations. So, you either accept them for who they are OR kick them off your bus. I've learned that it's okay to say what you want and demand what you deserve. I've learned to put myself first, because if I don't, no one else will. And above all else, I learned that I'm amazing and if people don't realize that and take advantage of my amazingness, then it's their loss.

Here's to 2009...looking forward to what it has in store.