NYE .

Friends, readers, family, whether I know you personally or not, whether we've chatted, corresponded via mail, or simply commented on each others' posts, I wish you the absolute best New Years you can have. Start the year off on a good note, be joyful and may you be in good company find you to bring it in with you. May success and happiness come your way in the New Year, and while you may not get everything you want in 2013, I sincerely hope that you receive everything that you need.

Happy New Year! Goodbye 2012, welcome 2013.

Bose QC-15 Headphones .

Today I just want to talk a little bit about the Bose QC-15 around-ear noise-canceling headphones. I'm not normally one for product reviews, but I just got these for Christmas (I've been asking for them forever and a day, because they have always been way out of my poor college-kid budget) and they are truly incredible. Please note: As much as I wish Bose was paying me to endorse their product, I'm not getting anything out of gushing over their headphones. (haha)

Meshing Lives .

For those couples who are often future-looking and have a tendency to think about what things might be like in five, ten and fifteen years, it's often hard to think about how you will make all of both of your dreams come true. When you sit down as a single person, you have tons of personal dreams and goals, and naturally you want the ability to meet all of them. But when someone who eventually means a lot to you enters your life, things change and you truly have to take into account another set of dreams and goals. Somehow, the goal is to make all of these things come to fruition and still end up as happy campers on both ends. My question to the world and those who have conquered that, how did you do it?

Hallmark Hogwash .

One of my favorite movies is 500 Days of Summer and I love the parts where Tom talks about how stupid writing cards is. The best thing you can take away from those scenes is when he says that cards are there so that we don't have to express ourselves. They can put words into our mouths, conveying to people a feeling that may not be there. Now, I can't say that this is entirely true, because I have found some truly amazing cards and I've underlined those sections that really hit me and ring true with my being. But I think that a lot of people, while looking for cards for people, get something they think just sounds nice, that says something along the lines of what they are "supposed" to say.

Unexpected Happiness .

It's late and I don't want to write too much here because I'm trying my best to get back onto a good schedule... But I just wanted to take a moment to say that it's often the little unexpected things that give the most joy. Whether it's calling someone up and inviting them over on a moment's notice or sending some snail mail you didn't tell the recipient about, the happiness it brings them well outweighs anything you could have planned. And it's pretty cool, because you can really see it in a person, how they smile bigger, hug tighter, they just really appreciate it. Always seems to boil down to those little things... but they're always worth it. And seeing other people happy, makes me happy too.

Generosity .

It's no secret that some people in more life are just more blessed. Whether it's through luck, perseverance, inheritance, or hard work, there will always be someone better off than you. On the other end of the spectrum there will always be someone worse off too. It's important to remember both: Aspire to reach towards those who are better off, and remember and be thankful for those that are worse off. The cliché saying "could be worse" could apply.

Merry Christmas .

Christmas went swimmingly. Gave some cool stuff, got some cool stuff, drank some 'nog, drank some Bailey's, ate desserts and had a wonderful dinner. Had the girlfriend over, enjoyed the tree, relaxed all day and watched movies. Here's to hoping all of your days went great as well! Happy Christmas!