Things I Love - December 8-15, 2008

Three things I simply cannot survive without this week:

1) Coldplay

One of the first bands I loved is still one of my top picks. The rediscovery of this summer's "Viva La Vida" has my toes tapping and my eyes searching for inspiration in everyday things. While some of the songs bring back fond summer memories for me, others are suited well for winter, such as "Violet Hill", which sings of a longlasting war. "Death And All His Friends" tells us that there are better things than death or loneliness, and we will find them if we "dream of making our escape".

While any of the songs are appropriate at pretty much any time, it's refreshing once again to listen to a band with so much talent. The songs are rhythmic and full of wonder. I often find myself thinking profound things or making bold and daring plans while enjoying Coldplay's many fine musical offerings. It's inspiring and a wonderful shake up to what I had been listening to throughout autumn.

2) Finals

I know, I know... final exams are tiresome and dull. But once they are over, they're over! I am ready for a change in classes and pace, and next week cannot come soon enough.

Also, in my nerd-ish sort of way, it's fun to go to the library for hours at a time and study, like the nearly 4 hours I spent there tonight. I keep looking for Hermione, but I haven't spotted her yet. I'll let you know if I do.

3) Sweaters

Maybe I'm being a bit overindulgent in my sweater collection, but who doesn't like sweaters? I have so many (too many?) and every day brings a tough new decision of which one to wear. It simply brings joy to my heart when I walk out into the snow covered landscape and comfortably shiver a tiny bit within my charming cotton garb. My favorite sweater pick (at least this week)? My Aslan sweater, a lovely gray concoction featuring a proud lion front and center who looks suspiciously like Aslan. Was my sweater actually made in Narnia? Did an elderly Lucy Pevensie craft it before she passed on? Will it continue to shrink too fast, as it has been because I wash it so often? These questions may not be answered right away (or ever) but I do know one thing: sweaters make the season bring even more gladness to me than it does otherwise. And that's saying something...