So what if it's still October and not even Halloween yet? It's never too early to get into the Christmas spirit! Here's a funny video of David Archuleta Christmas carolling around the offices of MTV in New York:

I dare you to listen to this song without bouncing a little in your computer chair, tapping your feet, or clapping your hands. All three of which I am doing right now as I type this. James Morrison is so awesome. You know a song is magical when it makes you want to close your eyes and dance around like a fool. I actually saw James Morrison sing this live at his concert back in March. He smashed it up with Stevie Wonder's 'Uptight, Everything is All Right" song and it was incredible.

Remember that Bobby McFerrin tune? The one where he tells us to "put a smile on your face. Don't bring everybody down like this. Don't worry it will soon pass. Whatever it is don't worry be happy"? Such a simple tune with so much truth to it. When I was a teenager, I loved being filled with angst. Something about worrying, stressing, and ruminating in sadness made me feel like a grownup. Like I had a valid life with real issues. Now as I make my way into true adulthood, I find that I can't stand being around negative people. Listening to people b*tch and moan about every little tiny thing sucks the very life force out of me. Life is too short to spend it all on negativity. The way I see it, every moment in our lives presents us with a choice. We can choose to be happy or we can choose to be miserable. Simple as that. Sure, life can throw us some awful punches and it is okay to feel sad and upset sometimes. But to spend our entire lives with a sourpuss attitude is such a waste of a life. Why choose to view life through murky-coloured glasses and perceive everything in a negative light? We've all seen these kind of people. Like when you're sitting in a lovely restaurant and the lady at the table next to you cusses out the waitress because she got a Coke instead of a Pepsi. Or the driver behind you who obnoxiously blares his horn at you because you did not zoom away the nanosecond the traffic light turned green. I mean, come on! Chill. Smile. Don't worry. Be happy.

Oh gosh. I love this. Never in a million years would I imagine David singing 'Bubbly'. But at his solo concert in Pittsburgh last night he did just that. I suddenly have a new-found love for this song. Something about the tone in his voice, the little David-esque signatures he adds to it, the... I dunno... whatever it is, I love it and it's perfect.

And on this very special day, this one's for you, babe...

If I could be paid to be a student, I would do it in a heartbeat. I love to learn. I love books. I love that the world is filled with infinite knowledge and the knowledge we gain in school is merely a drop in the ocean. Being that I am a teacher, it is my job and calling to impart as much knowledge and skills into the next generation as is possible - 10 months at a time. But I am fully aware that students can only cram so many facts about photosynthesis, mathematical algorithms, and punctuation into their brains. So as I evolve as a teacher, I am realizing more and more that the most important thing that I can impart to my students is a love of learning. That implicit feeling that they will carry throughout their lives urging them to learn as much as they can about the world around them.

Every moment in our lives is a learning opportunity. No matter how small or insignificant little every day events may seem, there is something to be gained in all of it. We just have to open our eyes and minds to it. I experimented (is that a word?) this little theory of mine today as I went out today to a doctor's appointment. I wanted to see how much I could learn in this 2 hour time frame. Here is what I learned:

1. Always trust your own instincts and observations - I got dressed today without looking or stepping outside to check the weather. I simply trusted the weather forecast I saw last night that said it would be hot, humid, and sunny today. So I donned a tank top and capri pants and went on my merry way. Lo and behold, it was a cool, cloudy day. When I got to the doctor's office and parked my car, I looked at the abysmally gray sky and wondered if I should get my umbrella. Knowing that I would probably look like an idiot carrying an umbrella on what weather forecasters predicted would be a sunny day, I ignored their advice and grabbed my umbrella. When I got to the doctor's office, the T.V. in the corner of the waiting room was on the local news station and it STILL said that it was sunny outside. Well, good thing I brought the umbrella, because it was raining after my appointment.

2. Moms are our first teacher - As I was riding a crowded elevator, a woman with her baby in a stroller and her toddler son were among the elevator riders. As we rode up to the fifth floor, she took advantage of the moment to teach her son about his numbers. As the boy marvelled at the lit up 3, 4, and 5, on the elevator panel, the mom asked him: "What number is between 3 and 5? What comes after 4? What comes before 4?" Women are true multi-taskers and we should always be grateful to our moms for teaching us even when we weren't aware of it.

3. Don't be afraid of the rain - I learned this from the cows resting in the fields in the middle of a rain shower. As I drove by them in my car, I marvelled at how relaxed they were lounging there in the rain. They weren't running for cover and struggling to open umbrellas like humans would do. What's wrong with getting wet? It's only water and we will dry off.

4. Teenagers have valid feelings too - Teenagers and their seemingly wild and self-centered ways have always been a big pet peeve of mine. I can't stand their attitude and their disrespect for authority. Well, after reading the book 'Speak' by Laurie Halse Anderson I have changed my attitude (somewhat). The outward behaviour of teenagers can be a reflection of a real internal problem. A problem that we shouldn't be so quick to judge as superfluous. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend reading this book.

5. A thin needle inserted into the top of your head really hurts - Well, I guess this one is pretty self-explanatory. Everyone can imagine this would hurt, but actually experiencing it really drives home the point.

6. Western medicine's cures is not the be-all and end-all - Watching groovy yellow patterns swirl on the ceiling during my acupuncture treatment really taught me that there really must be something to energy pathways and other Chinese medicine beliefs.

So in 2 hours I learned some meaningful things. These sorts of ordinary events (save for the needle in the head) happen to many of us and so much is to be learned from them. The world really becomes an interesting place when we look at it this way.

So what have you learned today?

I am soooo glad that Maxwell is back with his good ol' r&b/soul flavour. Today's young generation has been assaulted with way too much auto-tuned and repetitive noise. Maxwell came back just in time to inject some soul and depth into the radio airwaves.

Pretty Wings

By: Maxwell

Time will bring the real end of our trial
One day there’ll be no remnants
No trace, no residual feelings within you
One day you won’t remember me.

Your face will be the reason I smile
But I will not see what I can not have forever
I’ll always love you
I hope you feel the same.

Oh you played me dirty
Your game was so bad
You toyed with my affliction
Had to fill out my prescription
Found the remedy - I had to set you free...

Away from me
To see clearly the way that love can be
When you are not with me
I had to leave, I have to live
I had to lead, I had to live

Chorus
If I can't have you let love set you free
To fly your pretty wings around
Pretty wings, your pretty wings
Your pretty wings, your pretty wings around

I came wrong
You were right
Transformed your love into a lie
Baby believe me I’m sorry I told you lies
I turned day into night
Sleepless, I died a thousand times
I should’ve shown you
Better nights, better times, better days
I miss you more and more...

Repeat Chorus

Jason Mraz put up a really simple, yet inspiring blog up today.  In it, he listed the 10 things that he is grateful for today.  What a great idea, I thought to myself as I read his list,  I should do that.  So here it is.  The 10 things I am grateful for today:

I still can't believe he's gone.  He was one of those people that I thought would live forever.  He was so big, so other-worldy, so legendary.  He was, and is, the best entertainer our world has ever seen.  And what saddens me so much is that it took Michael Jackson to die in order for the world to realize what an amazing icon and human being he was in life.  And I am guilty of this.  It was too easy to put on the back burner the musical genius and humanitarian that he was.  The media forced us to focus on his seemingly 'bizarre' behaviour.  A lot of us fell for it hook, line, and sinker.  But here Michael Jackson was, moments away from bursting back onto the world stage and reminding us what made us fall in love with him in the first place.  But he didn't get the chance.  I am so sad that his life ended before he could see just how much the world still, and always will, love him.  I am not going to pretend that I know anything about what caused Michael's pain and despair.  But I am certain that whatever it was, the world could have helped him feel a lot better by showing him the appreciation and love during his life that they are showing him in his death.  I hope we are not too late.  I hope MJ is looking down from heaven and smiling at the world that has come together to celebrate him.  

David has some of the best and most random blogs ever. Here is a cool compilation of his vlog moments. Please watch it if you have 9 and a half minutes to spare!

Oh gosh! I love this video! This is David's first ever rock-star entrance at a concert! His past concerts were no frills events - just David singing and bounding around on stage with his band. No fancy stuff. But this concert intro is different. I never thought I'd see David magnified a hundred-fold. I love how this intro calls for him to have bad boy rocker swagger, and even though he's visibly trying, he still can't help but to sneak in a cute little wave to the crowd. And that smile when he finally emerges - love it!

Man, I love this. Watch it here:

(Btw, I forgot how much I love this song!)