aced.

i spent the day with andre agassi.

i read his autobiography, open.

and i'd say it was time well spent.

in fact, i was sad it ended.

it reminded me of my love for tennis.

it proved to me how cool mullets really were in the '90s.

it showed me all of the trials mr. agassi had to endure,

but it also showed me the way in which he overcame them and succeeded.

andre taught me a thing or two today (and more than just about my backhand).

it's hard to read, at times, but it's a good read.

i recommend it.

mother knows best.

my mother knows me so well. though i love all of my gifts from christmas, a few of them had a bit more meaning for me because of the movements behind the products. two of the more excellent gifts i received were:

TOMS shoes: www.tomsshoes.com

and

basa body products: www.basabody.com

TOMS shoes help children in need across the world by providing one pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair purchased. the leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted parasites, so these pairs of shoes not only make lives less painful, they save lives. plus, they're quite stylish and ridiculously comfortable. buy some

basa body products are made of virgin coconut oil, originating from kenya. the farming and processing of this coconut oil is the means of living for many kenyan oil, and the lotions and other products made out of this oil is the source of income for these women. plus, it smells like summer and is excellent for the dry winters.

thinking about movements like these puts a little spark in my eye and inspires me. i love the idea of turning consumerism into something that better serves those in need around the world, not just an act of indulgence. though i wish i were personally responsible for these movements and could be in direct contact with these people in need (some day!), i love helping where i can. and when my mom bought these products for me for christmas, she was doing her part to help! go check TOMS and basa out, and do your part too!

¡feliz navidad!

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."

-Luke 2:10

"And it came to pass that Jesus blessed them as they did pray unto him; and his countenance did smile upon them, and the light of his countenance did shine upon them, and behold they were as white as the countenance and also the garments of Jesus; and behold the whiteness thereof did exceed all the whiteness, yea, even there could be nothing upon earth so white as the whiteness thereof."

-3 Nephi 19:25

la noche buena.

today was one of the best days i've had... in a long time.

somehow, all of the fates aligned, and i just felt good.

it was like the old anna was coming back, and i loved it.

i had the energy to:

-go grocery shopping with my mother

-help wrap all of little benny's presents

-make delicious enchiladas for dinner

-enjoy bing crosby and fred astaire in holiday inn

-eat aforementioned enchiladas..que rico.

-sing like alvin and the chipmunks, one too many times (i just want a hula hoop!)

-listen to the christmas story, so creatively narrated by padre

-bake and decorate some cute, gluten-filled christmas cookies

-dominate the parents in pictionary... good work, benny!

-and now, a little white christmas- bing crosby, take two

the spanish got it right. la noche buena is the perfect way to describe christmas eve.

though life's been terribly hard as of late, i am currently feeling incredibly blessed.

thank you all for being a part of my life.

i am thankful for you. for my family. and for Christ.

merry christmas to all, and to all a good night!

even the owls are more social than i.

tonight, i am falling asleep to an owl party of sorts.

or an owl correspondence, at least.

a few nights ago, i fell asleep to the howls of coyotes.

i love where i live.

sometimes in my tears i drown, but i never let it get me down.

listen to this.

and then think about it for a sec.

it's clear why this song is going to be the olympic song this year.

just another reason to love matisyahu.

check out his new album. it's excellent.