Secret Asian Girl's Favorite Holiday Movie List

Everyone has their favorite Christmas movies and while it's a matter of pure opinion, I've never seen a list that didn't include It's A Wonderful Life. Sorry, cynics, so does mine. I used to think it was sappy...and it is. But that's ok, because a certain amount of sappiness is endemic to -- nay, required of holiday films. No Santa's Slay or Silent Night, Deadly Night for me. In my old age, I like to watch stories that make me feel better, not worse. I have real life for that. He he...but seriously. Having said that, here's Secret Asian Girl's list of favorite holiday movies, in no particular order: 1. It's a Wonderful Life (1942) Go George Bailey! 2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas - animated (1966) - I always wanted to taste Who Hash and Roast Beast. 3. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) ABC, please always air the unedited version! 4. Frosty the Snowman (1969) original version only - Hap-py Birth-daayy!! 5. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer (1964) "(Rudolph)...knew that the best thing was get the (cringe) women back to Christmas Town." Ack! I forgive you, Rudolph...and by the way, your dad was a jerk when he put that mud on your nose! 6. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town (1970) Groovy acid-trip graphics. The Winter Warlock rocks! 7. The Polar Express (2004) a little creepy with re-animated dead-looking characters but it's hard to screw up Chris Van Allsburg's wonderful story. 8. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) Even if you hate Jim Carrey, you'll love this version. 9. Home Alone (1990) - for me, only the first film. 10. White Christmas (1954) Bing, Danny Kaye, soldiers coming home, the "Sisters" song. 11. Elf (2003) Will Ferrell at his best. Zooey Deschanel sings! 12. Jingle All The Way (1996) combat shopping for an action figure - this was my life back then. 13. Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) scared the crap outta Tristan but the story is quirky and fun. And my favorite holiday movie....14. Meet Me in St. Louis (1945) Judy Garland, Margaret O'Brien. This is the MGM movie where the song "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" originated. I love this movie because it's about family, romance, home and simplicity. And...I know all the words to "The Trolley Song" and will belt it out if I feel threatened. Don't say you weren't warned. It's on Turner Classic Movies tonight at midnight. Instead of watching It's A Wonderful Life AGAIN, give Meet Me In St. Louis a try. I know it's corny (and sappy) but just get over it. You'll think it's "ginger peachy." (after you see it, you'll get this...and laaagh) For now, enjoy this clip from The Polar Express. It's my favorite song from the movie. Wishing you Merry Christmas and Peace.

Merry Christmas from Secret Asian Girl

Which kid would rather be somewhere else?

I Know About Keeping Christ in Christmas...

A Small Life

The holidays have always been a time of drama and stress in my life and this year has been no exception. Last week, my son's best friend was killed in an automobile accident on the way home from college for Christmas break. There were no drugs involved, no alcohol, just a senseless accident, in the purest sense of the word. And like all accidents, this one resulted in farther reaching repercussions than the actual event. Jacob was one of those kids who wandered through life. He was wholly unremarkable in every sense of what society deems is successful. Not greatly motivated, no big plans, not especially reliable, and overall, mediocre by most adult standards. He wasn't listed in the high school yearbook as memorable or anyone "most likely to" do anything spectacular. I don't even remember him as a classmate of Tristan's before they became friends, even though he was for many years. And yet, if you looked at the tear-stained faces at the memorial service, you would think the opposite description of this young man. Jacob indeed made an impression on these people who gathered to say goodbye. Maybe they weren't the popular crowd or the selection committee for societal upperclassmen, but plain, everyday folks; kids like Jacob, whose lives were changed and impacted by the small life of this one boy - yes, even though he was 20, he was a boy to me. But how can the loss of such a small, insignificant life affect so many? I saw it in my son's face the day of Jacob's funeral. Struggling to take it like a man, yet feeling like his arm had suddenly been separated from his body. Grief, shock, disbelief...tinged with anger at the unfairness of life and the irritation at even having to be there that day. To Tristan, Jacob was hilariously funny, fiercely loyal, caustically sarcastic, unquestioningly supportive, and always there for him...if he could remember to get up on time. They didn't always agree and they were as different as two kids could be...and yet, they recognized in each other a weird sameness which somehow complemented each other in a unique way. Tristan will never be the same for having known him, thankfully, for the better. I keep thinking about Jacob's mom - a teacher, living alone as a single mom of an only child. As great a tragedy as this was for Tristan, there are no words for her loss. Of course, I can sympathize, as a member of the same club - and at the funeral, we embraced with a knowing look, as only mothers of only children can understand. "It's not that I am lonely for you; I am mutilated. For you were a part of me." His life wasn't small to her...or to us. Peace, kiddo. Your life was bigger than you'll ever know.

Noooooo.....

Only gonna say this ONCE. Never, ever, ever....cross the streams.

How Punctuation Saves Lives

Thank goodness for commas!

Ditto

Don We Now....

Even as we speak, some of you are getting ready to commit a heinous crime. A fashion faux pas. A glittery, felt-appliqued, jingle bell-ious assault to the senses. Yes, I'm talking about your hideous Christmas sweater. I know, you think it's "festive," you think it's cute...you're just getting into the Holiday Spirit. But unless you teach Kindergarten, here's what you need to know: people are laughing at you. You need to give it up like a crack habit. I worked in an elementary school for four years and have seen more UCS (Ugly Christmas Sweaters) than I should see for my health. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about. In fact, PTUCSSS (Post Traumatic Ugly Christmas Sweater Stress Syndrome) is something I will be battling for a long time. Now, to be fair, there are a FEW sweaters that are tasteful and even bordering on cute but these are few and far between and usually involve just a few snowflakes. Sadly, most people start with a cute snowman (tolerable) and just lose their minds and dive off the deep end into tacky fake fur bordered Santas and goofy reindeer. Worse yet are the "pimped out" versions of the above which require battery packs and even "press here" buttons which buzz with migraine-inducing versions of "Here Comes Santa Claus" or "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer." And I haven't even touched on the frisky off-the-shoulder sweaters for women where Rudolph's nose lights up in just the wrong place. Ho, ho, you should be ashamed of yourself, you tacky HO! There are also websites devoted to UCS's such as the appropriately named, myuglychristmassweater.com. And to help wean you off your addiction, you can create your own virtual Ugly Christmas Sweater and be ugly to your heart's content. Go to weloveholidaysweaters.wehatesheep.com, select a style and click to add all the colored lights, fat Santas and sparkling trees you desire to enjoy in the privacy of your own home without offending anyone...except your family of course, which is the way the holidays should be.