is one of my favorite movies around Christmas. it’s got all the right elements and a great cast. the element of love is through the entire movie from start to finish and what that love sometimes is and isn’t. for me the part that always makes me cry is when one of the main characters gets a cd instead of a necklace from her husband and it’s Joni Mitchell.

but i digress as usual. love actually came out in 2003 and all the elements that it brings up are still true today. the failed office romance, the bestfriend in love with his friends wife, the cheating husband and of course love at first sight. the cutest part of the movie is the two kids that have a crush on another. the father that tries to bring them together just in time for the holidays.

i was thrilled when i was flying back to Europe in October and my airline had it on the plane. i know the movie pretty much by heart but enjoyed seeing it again even though it was way before Christmas. love actually is like mac and cheese or a good blanket. it never gets old and it’s comforting. so if you haven’t seen it you should because love is actually all around.

the noble peace prize was handed out this week to ICAN a non-profit that has the right ideals and the right moral stand against one of the worlds biggest threats. nuclear arms. as ICAN says they are a relic and should be eliminated. something that is way over due. the surge in bunker building around the world is any indication that there are real threats.

but we all know this if the media is any indication. so let’s get back to the Noble Peace Prize. last year it was called a relic and outdated now it’s back in the spotlight and the world is paying attention.

i think it’s sad that everyone has a small screen they look at everywhere. no wonder the world is in the state it’s in today. global warming has been happening for the past 25 years and now the damage is showing because we couldn’t give up hairspray and CFC’s in the 80’s and 90’s. the ozone was shrinking and now we have fires in California in the winter, islands in the carribean are shredded by storms and they’re barely back on their feet.

we have 2 threats in today’s world, the relics old nuclear weapons and the new very real one global warming which is just as much of a threat. we need to take a stand for our planet. before it’s too late.

my annual gratefulness letter. this year i am grateful for many different things. that i live with my wonderful husband & dog. the last year has been one of big transitions but i think we came out with our heads in the right place. moving across the globe last year took guts & i am forever grateful that my husband wanted to do it.

i am thankful for my close friends that kept me sane when i was living alone for 4 months this past winter into spring. the weekly skype sessions kept me grounded & sane. i lived above the artic circle from february to june by myself & think i did a pretty good job. my dog kept me warm during the cold winter nights & we celebrated each weekend by going for a long walk.

i am also grateful for my husband who is urging me publish my poems something i haven’t dared do till now. so, i am working on my un-corrected proof & hope that someone likes it. it’s the creative side that i have not always had in the forefront but will now.

for the kind people we have met as we moved across norway from the north to the south that has kept our little sweetie sane with long walks & treats. we couldn’t have done any of it without you so for that we are grateful.

& last but not least our respective parents that worry about us from time to time & bug us to do more things in our new city. that’s why i am not shopping on black friday but hanging out with the dog.