December 29, 2010

The Christianville Spirit: Christian's Year-In-Review 2010

The Christianville Spirit

The Spirit that Inspires You

December 29, 2010- TCS # 230


Ok, Everyone, it’s that Time of Year again, New Years and A Tradition that I’ve been doing for 3 Years here at The Christianville Spirit. You See, In 2007 as My Newsletter grew I decided that I would join in to one of my favorite things to watch on New Year’s Eve, The Year-In-Reviews. I decided to start writing Year-In-Reviews because first of all it was my last newsletter of the year and it seems appropriate. Also, I think it’s fun to refresh your memory of the Year’s Past before the New Year. Anyway, this is My Year-In-Review that I like to call, “Christian’s Year-In-Review”. So, without further a due, this is “Christian’s Year-In-Review 2010”. Now, 2010 was in many ways A crazy year, both in Good Ways and in Bad Ways. There were quite a bit of Awesome Things that happened this year that I won’t forget. So, as with every year, we begin in January 2010, the beginning of the 2010’s Decade. On January 20, I saw a Commercial for the now hit MTV Show, The Buried Life. Now, for those of you who don’t know what this show is about, It’s about 4 Young Guys who made a list of 100 things that they wanted to do before they die and along with doing their things, They also helped others with what was on their list. Also in January, to everyone’s shock was the famous Haiti Earthquake that rocked what is said to be one of the World’s Poorest Countries. I didn’t really know that Haiti got earthquakes because it was in the Caribbean but, it is along the fault line of The North American and Caribbean Plate. On January 28, I got my echocardiogram which I was both excited and nervous about but, it was really cool because I got to see “The Very Thing that Keeps My Alive”. In February, It was very snowy both here in Plano and Other Places. The first snowstorm that happened on the night of February 5 going into February 6 that I actually can’t believe I didn’t write about was the famous snowstorm that Weather Forecasters called “Snowmageddon”. Also, some people called it “The Blizzard of 2010”. Anyway, there are 2 reasons why they called it that. Because first off it hit an area (Washington DC, Baltimore, and Philadelphia) that doesn’t get that much snow as often as New York City or Boston. To make it worse, the next week another blizzard or as they call a “Nor’Easter” hit the same area that the last one did. In Fact, with this “Snowmageddon” Series, it broke many cities‘ Snowiest Winter on Record. So, here are the cities and their new records:

  • Philadelphia, PA with 78 Inches
  • Baltimore, MD with 77 Inches
  • Washington DC with 56 Inches
  • Wilmington, DE with 72 Inches
  • Atlantic City, NJ with 58 Inches

So, as you can tell it Snowed A LOT in that Area. Actually, that is not the only place it snowed a lot because on February 10, it snowed 9 to 12 Inches in Dallas during what I called “The All-Star Historic Snow Storm”. Anyway, in March, My Brother and I went to Myerson Symphony Center to go see the Dallas Symphony Orchestra because My Brother was taking a Music Appreciation Class and he had to go see a musical performance for his class. Anyway, on March 31, I wrote about The Economist's Democracy Index in My Newsletter because I was interested about The European Union and To see how each Country stands. Now, April, Unfortunately was a Sad Month for a lot of People like on April 7, Sandra Bullock got divorced. On April 20, was believe it or not, the beginning of the BP Oil Spill which lasted all the way till‘ August. Also and I’m deeply sorry to Grandma honey for this but, in this month, Our Healthful Great Grandma Mimi passed away and she will be missed by all! On a lighter note, near the end of April, as a way of preparing for My 200th Newsletter, I started writing my “All Thanks to You” Series. On May 26, I wrote my 200th Newsletter. It was a Big Accomplishment for me because I had written 200 Newsletters. Meanwhile, during this Big Event was when My Mom was having her Kidney Stone Attacks which was very hard for me to deal with. Now, June was a mainly quiet month, the only events to mention was the Painful Allergy Test on June 7 and us preparing to head to Atlanta for The PTLS Birthday Party/Gathering. July was also a quiet month like June. Now, August was an awesome month because during the week of My Birthday, we decided to have a mix of a PTLS Gathering and My Birthday Party. It was so awesome that so many members of My PTLS Family came from across the country to see me and all be inspired by Each other. Also, during the week, I got to go to Amicalola Falls State Park and see the Southern End of The Appalachian Trail which was really awesome. I would say though that going to Atlanta was the best birthday ever. The awesome month of August was followed by another awesome month, September. Near the end of September, My Mom and I got to crew for the Plano Hot Air Balloon Festival which was Amazing and Awesome. Also, the best part is that they’ve invited us to crew for the festival next year. On October 6, was when The United States Government heard about terrorists in Europe so, The State Department issued a Travel Warning in Europe which worried me a little because Europe is my favorite part of the world. On October 20, I finished reading the book, AWOL On The Appalachian Trail that I got during “PTLS Birthday Week”, The book was really good to read and very interesting. On November 16-20 was the 5th annual Christian’s Best Friends Festival which introduced the most new friends of any Best Friends’ Festival so far. For Thanksgiving, I went to visit The Smith Family in Atlanta which was really cool because My Uncle Bruce built a Zip Line in his backyard for my cousins. Finally, in December I got to drive through Deerfield(The Neighborhood with all the Christmas Lights) with My Brother. So, I got extra time with My Brother. So, To end the year I will tell you that I got the most awesome gift for Christmas, A REAL Sleigh Bell from Santa’s Sleigh. Yes, you heard it right, a REAL SLEIGH BELL from Santa. Also, It came with a note that said the following, “Christian, Thank You for continuing to believe in Me. Keep My Spirit alive in Your Heart and in those you touch every day. Merry Christmas! St. Nicholas(Santa)”. So, all in all, This was a great year and I hope next year will be even better.


(For the Last Time in 2010)


Thanks for Reading The Christianville Spirit. Be Sure to be back here for another year of Touching and Inspiring Articles. Thanks for Believing in The Sprit of Christianville!

December 22, 2010

The Christianville Spirit: The Meaning of Christmas and Why We Have It

The Christianville Spirit

The Spirit that Inspires You

December 22, 2010- TCS # 229


So, My Readers, let me ask you a Question? What does Christmas mean to you and Why do you think we have it? Is it about Presents and Santa Claus? Maybe. Is it about the Birth of Jesus Christ? I say, absolutely! but, that’s yours to decide. You See, that big question, “What is the meaning of Christmas and Why we have it?” is in many ways, A hard question to answer. The truth is, we sometimes forget the meaning of Christmas because of our busy lives and trying to get shopping done by Christmas Day. So, what is the meaning? Well, it has many meanings to different people. For Kids, it means Santa Claus is coming to Town and they have to be on their best behavior because as we’ve heard before, He’s Watching. For Adults it’s more about shopping for presents and, the stress of making enough money for it. and, for some, funny enough, the stress of finding a Parking Spot. But, In My View, in a way, it’s about Presents but, it’s more about Santa Claus‘ Spirit of Giving, hence the reason we believe in him. Also and Majorly, It’s about Jesus Christ’s Birth because without him there wouldn’t be a Christmas. In Fact, Christmas‘ technical name is Christ’s Mass, only they shortened it with erasing the extra S off Christ and the S of Mass. But, here’s the thing, there’s one thing missing in the meaning of Christmas, Family. Now, the reason behind that one thing missing, is that in a Cold and Below Freezing Winter, Christmas is the only day by which you are Warm, and I don’t mean “Warm” like the heating on the A/C. I mean feeling the warmth of being with, near, or just knowing You are in the hearts of Your Family. When Baby Jesus was born, He was loved by his parents and those who came to see him from afar and Every Year we celebrate his Birthday with Love and Family. If you want to know how warm I am during Christmas, I’m Extra Warm, because I have my 3 Families; My Immediate, The Smith Family, and PTLS Family. All in all here, Christmas is about Love, Family’s Warmth, and Giving.




Thanks for Reading The Christianville Spirit. Merry Christmas to all from The Christianville Spirit!

December 15, 2010

The Christianville Spirit: Time with My Brother

The Christianville Spirit

The Spirit that Inspires You

December 15, 2010- TCS # 228


So, Every Christmas here in Plano, My Family(My Mom, My Brother, and I) have several traditions that we do. Of Course, One of them is going to the Special Friends Christmas Dinner but, this one I’m going to mention has been a tradition for several years and one that many Plano Families do. You See, there is a neighborhood in Plano called Deerfield where they have house after house decorated with Christmas Lights that we drive by. Anyway, My Mom has working one night and asked My Brother to take me through it. Now, My Mom and I usually go through it and My Brother either doesn’t get to go or doesn’t really want to go. My Brother was sweet enough to take me through the neighborhood. Another thing I like to do while we drive through Deerfield is listen to Christmas Music because I believe that you have to listen to Christmas Music when looking at Christmas Lights; I guess you can add that to my list of Preferences. Let’s just say that the only time that My Brother and I listened to Christmas Music was when we were passing some houses that had Syndicated Christmas Lights which had you listen to a Radio Station. But, at least My Brother tried it for a little while. It was really awesome to go with My Brother and spent time with him. The best house that we saw was a Syndicated house that had 4 Rings that would light up in circles, according to My Brother, that also was his favorite house.

Another day, My Brother and I spent a full day together. First, we went to Five Guys Burgers for lunch, then, we went to go to the movie to see Due Date, which was a hilarious movie. After that, we did some Christmas Shopping and then, finally we had dinner with My Mom at a pizza place called Goodfellas. All in all, I had a fun time with My Brother.



Thanks for Reading The Christianville Spirit. Spend time with Your Siblings.

December 8, 2010

The Christianville Spirit: The Special Friends Christmas Dinner

The Christianville Spirit

The Spirit that Inspires You

December 8, 2010- TCS# 227


So, This past Monday Night, My Mom and I went to an event that is a tradition of us. You See, This Event called the “Special Friends Christmas Dinner”, A Christmas Dinner for People with Special Needs that they have at one of the churches here in Plano. The Church just happens to be one of the biggest in Plano, In fact, we call it “Six Flags Over Jesus”, it’s that big. Anyway, This church has a Special Needs Ministry and to honor them, they put on a Dinner for members, friends, family, and anyone else who wants to come. So, after dinner, My Mom and I are walking to the car, summarizing the fun time we had and right when we walk toward the Car, She says “How do you feel when your around them?” and, by Them, she means people of Various Special Needs. So, for this week’s newsletter, I’m going to write how I feel around what I’ll called “The Various Special Needs” Group. So, I look at it at it in 2 ways. Firstly, It’s really awesome to hang out with all people with Special Needs, Various or PTLS because they are sometimes at the same level and sometimes Maturity then you. In a way, They understand You, The Person not what you have. As with what I’ll call “Normals”, They concentrate on what you have instead of the person themselves. Now, My 2nd view is different because it deals with me having PTLS or as I formally address it, “My Rareness”. In that format, You feel lonely because there’s no one in that has PTLS in My Area. Now, Don’t get Me wrong, I like hanging out with People with Special Needs and I don’t focus on what they have. But, when it does come to that, It’s hard to relate to them because they go through different things than You. and, we PTLSers go through our own thing. The only Special Need that PTLS has a tie with is Autism and that can give you more or less information. So, in other words, in a room full of people of Autism and Down Syndrome, I feel like I’m the only Rare one there which is both a good thing and bad thing. Now, with PTLSers you can relate in alot of ways to what they’re going though which is the same things that you are. The only difference is their health and behavior on what I’ll call the “Moderate-Severity Level” because some people with PTLS can widely range from Moderate which means not as many health issues and not as hyper to Severe which means more health issues like Heart Issues or having more of a hard time Talking. Now, Parents, My Intention here is not to scare you, I’m teaching about it. Anyway, when it comes to seeing or meeting people with PTLS is at first very awkward because it’s like meeting someone who looks exactly like You and Has the same thing as You. So, after you get over the awkwardness, then you connect with each other. Now, I have to say it’s a little lonely here in Dallas because no one around here has PTLS or let alone is my age. The only person nearby is in Houston and is older than Me with not only PTLS but, CMT. So, all in all here, that’s how I feel about the difference between “Various Special Needs” and PTLSers. Now, if you feel the same way about this, Please don’t count out those with Various Special Needs because otherwise you won’t have anyone to relate to.



Thanks for Reading The Christianville Spirit. Remember when around People with Special Needs. It’s not about what they have, it’s about who they are.

December 1, 2010

The Christianville Spirit: My Thanksgiving and What I'm Thankful For

The Christianville Spirit

The Spirit that Inspires You

December 1, 2010- TCS # 226


As many of you heard, I went to Atlanta for thanksgiving and I couldn’t do a Newsletter. So, to make up for it, I’m going to tell you about my Thanksgiving Trip to Atlanta. It’s started early Tuesday Morning with My Mom and I driving to Atlanta; Along the way, there is a place in a town called Canton which is about 45 Minutes east of Dallas and they sell something special, Fried Pies. Well, for the first time I finally got one and it was good. You see, I had been thinking about getting a Fried Pie several times driving between Dallas and Atlanta but, either it was too early in the morning for Me(because my stomach is still waking up), the fact that I’m in the car because I’m not always the cleanest of eaters and Fried Pies isn’t car food, or other reasons. Whenever I wouldn’t get one in the morning, I’d try to get one on the way back but, by that time My Mom and I are tired and ready to get home. So, anyway this time I finally got one, I got a Pulled Pork Fried Pie and Apple Fried Pie. The Pulled Pork Pie was good but, got too spicy to eat. And, of course the Apple was really good but, really messy. Anyway, when we finally got to Atlanta it was exciting and it was awesome knowing that I got to sleep in My favorite Room at My Grandma Honey’s House, Her Sunroom or as I call it “The Treehouse”. I call it “The Treehouse” because there are a lot of tall trees that surround it. on Wednesday, which is my “Newsletter Day”, We began the day going to Grandma Honey’s Favorite Hangout where Everyone knows her name and got to see our good friend, Georgette. After that, My Mom and I got Pedicures, but My Mom’s is different than mine. I love the way mine is because I sit in a chair that massages my back, I get my feet and legs rubbed, and my feet afterwords felt very soft. Also, we prepared and got the things we needed for Thanksgiving Dinner, We also hung out at My Uncle Bruce’s House. On Thanksgiving Day, My cousin Gram and I had a sleepover at Grandma Honey’s House so, that we could watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a tradition for me on Thanksgiving that I love and can’t go a Thanksgiving without because the end to me is the beginning of The Holiday Season, My Favorite Time of Year. After we watched some of the parade, we drove to Uncle Bruce’s House again because that’s where we were having Thanksgiving Dinner. The day itself was much fun because I got to play with My Cousins. We got to jump on the trampoline, go to the park, and play in the treehouse that Uncle Bruce built. Now, Thanksgiving Dinner was really good and Uncle Bruce made the turkey so juicy, it was the best turkey I ever had. On Friday, we played some more and the most awesome thing happened. My Uncle Bruce built a Zip Line in his backyard and after it was done, we got to ride on it. It was my first time riding on a Zip Line and it was Awesome. After all that excitement, we went back to Grandma Honey’s House and one more night in “The Treehouse” then, we headed back home. So, now The Most Important Part, What I’m Thankful for. I’m Thankful for the following things..

  • My Mom and The Things she does for me
  • My PTLS Family
  • All the PTLS Family Members that came all the way to Atlanta for the PTLS Gathering and My Birthday
  • My Friends and Family
  • The Balloonists who let me join in and crew for The Hot Air Balloon Festival
  • My Readers and Subscribers
  • The Roof over My Head
  • Food and Water
  • Air Conditioning(since people in other countries don’t get A/C)
  • and, Finally, God

All in all, It was an awesome Thanksgiving Holiday and I hope that you had a great Thanksgiving.



Thanks for reading The Christianville Spirit. I am Thankful for Everything and Everyone that I have around Me, Thank You All!