10 Best Christmas Movies

The Christmas season is my favorite time of year. Notice I didn't just say Christmas I said, the Christmas season, because it isn't just December 24 and 25 that contribute to it. I love when Christmas music starts to play on the radio, decorations are put up all around and best of all you can't turn on the TV without finding a Christmas themed program.

I know some people get annoyed by the commercialization of Christmas and how the season seems to be longer and longer each year and to some extent they are right. But, instead of letting it turn me into a Scrooge, I just go with the flow and embrace cheer and try and spread it around as much as possible.

So here are a list of my 10 all-time favorite Christmas movies.

1. Home Alone - 1990

This movie is a classic and because of it, I think its every kids dream to get stuck at home by yourself and be able to do anything you want.

2. The Family Stone - 2005

With a cast full of great actors this movie is a Christmas can't-miss. It highlights the hilarity involved with being a part of a big family and the pressure of bringing a significant other home for the holiday.

3. Elf - 2003

No best of Christmas movies list would be complete without this hilarious addition. Will Farrell at his finest playing Buddy an Elf  in the middle of an identity crisis and highlighting the Big Apple at Christmas time.

4. Its a Wonderful Life - 1946

This movie is a must see for every Christmas season, a tad more depressing than I remember but, the final scene makes up for it in the end.

5. Four Christmases - 2008

All I can say is this movie is laugh out loud hilarious. You have to check out the scene when they play Taboo, it my favorite part!

6. White Christmas - 1954

Its a Christmas tradition in the Matney household to watch White Christmas on Christmas Eve and it never gets old. Its old Hollywood at its finest.  Every year I hold out hope that I'll have a true White Christmas, so far no luck, but I'll keep my fingers crossed this year will be the one.

7. The Polar Express - 2004

Do you want to take a journey to the North Pole? Well this is the movie for you, all you have to do is ... believe.

8. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - 1989

Christmas is a time for spending time with your family ... even when your family is the Griswolds.

9. How The Grinch Stole Christmas - 2000

If you are one of those people who thinks the Christmas season a little much sometimes then this is the movie for you, if this can't get you in the holiday spirit, nothing can. Take a journey to Whoville to learn about the true meaning of Christmas.

10. Love Actually - 2003

Set in London in the weeks leading up to Christmas, this movie always gets me in the holiday spirit. Follow as the love lives of  several people around the holiday season. What I love though is that it shows that there are so many kinds of love out there, not just romantic love and that it is important to be with the ones you love at Christmas.

It was hard to make this list because there are so many great Christmas movies out there, but, these are the ones I go back to year after year.

What are some of your favorite Christmas movies? Any that you can't believe didn't make the list?

My 5 Post Peace Corps Goals

I have officially been back in the United States for three weeks and to say it has been an overwhelming three weeks in an understatement. Everything from driving, large crowds of people, grocery stores and bachelorette parties can be a staggering experience. But, now I'm starting to get back into the swing of things, figuring out the next step. But, in the mean time I have a lot of free time and so I've made a list of goals to keep myself busy while I figure out what is next.

*quality Sister time, now that I'm back

1. Get back into a regular workout routine. Now that I have access to a gym again, I want to start working out on a regular basis, to say that the during the Peace Corps I wasn't in the best shape is definitely an understatement.

2. Learn French! I'll still need to keep up with my Spanish but, I've always wanted to learn French. So I'm starting off slow with this free website, Duolingo, and maybe later I'll look for a tutor or conversation group. Spanish and French are so similar it will hopefully make it a little easier.

3. Attempt another Pinterest DIY project. I already have had one Pinterest DIY project success with the glittered champagne bottles, so I want t keep the success rolling and try something else.

4. Read. I'm currently reading How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents, after that I want to read some books from some of my favorite authors, Margaret Atwood, Barbara Kingsolver or Tana French. If you have any other books you think I'd love I could always use a good recommendation.

5. Plan the best visit ever for José. My boyfriend, José is coming to visit the United States for 18 days. This will be his first visit to America and I want to make it the best trip ever. We'll be heading to Las Vegas for my best friends wedding, New York, Washington DC, Baltimore and Annapolis. I'm counting down the days until he gets here.

Do you have any goals for the next few months?

Items You'll Never Regret Packing

As we all know packing can be tough, especially if you are like me, you don't' want to over pack because carrying around heavy bags can be a big pain, literally, but, you don't want to under pack either, you need options, duh! It can be hard to find that happy medium of being perfectly packed. Over my years of traveling, my first trip abroad was at age 14, I have over packed and under packed with the best of them and I have learned that there are some items that you will never regret packing. 

*two years of my life was packed into these bags for the Peace Corps

Wet Wipes - These can come in handy in several situations on a hot sweaty day or after using a public restroom with no soap.

Flashlight/Headlamp -  When everyone else in your hostel room is asleep and you want to read a book and headlamp/flashlight will come in handy or on midnight trek to the bathroom you don't want to be left in the dark.

Earplugs - These can be used anywhere when you are trying to catch some Z's, a plane, a train or a bus or even in a hostel room full of snoring people.

Eye mask - Going along with the earplugs a eye mask can be pretty useful when trying to catch some sleep on public transportation or in a crowded hostel.

Shower worthy flip flops - In Paraguay it is customary to shower with flip flops on even in your own home, but when it comes to hostels or even some hotels you never know what you'll find in the bathroom so these can be extremely necessary

Hat - Whether it is a baseball cap, a floppy sun cap or a fashionable fedora a hat can be useful whenever you travel to keep the sun off your face or to keep it stylish on a bad hair day.

Large scarf - I bring a scarf with me everywhere I go whether it is cold or hot. You never know when a warm day can turn into a chilly night and a scarf can make a perfect wrap for your shoulders to warm you up. Scarfs also can work as a great way to cover your shoulders or wrap around your waist if you happen to be dressed inappropriately to enter a church or temple.

Ziplock bags - These are one of my favorite travel accessories. They are great for helping to organize your packing and they also help keep dirty clothes separate from clean.

Wash line - If you are traveling long term a wash line is perfect so you don't waste money on getting your clothes laundered you can just wash them yourself in the sink or shower. But, even if you are traveling short term in can be handy, you never know when you'll spill something on your only pair of jeans.

Quick dry towel - These are one of the best inventions ever. Towels that dry almost instantly after using them, so if you take a shower before you leave you don't have to worry about packing a wet towel.

What are some travel items you never regret packing?

6 Must-Do Things in Uruguay

While a Peace Corps volunteer I had to opportunity to spend my first Christmas and New Years abroad traveling to Uruguay with some of my best volunteer friends. We chose Uruguay for a couple reasons. First ... the beach! Having lived in a land-locked country (Paraguay) for close to a year by then, we wanted to spend our time soaking up the sun and sand. Secondly, Uruguay doesn't require a visa or reciprocity fee for United States citizens like some of its other neighbors, Brazil and Argentina. It was an amazing trip. Uruguay is a small, laid back country but it packs a punch. It can be a little on the expensive side, but I can't wait to go back there and explore more of this charming country.

6 Things To Do in Uruguay

Wander along the Rambla in Montevideo. The capital of Uruguay, Montevideo is home to over a third of the country's population and on any given day a majority of them can be seen strolling along La Rambla. A boardwalk that spans the entirety of the Montevideo coastline, La Rambla is an essential part of the city's identity. Spend your time soaking in the views of the beach and the city skyline at the same time and experiencing life as the locals do.

Eat a Chivito. The national dish of Uruguay, its significance is up there with the Cheesesteak for Philidelphia and Deep Dish Pizza for Chicago. A meat-lovers heaven, the sandwich has thinly sliced beef, ham, bacon, mozzarella, lettuce, tomato and topped off with a fried egg. Honestly, the deliciousness of this sandwich cannot be described in words, it's one you just need to try.

Party Until Dawn in Punta del Este. If Uruguay is like the laid-back family of South America then Punta del Este is the crazy, wild, party-girl daughter that can get a little out of control sometimes but we all love. Punta del Este is modern, stylish and extravagant. A party is never far away when you are here and has many clubs and bars to choose from. A getaway for the rich and famous, if Punta del Este is good enough for Shakira it is definitely good enough for me.

Share Mate With a Local. If the Chivito is the national dish of Uruguay then mate is definitely the national beverage. It is a tea infusion of the yerba mate plant served with hot water. Like tereré of Paraguay, mate is not just a drink it is a social event. You will usually see locals sitting in groups drinking mate and talking about the issues of the day.

Embrace the Weird in Cabo Polonio. One of my favorite stops on my journey, Cabo Polonio is a small town located in a national park in the Rocha department only accessible by 4x4 vehicles. All of its electricity and running water, which there is little of, comes from wind and solar power. A bohemian hideaway, the town is full of hippies, drum circles and people partaking in a little recreational and legal marijuana. If that is not your style I still recommend taking a day trip to visit the adorable town and breath-taking beach and sand dunes.

Soak Up the Sun in Punta Del Diablo. This small fishing village is a great hangout for young travelers and families alike. While you can definitely party the night away here as well, relaxing on the beautiful beaches and experiencing the laid back restaurants and shops in town are another great way to spend your time. My time here included renting a house for Christmas and was one of the best parts of the whole trip.

Have you ever been to Uruguay? What were your favorite things to do there?

7 Summer Travel Must-Reads

Now its officially summer! Well, in the United States anyway, here in Paraguay its officially winter. But, lets just go with it. One of my favorite things about summer is sitting on the beach reading a good book. So here is a list of some great summer reads that will also help you with the travel bug! Most of these are relatively older books, but, if you haven't read them before they are definitely worth it.

(This post contains affiliate links)

Little Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal (Nepal) : Follows the story of Connor Grennan who gave up is job to travel around the world for a year, three months of which would be spent volunteering at an orphanage in Nepal. Unsure of how he will be able to help, Connor eventually learns that the children are not in fact orphans but victims of child traffickers and he sets out on the, dangerous and seemingly impossible, task of reuniting them with their families. 

The Historian (Netherlands, France, Hungary, Romania, Turkey, Bulgaria & the United States): After finding an ancient book and old mysterious letters in her father's library they go off on an adventure in search of Dracula. Interweaving stories from past and present this book will keep you on the edge of your seat as you traverse the European continent.

The Lost Girls: Three Friends. Four Continents. One Unconventional Detour Around the World. (Around the World): Jen, Holly, and Amanda have recently quit their jobs and left their fast paced New York City lives behind them to travel around the world for a year. Follow along a they step outside their comfort zones and embrace any adventure that comes their way as the journey through four continents and over a dozen countries. (They now have a fabulous website that gives travel help to other lost girls like them.)

In a Sunburned Country (Australia): Another Bill Bryson classic, this is a report on what he found in the country that doubles as a continent. A place with the most welcoming natives, the hottest and driest climate and some the weirdest and most deadly wildlife.

The Routes of Man: Travels in the Paved World (Vintage) (Nigeria, Peru, China, Israel, India & Kenya): A story that aims to show us how roads connect us, metaphorically and literally, and how roads have the great power to transform communities and their people. Follow along as we explore six unique roadways around the world.

Wanderlust: A Love Affair with Five Continents (Around the World): Spanning over 15 years, this story follows the life of Elizabeth as she pursues her never-ending hunger for the new and unfamiliar. Starting in her sophomore year of college, she journeys through four continents in search of culture and romance. 

The Woman Who Fell from the Sky: An American Woman's Adventures in the Oldest City on Earth (Yemen): Unsettled in her life and career, Jennifer accepts a short-term job to teach a journalism class to the staff of the Yemen Observer. Excited by the eagerness of the staff reporters she extends her stay for a year as editor and chief of the paper. This book offers a rare glance into the role of the media in a Muslim country.

What are some of your favorite travel reads this summer?