Gleetastic!

Inspired by this post, I wanted to post my top ten favorite performances on Glee during this first half of the first season.  The list actually features a dozen numbers, but I'm okay with that.

Honorable Mention. "Single Ladies" from "Preggers"




The cast doesn't actually sing this song, so I don't want to include it in my top ten, but it definitely deserves a shout out because it is just plain fabulous.  Kurt rocks that dance better than any YouTuber and Tina and Brittany make for some fabulous backup girls.  Plus, this dance leads to Kurt "auditioning" for the football team and the delicious scene where the jocks do the dance out on the field in the middle of a game.

10. "Jump" from Mattress



Come on, don't you wish you and your 11 best friends got to wear comfy pajamas, jump around on giant mattresses, sing a fun song, and be on tv?  Because I most certainly do.  This one makes the list just because it's probably the most awesome thing to happen in those kids' lives!

9. "Endless Love" from "Ballad


If only because Mr. Schuster's facial expressions are totally priceless, this duet needs to be on the list.

8. "Push It" from Showmance



Hot damn!  That is one scandalous number!  The Glee kids performed this at a school assembly in an attempt to get some new members.  Definitely a better option than Mr. Schuster's choice of "Le Freak."  To be honest, that's probably a little more raunchy than I would have been comfortable with performing, but kudos to the club for doing what they thought needed to be done for the survival of their group.

7. "Bust Your Windows" from Acafellas




I would venture to say that this is Glee's most get it number.  Mercedes totally rocks it with her belting, her moves, and an overall sense of fierceness.

6. "Keep Holding On" from Throwdown




I think this was the first tear-jerker of the season.  In fact, I teared up watching this number as a preview on Hulu before the episode even aired.  It was an incredibly emotional hour: Finn struggles with his waffling feelings for Quinn and Rachel, the drama increases between Will and Terry at their fake OB/GYN appointment, and Quinn's pregnancy is revealed to the entire school.  The culmination of the episode with this number was very intense.  Even the choreography lends itself to displaying the Quinn-Finn-Rachel love triangle.  Quinn's tearful sigh, closing out not only the song but the episode, leaves you thrilled to see how the story unfolds.  

5. "Ride With Me" from Throwdown



I picked this one for the nostalgia factor.  Some of my favorite memories from high school are of just hanging out with my friends around the piano and belting out some good tunes.  This number really displays the true essence of Glee Club: it's fun!
 
4. "Lean on Me" from Ballad



The "aww" factor in this number just can't be ignored.  It's incredible the way this group of a dozen misfits bands together to take care of each other.

3. "Proud Mary" from Wheels


This one is just all around amazing.  The lyrics are meaningful, especiallly for this group that's just trying to keep it all together.  The vocals are incredible, and it's awesome that Artie, Mercedes, and Tina get to take the lead on this one.  And,  best of all, they are all in wheel chairs!  The choreography in this number is probably ten times better than anything they've ever done on their feet. 

2. "Halo/Walking on Sunshine" and "It's My Life/Confessions Pt II" from Vitamin D






I couldn't decide between these two, so they are tied for second.  Vitamin D was probably my favorite episode because everyone was acting so nutty, and the resulting numbers were absolutely incredible.  I don't even like "Halo" but the girls' rendition is stellar, especially in combination with the cheeriness of "Walking on Sunshine."  Plus I love the adorable yellow dresses!

The boys' number is kickass!  While Finn does look like a crazed maniac because he's hopped up on Pseudoephedrine, it's totally made up for by banging moves of Other Asian (Did you know his name is Mike Chang?) and Artie's smooth stylings.

1. "Dancing With Myself" from Wheels



It's no secret that Artie is my favorite character.  I definitely think that his brand of awkward is the most endearing.  On top of that his voice is awesome, and his looks are not too shabby either.  I absolutely loved this Artie-centric episode which offered hilarity in the form of juicy discoveries in addition to a lesson about maintaining a sense of community duty.  Artie's solo is really touching, pushing a formerly background character into the spotlight, and giving us cause to root for him instead of just cringing when he gets shoved in a porta potty. Plus this is the first glimpse we get at one of my favorite ships, Artie and Tina. Super special bonus: This was the first time I noticed that Artie's wheels light up, à la L.A. Lights, when he rolls around.

Renewal

One of the sad realities of Habitat for Humanity is that sometimes families are unable to stay in their homes.  Sometimes life circumstances get the best of them and they can no longer afford the mortgage.  Sometimes they choose to stop making payments.  At our affiliate, these former Habitat homes are typically cleaned up and rehabbed a little bit before being sold, but recently the decision was made to rehab one for a new Habitat family.

It was our first time doing that, and from a Family Services standpoint, we weren't quite sure how to go about it.  At our affiliate the wallraising and the key ceremony are the two most important days for our family.  But since this house already had walls, we needed to think of a new way to make it special.

I came up with the name: Renewal. It's only one word, but it carries so much in its meaning and connotation.  It definitely set the stage for a good event.

At wallraisings, volunteers typically write their sentiments on the studs.  We didn't have exposed studs, but we still wanted to give people the opportunity to leave special messages for the family.  We decided to roll with the season, and brought a small fir tree with ornaments that people could write on.  It looked cute, was perfect for December, and will certainly be special when the family gets to plant it in their yard.

But the best part of this Renewal was most definitely the family.  They are the most gracious couple I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.  Both husband and wife come from very humble backgrounds and could not be more thankful that they are receiving the opportunity to be homeowners.

From the moment she stepped onto the site Antonia was squealing with joy, hugging everyone in sight and exclaiming about how perfect everything was going to be.  Robert stood in more quiet contemplation, soaking it all in.  When we started, Robert offered the opening prayer, repeatedly voicing his gratefulness that the people of Habitat exist and work hard daily to make home ownership a reality for low income families. 

It's so interesting to me to see how different homesteaders react emotionally to the Habitat process.

There are tears, there are smiles.  Some are talkative, some can't find the right words.  The common thread is that they are all thankful, but the pure joy displayed by Antonia and Robert was definitely my favorite Habitat aura thus far.  Their presence at their Renewal certainly helped to renew my dedication to my service this year.