I can safely say that one of my greatest downfalls is that I expect too much. I'm always confident it will be the best night, the best movie, the best vacation...ever!

And with such high expectations, a totally good time pales when compared to the great time I'd anticipated. I've been told, time and time again by my realist friend Jordan, that it would be better to expect the worst (or on her good days- just expect average results) than to expect the best. However, I continue to learn the lesson the hard way. Apparently, I'm a slow learner.

I'd like to say that I can't be blamed for this, though, as it seems to be a trend common among my family members, as well.

Over Thanksgiving break, we went to see the Lion King. Sam is undoubtedly the most avid Lion King fan I know. However, before the show, he admitted he was a little nervous for the musical, as he had such high expectations for Mufasa. Luckily, though, Mufasa's deep voice and broad shoulders fulfilled his expectations (other than his roar, as far as I can tell, Sam can roar better than Mufasa).

Although I didn't expect quite as much from Mufasa as Sam did, I did have high expectations for Thanksgiving this year. Such expectations were easily fulfilled with an amazing weekend with everyone in my family present, as well as Jim. Between tree decorating, a November birthdays celebration, Turkey trotting, and football (for the fellas) it was a weekend that surpassed all expectations.

Now, just two days later, I can only hope that Britney Spears will also surpass all expectations. Today, on her 27th birthday, her newest album ("Circus") drops. I plan on purchasing it this evening and my expectations are undoubtedly high. I expect as much from Brit as Sam expected from Mufasa.

Jim disagrees with me, saying that Britney is not ready to make the ultimate comeback (I saw him trash talk before football with my brothers this weekend, but I had no idea he was so eager to trash talk Brit, too...). However, I have faith. I'm not exaggerating when I say this really could be her best album yet. Jordan might advise me to expect something somewhere between "Blackout" and "In the Zone" but I have more faith in her than that. I've decided I'll just go with my instincts and anticipate the best we've seen from Britney yet...

...I told you I'm a slow learner.