You think you can, you think you can: It’s the only way to survive finals. If you need an early taste of freedom before your exams are over, check out this week’s freebies. Warning: They are mostly holiday related.
COUNTRY CHRISTMAS TUNES
ANY DAY
If you are a fan of country and a fan of Christmas, then your dreams have come true: Twangy Christmas music is coming to your iTunes library. Brad Paisley sings “Away in a Manger” and Lady Antebellum sings “The First Noel.” If that’s not enough to convince you to click the download key, I don’t know what is — even if you’re just laughing at the insanity of redone Christmas music. You can download the mp3s from iTunes or at specials.people.com/countryplaylist. The offer ends Jan. 4.
WINTER LABYRINTH
TUESDAY
Labyrinth walking is an ancient healing practice. The Center for Ageless Living made a winter light labyrinth for your meditation and thoughtful walking enjoyment. Sounds like a good way to de-stress before a final. Don’t worry; it’s not a maze, so you can’t get stuck in it, and a fire pit awaits you at the center. The labyrinth is open Tuesday through Saturday until Jan. 12 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Center for Ageless Living is at 3216 N.M. 47 in Los Lunas.
NEW MEXICO TALK
WEDNESDAY
As part of the celebration of New Mexico’s 100th year as a state, the KiMo Theatre hosts speaker Tom Chavez. Apparently, he’s going to talk about how awesome New Mexico is. You can’t go wrong with that. A meet and greet follows, and the event runs from 7 to 9 p.m. at 423 Central Ave. N.W.
BUGG LIGHTS
THURSDAY
The River of Lights is pretty great, but it isn’t free, so if you don’t want to miss out on Christmas lights, check out the Bugg Lights Christmas Display. It’s a Christmas light display of animals and moving characters. Plus, You-know-who (Santa) will be there, along with music from various community groups and churches. The event starts at sundown and runs until 9 p.m. at the Menaul School at 301 Menaul Blvd. N.E.
MEDITATION
THURSDAY
You know you need some good ol’ Ayurvedic meditation to stay calm this week. If you’re willing to drive to Rio Rancho, check out this session at the Esther Bone Memorial Library. It runs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and is 21 plus, for some reason. Maybe they give you a stiff drink to enhance the meditation process. The library is at 950 Pinetree Road S.E.
PAW SPA OPEN HOUSE
FRIDAY
Food from Tucanos? Drinks and spirits? Holiday movies? Treats for my dog? Count me in. It’s unclear if the food and drinks are free, but the event definitely is. The Paw Spa is at 309 Rio Grande Blvd. N.W. and the event starts at 5 p.m.
~Nicole Perez
