Love Day

Yesterday, I prayed for a snow day and got it.  And while that alone would be enough for me to rejoice and celebrate, that's not the only reason I'm feeling good today.  I'm happy because Valentine's Day (or Love Day, as I call it) is here once again.  Last year, when I blogged about this holiday, I kept wondering why people disliked it.  Was it because they didn't have somebody, the materialism of it, or did it people just hate that couples needed a day to show someone they cared?  I'm sure the reason why people dislike Love Day is a mix of all those reasons, but after thinking about it, my opinion of the day is still the same, which is that I love it!  Yes, there are negative aspects to it, but all holidays have that.  Love Day is a day where love is the central theme of the day.  I know that can be tiring and even unecessarily dramatic, but it's still a beautiful thing when it goes right for two people.

Now, since I've never been in a relationship, you'd think a day like this would bring me down, but while it has in the past, it doesn't much anymore because I know good, deserving people who are happy.  A few of them are in relationships, while others aren't, but the point of the day is that they're happy and spreading the feeling of love and togetherness all around.  That might not focus specifically on love, like Love day entails, but as long as you have people around you that care, you can find love in all sorts of ways besides the traditional way.

Happy Love Day everyone!  If you have plans tonight, I hope they go well.  And shout out to my friend Steph, whose favorite day is Love Day! 

Asian/Chinese New Year

Today is Asian/Chinese New Year for many people in the world, including myself!  It's always a festive time around the house because of all the red, the food, the money, but while all those things are nice, I think the best part about it is spending time with family, even when times aren't that good.  Take for instance, my family.  It's hectic around my house because my mom is getting everything redone, but I still get to see my dad and spend time with all my siblings.  Even though we don't get along all the time, that's pretty rare now that we're older, so times like that are special to me.  Truthfully, I don't have much else to say about the holiday, but for everyone that celebrates it, I hope you have a good day and prosperous year!

Gung/Kung Hey Fat Choi!

Holiday Traditions

With Christmas here today, I'm filled with nostalgia.  Even though my family doesn't celebrate it as much as they used to, I still feel happy for it because of what it entails.  The lights, the presents, the sports, but what really stands out to me are the music and films/shows since they encompass what the holidays are really about in their own unique way.  Many people are tired of Christmas songs and specials at/by this time, which I understand, but for someone like myself who doesn't experience the holidays the same way as others, I find them very entertaining and reassuring, since even though life may change, they never do.  So, with that in mind, here are some songs I hope you all enjoy, which have become tradition to me on Christmas.  I'd mention specials, but there are tons of those out there (and they're hard to find clips for).  Happy Holidays!

The first Christmas song I fell in love with.  Just a beautiful ballad to listen to overall

The newest Christmas song I discovered, but amazing because of its message and all the singers involved

But, who can forget the classic...

The Day After...

As Thanksgiving and Black Friday have come and gone, I can't help but have mixed emotions on them.  Yes, they were both memorable events and part of the holiday spirit, but the anticipation for I had before they started came and left before it ever felt like they started.  In the large spectrum of food, celebration, and time spent saving money on deals, that may not seem like a big deal since those are the things that count.  But I think it matters since people put so much money into getting ready for Thanksgiving by making food, or saving up for that one key purchase, but then like that, it's over.  The food you spent hours on is gone in less than an hour, and that thing you wanted to purchase is something you often use sparingly, or don't think enough about to appreciate.  I may be thinking too much about this subject, but I can't help it.  Thanksgiving is over.  And now that it has come and gone, I can't help but feel sad about the reality now everyone will be back at school or at work, instead of doing things that make them happy.  Yet, I suppose that's how life is...

Thanksgiving

It's Thanksgiving again!  That wonderful time of the year when autumn is in the air, the pigskin is being thrown around, and there's a delicious aroma of food.  I usually have a hard time picking my favorite days of the year because there are so many that I like and dislike, but there's no doubt Thanksgiving is one of my favorites for the reasons I just said previously.  Even in school, the day before Thanksgiving was always the best because we had pep rally's that were always a lot of fun, and since it was a half day, I could always hang out with my friends afterward.  In my mind, hanging out with my friend's on holidays is always a highlight because you get to experience it differently with people you care about, but doing it the day before isn't that bad either.  I miss those times, but I still have those fond memories of simpler times.

Since it's Thanksgiving, there are a limited amount of things on TV today.  There's the parade, football, and even wrestling (depending on if you like TNA).  But if you want an alternative to those things, you can do what I always do and watch Thanksgiving specials of your favorite shows and films.  Here are some suggestions I have...

The Recess episode "The Great Can Drive"

 A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

Not to mention other Thanksgiving episodes of shows, like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, King of the Hill, The Simpsons, etc.  There are so many things you can watch and do on this day, but regardless, have a good holiday and eat well!

My Love Of Greeting Cards

There's a running joke from TV shows that Hallmark has a greeting card for every occasion, which isn't true, but it seems like it is with the mass amount of cards they have.  I used to love going into Hallmark back in the day because it was a chance to see other writer's or artist's work firsthand.  But after a few years, I started to realize something; the cards I used to love were starting to get boring because they had been around for so long.  And for some reason, as good as some of them were, they just never captured the full message I wanted to give to a person.  So since then, every time the occasion calls for it, such as a birthday or holiday, I make my own cards or buy blank cards and write my own message to people.

Now, making your own card or writing a full message may seem like too much work, but it's worth it.  For one thing, you get to be really creative with the full design of it, which can make your card stand out.  And what can be better than writing a heartfelt, personal message to a loved one?  I don't think many things are, especially if you put so much effort into it, which I think I've done.  I can remember countless hours and days I would stay up late perfecting a message, coloring, and gluing pictures; it was a pain since it was so easy to make a mistake, but to know you can brighten someone's day with something you created is so gratifying.  I think it's one of the reasons I wanted to be a writer (even though I'm not really good at it in my opinion).  To be honest though, if I had a dream job I knew I would be financially secure in, it would be making greeting cards.  But I guess it would be difficult because I'm better at making personal cards for people I know, and I heard it's very difficult to do.  Luckily, I know the business isn't like that stupid "(500) Days of Summer" film.

I know I probably haven't changed people's minds on cards, or people still want to buy presents for people for special occasions, which is just fine, but all I'm saying is reconsider greeting cards.  It makes everything more complete, and it shows a person how you really feel about them, which can sometimes get lost in the world.  It's understandable to be worried about the cover of your card, or what you write, but don't worry.  It's the thought that counts, and what could be more thoughtful than a greeting card?

Veteran's Day

Veteran's Day was yesterday, but from the way things were around Boston, you'd never know it because many schools were in session and many people were working.  I understand that not all schools and workplaces have the same regulations when it comes to holiday's, but it seems so unfair that's the way things are.  Now, I'll be honest, in the past, I've overlooked Veteran's Day because I didn't really know what it was all about, and it was an excuse not to have school, but as I've gotten older, I've learned to appreciate it's a time to celebrate and remember those who have served and protected our country.  What could be more nobler or patriotic than that?  I don't think many things are, yet people cannot enjoy it because of a few rules.  As I said before, I understand why some colleges and workplaces are like that, but it seems ridiculous we celebrate some irrelevant holidays so seriously, yet ignore ones that are important.  I suppose it's something to think about, but that will have to wait until the next Veteran's Day.

For those who have served and protected our country though, Thank You!

Halloween

Forgive my bluntness, but Halloween sucks!...

I bet some of you are probably wondering why I think this since Halloween is a holiday of dressing up, candy, and fun overall, but to me, it is anything but that.  Halloween does evoke some of those things, but it's a drag because of my past experiences with it, and the fact I don't think of it as a real holiday.  To explain the latter, any holiday that you have to go to school for isn't a real holiday in my book (the child in me talking).  Also, it's lost meaning because children don't trick or treat as much for safety issues, which I understand, and the fact the media has changed Halloween's image.  It used to be about scariness, but now it has shifted to sexiness and parties.  Maybe it's college influencing some of my way of thinking, but if you look at ads, you'll see what I mean.

As for my own experiences, besides going trick-or-treating once with my friends and at the mall, which was alright, I didn't have many Halloween experiences growing up (sad I know).  Maybe it's an Asian thing, but at my house, normally we closed all the shades, and then turned off the lights to give off the impression we weren't home for the night.  It's not like we didn't want to give out candy, but we just didn't feel like it.  Other times, my parents would take my siblings and I out to eat and then we would just get a huge individual bag of candy from CVS.  I don't know what candy I would choose now, but back then, Starburst Hard Candy was my sweet of choice.  A shame they don't make it anymore.  It doesn't sound fun since you're with your parents, but those experiences were memorable.  And looking back, it was better eating real food than candy all night.

With that in mind, let me tell you what you should all do for Halloween.  You should do what I'm going to do and just watch all the Halloween specials of my favorite TV shows from The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror episodes, The Weekenders, Arthur, Recess, all the way to classic things such as "It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown".  If you aren't a fan of watching TV, then you may find this boring, but these things never change, which you can't say about Halloween.  Regardless of what you do, whether you go trick-or-treating, party, or stay in, be safe, and don't forget to set your clocks this weekend.  I'm trying to remember to.

Happy Halloween!

 

One of my favorite Halloween traditions.  Who can forget Charlie Brown getting nothing but rocks?

Happy Father's Day!

Usually when I don't blog for a few days, I come back with a lot to say, but not today.  Today, I'm going to enjoy my time at home with my dad because today is Father's Day!  So in honor of all the dad's and father figure's out there, this day is for you, for teaching us so many things we couldn't have on our own, and for always being there.  Happy Father's Day everybody!