May the Calender keep Bringing Happy Holidays

I'm not going to ignore the fact that I've ignored this blog for over a month. I mean, seriously! I knew I had to update, because it's snowing outside, and my poor banner girl was still in shorts! She now sports the first banner outfit that doesn't hang in my closet (unfortunately).

I honestly can't think up an excuse, so instead, I'm offering a promise- I'm going to improve. Woo vague promises!


Another thing; since it's the holiday season, I won't be putting up Monday Holiday Updates. Every ounce of my holiday excitement is focused on Christmastime right now, as it has been since November 14.


The reason I didn't get right back into blogging was that I had a busy life ahead of me from October 5th on, I guess. I will now attempt to summarize, difficult already considering it's me writing it, the following months. I had a Concert on the 8th, and then on the 9th, I was off for Colorado! (Except my flight, which ended up being business class, was rescheduled for the 10th. Boo.) I visited the Hess family for my birthday, and that was really just amazing to reconnect and see how they're doing. They happen to be fantastic, by the way.


On the 13th I turned 18, and celebrated with macaroni and cheese and dino nuggets. Yay adulthood!


On the 22nd, I went to Michigan State Penitentiary, a maximum security prison, for a sociology field trip. We talked to a murderer/bank-robber, some guards, and got lovely tours. The next day I went to Bulls game with my friends from the stake, which was quite thrilling!


On the 4th of November, we had YW in Excellence, and then that Friday I got icecream with my friend, Josh. In related news, icecream is now officially one word (not that blogger recognizes it). I'm getting rather attached to that fact.


We had no school on the 10th and 11th, so I did some stuff with friends. Then, on the 14th, Mosaic choir had a performance at North Central College for a culture festival thingy, which was very interesting. It made me proud that we're so organized at WV.


Tuesday the 17th I went to Kelly High School in Chicago for the day on another Sociology field trip, shadowing a student named Anna. She was nice, but quite shy. The school (which is over 80% Latino and only 4% white, in comparison to WV's 51% white population) has a 57% or so graduation rate, and almost all the students come from low-income families. But it's a LOT like Waubonsie for the other manners, except that the students pay even less attention than normal. Anna came to my school and followed me around that Friday. She was bored, but I thought it was awesome- especially the tour!


The next week was Thanksgiving. Since we had no family coming in, we decided it would be wonderful to help the community (plus I needed hours for my sociology service final). Meson Sabika, a super fancy restaurant in Naperville, serves a free Thanksgiving dinner for families in financial need, so we served there! It was really a wonderful experience, but very tiring and very surreal to not have leftovers. We had to hurry and get pies from Dominick's to maintain holiday equilibrium. Black Friday, Dad and I went to Target at 5:30. And the $3 sandwich maker I wanted was gone ALREADY! Also, that Saturday I gave blood for the second time.

Last week I participated in an extra credit project for Sociology (what a fantastic class....I'm really going to miss it!) where we were challenged to eat for 7 days on $4.30 a day. I'm proud to say I accomplished that with over $12 to spare...there was ONE day I went over. And that one day was the one day I didn't get some sort of free meal...each of the other 6 days I was babysitting, went to a church activity with food, got seminary breakfast, or was fasting. Lesson learned- if you gotta be in poverty, be a Mormon. :P

Now it's Tuesday. There's lovely, lovely snow outside and freezing rain forecast for tonight. I'm warm in my home after just shoveling, and it really feels like Christmastime. No matter how busy I've been or am going to be for the next while, I'm happy.

Happy Holiday is a Christmas Traditional

OKAY SO this week has AWESOME holidays
but right now I'm writing an essay that absolutely does not want to be written.

SO I'm going to tell you the holidays and hopefully I'll have time to make this entry better. Also, I apologize for having nothing sandwiching the last two entries. I have a few I want to do that apply, but I'm lazy with getting photos onto my computer.

without futher ado, the skeleton of this week's MONDAY HOLIDAY UPDATES!

First of all, it's the first full week of October. As such, here are this month's celebrations...there are a LOT because October is AWESOME-

Adopt a Shelter Dog Month (sheeaaaah! I hope millions of people celebrate THIS one!)
American Pharmacist Month
Apple Jack Month
Awareness Month (Awareness of what??)
Breast Cancer Awareness Month (oh!)
Domestic Violence Awareness Month (I see!)
Lupus Awareness Month (wouldn't House be proud!)
Clergy Appreciation Month
Computer Learning Month
Cookie Month (My English class is celebrating this! :D Everyday someone brings in cookies. Which isn't good for my goal to lose x pounds by Christmas, but still AWESOME)
Eat Country Ham Month
International Drum Month
National Diabetes Month (also doesn't fit with cookie month)
National Pizza Month
National Vegetarian Month (That does work well with this being "Eat Country Ham Month")
National Popcorn Popping Month (Apricot trees are so out of season, guys)
Sarcastic Month
Seafood Month

now for those lovely daily holidays C:
and it's also Homecoming Week, so you also get to be blessed and find out what I'm supposed to wear. Yay clothing!

Today is Do Something Nice Day! I'm going to strive to do something nice to ~everyone~ :D As I wear my stylish Brazil jersey

Tomorrow is Mad Hatter Day, yes, as in the one from Alice in Wonderland. But don't just sing the Unbirthday Song- today is deigned for SILLINESS. Also deigned for "dress up day"... but this year we don't have a pajama day, which breaks my heart as I have amazing superhero pajama pants this year. So I'm going to "dress up" in pajamas (since I'm already wearing a dress on Thursday), which is apt with Mad Hatter Day and all.

Wednesday is Be Bald and Free Day, a day to put the lovely souls at Rogaine out of business by celebrating how liberating it is to never deal with haircuts, shampoo, or bad hair days. It's also "Would you be friends with me if I wore this? day", so I'm going to wear a Neuqua shirt. Since it would be impractical for me to shave my head.

Thursday is American Touch Tag Day which should honestly just be called Tag Day because who calls it "American" or "Touch" or anything like that? Also, it's decades day and while I could be awesome and dress 60's/70's/80's, I'm going 50's. Because that's my favorite decade after the 20's. C: Yaaay overexaggerated gender roles, pretty dresses, shoes, and makeup, and fantastic hair!

This Friday is the second Friday of the month. Therefore, it is World Egg Day. Also, it's WV spirit day and MORE IMPORTANTLY the day I leave for Colorado!! I'm visiting my lovely friend Kelsey Hess for my birthday this weekend :D leaving Friday afternoon/evening and returning Monday since there's no school.

Saturday is Angel Food Cake Day, and I'm not sure if I'll celebrate it or not. But that would be awesome...it's all up to the Hesses, I suppose.

Sunday is Take Your Teddy Bear to Work Day which is ridiculously awesome. Too bad I don't have a job or any desire to work on a sunday.

there's no title yet! How exciting!

Tell Him I'm a Vegetarian (MHU)

This is the last Monday of September! It's a strange feeling, as I officially feel like this means we're approaching the Holiday Season (for those of us who, like me, count Halloween and Thanksgiving as major holidays to start off the Holiday Season). Of course, with MONDAY HOLIDAY UPDATES, every season is a holiday season!

There are multiple holidays today, but my favorite one happens to be legitimate, started back in the 80's in a movement by teachers to get more student participation. Today is National Ask a Stupid Question Day, and it gives you the chance to put to the test that nasty rumor of "no such thing as a stupid question". Find one! Ask it! This is a day that people like me adore; no longer can our questions of tap-dancing pineapples go ignored. Today is a holiday just for that!

Tuesday's holiday has literally been around for thousands of years, so make certain you try to celebrate Confucius Day. He's a great philosopher and leader of a school of thought that freshmen are often misled to believe is a religion, but he's best remembered for his words of wisdom, such as "What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others" and more confusing things like, "To understand nothing is to understand everything". At least that one makes me feel pretty good about myself.

Wednesday celebrates my favorite oxymoronic practice- Mud Packing! Mud Pack Day is very much real and I'm very much serious when I say that it's a day to celebrate the mud facial. Since I've never had the experience, I don't have much to say about this. Just that mud baths and mud packing with their oxymoronic natures amuse me almost as much as people running with their hands tied behind their back. (But really, nothing could compare to that.)

October starts this Thursday! (Since that's the second half of the week, I'll refrain from giving the lengthy list of month titles in October. Besides being the month of my 18th birthday, of course!) The first of October is Vegetarian Day, which means I intend on eating no meat myself. I remember once upon a time I wanted all my Thursdays (ironically, I honestly did pick Thursdays...) to be vegetarian. There really wasn't a purpose since I wasn't health conscious; I think I just felt bad for the itty bitty animals I was eating and didn't have the guts to go all the way. That lasted like two weeks.

I really appreciate Friday's holiday, Name Your Car Day. "My" truck already has a name that I've given her- Shezelle. Now, that is pretty much the girliest name a red pickup could have, but I feel like it fits her. Especially when she's got her Gerber daisy up front where it belongs. Most people name their cars, including Mark and Em, so most people won't be able to do much to celebrate today except perhaps calling their car by its name. But my friend Kathy has had a nameless car (unless you count when it's called "Bubble Car", but that's more of an alter-ego) for almost a year, and my friend Christine just recently got the hottest used car I've ever seen and it yet to name her. So we three shall have fun celebrating, and I'll try to remember to share the results!

Saturday is International Frugal Fun Day, which isn't going to be hard to celebrate. I've had to had frugal fun for a long time, seeing as I've never had a job. And now I have to save money for Christmas/NYC/college/life/ice cream runs (not necessarily in that order).

This Sunday we get to celebrate the Frappe. Frappe is one of those desserts, like Cherry Jubilee, which I'm sure I should have had already, but don't think I have. It is, in case you hadn't guessed, National Frappe Day. According to my heroes at Holiday Insights, it's basically just a milkshake with more froffiness (which is always a good thing) and doesn't always have to include coffee or alcohol like I've previously assumed. They also suggested a pumpkin frappe "because it's October", but seeing as the website the recipe is from is an EXACT replica of the layout of Holiday Insights (now in improved orange coloring!), I feel like they're just supporting a sister site. Either way, it looks like an easy enough Sunday treat to make and celebrate.

"Don't Trust Me" is from 3Oh!3, and except for my favorite line, has nothing to do with Thursday.

Fibular and Tubular and Ribs and Cages, Too

This year, since I'm in AP Art and Independent Computer Graphics and feel like I should be doing my art as homework (although that happens pretty much never), I've been toting around my thumb drive Kingsly. The awesome bit about that is that I've finished an art piece, put it on Kingsly, and can now show it off, after turning it in just yesterday! Totally Awesome, my dears.

I started this piece while I was still working on the Warriorfest Poster. Speaking of that- it is really surreal seeing it everywhere I go. It's literally twice in every stairwell, in about half my classrooms, in random hallways, and various other places "throughout the community" and it's kind of driving me crazy. Good thing I like it!

But back to this. Mrs Fay would pop in and out randomly, and when I had nothing to work on with the poster, I would revert to working on this project. Independent kids don't have prompts, so I was just going off of what seemed cool. Originally, I wanted to do a ribcage with butterflies inside it. Trapped, you see, like a cage. HOW EXCITING. Then, I found this angle of a rib cage that struck me like crazy.

Merging the ribcage with the butterfly was so sickeningly easy. It's like the photographers were destined to have symmetry. You might think the blendiness is just me being cool, but it's all nature, my dears. The ribs ended right where the wings did and everything was just so...in line!! I can take pretty much no credit for that. And if you think it's a shoddy job, let me repeat. It's all nature's fault.

And my only bit of bragging I have for this piece is about the textures in the background. The burnt/torn/written-on paper is actually a merging of three separate textures. Burned paper, torn paper, and written-on paper, of all things! I'm not certain what the writing it; I believe it's actually mathematical, which means all the more reason for you to ignore it. And the texture behind THAT is something awesome I did accidentally hitting features on CS4. I could never repeat it, but I feel it was a penicillin mistake. And that's a good thing.

Once I was done with warriorfest and could focus completely on my skeleton friend, Mr. Gehl had announced reflections' topic this year. "What is Beauty?" is an awfully vague topic, but that's how they like the themes. I was already doing this, so I figured I might as well enter. No reason not to! It's a butterfly, which is ~totally~ cliche for a topic about beauty. But y'know what? It's a DEATH butterfly. And that oxymoron is so delicious I don't care how cliche it's parental topics are.

If you remember from my last reflections entry, the most important part is the artist's statement. Which I haven't written yet. I intend on writing about how Beauty is...finding new life in something considered dead or old. Weaving in the kissing old people (love is life) and the torn up paper and the whole death-butterfly thingy. Totally not my intention, and therefore I don't feel too bad about not having it to share with you, internet, as of yet. Once I write it, if it ends up being AWESOME, I'll weave it in someweek.

"Skeleton Friend" is an awesome song that can be found by Kate Nash

When I See an Elephant Fly (MHU)

I have allergies right now. Blech. The worst part is the post-nasal-drip.
But I'm sure you're not here this lovely Monday morning to hear about my sinus troubles; it's time for a MONDAY HOLIDAY UPDATE!

Today's holiday is excellent, though it makes me a bit sad. It's Miniature Golf Day, which is an AWESOME holiday, I agree. However, we once had an amazing mini-golf course just a bit away, all pirate themed and amazing. I knew the tricks to the holes, I knew when to stand under the volcano, I knew it was the best course available. When they tore it down for a strip-mall, not a soul was pleased, and now the closest mini-golf is too far away. Regardless, today is best celebrated on the course. And remember, as Phineas and Ferb say, "It's not just golf in miniature!"

Tomorrow's holiday is largely the most awesome holiday a pachaderm could wish for- Elephant Appreciation Day! Not just a holiday for republicans, this is a massive opportunity for you to trumpet your appreciation of the largest mammal around. Don't be a dumbo; get to your local zoo and get with the appreciation!

Wednesday is both Checkers Day and Dogs in Politics Day. Now, these seemingly unrelated holidays are actually the same; just with different names. While you certainly could use the opportunity to play a game of checkers and mock Illinois for our fantastic history of politicians, the origin of the holiday is from Nixon's speech 57 years ago Wednesday, where he did some political talking and concluding with announcing their dog named checkers. Bo Obama doesn't even have a holiday named twice about him (yet)!

I'm not sure what a virgin Cherries Jubilee would be like, but I'm bound to find out for Thursday. It's Cherries Jubilee Day! I've never had it before, but the descriptions sound an awful lot like a more exciting, lit-on-fire version of a gluten-free cherry pie a la mode. And that sounds delicious. Bring on the holiday!

My friend Jenny is going to be over the moon when I tell her what Friday is. It is, my good friends, Native American Day. Jenny and her family are half Navajo, and ridiculously proud of it. Really, a lot of people have Native in their blood (especially Cherokee- they seemed to really get around the gene pools) and even those of us who don't still have reason to appreciate this culture. The way early Americans treated the natives was probably the jerkiest thing we ever did to a massive group of people...it makes the mormon expulsion look like free cookies. So I'm glad they get at least a holiday. As well as a bunch of other "I'm sorry!!" gifts like Sacagewea on the dollar coin and Sitting Bull chillin' out by Mount Rushmore.

As the fourth Saturday in September, we get to celebrate a holiday my mom would most likely rather not exist- International Rabbit Day! This UK inspired holiday honors rabbits for all the reasons my mom cares only to ignore...they're cute, fluffy, little, bouncy, are cause for excellent books like Watership Down, inspired Bugs Bunny, and are superb battery spokesanimals. There are millions of other examples, but I think I'll save them for Saturday. Just lookit that bunny rabbit! How could you NOT love such a little bebbeh?! D'awwwwwwwwwwwww.

Sunday's holiday seems kind of lame in comparison to the rest of the week. No offense, cans, but Crush a Can Day doesn't THRILL me like it should. Perhaps it's just because I'm not very good at it...but I'm sure I'll get my practice. No can shall go uncrushed!

"When I See an Elephant Fly" can be found in Dumbo and should be watched on Tuesday

I've Never Owned a Parrot

Arr, mateys; remember ye not what today is? Sure as ya peg-leg, it's Talk like a Pirate Day, ye scurvy dogs. Renders this job nasty as I be too much of a land-lubber for blabbering just right, aye? My blabber on Ye Olde Facebook be set to Pirate fer terday, and it'll be me help fer this blabberin or so. Ye lazy dogs kin skip 'till the bottom o' the barrel- I'll explain there in the prickman's tounge.

Me hearties, I's got my eyes on scrawling on this plank just aight, fer I've got a log full o' treasure te bestow upon ye- starrrtin' avast Mondee. There be this crew who call upon me fer servicin' thereabouts, an' they're piritical views be not LDS. The truth bes this, mateys- I knows not howabouts they got the numbarr of me magic parrot. But they's got a youngin' fer lookin' aftarr, which I bes excellent at. Arr, 'tis a jolly good time an' I don't give a git so longs I get me dublooms!

The Lady Cap'n sailed off fer the beginn' o' the week, leavin' the Capn' an' his first mate youngin', Han, to tend the ship on their own. After a bit o' Parley, we set up our guidelines. Mondee, Tusdee, and Wensdy, I sailed out te' Fermi Lab to be fetchin' the youngin' from them rascals at Day Care. Then, we shoved off fer home port, where I fetched the first mate his vitters an' deep blue. They've got themselves a scurvy dog as well, an' he bes quite the parrot.

Han's a cute little scoundrel, an' eats like a proper pirate. Sauce all over his mug an' bras, yarr. Mondee an' Tusdee, we shoved off fer the land-lubbin' park fer running, sliding, an' chasing them scurvy geese. Wensdy was cold as Davy Jones' heart, y'arr. So we sufficed to stay aboard the home port and sing our fav'rite rum song like good sirens- "Once Therr Was a Snowman". The kid daren't be a marrrman, but after a few good days, he done gone and learned it jus' fine and be eyein' with pleasure when I sang it fer 'im.

I be's a free lass again now, as Han's Lady Cap'n is returned to home port by now, arr. But, I miss that scoundrel a bit. Havin' something close to a job was a good pace to follow. Avast, if I had still been 'a working, the rest of me week would'a been off the plank!

Thr', I had three o' four mateys come to me ship to watch the magic box play a showin' of "iCarly". Me hearties Jenessa, Josh, Jenny, an' Sarah came over an' it was right jestin'. But the ending was sharkbait, ye gather!

A few turns o' the hourglass later, we all shoved off fer' our other hearty with plenty o' booty's home port- he has his own giant magic box fer' movin' portraits te' eye with pleasure. So our church crews met there fer the movin' picture; aptly named "One Man's Treasure", arr. It was fine enough, but not the booty a good lass expects with a name like tha'.

Friday we didn't have that scurvy mistress school, so me hearty Kathy an' I fancied us some poultry from KFC fer a right rumfest on the lawns of the villianous' port a ways off. When we returned to my port, there be quite the sight on me deck- scrawled in chalk, "Alaina is [ice]cool Date Tonight?" which was foolhearty, mateys, fer I'd already parley'd with the matey who was scrawlin' an' already accepted. But there be booty on me deck, so all was pleasur'bal.

That date was pleasur'bal, too, yarr! Me hearty Jenessa was the lass fer Christian, an' the date was docked at his home port. I was the lass fer me hearty Josh, an' we all doubled. We prepared our vittles te be tinfoil dinners, with IBC rum an' all. Then, we scoured for a movin' portrait ter eye an' settled on anchorin' with X-men 2. Aye, a fine choice, me hearties! Afore we left fer our home ports, we spied the work of our villanous mateys- banners and Jolly Rogers flappin' o'er the branches!

We plundered ourselves some frozen cream afore docking home, an' I say- tha's be the perfect way to seal a night o' proper piracy, arrrr.

(Now, again in English for all you land-lubbers. Or people who choose to read this on a day other than Talk Like a Pirate Day and don't want to be frustrated.)

Hey guys; remember what today is? Sure as heaven, it's Talk like a Pirate Day. Makes blogging very hard as I'm too much of a not-pirate for getting the idiosyncricies just right, eh? My language on Facebook is set to Pirate for today, and it'll be my main help for this blog writing. You lazy readers can skip to the bottom of the post- I'll explain there in proper english.

Guys, I need to write a blog because I have a lot to tell you- staring with Monday. There's a family who calls me for babysiting sometimes, and they're not LDS. Honestly, I don't know how they got my cell phone number. But they've got a kid to watch, which I'm pretty good at. It's fun and I don't care HOW they got my number as long as I get paid!

The mom went on a business trip at the beginning of the week, leaving the Dad and their kid, Han, home alone. After talking and meeting for directions, we got it set up. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I went to Fermi Lab to pick up the little boy from Day Care. Then, we went home where I got him his dinner and water. They have a dog there, too. He's loud.

Han's a cute little boy, and eats SO MESSY. Sauce all over his face and arms, even when there's no sauce to eat! Monday and Tuesday, we went to the park to run, slide, play, and chase geese. Wednesday was crazy cold. So we stayed home and sang "Once There Was a Snowman". The kid isn't mormon, but after a few good days he learned it enough to sort of sing and dance and loved to watch me sing it for him. Over and over and over...

I'm not wathcing him anymore, as Han's mom is home by now. But I miss him a bit. And a job was a good pace to get used to. something close to a job was a good pace to follow. I guess, if I had still been working, the rest of my week would have been nonexistant!

Thursday, I had four friends come over to watch "iCarly" on the TV. My friends Jenessa, Josh, Jenny, and Sarah came over and it was hilarious. But the end was lame!

A bit later, we all left for our other (rich) friend's home- he has his own inflatable movie screen in the backyard! So our combined wards met there for a movie; aptly named "One Man's Treasure". It was good enought, but not as good as it should be with such a piratey name.

Friday we didnt' have school, so my friend Kathy and I went to get KFC for a picnic on the lawn of our rival school, Neuqua. When we got home, there was quite a signt on my driveway- written in chalk "Alaina is [ice]cool Date Tonight?" which was silly, guys, because I'd already spoken with the guy who was asking and already accepted. But there was chocolate coins on the driveway, so 'sall good.

The date was awesome, too! My friend Jenessa was the date for Christian, and the date was at his house. I was Josh's date, as we doubled. We prepared tinfoil dinners with IBC rootbear. Then, we picked X-men 2 to watch. A fine choice, guys! Before we left for home, we noticed we'd been TP'd. And helped clean it up, of course.

We went and got icecream before going home, and I think that's the PERFECT way to end the night. Arr.

"The Pirates that Don't Do Anything" can be found in Veggie Tales

Pirates Who Don't Do Anything (MHU)

I like this week because we only have four days of school. No school on Friday yaaay. And every week starts with a Monday, and every Monday needs a good ole' fashioned MONDAY HOLIDAY UPDATE!

Today's holiday has great news if you opened this right at 4 in the morning; you still have time for breakfast! It's Cream-filled Donut Day! I remember the first time I saw a Cream-filled Donut. I believe I was at a friend's house, and the concept utterly baffled me. The point of a donut was to have a hole through it; wasn't it? Why on earth would anyone fill that hole? My friend assured me the cream was delicious, so I was brave and grabbed one. Mine was Jelly-filled. I was so upset I swore to never eat one...about ten years later, I did and hooboy. I certainly love them now! It's like eating a heart attack!

I appreciate the managable duplicity of Tuesday's holidays...it is Make a Hat Day and Felt Hat Day! WELL that sounds like a serindipitous combination. I know what I need to do Tuesday!! If there weren't school rules against it, I'd encourage wearing your creation, too!

Wednesday's holiday is quite legitimate....actually, it's full of legitimate holidays. Working Parents Day, Mexican Independance Day, Mayflower Day...a lot, trust me. But the best one is without a doubt Playdoh Day. Ah, the memories I have with playdoh...we treated each other well. It's such a pleasure and still so amazing to play with even at the ripe old age of almost-eighteen. Really, the only difference between how I play with it now and when I was younger is I'm a lot more finicky about putting the colors away in the right container. Oh, and I don't eat the playdoh that gets stuck under my nails.

If you ever feel down on yourself, you should like Thursday's holiday. No, it's not Think Positive Day or anything (that was YESTERDAY, guys), but it IS Citizen's Day. And, most likely on purpose, also Constitution Day. A wonderful day to put out the flag, fo sho! It's a day to celebrate our rights and responsibilities as citizens under our great Constitution. I had to read a lot of it this summer for Government; it's a good document, let me tell you. I encourage you read it today and think of yourself as a truly worthy citizen.

Now that you're all pondered-out, you can feel really American this Friday. It's Cheeseburger Day! Recently, I've discovered I love almost everything on a cheeseburger...I used to be a cheese-only kind of girl (shame shame) but now, I recognize that topping a cheeseburger is like an art. An art which does not need pickles or mustard (yet). And I can't wait to indulge on our day off from school!

Saturday's holiday is one of the best-known unkown holidays out there, and I'm so pleased it's coming up this year...I'm honored to announce it is once again Speak Like a Pirate Day! Most people last year found out about it through facebook, actually, but it's a seriously popular day and I completely endorse its celebration.

Sunday is National Women's Friendship Day. I have to say I appreciate that these reverent holidays all fall on a Sunday (with some exceptions)...although there's not much to say about it. Yay women! Yay friendship! Yay Sundays!

"The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" can be found in Veggie Tales and should be sung on Saturday.

These Things Will Change

I haven't got to put anything from Computer Graphics here in a long time! It's nice to get back to it.

This year, I'm in Computer Graphics Independent Studies, which is awfully exciting but the only difference is that (at least in theory) the students create their own assignments to match Mr. Gehl's due-dates. But Waubonsie is a very active community full of events, celebrations, and empty walls just begging for posters...so quite often, Independent Studies ends up being students receiving assignments from random teachers with their own due-dates. And of course, those due-dates never match up with Mr. Gehl's.

But honestly, I'm not complaining. I want to be a graphic designer in the future, so this has actually been something I've been looking forward to since Computer Graphics I. Recently I got my first chance at a project like that, and it was actually for Warriorfest- a huge honor! Considering most kids get assignments like making the programs for a low-attendance event or a poster to motivate teachers with the school goals, this is awesome. People actually go to Warriorfest, and will therefore actually read my poster. (or try...there's a lot of words. It's not like anyone is gonna have TIME. But I tried to make it legible!)

Plus, it's going up "around both the school and the community", so it's definitely legit. Here it is, dearies-
Personally, I think there is WAY too many words and too much visual stimulation. But we couldn't cut any words and the fireworks were specially requested to be repeated multiple times.

This poster has taken me about two weeks because I had to change it SO MANY times. My original was a lot simpler, cleaner cut. It had hand-illustrated feathers and a spear that were actually pretty easy but very nice-looking. However, Mrs. Fay (my "employer" one could say) thought they didn't match the "theme" and she wanted a background and more popping and stimulation and stuff.

It's evolved so much and not always in a direction I love. I'm certainly pleased with it and will doubtlessly point to it with pride and inform everyone in the vicinity that I made it. But graphic designers always have to deal with their well-loved ideas being ripped apart and de-creatified or ruined.

That's about it. No exciting epiphany or description or anything. Though a bit of bragging- I hand-illustrated all that popcorn and all those fireworks. I got a free trial of CS4 Illustrator to do it (which has an eraser yaaaay) and I think I'm honestly going to miss it. Especially since whenever I illustrate vectors people come up and compliment me on them. YAY ILLUSTRATOR.


"Change" can be found by Taylor Swift

Wake Me Up When September Ends (MHU)

Look how horrible of a bloggist I've been. I haven't updated for far too long and haven't given a promised MHU for even longer! We've missed gems like National Beheading Day!

Never fear- I intend to celebrate the rest of September with fervor. Today's an apt day to start as we finally get back into "real" holidays. Besides, September itself has some excellent celebrations. Sepetember is indeed....

Classical Music Month (Mozart is my fave right now. What a genius!)
Hispanic Heritage Month
Fall Hat Month
International Square Dancing Month
National Blueberry Popsicle Month (What an odd flavor to have its own month)
National Courtesy Month (That's superb!)
National Piano Month
Chicken Month
Baby Safety Month (Never Never Never Never Never Shake a Baby)
Little League Month
Honey Month
Self Improvement Month
Better Breakfast Month (I'm all up for that!!)

Today is, as you're most likely aware, Labor Day. In case you are like me and never really cared what labor day means (I always mix it up with arbor day. Arbor day is still cooler than Labor Day. It has it's own theme song!), it does not relate to pregnancy. It's quite literally what people celebrate it for being- a break from our daily labors! So those of you with days off today, make sure you take full advantage of it.

I'm proud of Tomorrow's holiday for existing, and it is also completley legit. International Literacy Day is a UN sponsored holiday and if you're reading this, congratulations! You are in the ridiculously blessed portion of our global community to be literate. Remember how exciting it was as a little kid to actually understand what letters meant? To find your favorite letter in store names and on signs? Imagine never having that...it would be a very confusing and lame world. So go out, read some words, and look to sharing your blessing.

Wednesday is Teddy Bear Day! I actually don't have a particular Teddy Bear that I hold most dear, but a lot of people do. It seems very appropriate to have a day to celebrate them with. My favorite thing about teddy bears is their history and etymology. If you don't know the story behind teddy bears, that's lame of you. Go find out because I don't feel like retelling it right now.

As an artist, I especially appreciate Thursday, and can't wait to encourage its celebration. It is, you see, Swap Ideas Day. And I'm honestly unsure of what to write about it, besides that I'm psyched. Ideas are excellent, but sometimes you can't fulfill it yourself. This is when idea swapping rocks the world.

Friday's holiday isn't so cheery. If you're unaware, this Thursday is 9/11, and thusly National Patriot Day. It's meant to honor those whose lives were lost eight years ago, and at 8:46 Eastern US Time, we're encouraged to observe a moment of silence. I honestly hope this holiday continues to grow in meaning and respect...I know that day changed a part of my life and I remember it clearer than any other morning in my life. It bothers me that there are people I associate with who weren't even born yet (Yes, I do associate with 7 year olds and younger), and even more that my children aren't going to understand how hard Patriot Day hits me unless something similar happens to their generation. Hopefully, that something will never happen.

I am very excited for Saturday. Not because it's National Chocolate Milkshake Day, although that it awesome. Saturday I'm going to a hayride/bonfire/barndance! And I intend on loading up with allergy meds before I leave, because the barn seems to house no animals except cats and horses. But Saturday, it is going to house the finest of the Naperville Stake, and I can't WAIT. And heading home (or there...or both) I'll be sure to beg for a celebratory Chocolate Milkshake. Don't worry. :)

There are literally seven holidays this Sunday, three of which are completely legitimate and all of which are awesome. It's the perfect day for Defy Superstition Day, Granparent's Day, Peanut Day, National Pet Memorial Day, Positive Thinking Day, and Uncle Sam Day. Sheesh! What a busy Sunday! But, I have an optimistic attitude that we can defy the unluckiness of this being the 13th of September and celebrate all of these. We can call our grandparents, discuss with respect our past pets, and ask them if they remember the first time Uncle Sam came to national identification back in the 60's. And then share some peanuts.

"Wake Me Up When September Ends" can be found by GreenDay, and while it doesn't apply to my train of thought, I couldn't not honor it. That song basically WAS my 8th grade music knowledge.

I'm pressing on

Yes, it's Monday. yes, I should have a MHU for here. No, I don't. BECAUSE Hagrid, my computer, Was rebuilt which is WoNDERFUL, but Many things are Uninstalled Or not yet Properly working. l'm writing thiS with handwriting recognition software and while I'm very impressed Hagrid car read my chicken scratch So well. It's not fast enough for me to do a proper MHU. Et alors, please accept this as an entry good enough until my computer is healthy again. keyboard, hibernation, music, email. software and all. Until there know vista is really pretty and loves my tablet. They get along great.

"I'm coming home baby" can be found by Michael Buble.

I Heard it On my Radio (MHU)

It's the LAST MONDAY OF (my) SUMMER, and that's really frightening. But it's still a lovely set of holidays...encouraging to know that even when we start going back to school and mundane mondays, there's a reason to celebrate every day. Good note for our Last Monday Holiday Updates of Summer!

Well, last week I made a slight error, so this week's holidays includes one that you may recognize as a repeat.
That's right, today, not yesterday, is Thrift Store Day!! I do love my thrift stores, but seeing as I went to Goodwill quite recently and have much to do in means of preparing for school this Thursday, I don't think I'll be going. I will celebrate, however, by listening to Goodwill purchased music! watching Goodwill purchased movies! and wearing Goodwill purchased shoes!

Tuesday's holiday is a wonderful day for me to review all my family letters that I have helped Sami write in the past. No, it's not "Write a letter for your pet" day. It's Bad Poetry Day! A day for you to pull out the best of the worst rhymes you know...or even better, BEGIN a rhyme scheme, alter it without notice, and maybe (my favorite of the worst) try and rhyme words with themselves!! It'll be a wonderful day for not only irritating your scholarly friends, but also learning to appreciate true poets. Ones who know better rhymes than "Roses are Red, Violets are Blue...." and "I'm a poet and I didn't even know it".

We can thank President Woodruff for Wednesday's legitimate National holiday...National Aviation Day!! Mark, I hope you live this day to your fullest as a ~new official flight instructor~. Congratulations! Isn't it wonderful that we've come so far from never believing an object denser than air could fly to getting my brother...my brother to teach other children how to fly. So, Happy Birthday Orville Wright, and thanks a bunch for being awesome and learning to fly.

Another awesome thing about our period of time besides flight is radio communication. So, let's celebrate National Radio day as it falls this Thursday!! Eugh....it's a lot more exciting to celebrate that than the first day of school. The beautiful people who run the River radio station always read off the bizarre holidays as found on the wonderful site Holiday Insights, so they should enjoy Thursday. I'll try my best to enjoy it, too; definately going to listen to my fantastic radio stations to/from school. And doing the homework I bet I'll have.

If you aren't aware what grade I'm in (and will most likely be even more proud of than I already am by Friday), I'm a SEN10R. And Friday is like our own little personal holiday....National Senior Citizen Day!! Alright, considering this is another Reagan holiday that he gave to the elderly "For all they have achieved throughout life and for all they continue to accomplish", I probably shouldn't jokingly take it away. I know a lot of awesome senior citizens, and they really do deserve a holiday. But, being a senior myself, I can't promise I won't be a little prideful and pretend I'm it's meant for high-school seniors, even just to get credit for another holiday.

Although it's been years since I've lost a tooth and been visited by the Tooth Fairy, I still realllllly like Saturday's holiday. It's Tooth Fairy Day, and would be a very convenient day for a small child to lose his or her tooth. I'm not sure how else you could celebrate the day, except by learning about her traditions and how they vary by country, discussing what she does with the teeth (I've always assumed the tooth faries live in a city of teeth), where she gets her coins/dollars/gifts, and maybe even watching Tooth Fairy movies. I recommend Toothless. It's funny, cute, light-hearted, and really gives the Tooth fairy position the respect she deserves. I do not recommend Darkness Falls. It's a horror movie. About the tooth fairy. And it's not even done well. That is not the way to celebrate this Saturday, my friends.

Sunday's holiday seems to be best celebrated by hippies and other non-literal thinking friends of the wind. It's Ride the Wind day, which bodes well for many airline slogans and kite salesmen. If it is indeed good weather, I hope to at least fly a kite. Maybe I can't physically ride the wind, but I can feel like I am through the assistance of paper, plastic, and sometimes even metal (see Wednesday!). So all in all, this holiday seems just as relaxing as Relaxation Day, especially as we begin to leave Summer. I'm looking forward to Sunday.

"Radio Gaga" can be found by Queen and should be sung on Thursday

Our Favorite Flavor

Through this summer, I've been spending almost all of my time doing schoolwork, homework, prepping for parties, or being on vacation. It hasn't been bad, by far, but I haven't had a lot of time to see my friends. And I don't think I will, seeing as I have 7 days to finish 3 beautiful works of art. AND have a reception, a schedule-change appointment, babysitting, a party, and school shopping to do. Plus clean my room. But tonight, my friends and I decided to go out for dinner, visit our friend Marianne at her uncle's restaurant.

Marianne is an adorable girl who is more than proud of her heritage, and so, aptly, she works at a Chinese restaurant. But because she lives in Downer's Grove and has been busy working, she hasn't come to Girls' camp or efy or any of that stuff I usually see her at.

My friends Sarah, Josh, and Tiffanie and I all went to visit her. I didn't take any pictures (do I ever?), but it was so much fun! I wouldn't say their food is the most amazing chinese I've ever had, but it was good and quite filling! And heavens....I discovered one of the best fried foods ever.

I don't usually like fried dough foods, but I always eat them. Like funnel cake. I hate the smell, taste, and texture...but the second I start eating it, I can't stop. Ladies and Gentlemen, Fried crab Rangoons are nothing like funnel cake. They are amazing. Stuffed with cream cheese and crab! How AWESOME is that?!

It may sound gross, but geez. That's good. I only had two; the one that came with my orange chicken and one of Tiffanie's in trade for my eggroll, considering I'm not an eggroll fan after the first 3 tasty bites and she had like 7 rangoons. And discovering this new awesome food was worth the trip, even without the tasty chicken and wonderful company.

On the way home, everyone was craving something sweet, so we stopped at Dairy Queen. I only had $1 out of the original 10 left, as my chicken dinner had cost $8 and I donated one to Marianne's college fund. The poor girl only gets $20 for a 12 hour day; she needs all the tips she can get! But back at DQ, Josh decided to be a gentlemen. He said he'd pay for my tax to get a soft serve, and then when we got in and I couldn't hold back my excitement at the prospect of a thin mint blizzard, he handed me $3 so I could afford one. How amazing is that?! I have wonderful friends. Especially since I would have been overjoyed with just a soft serve.

The blizzard was wonderful, by the way. Almost as good as the rangoon. And probably just as healthy!

But I have to say my favorite part of the trip, as well as the part that made me appreciate my friends the most (besides Josh. He won his points with paying for 75% of my blizzard.) was our music choices. With three girls and one guy, it's hard to find a station we agree on. But for about 10 minutes, we listened to Sarah's phone play "Gitchi Gitchi Goo means I Love You" on repeat...and that was perfect. You know you've found true friends when you can all sing along to Phineas and Ferb without issue.

"Zero to Hero" can be found in Hercules by Disney

6 is Afraid of 7, 'cause 7 ate 9 (MHU)

Alright, another week, another Monday, another rip-roaring Monday Holiday Update!!

Today is, I am very tickled to announce, is National S'mores Day! This day is deigned to celebrate perhaps the best summer snack in the world. And as much S'mores are known to be a campfire treat, roasting marshmallows in the fire until they turn a delicious golden colour, often campfire s'mores end up blackened with the chocolate still cold. My personal preferance is in the microwave...puff-heats up the marshmallow, the chocolate, and the cracker. And for an additionally addictive, delicious, fattening experience- try a thin layer of peanut butter. SOME MORE, PLEASE.

Tomorrow is Presidential Joke Day. But wait! Hold your fire! This isn't a day for jokes about the president (although there are at least 30 books full of jokes directed straight at Bush). No, this day is for the President to make jokes. Direct quote from my favorite gentlemen at Holiday Insights- "On August 11, 1984, just before his regular Saturday radio address, President Ronald Reagan was doing a voice test with the microphone. He thought the microphone and the feed was not live. He joked into the microphone: "My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you I just signed legislation which outlaws Russia forever. The bombing begins in five minutes." To his surprise, he was speaking to a live feed!" This led to the officially National Presidential Joke Day which, unfortunately, not many presidents feel the need to celebrate. Boo.


Mrs. Emily Duncan and all other middle children should adore Wednesday's holiday... Middle Child Day! Middle child syndrome may not be recognized by many doctors, but many doctors aren't middle children. They claim to be ignored or just plain quieter...but whether or not this is true, Wednesday you middle children can shine. Take the glory. Replace your younger siblings for the position as baby, knock down those tyrannical older siblings and claim the power. Be an awesome middle child!



Those middle children might feel like a minority part of the population that goes under-appreciated and ignored, but they're nothing compared to the left handed population. Doomed to deal with scissors, birthday cards, and writing utensils designed for the right handed folks (like myself), they only find relief in specialty stores...OR this Thursday! Thursday is Left Hander's Day, a wonderful holiday for equality. Honor people like my grandmother and my friend Josh who must brave through a right-handed world. They are truly brave!

Now, some of you may cry foul at Monday for celebrating a hot treat to be good for summer. Well, darlings, you should enjoy Friday's celebration- National Creamsicle Day! Honestly, I prefer the Dreamsical flavor of Jamba Juice to the actual frozen treat. No matter how you choose to celebrate it, I suggest everyone go out and buy themselves a delicious, orangey, creamy treat.


I doubt I'm going to actually celebrate Saturday correctly. It's National Relaxation Day, which sounds awesome, but I'm still behind on Summer work, and this week is full of social events I did not plan. However, there's a new Suite Life on Deck which looks very exciting, so I know I'll relax for at least 30 minutes. For you darlings in Internet land, I suggest you relax longer than that, and blame it on the holiday.


I'm sure some of you were disappointed that Tuesday is not a day for citizen jokes. I was. BUT! This Sunday is a day for citizen jokes! It's National Tell a Joke Day, an excellent holiday with an even more excellent purpose. One of my favorite easy jokes is as follows, so in case you have no sense of humor and don't know any jokes, you can fool people to think otherwise. Why was Cinderella bad at sports? Because her coach was a pumpkin! (laughter!)

"7 8 9" can be found by Barenaked Ladies and should do for some inspiration for Saturday

If We were Older

Yesterday, my "daughter" Jenny and I went to Goodwill, we both love it. I really do adore that store, but few of my friends and almost none of my family appreciate it, and Jenny is a MASTER shopper, especially at discount stores like Goodwill and Walmart.

My expertise lies in finding music, movies, toys from my childhood, and Lion King related paraphernalia. Her talents are in the clothing departments; particularly the skirts. I almost never look through clothes and even more rarely purchase things, so I figured we could work off each other's strengths.

It was very successful...I came home with the Anastasia soundtrack, two adorable (and modest!) skirts, a ceramic Simba bank, and a stuffed Christmas Snoopy. In my decorating for Christmas I do like to put out stuffed animals, and this Snoopy was not only clean and adorable, but also 50 cents. It was a wonderful trip, (good for Jenny, too- she got two adorable skirts, including a jean skirt just like what she needed and wanted!) and we had a lot of fun.

But I'm not just writing about our trip. If I was, I'd feel more guilty about not taking pictures of my purchases to post. I'm actually posting about an experience we had as we looked through dresses. There are sometimes some really cute dresses at Goodwill, but unfortunately it's easier to screw up a dress than a skirt and most of them are ugly. We spent a good amount of time poking fun at the poor dresses.

I'm also a fan of looking at the wedding dresses. It's especially fun, because wedding dresses are supposed to be beautiful and often the ones at Goodwill are far from that. There were two in particular we kept looking at; one that was huge with all sorts of accessories and ornamentation and actually quite pretty, and one that was super simple- white, satin top with a tulle bottom. We probably would have looked longer, but this lady was coming by and wanted to look at them.

So Jenny and I stand looking at the funky dresses close by, the lady "hmms" at a few dresses and turns to face us. Then, she asks us the craziest question I've heard since "First Kiss Time?"

She looks straight at our 17 year-old selves and asks, in all seriousness, "Are you getting married soon?" LADY. WE'RE SEVENTEEN. That's not even legal without parental permission!! So we said no, a bit too shocked to tell her how crazy she sounded.

She continued to give us legitimately good advice on where to get cheap wedding dresses, such as Black & White in Chicago. I don't remember the name of the other place because I was trying to go from "this lady is crazy why she such a fool" mentality to "this lady is giving good advice I should take mental notes" mentality. It's a big jump, y'see. The places she was talking about take donated dresses and sells them at super discount prices. She was saying these places generally have high couture dresses and big names and such and the prices are amazing, so basically an awesomer version of Goodwill for engaged ladies. I'm beginning to think she's a wedding dress collector or something.

But even someone with as crazy a hobby as wedding dress collecting (not that Lion King merchandise collecting is any more sane) should have known we weren't getting married. I know as I get to be a senior I'll have more and more peers throwing baby showers and whatnot, maybe I'll even be invited to one (heaven forbid), but for betsy's sake! I'm not going to get married in high school! And Jenny and I look pretty much nothing like people mature enough to start that chapter of life.

Sure, I'm the last unmarried Hendricks fledgling. But all those comments about how it's my turn to get married now and whatever? I don't really take them seriously. Sorry, wedding-dress-collector-lady. When I do get married in 5+ years, I'll let you know.

Wouldn't It Be Nice can be found by the Beach Boys

I've been Workin' Like a Dog (MHU)

I'm aware I'm not supposed to have two Monday Holiday Updates next to eachother (or late, for that matter...), but I kind of had to this week. What with girls camp and all.

Plus, this week has seriously lame holidays....even I think a lot of them are stupid. But as the first full week of August, we do get to celebrate some AWESOME month celebrations!

August is...

Family Fun Month (Aww isn't that cute? Family Home EveningS for the win!!)
National Catfish Month
National Golf Month (Dad wasn't very excited. I think that's awfully cool.)
Peach Month (This makes me endlessly happy. Peaches are excellent, especially the ones in mason jars.)
Romance Awareness Month (Awww now isn't that sweet?! It's a perfect month for both those WITH Romance annnd without!)
National Eye Exam Month
Water Quality Month (I'm pleased to say Aurora has delicious water. No Brita Pitchers for me!)
National Picnic Month (Picnics are second to very little in amazing things, so that's even better)
AND MY FAVORITE:
Admit You're Happy Month (!!!)

Now on to the holidays THIS week.... Today is National Watermelon Day. Watermelons may be 90% water, but they're ridiculously fun and a summer staple. Also very idyllic. Watermelons are stylistic, delicious, and the perfect fruit to share. If anyone eats an entire watermelon on their own I will be disappointed in their inability to share so much it'll go full circle into awe that they managed eating the whole thing. So celebrate today and thusly summer by sharing a giant fruit!

Tomorrow is U.S. Coast Guard Day, which I shall celebrate by wearing my U.S. Coast Guard shirt. The Coast Guard is full of wonderful public servents, and I've had family members in it. So honor them tomorrow with their own special holiday. And fly the American Flag! It doesn't get patriotic holidays enough. :)

Wednesday is a good day to remember that August means summer is approaching its end and work is getting more intense. It's Work Like a Dog Day, and while I'll probably spend most of the day singing the chorus of "Hard Day's Night" to celebrate, I also intend on cleaning and studying and whatnot until my fingers go raw. You should, too...it'll make Thursday even more relaxing to get extra work done.

You see, Thursday's holiday that you prepped for is Wiggle Your Toes Day. And while I do not reccomend doing this all day (that would get very tiring and very boring very fast), it's still very fun to do. Reminds you that you have no socks or shoes on because of the beautiful weather, reminds you that you still have a child at heart. Reminds you that you HAVE toes. If you don't have toes, I suggest wiggling someone elses' toes. (And I do NOT suggest google imaging toes....*shudder*)

And although Friday's is the only legit holiday this week (besides Coast Guard Day), I feel like it's the lamest. Friday is Lighthouse Day, which I'd probably appreciate more if I lived near one. My appreciation for lighthouses extends to church music, object lessons, our lighthouse ornament sets, and the fantastic Pushing Daisies episode that parodied Pete's Dragon.

This year we opted to not grow Zucchini, because when you do, you tend to grow WAY too much WAY too fast, and suddenly you're eating zucchini breads, soups, pastas, and waters more often than you could want. Your compost smells like zucchini, your neighbors are sick of your zucchini gifts, and rabbits aren't interested in them in the first place. If we HAD grown them this year, it would be a lot easier to celebrate the Saturday holiday of Sneak some Zucchini Onto your Neighbor's Front Porch Day. SSZOYNFP Day is put in place for all you gardeners with zucchini's up to your eyeballs to feel a little better about getting rid of your problem and sounds VERY fun. Heck, I'd probably grow zucchinis just for this holiday if I had known it was coming.

Sunday's holiday actually makes sense, especially to all my fellow bibliophiles. It's Book Lover's Day, and while I honestly hope I won't have a book to read for Sunday (my goal is to finish Cuckoo's Nest in the next few days and do La Parure in one day), it would be nice to read for fun. I can get so caught up in words and mental pictures and the joys of reading, just even the idea of having a Sunday to sit back and read relaxes me. Especially after a Saturday full of Zucchini-gifting hijinx.

"Hard Day's Night" can be found by the Beatles and I'll be singing it Wednesday.