Thursday, February 13, 2014

"Gotta Get Down on Friday"-- Valentine's Day

So, Friday. Valentine's Day. A day that we have either immensely looked forward to, or perhaps even a day that we have completely dreaded. A day full of love, food and gifts, or maybe just another day. How will you be spending the renowned February 14th? 


There seems to be this unspoken rule that you have to be in a serious, committed relationship to enjoy Valentine's Day. False. And if you're not, you might as well sulk in your bed, by yourself, while devouring an entire container of ice cream (although that's something that should always be encouraged, single or not), and crying every time one of your friends uploads an Instagram picture with the caption "#BestValentinesDayEver #PerfectDate, #blessed, #LoveOfMyLife". Again, false. Personally, we think this whole mindset is absolutely ridiculous. In fact, there are multiple ways one can spend their Valentine's Day, significant other or not!


We have found that one great way to spend Valentine's Day is by furthering your relationship with the one thing that you've fought so hard to keep constant in your life, despite your friends and family telling you that you spend entirely too much time by yourself with this item: Netflix.




Maria has a lot of experience in this area--

My relationship with Netflix started a little over a year ago when I began watching the show, Greek. It was rather life changing. It was comforting knowing that every day when I came home from class or work, or when I was up at 2am and couldn't sleep, there was something there to turn to, even if that was a TV show. Once Greek was over (you should know that when I watched the series finale I laid in my bed, in the dark, and told my roommates to leave me alone while I cried because it was over...), the relationship continued with watching all seasons of Gossip Girl (Chuck and Blair forever <3), One Tree Hill (Chad Michael Murray will you marry me?), and Desperate Housewives.   I also got up to date with the earlier seasons of Revenge and Parenthood (I literally cry during every episode of Parenthood. Never fails). This has all lead up to my most recent obsession with The Office (See previous blog post about Kevin Malone).

Netflix and I have shared a lot of happy moments together. For example, we bonded when Greek ended and it gave me recommendations for my next show to watch, leading me to Gossip Girl. Also, Netflix typically isn't the jealous type. It always gives me about 10 seconds to determine whether or not I want to watch the next episode of a show or spend my time doing something else. I like to think that its feelings are hurt when I choose the latter option, but I try not to do that too much, anyways. 

Among the positive things, we have had a few rough patches, like any relationship. The wifi at my house isn't necessarily the greatest, so the screen often freezes, making me beyond frustrated. I guess this isn't entirely Netflix's fault, but its easy to put the blame on something other than our crappy internet provider. However, the biggest rough patches that stick out in my mind is when Netflix teases me by only having one or two seasons of a show. For example, I started watching Revenge,  and found that I could only watch the first two seasons on Netflix. Now I'm required to either DVR the most recent episodes, or actually watch them LIVE. It's pretty annoying, honestly, but I guess this is an area where we can work on our relationship.

Anyways, that was super weird, but you can see that there is always an option on Valentine's Day that doesn't include human beings. You might feel weird about it at first, but I promise you that you will never be disappointed by Netflix... ever. So, get excited about your Valentine's Day date with Netflix. It'll be pretty special, I'm sure. 


Please take the time to laugh at this. Outrageously hard. Office fan or not.



There's also the option of spending time with your your best frandz. Why? Because friendship is supreme and should be celebrated...with snacks, obviously. 

Haley--



Usually Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity for me personally, to be the absolute epitome of morose. Truly. I used to be your classic "vomit at the sight of PDA", fake trip to break up a romantic moment between a couple (I'm honestly the best fake tripper, like ever. Ask anyone.), mock anything Valentine's related kind of girl. Although, I'm still not a fan of the whole being passionate weirdos in public thing, I've come to respect the meaning of this chocolate celebration, flower infused, rom-com filled holiday. That meaning being love. At 20 years old, I'm ready to admit that I love love. I will shout it from the roof tops, obviously if I had access to one. (For those who know me, this is quite the testimony. Until the age of 16, I refused to show affection of any sort, like in no way whatsoever, despite the situation. Seriously.) But now, older and wiser...I love. I love the love between my grandparents. A love that has taught me so much about sincerity and honesty. I love to love hummus and pretzels. I love to watch the film I Love You, Man (which has love in the title, so it's completely relevant and expresses the ultimate love: bromance). Ultimately, I love the overwhelming love I hold for my family. I just love it all. I LOVE LOVE. 

So this Valentine's Day, I will be celebrating the season of love with those who I...you guessed it, love. On Friday the 14th, I will be sharing chocolate and laughter and strangeness with my Clear River small group ladies! Yay, party! We will be taking the time to enjoy community and fellowship with each other all the while delighting in the night's discussion. Following this, we will be journeying on over to Fairway Co-op to attend a dance party. I've honestly been practicing my dance moves for 18 days straight, breaking a sweat and almost a few bones in the process. Yeah, I get a little weird. 

Anyway, to say that spending time with my friends this Valentine's Day will be awesome is a great understatement. I completely look forward to being psycho and eating and breakdancing and loving and celebrating and partying and eating and just enjoying this, for me, newly enjoyable holiday. So this Friday, get out (or stay in for that matter!), devise a plan to have fun  and be crazy with friends! Hooray for Valentine's Day, or Galentine's Day (get it, it's like Valentine's, but spending it with your "gal" friends? Yessssss, thank you to Amy Poehler for that fantastic revelation of a word.), however you plan to celebrate it!

Potential Ideas for Valentine's Day with Friends:

1. Movie Night! Collect your favorite movies and enjoy a night in! Expect the best with a good movie night, unless of course you have terrible taste in films, then obviously you're going to run into some problems. A word of advice: Let's be real, you can never go wrong with Paul Rudd. Enjoy.

2. One word: Indulge. Honestly, Christmas was like two months ago. When was the last time you went crazy on desserts and candy? If your answer happened to be two nights ago, join the club...the struggle club (I nominate myself for president)

3. Dance Party! Step one: Compose the greatest playlist of all time. Step 2: Have water on hand. Dehydration is serious business, people. Step 3: Convince everyone surrounding you that you're a complete spaz, via dance moves of course.

4. Get Crafty: Let's kick this one old school. What happened to the good old days of glitter glue, gel pens and puffy paint? Get festive! Gross amounts of hearts and glitter are acceptable.


5. Go Out! Gather a group of friends and dress up (preferably in an old floor length ball gown because that would be hilarious). Go out for a night on the town! Personally, I enjoy exploring new restaurants and studying menus #foodieproblems. PS If someone actually goes out in a ball gown and has picture proof, I will literally give them $50. Ok, maybe $5, but still... #brokecollegestudentproblems



For our soon-to-be elementary school teacher, kids have a very unique take on Valentine's Day...

 Jenna--


For me, Valentine's Day is full of memories of waking up to our kitchen table decked out in a red and pink table cloth, heart candies everywhere, and little presents my mom had picked out for us.  My Dad always came home from work with roses and we all exchanged cards.  It is a cute little holiday that came and went each year without much notice.  Now being an elementary education major and working in schools everyday, has brought back memories of what an elementary school Valentine's Day is really like.  Allow me to take you back a few years.

First of all, weeks before February 14th kids start working on their Valentine's card mailbox things.  How do they make such elaborate boxes you ask?  Let's just say these mom's have a lot of time on their hands.  First, you start with an empty shoe box (if you ask me, this is a good excuse to buy a new pair of shoes...) and cut a hole in the lid.  The rest is simple.  Cover it with as much paper, heart cut-outs, stickers, fat baby cupids shooting arrows, and fake plastic flowers that you can find.  When you think you're done, take a bottle of glitter and dump it on the entire box.  I recommend doing this step outside unless you're trying to make your carpet forever sparkle.



When the big day finally arrives, kids come to school decked out in appropriate themed clothing, Valentine's mailbox in hand.  They spend the day doing their normal activities with the teacher finding ways to incorporate a heart theme into every worksheet.  The afternoon comes to an end with a Valentine's Day class party.  Parents put on games, crafts, and snacks galore.  When the sugar rush finally wears off and kids stop bouncing off the walls, my favorite, and final activity takes place: passing out Valentine's Day cards.

I love sitting back and watching students hand out their cards.  Why?  Because kids are not afraid to wear their feelings on their sleeves.  Each student has a card for every other student in their class.  When these 7 and 8 year olds pass out Valentine's Day cards, they are genuinely telling each person that they appreciate having them in their life.  They are not embarrassed to tell someone that the care about them or to thank them for being their friend.  When was the last time I told someone "thank you for being my friend"?  I have no idea.  I look at these kids and wish I could sit down and write just a simple note to everyone I love and appreciate on Valentines Day, like they do.  1st and 2nd graders don't view Valentine's Day as a mushy holiday to go on an elaborate date and spend a bunch of money.  They see Valentine's day for what it really is all about: showing the people you love that you care about them.  Thinking back, that's what my parents did for me and for each other on Valentine's Day.  It is a normal day with the people you love, but it gives you an opportunity to let them know how much they mean to you.

So what am I going to be doing on my Valentine's Day?  Spending it with the people I love.  Whether that's being weird with my psychotic Alpha Phi sisters, cheering on our new freshman in the school-wide skit competition they have been working so hard on, or going to Pei Wei and exchanging gag gifts with the coolest guy around, I think it's going to be a pretty good day.  I suggest you try having the mindset of an eight year-old, and for one day be open about how much you care about and appreciate the awesome people in your life.  Believe it or not, it still feels good to tell someone how much you care about them, even if you don't get to put it in a make-shift mailbox covered with glitter (Sorry that for most of you elementary school was a once in a lifetime opportunity, I suggest changing your major to something awesome such as hanging out with kids all day).



Think of Valentine's Day as a chance to spend time doing whatever you enjoy most or as an opportunity to unite with your favorites, whether that's your significant other, your friends, family, snacks or something like Netflix. Just make the most out of this Friday and at least attempt to be happy about it! And if you're still not hyped about this day, DO NOT FRET. ACCORDING TO OUR SOURCES FEBRUARY 15TH IS 50% OFF OF ALL CHOCOLATE DAY. ENOUGH SAID.

Happy Valentine's Day!
-HJM

4 comments:

  1. Haley! Remember that one time you fake tripped during lunch for no reason? By the way, that was the end of my story. I seriously don't remember why or who you did it in front of. Peace out.

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    1. Morgan! Yes! I did it solely for your entertainment. Miss you, woman.

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  2. My roommate still brings up the time I shoved you in the parking lot with the force of the wind blowing and you pretended to trip across the entire parking lot. Good times.

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    1. The force of the wind blowing...in a tornado, maybe. Hey! I want to reunite with you. Like soon. Like "whenever you're available and walking" soon. Love you, sister from another mister and mother.

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