VALENTINES DAY –  INTERESTING FACTS

by Desiree Coffey

Valentines day is coming up, and you know what that means, cards, candy, flowers, and gifts.  here are 15 facts about the day of love.

  1. In Victorian times, it was considered bad luck to sign a Valentine’s Day card.
  2. Based on retail statistics, about 3 percent of pet owners will give Valentine’s Day gift to their pets.
  3. About 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged each year.
  4. If you’re single don’t despair, you can celebrate Singles Awareness Day (SAD) instead.
  5. Instead of having Valentine’s Day, you can pop over to Finland where Valentine’s Day is called Ystävänpäivä, which translates to ‘Friends Day’. It’s more about remembering your friends then your loved ones.
  6. Physicians of the 1800s commonly advised their patients to eat chocolate to calm their sorrow for lost love.
  7. More then 35 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will be sold for Valentine’s Day every year.
  8. 73 percent of people who buy flowers for Valentine’s Day are men, while only 27 percent are women.
  9. 15 percent of U.S women send themselves flowers on Valentine’s Day.
  10. Over 1 billion dollars worth of chocolate are purchased for Valentine’s Day in the U.S
  11. Over 50% of all Valentine’s Day cards are purchased six days prior, making Valentine’s Day a procrastinators delight.
  12. The rose was the favorite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love
  13. Red roses are considered the flower of love because the color red stands for strong romantic feelings.
  14. Women purchase approximately 85 percent of all Valentine’s Day gifts
  15. 220,000 is the average number of wedding proposals on Valentine’s Day each year.

CRUSH ME….CRUSH ME NOT

by Desiree Coffey

 Valentine’s Day is approaching and many are daydreaming about their secret crush.  Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be an all out declaration of love, a source of major hair pulling anxiety, sweat dripping, tongue tied, sick to my stomach feeling or just another failed daydream.

It can simply be an opportunity to let another person know you’ve noticed them.  Maybe an opportunity to express that you like their smile, laugh, or eyes.  It’s an opportunity to go beyond hallway stalking (you know you’ve done this) and maybe an opportunity to introduce yourself from a safe distance.  Maybe building up to a passing head-nod or a smile. Or you could let a friend know you like them just a little more then you’ve let on.  Not taking anything away from super romantic person that goes all out (we love those too).

Whatever you’re situation, don’t let fear or rejection hold you back.  I say go for it!!!!!  And if your crush doesn’t crush back, that’s okay.  At least you know and you can start looking  around and maybe notice the one (you’ve overlooked) who’s crushing on you!!!  Oh, don’t worry, their out there!

Friend valentines are welcome too!  “Feeling the Love” is what this day is all about.  So, remember to wish your friends Happy Valentine’s Day too.  They will be there with you when your crush isn’t anymore.

Friendly reminder! If you’re on the receiving end of that heart-felt valentine, please be kind and remember that person thought you we’re special enough to put their fears aside.  A smile and a thank you goes a long way.

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR – DID YOU KNOW?

 

by Desiree Coffey

Most of us know Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and social activist. He played an influential role in the American civil rights movement and was assassinated in April 1968 by James Earl Ray.  But did you know that:

 

  1. The civil rights leader was born Michael King Jr.. His father, travel to Germany and became inspired by the Protestant Reformation leader Martin Luther. As a result, King Sr. changed his own name as well as that of his 5-year-old son.

 

  1. King entered college at the age of 15. King was such a gifted student that he skipped grades 9 and 12 before enrolling at Morehouse College in 1944.

 

  1. At the age of 12, Martin tried to commit suicide. It was May of 1941 when his grandmother died from a heart attack. When his parents informed him, he went up the stairs of his two story house and jumped out the window.

 

  1. Martin was almost assassinated a decade before his actual death. He was at a book signing for his book, Stride Toward Freedom. On September 20, 1958, Martin was approached by Izola Ware Curry.  She reached in her pocket, brought a letter opener out, and stabbed him with it. It took them three hours to get the letter opener out.

 

  1. Although Martin is known for being a great public speaker. He got a C in his public speaking class while in Seminary (a college to become a priest minister or rabbis).

 

  1. The King family did not believe that James Earl Ray acted alone. Ray, a career criminal, pled guilty to Martin’s assassination, but later recanted. Martin’s son, Dexter, met publicly with Ray in 1997 and argued for the case to be reopened. Martin’s widow, Coretta, believed the Mafia and local, state, and federal government agencies were deeply involved in the murder. She praised the result of a 1999 civil trial in which a Memphis jury decided the assassination was the result of a conspiracy and Ray was set to take the blame.

 

  1. Martin’s mother was also slain by a bullet. On June 30, 1974, as 69 year old Alberta Williams King played the organ at a Sunday service inside Ebenezer Baptist Church, Marcus Wayne Chenault Jr. rose from the front pew, drew two pistols, and began to fire shots. One of the bullets struck and killed Alberta, who died steps from where her son had preached non-violence.

 

15 NEW WORDS

by Desiree Coffey

 

With the advancements in technology, many Americans are relying more and more on electronic communication.  As a result, new words are popping up continuously.  This year some of those words were added to our dictionary.  Here is a list of some of the 150 new words added:

 

  1. Asterisk (noun) – Any factor or element that makes an other wise outstanding

achievement somewhat doubtful or less impressive.

 

  1. Bestie (noun) – A person’s best friend.

 

  1. Digital Citizen (noun) – A person who develops this skills and knowledge to effectively use the internet and other digital technology, especially in order to participate responsibly in social and civi activities.

 

  1. Doge (noun) – An internet fad or meme typified by an image of a dog of the Shiba In breed accompanied by very short phrases that humorously represent the dog’s imagined thoughts and use the wrong modifiers or shortened word forms, as ‘such dignified’ or ‘amaze’.

 

  1. Drunk Text (verb) – To send a text message to someone while intoxicated.

 

  1. Facepalm (verb/interjection) – The gesture of placing palm of one’s hand across the face, as to express embarrassment, frustration, disbelief, etc.

 

  1. Feels (noun) – Strong, often positive feelings.

 

  1. Fleek (adjective) – Flawless styled, groomed, etc.

 

  1. Internet of Things (noun) – A network of everyday devices, appliances, and other equipped with computer chips and sensors that can collect and transmit data through the Internet.

 

  1. IRL (adjective/adverb) – In real life (in contrast with communication and interaction online or in a fictional situation).

 

  1. Mx. (noun) – A title of respect to a person’s surname; unlike Mr., Mrs., or Ms., it does not indicate gender and may be used by a person with any or no specific gender identity.

 

  1. Nerf (verb) – (in a video game) to reconfigure (an existing character or weapon), making it less powerful.

 

  1. Random (noun) – A person or thing that is unknown, unidentified, or suspicious out of place.

 

  1. Sapiosexual (noun) – A person who finds intelligence to be sexually attractive quality in others

 

  1. Yaaas (Interjection) – Yes! (Used as a strong expression of excitement, approval, agreement, etc

 

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS?

by Desiree Coffey

 

2015 is gone and 2016 has only just started.  So why am I feeling so stressed?

 

Resolutions?  Why?  In addition to thinking about school starting on Monday, I’m also suppose to come up with a list of things I need to accomplish this year – I’m still working on things from 2015.  After reviewing my 2015, I realize just how hectic my days are.

 

Starting the day with a full schedule of classes, lectures, assignments, projects, homework, and if needed — tutoring (which always means falling behind in completing assignments, grades, and after school activity schedules) – stress meter bar moving up.

 

Bell rings and finally – schools done – a small sigh of relief – you made it through the day – small drop in stress meter!  Now what’s on the agenda – after school activities (band, theater, art project, newspaper, etc.).  Tutoring; no (today was a good day!).  Time is flying by and now your looking at 5:00 – what’s next?  Another drop in stress meter – but stomach is growling – haven’t eaten since lunch.

 

Well, if you’re like me – your responsibilities don’t end there.   For me, it’s off to dance (three days a week) and now I’m starving, tired, and finally home with yet another full schedule of activities to accomplish.  The clock says 8:30 and I still need to eat dinner, shower, and do my homework (let’s hope tonight not every teacher assigned some sort of homework – test tomorrow or project due – need I say more?!). Stress Meter on the rise again!!!!

 

Then I get to hear comments like – “if you practice 30 minutes every day.”, “you need to stay organized.”, “you’re being irresponsible.” “be more mature” – Seriously, sure, I agree, I’m just not trying hard enough.  Oh, and let’s not forget that awesome time at the end of the semester when grades are shared with your parental units – who are holding your only items of sanity “YOUR CELL PHONE” hostage for their predetermined acceptable results. And don’t get me started on that link to the most horrible devise of torture – PARENT PORTAL.

 

So this year, my resolution will not be to lose weight, try harder, get organize, be more responsible, practice more, be more mature, eat healthier, pray more, quit smoking, or balance my budget.  This year, I just hope to be less stressed, sleep, laugh, sing, dance, love and forgive more, be true to myself, spend time with my friends, and try to reduce the number of toxic people in my life.

 

When preparing those New Years Resolutions – take time to think of whats really important in your life.  Our goals, responsibilities, and expectations will always be there but how we face them is what defines us.

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