Welcome to the New Year!

By Taylor Mansfield
     Here we are, it’s the second day of 2013 and I’ve already incorrectly written the date at least three times today. It’s 2013, the year that many people believed we wouldn’t see as a society, mainly those who were misled by the hogwash rumors about the world coming to an end. It is often common for people to construct a New Years resolution, a commitment one makes to his or herself, such as a personal goal or project. New Years is seen as a time of new beginnings and new adventures, a time to forget the old year and focus on the new one ahead.
     Personally, I stand firmly against New Years resolutions. I believe change should happen all year, every day, in an attempt for all of us to better ourselves and further our own life goals. The dawn of a new year shouldn’t suddenly allow people to realize that change is important, but the choices we make in life should reflect whether we plan on changing our daily routines or not. People around the world should strive for change at all times, not just due to the closing of another year.
     Whether you believe in New Year's resolutions or not, it is important for us all to individually reflect upon 2012 as a whole--our own accomplishments and failures. If last year was generally positive for you, continue to grow from that solid positivity. If last year was negative for you, and you support resolutions, allow yourself to learn from the bad situations and create more positive choices for yourself and those around you. However, keep in mind that change can happen at any time; it doesn’t have to be significant to the commencement of a new year.

Under the Mistletoe With You!

By Sarah Farquharson (12/19/12)
     Oh joy, the holidays are here! Tis the season for a smooch or a peck; just don’t get caught under this hanging green speck. Here is a riddle for all to read; it is the amazing history of the plant with which we play hide and seek. The truth behind its glory is that it is a parasite! Oh yes dear friends, but don’t worry; the Phoradendron flavescens doesn’t bite. That's the North American form that grows from in the east, sweeping through land, sucking life out of trees. There is also the European form that is poisonous to all; I wouldn't stand under this plant if I were ten feet tall! I forgot to mention the mystical powers that it breeds. The fertility given to women that may touch upon its leaves.  The myth be told that if a young lady were to stand under the parasite, a suitor may kiss her and wed her in a fortnight. So much for facebook, this sprig has a deal. Kiss the fair maiden and your eternity will be sealed. But now it differs from its Celtic roots, even Justin Bieber uses it to spice up his lyrics; his song “Mistletoe” has women in hysterics. Still we have those friends who hide out under the tree to grab us by our arms and kiss us with glee. It is the spirit of the holidays that causes one to be merry, but when you walk past the sprig you must be wary. Soon enough there comes Christmas and in this smooching game you might be next.

Every Day Can Be Thanksgiving

By Melba Flores (12/5/12)
     The turkey was served at last and the pressure of family finally gone; the next few days could be used for relaxation. Thanksgiving was a day of reflection and gratitude for the simple happiness we have in life.  Sometimes that happiness is what motivates us to keep working hard or simply just brings joy. Life isn’t long, so we have to enjoy it as much as we can. We only have this one life we live, and the memories we create and carry with us. Humans have the ability to bring the past, but create a pathway towards the future. Whatever we experience in this short journey has the good intentions to help us.  Adversity or common leisure, we always will create some type of happiness that we are thankful for every year.
     The important thing is to remember your loved ones and to keep them close to your heart on Thanksgiving and every day. There is a saying that we don’t remember the good things until they’re gone, but Thanksgiving is the day to remember. The people in your life play as much a role to your happiness than anything else. Family, friends, teachers, and others have taken their turn to shape you and your mind. They have guided you through their love for you, hard as it might be at times.  
     Thanksgiving has always been a holiday worth celebrating because you remember what is important to you. You take trips down memory lane, and have your loved ones laughing and creating even more. If you have not already, say “Happy thanksgiving!” even if it might seem late now. It really is never too late to tell someone or to remember why you are thankful for the joys in your life.

Fall: Enjoy the Colorful Season

By Alicia Avitabile
     Fall is the season to get used to cool weather. It offers autumn leaves, cool breezes, and high allergy reactions. Fall is also good for teenagers because of football games, tailgate functions, and Halloween parties. 
     Dress for the season! Dress warm but cute, and show off your most fashionable outfits! Scarves are in and break out the boots for the season's trends. 
     For Halloween, dress up, grab some candy while trick-or-treating, and party the night away. 
     This time of year brings people together to go apple picking, pumpkin picking, and sitting by the fire, drinking hot apple cider and kettle corn. Take a trip to the pumpkin patch, pick out one you like, and carve a face that says something about you. Pay to walk through a maze and feed the animals. Take a hay ride through the fields, picking out the juiciest apples you can find! Embrace what fall has to offer for the three months it exists each year. 
     Fall also brings family together at Thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving is a precious time to thank God for giving us a purpose to be here and for all we have: family, friends, and love. Don’t forget the turkey, stuffing, stuffed breads, baked ham, and more. 
     This time of the year also gives us an excuse to have a cuddle buddy. Alone? Cuddle with a pet or family member, or wrap lots of blankets around yourself. 
     Fall brings autumn leaves and the colors inspire us. Trees grow red, yellow, orange and brown leaves that say something about the season. As the season starts to fade away, trees become bare and naked in preparation for winter. Enjoy the fall while we have it!

Bucket Full of Experiences

By Ashley Moran
     Every once in a while you hear about those wonderful adventures that a nice older couple has. How did they accomplish their goals, you may ask. They might have made a Bucket List. 
     A Bucket List is a list of things you want to accomplish before you die. A lot of times, the list contains things you wouldn’t normally do, such as water rafting, skydiving, learning a new language, and thousands of other experiences. Christopher Peterson, Ph.D. wrote in "Bucket Lists and Positive Psychology,"  “A bucket list is not about dying but about living.”
      To understand this statement more, I decided to write my own Bucket List (on a budget...mostly):
5. Crash a wedding. (Wedding crashing is always free; you could actually get something out of it. Don’t try this at home.)
4. Have a party weekend! (Waking up in a strange place with a stabbing headache isn’t an ideal thing to have after a three-day non-stop party. But it will be an amazing story to tell people how I partied ‘til the break of dawn for three days. Your money would only be spent on Advil and gallons of water.)
3. Have a bonfire. (This sounds like something right out of a John Hughes movie, but who wouldn’t want to do it? I love the beach, the moon, and a nice toasty fire. Doing this wouldn’t be expensive, unless you do it in Hawaii.)
2. Go to Venice, Italy. (On www.expedia.com they have a package deal of a Hotel, Flight, and Transportation all for $3,999… per person! I know I will go one day, though I will search for a better price that won’t cost me an arm--and a leg, and my soul.)
1. Live in Ireland. (There is actually no reason to go Ireland specifically; maybe it’s the scenery or the “amazing” corned beef, but I have always wanted to live there. I researched houses for sale and I found one for 195,000 €, but converted into USD it’s actually up to $300,000. Of course,  to achieve this one day, but I would have to start saving now.)
      A bucket list isn’t something that will necessarily be carried through, but many people have accomplished everything on their lists. Like those people, hopefully I will be able to visit Hawaii, which just so happens to be 6th on my list, with a little bit of luck and permission from my father. Maybe I will meet the cast of my favorite T.V. shows, Doctor Who and Torchwood, which is 8th on my list. There is nothing that I can’t do.
      So take a look at your life, the things you have done, will do, and want to do. If you’re willing to create a Bucket List, this is where your life begins.