Thursday, 19 February 2015

Valentine's Day


I didn’t want to post something about Valentine’s Day (or as I like to call it: Singles Awareness Day – and yes, the acronym is SAD), so hence I am only posting something about it a week later.
 
On a Saturday I usually wake up, say good morning to my parents in the kitchen and my mom makes me a cup of coffee. I then take it to the lounge with me and sit on the couch watching TV for a while. However, during one of the advert breaks I was staring out the window at the bird feeder watching the pigeons flap about when all of a sudden they scattered. Something they usually do when they’re spooked by the dogs or a passing car. A little further down the garden I noticed a blur of red gently floating down and disappear from view. Curiously I went outside to see what it was. Low and behold there was a red balloon with white hearts all over it laying on the grass. Smiling, I picked it up and went back inside. Rather than choosing to logically believe that the balloon had detached itself from some post at some Valentines event nearby and chosen to land in my garden, I announced to the family that my prince had sent me a balloon from a faraway land to say that he’s sorry he’s running late but he will be there as soon as he can. The much more deflated balloon is still resting beside my bed.

The point of this story dear reader is not that I am ‘sad’ and ‘lonely’ because I’m single, or that a silly old balloon made me happy on Valentine’s Day – but rather what I made the silly old balloon symbolise. I made it symbolize the fact that I know my special someone will come along some day. I’m trying to steer away from the typical cliché that friends in a relationship tell their single friends “Aww you’ll find somebody.” I get sick and tired of hearing that phrase but the fact remains that it’s true. However, I do prefer to say that he will eventually find me.

My best friend (who is in a relationship) and I used to joke about the fact that our princes were probably stuck in a tree somewhere and unable to get down while their noble steeds stared at them from below as if to say “Come on, man! She’s waiting and we’re already late!”

I loved that. But now her prince whom she loves and adores and who loves and adores her too, found her. And here I am still waiting for mine to come round the corner puffing and panting and apologizing profusely for being so incredibly tardy. But I know that when he does I won’t care about how long it took him. I’ll just let him sweep me off my feet and we’ll ride off into the sunset on the back of his horse. Okay, that is cheesy… I prefer motorbike… but that’s beside the point.

I’ve always had friends and family members who are in a relationship, more so than they ever are single. I’ll be honest. I get jealous. How come it is so easy for them to find someone? Or how come someone keeps finding them? But one thing my mom always tells me that gives me great comfort is that I’ve probably not had a lot of boyfriends because when I eventually do have one, he’ll be the guy I marry.

Isn’t that sweet? To some of you reading this, you might find that corny and pathetic, but to me it means that I don’t have to go through heartache and pain if that is the case. The only problem is though… he’s taking forever and I’m bored of being single. It’s not like I want to get married tomorrow. No, of course not! Don’t think I do. But it’s being in a relationship itself that inspires love and unselfish caring for another person. If this isn’t the case in a relationship… then it’s not a relationship. Even if your prince or princess will not become your King or Queen later in life. What’s that other annoying phrase people say to try and make you cheer up after a break-up? “It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” Ah. I’m not being cynical about relationships. If it comes across that way I do apologize. All I’m saying it that those in a relationship are each other’s special person or other half for this time being. So it must be treasured. Whether it lasts forever or not. And if a couple have found their permanent love, the one who will become their King or Queen, then congrats to them. My prince one day will be the luckiest guy out there because I know I’d treat him so right.

So as I sit here on my couch next to my sleeping puppy, I’m trying to get myself to realize that I should be happy about those who are in relationships. Even if their prince or princess is not to be their King or Queen, at least they are happy while it lasts. So ultimately, to anyone who is in a good relationship and is happy to brag about it with pictures and loving posts splashed all over Facebook – Happy Valentine’s Day! This day is dedicated to you. After all… love is what makes the world go round.

 

Sunday, 1 February 2015

February's Daily Holidays, Special and Wacky Days

February - The month of love. The 14th, the day belonging to Saint Valentine. Or according to the special and wacky days list... the day where you and your loved one should go for a ride on a Ferris wheel or truly show your love by donating an organ! Now that's commitment...





3. The Day the Music Died - Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper died in a plane crash in 1959.





7.  Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day - first Saturday of month


7. Send a Card to a Friend Day - obviously created by a card company

8. Boy Scout Day - celebrates the birthday of scouting


9. Clean out Your Computer Day - second Monday of Month








13. Blame Someone Else Day - first  Friday the 13th of the year.





15. Candlemas - on the Julian Calendar




16. President's Day - third Monday of month



19. Chinese New Years - date varies















26. National Pistachio Day - it's a nutty day!






28. National Tooth Fairy Day – and/or 22 August

29. Leap Day - not until 2016, once every four years