A Holiday for America

Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching and the week itself offers a lot to the average American. For example Monday is considered the slowest day of the year in the restaurant industry, bars, and shopping centers. Probably because people are preparing for a big home-cooked meal and saving their money for the big shopping day on Friday. Wednesday is considered the drunkest day of the year. It is a night most Americans go out and get drunk, according to the Alcohol-manac. It is probably because everyone goes home to their families, reunites with old friends, and doesn't have to work or worry about too much the next day besides not being too hung over to eat all the delicious food. In fact, it's tradition in my home town, (small, population 4,000) to go out to the local pub. It is likely nearly every high school graduate of Lodi High School will be there. You find all ages; the nearly 21's up to parents who also graduated from Lodi. Its like a drunken reunion of the whole town. Sometimes enjoyable, but sometimes you just don't want to see certain people. So it has its own kind of entertainment. As Thanksgiving happens on the following day. Its probably one of the biggest days to watch football, spend time with family, eat and sleep, we all know that turkey makes you tired! It's also a time to be Thankful. To give thanks to the people in your life, the things you have in your life and thankful for the Europeans bringing such a delicious holiday to our country. It originated from the Europeans coming over to North America and bringing harvest festivals with them (as they celebrated them in Europe) it was to celebrate a safe voyage, peace and good harvest. Finally to sort wrap up the busy holiday week. Friday, considered Black Friday, is the biggest shopping day of the year. The day after Thanksgiving means it is time to start thinking about Christmas. Best to get those Christmas gifts early and on sale. Black Friday most stores will have massive sales and why not get the sales and the Christmas gifts early!? Then it is stress free before another holiday. That's only if you have a mind of a shopper. I would rather avoid the mass chaos and just sit in my pajamas all day eating left-overs. I am not a big shopper in general, and I still cannot understand why anyone would want to go out into that crazy crowd just to find some good deals. Perhaps I'd rather pay the full price and avoid the angry housewives in the store yelling at each other just to get the last candle. I always look forward to the week and the holiday also, because it is the first break we get off school in the semester. And it is always right around a stressful time when it is good to just take a break and relax for a day or two before we have to get right back at it for finals. :) 
Happy Turkey Day :)  *gobble gobble*

Crossword Puzzles

So, I have been doing crosswords for about a year and half now. I have only consistently done the UWM Post's crosswords, because they are convenient and also good for beginners. However, I made it a goal when I first started doing crossword puzzles, I would try to finish a crossword by MYSELF within the next year. That wasn't so successful. I'm still attempting that goal. I generally grab a UWM Post every week and attempt to complete the crossword, last week I felt the most accomplished in my goal yet. Myself and 2 other girls finished the crossword together in about an hour an a half. It didn't succeed my personal goal to finish one on my own, but with the help of the other two, it felt like I could have done it myself. Sometimes it just takes a second brain to trigger something that you just forgot about or were missing.

After doing crosswords for a while now, and yes I do attempt other kinds of crosswords (i just give up quicker, because they are harder), you find that clues and such are similar in different crosswords and also you begin to educate yourself as well on common knowledge or "stupid" knowledge. Even the way things are worded in the crossword as a clue makes you more an intellectual to understand what is trying to be said. I was talking to a good friend after my friends and I finished the crossword, and he does crosswords all the time. He actually usually finishes the Post's crossword (by himself) in 20-30 mins. He asked me if I used pen, and I said "Yes of course I did" and he told me that was a good thing, because it makes you think more and feel confident in your answers on the crossword. It is so true! You have to feel a sense of confidence when you decide to put the answer in the crossword with pen. It makes an official answer, and when you screw up and that doesnt end up being correct, you make a mess and you may not be so sure to put the answer in right away next time. Instead, perhaps you problem solve first. Figure out the other answers around that one answer to help fill in the empty blanks. Then once you see something familiar you may finally decide to put your guess in!

Also, crosswords are a good subject for a general conversation with friends or even people you do not know!
I still continue to do crosswords and will for a long time. It is also good to getting your mind activated and thinking about things. For me sometimes it is a good break from school work, yet it keeps my mind working at the same time!

cultural differences

Tea and Coffee vs. Soda and Water

When I lived in Ireland for 5 months, I had to opportunity to also travel to England a couple of times and meet people from England as well. It was always to common trend for down time or to offer to a guest, tea of coffee. I went to many events in Ireland including a ceili which is traditional song and dance for the Irish people. We were able to hear the beautiful music played live and then learn some traditional dances that went along with the songs: a jig vs. a reel. After a while there is always a "sos beag" or a little break, which always included tea of coffee and "biscuits" which we would identify as cookies. Since I have been back in America, I forgot how often it is expressed "soda or water". You never hear people stress tea or coffee here in America. I had to opportunity to live with an Irish family and they told me throughout the day they would have about 5-6 cups of tea. This also began at a very young age, the youngest in the family was 13 and he would have about 3 cups of tea a day. Typically the tea was like a black tea, we might think of it as Earl Grey or Irish Breakfast. Here, in America, we find many options of tea offered, but it just isn't as cultural as it is in Ireland. When I was there I lived in a campus owned "flat" and each "flat" had its own tea kettle. It was uncommon not to have one. It just facsinates me, because since I have been back in Milwaukee, I have been trying to drink more and more tea like I did in Ireland, but because of the cultural difference, it still makes it a bit harder than when I was in Ireland. I hardly drank soda in Ireland, however it has been my guilty pleasure. Now of course that I am back in America I drink it way too much. I just would like to be more conscious about what a drink and my surroundings. I really do enjoy tea and Ireland made me realize that. The caffeine that tea offers too is sufficient throughout the whole day! :) 

WINsconsin

"WINsconsin"

With the Brewers, Packers and Badgers on an extreme winning streak, the state of Wisconsin has gone crazy for our local sport teams. It is fair to say that Wisconsin sports in general has not always received the credit they deserve, especially the Wisconsin Badgers. Now it is evident that these teams have earned their respect and are the talk of the Nation! As you may or may not know, the Brewers haven't done as well as they are now since 1982, when they made it to the World Series, but lost to the St. Louis Cardinals. This year the Brewers have shown their dominance through their starting pitchers, their strong bullpen and of course the "dynamic duo" and their offense. They won their division- "Division Champs" and won their first playoff series and are now well on their way to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals and go to the World Series. As for the Wisconsin Badgers, we all remember the terrible loss to TCU in the Rose Bowl, but as for this season the Badgers are unbeatable, with the offensive line averaging 6'5'' and 322 pounds and our new strong quarterback, Russell Wilson, who is already a considerable Heisman Trophy winner. The Badgers have not lost a game yet and in their biggest game (I think of their whole season) against Nebraska, the Badgers put Nebraska away on a 48-17 win. It is quite possible we see Bucky in the BCS National Championship game and we bring home a win! Now on to the most well-known, well-liked team in America, the Green Bay Packers. Last year, the Packers brought home the Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl. Their team last year put the most starters on Injured Reserve and started playing rookies or players who may not have ever played in an NFL game before. Every single player on this Packer team stepped up into position and took on the role with the greatest reward. The Packers hardly made the playoffs, with help from other teams they gained the Wild Card spot in the playoffs and went on undefeated to bring home the trophy where it all began.. Lambeau Field. This year, the Packers are 5-0, their best start since 1965 and, like the Badgers appear unbeatable. Is it possible to see them in the Super Bowl again and bring home the Trophy for the second year in a row? Is it possible  the Brewers win the World Series? Badgers win the National Championship and Pack win the Super Bowl all in one season. Is it fair to say that these teams aren't just good, they are INCREDIBLE. They all entail strong team camaraderie, extreme talent, motivation and a purpose to WIN. I have always been a sports fan and always a strong fan for Wisconsin sports. I would never call myself a Bandwagon fan, but with the common trend of winning in this state, it is easier to find more and more Wisconsin sports fans. It's become a priority for the people of Wisconsin to watch these games each week and cheer on their team. In general, Wisconsin fans have always been loyal and always been there for their team. You will often hear on the TV fans chanting "GO PACK GO!" or "LETS GO BREWERS" when they are playing at an away stadium. Wisconsin is well known for their beer, but also for their sports and typically they go well together too! It has only just begun, Wisconsin is feeling pretty good and have their heads up pretty high right now. I look forward to each week or day I get to watch my team(s) play. It is the effort of distraction toward satisfaction :) 

The art of art?

Over the last week, art has come to my attention more than usual. Perhaps, it's just because I have spoken with artists or acknowledged the art I have seen in public places. To be honest, perhaps it is also because my new apartment is empty and lacks any creativity which drives me crazy!

Many of my friends are very creative, but they all specialize in different things. Many of them are good painters. Some can write and play music, others are just good with words or creating things on photo shop. Either way they all have a special hobby that I wish I could endure myself. However, I don't have any of these creative senses of my own, or if I do, I do not know how to produce them. What I do have is an appreciation for the products others produce and the time that is spent on these things. Art is simply what you make of it. It is not always interpreted the same by each individual, nor is it suppose to be interpreted the same way. That is the beauty of art, it is what you make of it.

Last weekend, I was having a conversation with one of my friends about art. In fact she is a very good painter and was talking to me about her aspirations in life on owning a shop one day that includes some of her own art. I told her I enjoyed her work always have. I also told her I wish I had creativity like that, she said as long as I have an appreciation for it, that was okay. Whether I am able to create art or not, art can still have an impact on my life and a positive impact.

Can handwriting be defining?

After my first week of classes, I was noticing other students handwriting, teachers handwriting and my very own handwriting. Then I thought to myself, can a person's handwriting define that person's lifestyle in any way. For example: neat handwriting, does that represent an organized, self-sufficient person? Does sloppy handwriting mean a person is careless and apathetic? Or maybe that person just lives a busy lifestyle and has other things to focus on. What about neat, creative handwriting? Does that mean the person is artsy, ambitious? Can we control our handwriting?
Well, I'm convinced I have had control over my handwriting and it has changed over the years by my own interest. However, I tend to notice resemblances in my handwriting with my mom's.Perhaps this is something I over think. But I tend to notice people's handwriting often and I always have. Handwriting can just be handwriting, but your handwriting also reflects your signature, now we're talkin! A signature or a "John Hancock" can be a prized possession, no? What about that autograph from your favorite NFL football player? What about the day you become famous and someone wants your autograph? I may be rambling, but I am always getting criticism from my parents to make my signature "more clear" however, I think it reflects a part of my personality and why would I change me to make it more clear to the rest of the world? Nah! 

I did a "wee" bit of some research just to satisfy my random thoughts on this topic and there is such a thing called, Graphology. Graphology is the study and analysis on handwriting. There are different approaches to Graphology and one includes, "integrative graphology" that includes "specific stroke structures relate to personality traits.." Interesting? Perhaps I'll carry out this research for my own interest and see what my handwriting says about myself.

Therefore,
To be continued..