I'm Done With Electric Toothbrushes

My Sonicare toothbrush lasted me over 7 years. It's been a few months now since the battery won't charge, and it's been hiding under the bathroom sink ever since. This morning I decided it was time to figure out how to dispose of it. After much Googling, I found out that the battery must be "properly disposed of," and there was a mention or two that the rest of the toothbrush is recyclable.

Okay, I thought. This shouldn't be too difficult.

Little did I know that in the next 10 minutes I would be demolishing my toothbrush because a) it is so old the pieces probably started to meld together and b) the instructions were not clear. I can see how the manufacturers thought the 3-step process would be simple, but they also made the darn thing.

If you try this, a screwdriver will be your best friend.

So I've decided that a buzz-y brush is not worth the effort to "properly dispose of." I doubt that every person who uses an electric toothbrush takes the time to demolish dismantle and recycle it. Here are other reasons why I'm jumping off the buzz-y brush bandwagon.


     1. The replacement heads get to be expensive, especially if you get the official Sonicare ones.


     2. Aesthetically, the handle began to yellow (which is fine), but the replacement heads were pearly white. Not digging it. I also don't like having the charger cluttering my bathroom sink.

     3. It's a lot of waste. Consider the packaging for the initial toothbrush and the packaging for the replacement heads. Not to mention the actual product itself! I'd rather spend my time getting things done rather than trying to figure out what part of the packaging and toothbrush is recyclable.

Therefore, I am going back to the basics. Something that doesn't need electricity to function. Something that I can easily recycle. An eco-friendly, man-powered toothbrush! My friend uses Preserve, and I've also seen these guys.

I also think that it's possible to disinfect toothbrushes so that they last longer. I'll have to look into it. I don't know about you, but my toothbrush definitely doesn't wear out after 3-4 months of use.

Disclaimer: I have nothing against Philips. I just found the disposal of this particular product to be frustrating.

TL;DR: If you're looking for an eco-friendly toothbrush, try Preserve or Brush with Bamboo. I'm sure there are plenty more options (those are just the first couple I found on a quick search!).

My Body is Really, Really Smart

I've realized over the past year that listening to my body is one of the best things I can do for myself. I can't believe it's taken me this long to figure out that my body is telling me what it needs, what it likes, and what it doesn't.

How I used to think about my body

• pimples: Why does my face want to humiliate me?
• stomach ache: I probably just ate too much chocolate. Whatever.
• tense shoulders: Schools give too much homework, otherwise I would never be hunched over like this.
• achy feet: Will companies ever make comfortable and aesthetic shoes?
• hair falling out: I don't know why my hair hates me.

I noticed that I blamed everything but myself for hurting my body. I blamed my homework, the shoe company, the grocery store. Sure, none of these symptoms were drastic enough to prompt a visit to the doctor, but they were definitely there.

While many events created this change within me (cue Wicked music), one of the biggest moments that changed the way I think about myself happened earlier this year. My friend, Maggie, asked me, "How do you feel?" I was confused. There was nothing overtly "wrong" with me, and I wasn't sure how to respond. She said, "I mean, how do you really feel?"

Ever since then, I have paid attention to how I feel instead of ignoring myself. This isn't just physically, but emotionally too. Especially because the two are linked, whether you like it or not. So I started to listen to my body, and I learned that my body is really, really smart.

How I think about my body now

• pimples: Have I been touching my face too much? What did I eat today that may have caused this?
• stomach ache: Am I anxious about something? Did I eat something bad today? I should avoid it tomorrow.
• tense shoulders: How did I sleep last night? Do I need to add some relaxation exercises throughout my day?
• achy feet: I'm donating those boots. I promise to only buy comfortable shoes.
• hair falling out: Have I changed my diet recently? What chemicals am I putting in my hair?

Turns out that asking myself these questions has drastically changed my lifestyle. I no longer buy uncomfortable shoes, I know what I am putting in and on my body, and I am in tune with my emotions. Once I became conscious of the choices I was making, I could figure out the causes of my problems. I felt healthier and happier. And most importantly, I accepted responsibility for I how feel.

You decide whether or not to see the signs your body is giving you. I suggest asking your body how it feels, because it's the only one you've got.

TL;DR: Your body is smart. Listen to it.

What Can I Offer the World?

I've been thinking for the past few days of resurrecting my blog. Especially since I said I would explain gardening and that never really happened. But today I asked myself, "What can I offer the world that hasn't been offered already?" It seems as though everything I'm passionate about has already been covered in at least 10 other blogs. I felt so insignificant, and the thought of returning to my blog felt pointless.

How appropriate that this popped into my head exactly one year after my first post on To a Good Morning. In the past year I have had a bazillion thoughts that I wanted to share, yet I didn't because I didn't think anyone would benefit from it or because I was afraid that I am the only one that really cares what I think.

Now bear with me, it might seem like I'm losing my mind.

Aren't routines funny? Every morning and evening I have my bathroom routine, so I get to see myself in the mirror. How many things happen in between these self-reflections (literally) that slowly change and mold us?

Anyway, I was going through my evening routine, all mopey from the thought that I am running late to the "Changing the World One Blogger at a Time" meeting. I looked at myself and realized that there is LITRALLY one person that I will ever be able to be. In spite of all the novels we read and movies we watch to fall into someone else's story, we can only ever be ourselves, and that has to be good enough, because if it isn't, then nothing makes sense. I won't accept that.

There is only one person with my perspective, my experiences, my emotions, my body. And when I think about it that way, I'm pretty frickin' awesome! Because no matter how many other people may be better writers or better storytellers or better selfie-takers, I still have something to say, and damn it, I'm going to say it.

TL;DR: A person's a person, no matter how small.

Apps for Lists

I AM A LIST-MAKER HEAR ME ROAR.

It's ever so slightly obsessive, but I absolutely adore lists. I wrote a post about making lists at night, but I thought I would share how my list-making has evolved. Maybe I can even convert some of you into to-doers and cross-off-ers. :)

The Apps I Use
Food on the Table
This one is for my groceries. It's nifty because it categorizes items by where they will be in the store. Without it, I walk in circles. Literally. It also is wired to some popular recipe sites, so if you find something you like, it can put the ingredients straight into your shopping list.

These ingredients will make eggplant parmesan lasagna. DELISH.

iProcrastinate
This one is for my long-term school assignments. I like it because I can prioritize my schoolwork, AND create steps for each task. It syncs with the app on my computer, too. I don't really write down daily assignments on here, unless they require multiple steps.

Reminders (built in iPhone)
This is the built-in iPhone app that connects to Siri. I use this one when I know I will forget something in the short-term. Printing papers, emailing someone, changing passwords--I am prone to getting immersed in something totally different and forgetting about it.

P.S. My phone is in Polish so I can practice and things. :)

Wunderlist
For all other categories :). I love Wunderlist because I can make tons of lists and organize them exactly the way I want them too. I use this one for everything from gift ideas for birthdays to what to pack for a trip. It also syncs with the app on my computer. And you can change the background. Hehe.

The Non-Apps I Use
Post-It Notes
So maybe I am getting excessive by using both digital AND paper lists, but I just like them, OK? I use these to plan out what I want to achieve during the day. They are mostly activities or hobbies. Or they remind me to do something that is on another list. :) Like packing.

Weekly Planner
I use my planner to write down my daily schedule, my work hours, and any meetings I have. Daily assignments for school also go here.

Notebooks
Notebooks are for specific goal setting. The best example of this is a workout regimen. I'll write the date and the exercises to do, then move up to more difficult exercises or more repetitions after a few weeks.



Yup. That's all. Usually. :)

And if you're like me, don't freak out when you don't cross off everything on your daily to-do list. If you don't get around to it, it's probably not a big deal. Set realistic goals. And include things that help you be appreciative!

TODAY

-smell the Spring air

TL;DR: If you couldn't tell, lists are awesome.

The Internet is a Vampire

Alternate title: What I Learned From Being Mildly Addicted to the Internet


Vampires                                                  Internet
drain your blood (aka life-force)                   yup
most powerful at night                                yup
turn into bats                                             maybe not so much
sparkly                                                      just kidding :)


I love the Internet. There is so much knowledge to be shared and to discuss. But there's one issue with it.

Reading about things on the Internet does not substitute experiencing said things.

I can read about all the face masks and exercises and sewing techniques and recipes I want. (Yes, I'm very cool.) This is awesome. But after 4 hours, I will still have participated in nothing. No interaction between myself and the physical world, other than a keyboard and a screen.

So I challenge you, Internet friends. Learn what you can from the Internet. And then go do it. As long as it's legal and ethical and things like that.



Yay!

Garden Shenanigans: How to Start

Ok friends,

Although it really doesn't seem like it, spring is coming. YAY!

As promised, I will share my first experience with gardening this year. Hopefully the adventure will be entertaining and informative. :)

Note: All information will be pertinent to ZONE 5. That is where I live. You can check your zone here. This will be important to choosing what to plant and when to plant it. :)

So here we go!

How do I get started?
Step 1: Determine the space you have. 
Estimated time: 10 minutes

Do you have a piece of land to work with? Do you have a patio, but no grass? Do you have a balcony? Do you have a windowsill? ANY of these can become a garden! Allocate a part of this space to become your garden. The amount of space will (obviously) determine what kind of plants you can plant. Don't be discouraged if you don't have much room! Look at this cute herb garden idea:

I recommend measuring the dimensions of your garden, whether it be in feet or in number of tin cans. :)

I have a slightly unusual situation, as the space allocated for the garden is near a black walnut tree. The tree roots emit toxins, so I will have raised beds (an extra layer of soil) to avoid plant homicide. We are all friends here!

P.S. I can't tell you how big my garden is ATM because it's covered in snow...

Step 2: Choose what you want to plant.
Estimated time: 20-30 minutes

There are two things to consider here: what you like to eat and whether you have the conditions to grow it. Here is a guide to how much space different plants need. Don't be afraid to try new things! Veggies that you grow yourself taste WAY better than the ones in the grocery store. Usually. But we will make sure we do it right! Yes? Good.


I will be growing the following lovelies:

• bean chinese red noodles
• tommy toe tomatoes
• German pink tomatoes
• Amish paste tomatoes
• cucumber muncher
• cucumber mexican sour gherkin
• arugula
• lettuce rocky top mix
• butterhead lettuce
• red romaine
• radishes
• beets
• peppers
• butternut squash
• summer squash fordhook zucchinis
• spinach
• snow peas
• Parisienne carrots

Don't they look delicious?

Step 3: Go get your seeds!
Estimated time: varies

Woohoo! You made it to the most fun part! You can find seeds online or in stores. I recommend Baker Creek Heirloom seeds and Burpee seeds. Even if you don't end up ordering online, it's super fun to see all the different veggies that you've never heard of. And some of them look ridiculous (and delicious).
You can also find seeds at Menards, Lowe's, Home Depot, and probably other places too.

Once you have your seeds, keep them in a dry, cool place (like the pantry). Next time I will share info on how to start your seeds!

Ladies, We Can Change the World

Not only because we're able to grow a human inside of us, but other reasons too. And it's quite easy, really.

Guys, before you run away from this post, know that this has a lot to do with you, too. If your girlfriend, sister, wife, or daughter mention using the following methods, try to learn about it too. Willingness to learn and to be comfortable with it will reflect your maturity about the subject.

Note: I've mentioned a brief summary about this in a previous post, but I believe it deserves more attention.

THE PROBLEM
Take a moment to count the number of disposable pads and tampons you use in one cycle. Or you can make an estimate by remembering how often you buy a box. With an estimate, multiply that by the number of times you menstruate in one year. Then multiply that by the difference between the age your mother hit menopause and your age right now.

Example: Let's say you have a very light period and you only use 10 pads/tampons per month. Let's say you have an average cycle of 28 days, so you menstruate approximately 13 times a year. I'm going to pretend that I'm 30 years young, and have about 20 years before I hit menopause.

10x13x20=2,600 pads/tampons in the next 20 years

This is a very, very conservative number. Now let's take a look at a girl who just began menstruating (age 13), has a regular period, a regular cycle, and her mother hit menopause at age 53.

20x13x40=10,400 pads/tampons in her lifetime

That's a lot of trash that goes into garbage dumps. Moreover, most disposable pads/tampons are bleached, and are actually not that sanitary. This article wonderfully explains some dangerous ingredients that these disposable products contain. So how do we change this?

THE SOLUTION
Reusable products, of course. :)

Now bear with me, this may seem weird, but I promise promise promise you, you can find one that you like.

1. Menstrual cups. These stay inside of you like a tampon, but they don't suck all the good stuff out. Instead, they collect fluid, and you empty it.

PROS:

not harmful (made of medical-grade silicone)

space-efficient (it's small, so you can store it anywhere)

you can wear it up to 12 hours

you can use it for years (I've had mine for 5 and it's still going strong)

virtually leak-free

CONS:

it takes a couple of months to learn how to use it

BRANDS (click for website):

DivaCup

Keeper/Moon Cup

La LunaCup

Lunette

MiaCup
MoonCup
SckoonCup

     FAQs

     Isn't it gross? Nope. It's actually not.

     Does it fit? This is the most common question I hear. I understand why you ask, because I used to ask the same thing before I mustered up the courage to just try it. Here's the down-low. Your body can push a baby out of it. So yes, it fits. Also, it really isn't that big. Approximately 2 inches long and 1.5 inches in diameter, depending on the brand. Rest assured that menstrual cups are flexible, soft, and sturdy.

     Does it leak? If you insert it correctly, no. You can walk, drive, hike, and ride a bike normally and notice it much less than a tampon.
     But... but... how do I do it?! It does take a bit of learning, but there's an online community that can answer personal questions for you. Don't let all the questions scare you. There are a lot of women who are eager to share their advice, and there are YouTube videos that explain further, such as this one (don't worry, a wine glass is used for the example). And there are instructions in the box. :)

2. Cloth pads. These are exactly what they sound like, except they are often made with really cute patterns and you'll actually like getting them out every month.

PROS:

non-invasive

easy cleaning (throw them in the wash at the end of your period)

last for as long as you take good care of them (>5 years)

thinner than disposables (yay for not feeling like you're wearing a diaper!)

soft, comfy fabrics (cotton, silk, fleece, hemp, flannel)
they really are super cute

CONS:

extra laundry

BRANDS (also use as resources):

GladRags
LunaPads
New Moon Pads
PIMPs

Sckoon

Cloth pads get so pretty I can stare at them for hours. But that's kinda weird so I won't. Also, try Etsy for tons more. You can even make your own :)

In sum, cups and cloth pads are eco-friendly, wallet-friendly, and body-friendly! There are so many to choose from, it's ridiculous. In the best way. *tear* Please excuse me while I go frolic because I just discovered so many new brands. For more information on reusable products visit this website.

TL;DR: All the cool kids are using menstrual cups and cloth pads. What are you waiting for?

Gardens Will Save the World

Have you ever had a garden? If yes, awesome! If no, I'm with you, friends. But over the past year, I have become utterly convinced that gardens will save the world. So this spring, I'm planting one. I'm going to go through the process step by step, with beginner instructions on how to do everything as it comes along.

I have the privilege of being guided by a master gardener, my boyfriend. (Hey boyfriend!) Because you may not know anyone who is a gardening buff, I am here to relate my learning experience to you, in the simplest way. So stay tuned for posts that start with the word "garden" (and every other post). :)

WHY GARDENS WILL SAVE YOU & THE WORLD 

1. A garden will save your wallet. Less trips to the grocery store means less money spent on gas and less time in the car. Now if you must spend time in the car and you happen to abhor it, please see this post. Also, you can grow fresh, organic produce in your yard/balcony, and pay a fraction of what it would cost at the store. Anything you don't eat during the growing season, you can preserve and enjoy in colder months.
2. A garden will save your health in two ways :)
1. Food. I'm assuming that if you grow vegetables, you will at least try eating them, right? The overwhelming message from doctors is to eat more whole produce. Just Google it. Honestly, I don't think that your main source of food should be from a processing plant. Is it even food if it has so many unknown ingredients in it? You can also avoid ingesting pesticides and herbicides typically found in/on commercial produce.
2. Exercise. Maintaining a garden involves moving around. You'll be required to go outside and *gasp* even get some vitamin D while you're at it. Getting exercise by gardening has an advantage over going to the gym--you're getting fresh air rather than stale air. And no one is watching you. Except for GoogleEarth.
3. A garden will save your taste buds. Raise your hand if you know what kabocha is. You are missing out, my friend. It's a delicious squash, and while you may not like squash, there are so many varieties of all kinds of vegetables, you are bound to be astonished that these things even exist. Stores only carry a few varieties at most. You can grow a tomato that is so scrumptious, you can bite into it as a snack. You probably don't believe me. Please try.
4. A garden will save your social life. Make your garden a social project too. Get a couple of friends or family members on board. You can learn and share knowledge together. You can also split up the labor. Even better, recruit some kids. Your children, younger cousins, neighbors, etc. are the next generation. If we spread the awesomeness of gardening to them too, we'll be in even better shape for the future.
5. A garden will save the earth. This is the big one. So big I have to split it up! :)
1. Less garbage. This works in multiple ways. First, you can compost produce you eat now to make (yes, literally make) dirt for your garden. Then you can compost things from your garden (like it's feeding itself :)). Also, buying less food from the store will reduce the amount of garbage in your kitchen. Less plastic bags, less cans, less bottles, you get the point.
2. Smaller carbon footprint. By planting a garden, you are reducing your carbon footprint. I don't care if you believe in this or not, it is common sense that the less traveling your food does, the yummier it is going to be. So if you aren't doing it for the earth, do it for yourself.
3. Less pollution. I know I haven't discussed meat in this post at all, but this is relevant. By eating a more vegetable-based diet (and I'm not saying you have to go vegetarian or vegan or anything), you will be reducing the demand for CAFO animals. These are basically factory farms that are not sustainable and are creating a lot of trouble (including hyper-resistant disease and a lot of concentrated animal waste). With your saved money from having a garden, try buying Amish-raised meat, or find a local, sustainable farmer to buy meat from. Then you can see how things should be run. 
4. More variety. Every biologist knows that gene variety is important for resistance to negative events (weather, disease, etc.). By planting a wider variety of plants, you allow for greater variation among open pollinated crops. This actually increases food security. Also, if you were the earth and someone planted the same things in you all the time, you'd get pretty bored wouldn't you?
5. Appreciation. I truly believe that the key to taking care of the earth is to first appreciate it. My accounting teacher (of all people!) said something a few months ago that made my heart go thump-thump. wait. what? thumpthumpthumpthump. That probably doesn't make sense, but here's what he said, "We do not depreciate land. Why? Because it will always be there for you." It will always be there for us. We choose whether we return the favor.

If you are skeptical about starting a garden, I highly recommend Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. You can get it at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and probably your public library. It is also available as an audiobook.

If you are unable to garden, for any reason, then this website is a wonderful resource to find farmer's markets. You can also become a member of a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), and receive boxes of yummy vegetables as they come into season. If the link isn't working, the URL is http://www.localharvest.org/

TL;DR: Will you start a garden with me this year?

How to Make Driving Fun

While I don't advocate driving just for the experience (unless you're learning, that's important), 75.7% of U.S. commuters drive alone to their job. Alone. Allll byyyy themselvesssss. And while I'm not trying to be depressing here, it is not only inefficient (you can carpool), it is a time that I hear commuters complain about regularly. Here are some ways you can make your commuting experience positive. Then when your coworkers are complaining about their commute, you can smile and send them to read this list.

1. Carpool. I know some people don't have this option. You may be the only _______ Co. employee in a three county radius. And you may have different positions, which might make having a set time to arrive and leave difficult. So that's fine. If you do happen to leave near someone though, suggest carpooling. It will give you someone to talk to, and at the same time you can split gas costs.
2. Grab an audiobook from the library. When I first started driving, I was unhappy because I couldn't read as a driver. Super lame that I have to keep my eyes on the road, right? But several months ago, I discovered the lovely benefits of borrowing an audiobook from the public library. I was wary of becoming drowsy while listening to it, but it actually kept me more alert. I do switch off between music, an audiobook, and silence, though. It keeps me more on my toes. :) See my "book resources" tab above for recommendations.



Note: I don't suggest wiggling your head so much.

3. Get some exercise. Move that booty! On long drives, when I don't want to stop to let the blood flow back to my bum, I play some music to squeeze my glutes to. (Against my better judgment, I am telling the world personal information because I don't want you to suffer "dead-butt." It's really uncomfortable when your butt falls asleep.) I also wiggle my arms around (always keeping one on the wheel) and do a small gecko groove.
4. Drive in silence. It may be weird at first, but I get to those points where I just need to be able to think in silence, and it's very enjoyable. If you have a crazy-busy world with a lot of noise, try this out, you might like it. It's also easier to think-out-loud if there's no audio playing. Which brings me to my next point.
5. Talk to yourself. Yeah, you might feel silly. You may also feel awesome! Sometimes I don't even realize that something is on my mind or bothering me, until I let it out. Warning: I don't recommend this if you are prone to crying (joy, sadness, it might still get you).
6. Notice something new on every commute. It's amazing what paying attention can do. I can't tell you how many times I've driven past something and not even processed it exists. Now, staring out the side window probably isn't the best idea, but try to remember one or two new restaurants or such every day. You'll also develop a better memory about the area, and perhaps even discover a new place to eat.

I sincerely hope you enjoy your time driving. It's time that can be fun, I promise.


TL;DR: Your commute is what you make of it. Make it fun!


Statistics taken from here.

The Idiot Who Cut Me Off

Sometimes I forget that people are people.

Does that make sense?

I was reminded this weekend to see a person in every person. A soul in every body. An individual in every human. And this is the most important rule that I hang on to.

There's something called the fundamental attribution error (FAE), which you probably have heard of if you've taken an introductory psychology course. (If you didn't hear about it in your class, you probably weren't paying attention, or your teacher was totally robbing you of important information.) Now, sorry to break it to you dear friends of mine, but humans make a lot of mistakes that we are not always aware of. The basic idea of the FAE is that we tend to overestimate how much someone else's personal attributes are influencing their actions, and we underestimate how much that someone's situation is influencing their actions. Por ejemplo...

Have you ever been cut off by that idiot during rush hour? He's a total a**hole, right? But here's another question, and be honest about this one. Have you ever cut someone off during rush hour? Chances are you have, and you probably don't consider yourself a bad person. If you have ever cut someone off, you may have had a perfectly good reason (the guy behind you was about to rear-end your car). Do you see what I'm getting at?

I've noticed that I become much less judgmental when I admit that I don't know the situations that people are in. The driver who I think is recklessly speeding may have a friend in the hospital. The teacher who I think is inconsiderate of her students may be going through a divorce. The person drinking the energy drink may have had to stay up all night with a sick child. It's really hard to give people excuses for their actions. But I'm not giving them excuses. I'm simply trying to put myself in their shoes, and acknowledging the fact that I will probably never know why the person in the suit is yelling over the phone. Perhaps they are really mean, but perhaps they are expressing their frustration at some unmentionable injustice. Perhaps it's a combination of the two.

It's the last day of 2013. Tonight, when you look around at the people at the party, or the restaurant, or even the TV, give them a chance to be a person.

Happy last day of 2013! :)


TL;DR: A person's a person, if only you notice.

The Best Food Advice You'll Ever Get

Read this article. It will take one minute, and it is the best advice I have ever read about food and dieting. Kudos to the author for being so concise and conscientious of various people's needs.

:)

Free Online Movie Till December 10th!

If you haven't watched Food Matters yet, and you don't have a Netflix account to watch it on, the movie is free on their website until December 10th :)

It really is an awesome movie, and a great way to spend a weekend evening. Here is the link to the movie.

Enjoy!

Fluke

I am looking for food.

I am finding leftover soup.

I am heating it up.

I am putting my dog on my bed.

I am fetching the soup.

I am sitting on my bed.

I am looking for something to watch on YouTube.

I am watching the screen.

My dog is watching me.

I am closing my computer.

I am scratching his ears.

I am talking to him.

I am listening to his sniffs.

I am having a meal with my best friend.

I needed him to remind me that I cannot substitute a moment with a friend for any electronic gadget in the world.

Happy Sunday :)

TL;DR: A friend a day keeps the sadness away.

It's not Christmas, it's the Day After Thanksgiving.

I detest Black Friday, and it's really hard to look on the positive side of things today.

What gets me riled up? People getting up at ridiculous hours of the morning to stand in line in below freezing weather so they can buy things they don't need. Nothing does the job better.

We live in America, friends. Where apparently more is better. And more is never enough. We should rebel against this mentality! Let's be rebels together!

Here are 50 things to do other than get mauled by shoppers today. I stumbled upon this website (not actually using StumbleUpon, and how weird is it that I feel I have to explain myself for using that phrase?) and it seems awesome. Their slogan? "Finding the Satisfaction of Enough." Love it :)


If you would like to use some of your day off reading about how our culture provokes things like Black Friday, instead of actually participating in such vile events (am I being too harsh?), here is an absolutely mind-blowing article that puts together the pieces.

Lalala.

After living in Italy for a few months, coming back to America was weird. Everything is so rushed and urgent. Eating with your family is not a priority here. Eating quality food is not a priority here. Dressing up every day in presentable, flattering
clothes is not a priority here. I am generalizing. I know there are people here who love all these things, but I definitely feel like the minority.

Anyway, I am spending my day-after-Thanksgiving organizing my room, doing homework, and thinking of what I will make or buy for my family and friends this year. I think that is much more productive than being fooled by retailers into spending lots of mulah.

Make a delicious cheesecake, or get trampled by shoppers? I'll take the former.

TL;DR: Fun fact: Black Friday only became the biggest shopping day of the year in 2005. Hmmm...

The Best and Worst of Thanksgiving

Best

• having the day off
• having the day off to see family and friends
• having the day off to sit and eat good food
• dressing up, or dressing down
• mandatory family gatherings
• mandatory giving of thanks
• optional food baby

Worst

• recipes gone wrong
• you only get ONE day off to sit and eat good food with friends and family
• impending Black Friday insanity

I know some stores were open today. That makes me sad. I wish everyone were able to take a day off to spend time with their loved ones. Like in Italy. Everything's closed on holidays. You can't even get toothpaste. But everyone survives. You can just brush your teeth tomorrow, no big deal.

Deal... deal? Black Friday deals? Please someone explain this day that cripples my soul. The day that has become the very embodiment of what is wrong with America.

For tonight, we can be content. I hope your belly is full as you read this. I hope you have somewhere warm to sleep tonight. I hope you had real people to hug and talk to today, and didn't spend the day on the Internet.

Get ready for my Black Friday post. It's coming.

TL;DR: Happy Thanksgiving :)

Thanksgiving Work Week Day #3: I am Homo sapien and so are you

I am going into the world of religion and nationality, goodness help me.


Have you ever heard someone say, "She's French, but her husband is Jewish."
or
"I hear you're marrying a Canadian guy. Is that going to work, since you're Muslim?"
or
"Are you making apple pie tonight? I can bring some oranges."

To me they all sound like the last one. I have been hearing religion compared to nationality my entire life. Well, it doesn't make sense. You can't compare a belief system to your place of birth/living. Why do people do this?! It drives me insane!!!

We're all human, baby!

So this holiday season (can you smell the cinnamon and nutmeg yet?), be aware that people may celebrate in ways that combine a nation's traditions and a religion's holiday, and any combination is A-OK. (As long as we're all playing nice.) My family is Polish, but we celebrate an American holiday. Your family might be Buddhist and celebrate Hannukah. Who knows? And honestly, who cares? As long as celebrations/traditions are treated with due respect, I think all kinds can be celebrated by whoever wants.

Regarding the history of Thanksgiving, I don't know enough about the complicated going-ons of Europeans and Native Americans to discuss it, but I do know one thing. The fact the humans have so many different cultures is amazing and beautiful, but thinking that we are not all in this together is pretty dumb. So go crazy today after you get off work and go hug a fellow human or something. :)

You can even play this, and make a dance party:

Maybe you need something a little less enthusiastic (and less painful):

TL;DR: "I'm made of atoms, you're made of atoms, we're all in this together." Ben Lee

Thanksgiving Work Week Day #2: Your Face

I never really understood the "your face" jokes, but it happens to be a relevant and (hopefully) catchy title.

On this lovely second day of a work week that you I really don't want to engage in, I thought I might discuss faces.

I like my face. So I'm comfortable contorting it in weird ways and sharing it with you. You're welcome.

Can I share with you two stories that stick out incredibly in my brain? OK, good.

Story 1
"You're so lucky you don't have to wear make-up!" Dialogue to me when I was in middle-school, by a high-school girl.

Story 2
"Geraldine (name changed to protect identity), don't wear make-up for as long as you can." Dialogue to a pre-pubescent girl by high-school girls. I was in high-school when I heard this.

Let's discuss this, shall we?

Both of these incidents demonstrate that girls are implying make-up is necessary. Newsflash: it's not. Saying something like this to a young girl is basically telling her to enjoy the time she has with her perfect skin because it won't last long, and soon she'll have to cover it up. Especially if she wants boys to like her. (Am I wrong?)

I have a confession to make. I used to think I was above the girls who wore make-up everyday to school. The girls who spent an hour getting ready in the morning, or sprinting to the bathroom upon arrival at their destination, before anyone could see their make-up-less face. Then I realized that I cannot judge people if I want to be an open and loving person. You can wear make-up everyday and I will not judge you or ridicule you. I will tell you your eyeliner is on your cheek, though. :)

Why do we wear make-up? Well, I'm not going into details in one blog post. But girls think that they need make-up. What is wrong with your make-up-less face? Absolutely nothing.

I know, I know, make-up is fun. I totally agree! I like experimenting too, but to me it is an art form. (Come on, have you seen Face-Off?) Personally, applying make-up everyday makes me feel like I am lying to the world about who I am. My skin is not perfect. So what? If anything, my make-up-less face is weeding out the people that will potentially talk to me simply because I don't flaunt "maybe it's Maybelline" eyelashes everyday. Or it's not. That's cool too. I know your other argument, too, because I hear it almost every time I ask someone why they wear make-up. It's about enhancing your good features and hiding your bad ones! It's only a bad feature if you decide it's a bad feature, darling.

This is my personal experience. To you, make-up may be something different. That's OK. All I am proposing is a change in the attitude of needing to simply wanting. Here's a thought-provoker for you: have you ever seen a female newscaster without make-up? What about a male newscaster (excluding cover-up)? Why?

That is all.

For now.

TL;DR: I love your face, jusstttt the wayyy it issssssss *cue music*

Thanksgiving Work Week Day #1

I am bitter, my dear friends, that I have classes Monday through Wednesday night. But I shouldn't be. And neither should you.

Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends and good food! Yes, I agree. But most importantly it is about being grateful for all of who you are, who you are with, and everything you can do.

Here's a light-hearted interview with the Dalai Lama to boost your spirits (because mine definitely needed boosting this morning). He points out what makes us happy. But wait! Being "warm-hearted" (helping others), spending time with friends, and finding our purpose in life sounds awfully familiar... I guess the Dalai Lama doesn't need social psychology to know these things. 

TL;DW (too long; didn't watch): A change in attitude may be all you need to make a dreaded work week a positive one.

P.S. I encourage you to post comments or contact me about the content of my blog. What do you like? What do you want to read more of? There are millions of things in my head and sometimes I don't know which to address first. :)

Mother Nature

Exactly two weeks ago, I was driving home, and I saw an absolutely gorgeous sunset. The clouds were a color that I don't have a word for, but my closest description is pink. Today, two weeks later, I saw a huge, almost-full, orange moon, rising from the horizon. It is times like these that Nature strikes me with her simple beauty. Her beauty is difficult to capture, because part of her mesmerizing quality is her unpredictability.

There are other times, like earlier today, when Nature shows me exactly how powerful she is, and how defenseless we are. My boyfriend and I stared out a window as hail spattered the ground and the wind became so strong that it got scary. We later discovered that a tornado devastated his hometown. I've never seen wreckage due to a natural disaster up close. It was humbling. It could have been my hometown. It could have been yours.

I believe Mother Nature is telling us to pay attention to her. Almost like an elderly grandmother who scolds her children when they forget to water her plants when she's away.

Mother Nature does not scold the child who performed the wrong. She scolds us all. Her power is tremendous, and we are fools to not respect her.

Here's one of my favorite parts in one of my favorite movies:
In WALL-E, the captain of the Axiom waters the plant that he does not completely understand. Then he says something along the lines of, "There you go, little buddy. All you needed was someone to take care of you." And with this comes his eureka moment. Mother Nature needs us to take care of her.

This post does not do justice to everything I think about when I consider our relationship with the Earth. I'm just going to let it sit here though, as a reminder to myself that something needs to be done. Meanwhile, my prayers go to those affected by today's tornado.

TL;DR: Don't forget to water your grandmother's plants.

Your 1 Minute Guide to Happiness

So I'm reading about happiness in my social psychology book, and what do I find? Three things that you have control over that will make you happier.

1. Engage in positive social relationships.

2. Flow. Get lost doing what you love!

3. Help others.

:)

OK, so they seem pretty obvious, but there is one other thing that seems to "obviously" make us happy. Things. We think that having things makes us happy. Research shows that this is not true, and actually the opposite. Focusing on money and material possessions makes us less attuned to the moment. What a shame.

On the other hand, research shows that having healthy social interactions, practicing your passions, and performing random acts of kindness make us happier! (The social thing is actually correlational, but you get my point. And if you'd like me to explain further, just ask and I will be happy to.)

And if you'd like an interesting video on happiness, here is the lovely Dan Gilbert:

TL;DR: Happiness=awesome friends, hobbies, and helping!

P.S. I have been fiddling with the format of my page. Just trying what I feel works best. :)