Valentine's Day Alternatives!

Valentine’s Day Alternative!

By Nathalie Sturgeon

Feeling a little blue about Valentine’s Day? Getting annoyed by all the cute fuzzy animals that stare into your soul as you pass the produce section at Wal-Mart?

How about Galentine’s Day?

Originating from the show Parks and Recreation, the holiday is celebrated on Feb. 13.

Ladies, ditch your gentlemen friends, single ladies included. Grab you best girl friends and let these tips help you celebrate Galentine’s day.

1.    Grab a lot of snacks.

Grab as much junk food as you can find. Popcorn, several kinds of your favourite chips, candy of all kinds, even the Valentine’s oriented kind they are selling these days. Lay them out, and enjoy them. Cupcakes are my personal favourite, homemade sundaes are the best.

.    Share your funny dating stories, or, sad and even your best romantic ones.

Yes, that’s right. Share it out loud. Whatever you are feeling. Tell stories about the funny ones, the bad ones, and the good ones. This is a ladies version of Valentine’s day. Sometimes sharing stories in a group can help a person move on, and especially if you are single and you just want to gush over the details of yours friends really cute relationship.

3   .    Line up at least TWO romantic movies.

I love watching romantic comedies. And there are several to pick from. Try to avoid the ones where one of them dies. That might put a damper on the evening. My two recommendations are When Harry Met Sally and The Princess Bride.

.    Do a small homemade card exchange.

Yes, we all know that sometimes Valentine’s day can be fairly overrated but a nice card with a small joke inside would make anyone’s day! You can also a gift exchange but this is both budget and sentimental.

5 .    Remember: Valentine’s day is a special day, and not just for couples.

Yes, we all know Valentine’s day is Hallmarks traditional day where we celebrate the “couple” – however, you can celebrate it with whomever you want. Tell someone you love them; either on Galentine’s day or Valentine’s day.

  

“That day, she was amazed to discover that when ask he saying ‘as you wish’ what he meant was ‘I love you.’”

The Princess Bride 20^th Century Fox.

Off-Campus Survival Rules

If you live off-campus, chanced are when you leave your house in the morning you literally have to bring your entire life with you! In the morning, you pack everything necessary as if you are moving out of your house and you head to school (usually for the entire day).

So why not make it easier on yourself? Here's a list of tips to help you deal with the complexity and inconveniences of living away from campus.

1. Prioritize

We tend to overpack - literally. We overpack just in case. After all, you never know when an emergency might happen. So at night before bed, make a list of things you really need. You need your books, your lunch, computer (only if necessary), writing utensils and extra snacks, your bus pass, and your wallet. That covers your basics and leaves no extra stuff to add to the weight you have to carry.

An extra tip: if you are not expressly told to bring your textbook, don't bring it. They are massive and just not necessary!

2. Separate into different bags

Personally, I have two bags I carry to school. One is an over-the-shoulder, and the other is my book bag. This also helps distribute the weight. I use the over-the-shoulder for my computer, my lunch, and my water bottle, plus any small items I need like hand sanitizer, hand cream, and my wallet. I use my backpack solely for school books. This allows you to separate you weight and makes things much easier to carry!

3. Take the bus 

Yes, that’s right. Take the bus. I live a ten minute walk away from campus, but some days you just need to take the bus. But, for those of you who cannot or do not have the option to walk, take the bus. You pay for a bus pass, so use it like your life depends on it! Even though the bus schedule is hard to read and understand, take the time sit down and know the times and where you're headed.

4. Always take the earlier bus 

Speaking of buses! This will save you from the embarrassing walk into class late. Say you have class at 5:00 PM and you can take the 10N Carlisle to campus; catch the bus at 4:00 PM.  The bus will get to campus at 4:35 PM, so you have extra time to get yourself organized and prepared. I've made the mistake of catching the later bus many times - just avoid this situation as best as possible (and say good-bye to sleeping in).

5. Dress warmly

Yes, the bus is convenient, warm and fast. But sometimes it’s late. This time of year, you may find yourself standing out in the cold for a little longer then you expect. Always have good waterproof boots. I recommend wool-lined boots that can withstand -32°C weather. You can find boots like these at SoftMoc.

You'll also need a good jacket that can withstand the strong wind and the freezing temperatures. You will want a jacket that is extra-long and covers your back. Book bags tend to make your coats ride up, leaving your back exposed. You can find these at relatively good price at Walmart and will last you a couple of years. Of course, a scarf, hat, and mitts are necessary too. Do your best to avoid having your face over-exposed. Sometimes wrapping your face with an extra scarf can prevent that ice-cold cheek pain.

6. Pack a well-balanced meal

For this tip, I’ll just give you a recipe I would make to take with me for a long day on campus. This meal gives you protein and vitamins so you can deal with a long day on campus:

• 1 cup of white rice (cooked)
• 1 boneless/skinless chicken breast
• 1 cup of frozen vegetables
• 1 ½ tbsp. of teriyaki sauce (or sauce of your choice)

Directions:

Cook the chicken and rice separately. Cook veggies in the microwave and combine with the chicken once it’s cooked. Add rice and sauce.

Some snack suggestions: an apple (with some peanut butter for extra protein), two granola bars (one for now, one for later), a dessert (perhaps a cookie), and a refillable water bottle. Finally, make sure you carry some cash on you in case you need a little something extra!

How to treat a girl on her birthday

Recently, it was my 21st birthday. So I comprised a list of things to do on a girls birthday.

Birthdays are many people’s favourite time of year. I mean, you get a whole day to celebrate your life up until this point. For me, and I am sure many others, it's hit and miss. There are things you want to happen and other things you just do not.

1. Do not remind the woman of her age

Yes, we know how old we are. We have been counting and stressing over crow's feet since we learned what they were. So please, don’t yell across the table at the party and say, “Oh my god, I can’t believe you're 21,” because frankly, neither can we.

2. We want cake 

Don’t assume because we have some food regiments we like to follow, does not mean we don’t have an appetite. We LOVE cake (and cupcakes and anything else that's sweet). Women are just as moved by cake as flowers (or at least I am). Cake is the way to my soul, especially on my birthday.

3. Bring presents, or don’t

We love to receive gifts, but what we appreciate more is your company. We love to be surrounded by friends and we love to hear a funny story about how crazy we are when we're drunk.

4. Please don’t use the “I was going to buy you a present but…” (directly related to 3)

We are college students. We're on budgets. We're poor. Don’t give excuses, because chances are I’ve either made them myself (not realizing how awful they are), or I understand your level of poor.  Seriously we get it, hug us and enjoy the party!

5. Stick together

On birthdays, it's common to go out drinking. Do not leave. You never realize how drunk you are until you're looking for your friends, the room is spinning and you have to pee. You should try to stick as close to your friends as possible. This is a general drinking rule. To make the most of everyone's night, the time you spend together will be the best. Then tomorrow you can make fun of each other as much as you want, because why not?

6. Don't make a big deal

This one follows the age rule. Yes, we want to have a good time on our birthday, but we also do not want you to make a spectacle. We are coping with some sort of change here. Make the birthday gal feel comfortable, and most of all make sure she's having fun. Whatever level of spectacle she might enjoy, it’s better to check first.

7. If you have never spoken to me in person, do not wish me happy birthday on Facebook. 

Chances are if you don’t recognize my name under your birthday notifications., then 1) You probably shouldn't have me on Facebook, and 2) Do not make a fake “Oh my God, happy birthday, wish we hung out more,” post.

8. Do not reveal huge secrets on birthdays (not bad ones anyway)

It should be a general rule not to reveal anything life-altering on a birthday. Some secrets are worse then others. but I assure you, most of the time aging is horrifying enough.

9. Don’t make silly birthday jokes

Singing “You look like a monkey, and you act like one too,” will probably earn you a, “Haha. Get out.” Don’t make silly jokes. We are all mature here. Or at least, some of us are. We are all up for some random humor, but birthday jokes are kind of annoying.

10. Most of all, enjoy your day!

Yes, you are a year older, but think about this way, you are much wiser. Or at least, believe you are. Birthdays are meant to be fun, so go ahead. Have fun, collegiettes!

Where I've been, what I've been up to?

It's been months, blog readers.

Literally months!

I've been terribly busy since I returned to university and it's a big year. My third to be exact.

Third year has brought many challenges. My health, a huge course load, theater, volunteering and work.

This year I have put myself out there in the world, and, frankly it wasn't as scary as I thought.

See I have been very social this year. I've even gone on my first university pub crawl. It was a lot of fun.

I've gone to a place call Clay Cafe! And, I made crafty art. Disclaimer: I did not make the mug, just painted it.

One of the few things I did participate in in high school was theater, so, this year I decided with great enthusiasm for the theater company at my university. So far, it's been a lot of work but a tremendous experience that I am enjoying greatly. And yes, stage managing is a huge job!

I have rejoined the work force at the same place I was before I returned home for the summer, it has been super rewarding as well.

It was a brief introduction to what I have been up to lately.
I will attempt each week to post something from now on. I promise!

Taco Salad Fun!!

So I am posting this moblily so please bear with me typo wise!

I am in the process of moving back into the city for my third year of university. And surprisingly that happened quicker then I would have liked.

Summer flew by! A cliche I know, but true notheless.

So in my past time I have been cooking up some new and some personal favourite recipe. I have been, for the most part, preparing recipes has been a challenge. Recently, I committed myself to accepting the challenge and keeping myself occupied in the short days I have left in my parents home! Today, I made a very simple recipe for taco salad.

To make the taco salad, you need fresh ingredients.
1 pckge of lean ground beef
1 pckge of Taco Seasoning (you can use Old Elpaso, or Taco Bell, I like both!)
1 large tomato (chopped)
1 1/2 heads of Romane lettuce (sliced or chopped)
2 cups of shredded cheese
1 bag of Tositios tortilla chips (crushed)

1. You in a medium frying pan, cook lean ground beef on med heat, until almost fully cooked. Then add your taco season and fry for another 2-3 minutes until most of season has been absorbed.

2. In a large bowl, combine lettuce, tortilla chips, chopped tomatoes, cheese and hamburger.

3. You will need at this point to make your dressing. (Which I will tell you about below)

4. Make sure you mix these ingredients together well.

Dressing time!

3 tablespoons of Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons of vingear
2 tablespoons of honey mustard flavour (basically just a added flavour)
1/2 teaspoon of salt and pepper
1/2 cup of vegetable oil.

1. You will need to wisk together the Dijon mustard and vingear.
2. Add your salt and pepper
3. Combine & wisk your vegetable oil slowly.
4. Add the honey mustard, wisking until dressing is semi-thick

You will then need to add the dressing to the salad.

Finally, you add salsa and sour cream when you serve!

An update

Where have you been you ask? I've been pulled away from my fun summer adventures because my Mum has fallen ill.

It happened so quickly that none of us had any time to think about the foreseeable future.

Other then that, I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off as I prepare to return to university, which is like a month and a half away.

Summer flew by like no tomorrow. Seems like just yesterday I was putting away my books for a long four months. On the bright side, it's FRIDAY

Hopefully soon, I will get some free time because I have some lovely updates and fun timezzz to share with you all.

Till next time,

June Haul!

In light of my May haul, I figured why not a June haul.

About a week ago, my mother and I made our way to one of the bigger cities in my tiny province. And, I'm all about discount shopping. So I took to the stores of a huge mall, twice the size of one I normally visit. So many lovely stores to visit and find deals.

I'm not sure how many people prefer tea over coffee. But I'm one of those people. I usually shop at Starbucks owned company Teavana. However, David's Tea is a small more affordable company. So off I went in search of a tea set.

And, boy did I certainly have find one -

So, now, a bargain you ask? I got the tea pot and cups for less then 30.00. The cups came free with the purchase of the pot. I considering purchasing an individual cup with infuser. But, the tea pot was the best deal.

And loose tea is probably the best quality tea you can buy.

We made a trip to Marshall's! Yes, Marshall's. Bulk quality stuff for cheaper prices. I searched the racks for a cute find, however, I found nothing I really wanted until I found the mugs.

Okay, so you could say I have a bit of an obsession with mugs/tea/and tea pots.  But for 3.99 for a 10.00 cup, I couldn't pass it up!

Keep calm and drink tea.

That was quite possibly the steal of the day!

My Mom and I spent some time looking at other stores around this large and quite fabulous city, until our stomachs rumbled and we decided to grab a bite to eat at an old favourite pasta/pizza joint of ours.

I ordered some spaghetti and meatballs, and she rice and rigatoni with sausage and chicken. With complimentary "all-you-can-eat" salad and bread.

They were delicious.

Last stop was as Mom desired, Old Navy, I've never shopped there much and I didn't figure I would really find anything there. But I went looking anyway. I need a pair of sandals. It was a great place as they were sandal sale and dress sale. And, I definitely love dresses.

So, I looked for stuff in my price range. Which isn't very big.

Got sandals for less then 5.00$ and the dress for 7.99$!

And the dress, was cute too...

All in all, I found some great deals, and even more then that I got quite a few things that I love. This is the contents of my June Haul.