What is this "holiday" and who commercialized it?!

I want to start by pointing out that I'm not anti-love. I'm anti-needing a specific day to tell someone just how special they are to you. Are you kidding?! This should be EVERY day, not some commercialized hoax of a holiday. This is not a "I'm bitter because I'm single" rant either. I've had boyfriends on Valentine's Day; I've done the whole Valentine's Day thing. And I realized, that if I have to wait until February 14 to get flowers and whatever, then he's not the one for me. This shouldn't be some forced ritual...he should do it because he loves me.

Personally, I think we should return to the rumored traditions of the Romans:

To begin the festival, members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at the sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or lupa. The priests would then sacrifice a goat, for fertility, and a dog, for purification. The boys then sliced the goat's hide into strips, dipped them in the sacrificial blood and took to the streets, gently slapping both women and fields of crops with the goathide strips. Far from being fearful, Roman women welcomed being touched with the hides because it was believed the strips would make them more fertile in the coming year. Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city's bachelors would then each choose a name out of the urn and become paired for the year with his chosen woman. These matches often ended in marriage. Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day around 498 A.D. The Roman 'lottery' system for romantic pairing was deemed un-Christian and outlawed.

This sounds much more promising than wearing red! Bring on the being slapped by blood covered hide!! And, to top it all off, we get paired up with a guy?! No awkward dating?! Sign me up!! Seriously though. I just received a text message from my friend. She says:

I truly hate Valentine's Day. The girls (at her office) are all talking about what they got their husbands and how much they hate the presents their husbands bought them.

Are you serious?! Be grateful he didn't forget the day! Which is possible, despite the over-advertisement of the day. I've heard plenty of wives/women complain that their husbands/boyfriends have forgotten the day. It's really disgusting...

So, I propose an abolition of Valentine's Day and instead propose that we use each day of the year to tell that special someone (or your friends/family) just how much you care and how much they mean to you.

Fat Tuesday! (or What if I'm NOT Fat?!)

It's that time of year again! The time that we make resolutions and try to make ourselves better. No, silly! I'm not talking about New Year's! I'm talking about Lent. Yes, Lent. 40 wonderful days of self-deprivation in the name of religion.

I actually really love this holiday. I enjoy celebrating it. Last year, my Catholic cousin (she's also a nun) came to visit during Lent. She's amazing. She was absolutely thrilled that I would celebrate it on my own.

This year, I've been pondering my many options. I don't usually go traditional when I do these things. I like meat. I'd have to adjust my diet to make up for the lack of protein...and that's not easy. So meat is a no-go. I've been known to give up caffeine, and I've been contemplating this as an option. But then I think of my busy school/work schedule. Do I really want to give up caffeine? Would I be successful? In past years, it has been easy to do. I don't even miss it. So here are my Lent rules this year:

1. Diet sodas only. If they don't have a diet option then I go with a lemonade or water. (This extra to the rule is added on as a "if I eat out" rule.)
2. Caffeine drinks once a week. So with the above rule, I'd only be allowed diet/caffeine free at a restaurant...it's Utah...it could happen.
3. Abstain from Laziness!!

I worded the last rule that way, since Lent is about giving things up. So, tonight, I'm going to convince my cousin to go to Gold's and get a joint membership (it's 2 for 1) so that we can keep each other on the getting healthy thing!!

And that is my Lent.

Megan2, this is the last time!!

Okay, so I guess it goes something like this. There are some questions, you google your answer to the question and then post the picture that is the most amusing. I guess I'm also supposed to tag someone...so I tag my bestest Megan! (Sorry, I'm bored at work again.)

1. Age I'll be on my next birthday:

Aren't they beautiful? I feel like Lilo and her fat people pictures with this one!

2. Favorite Food:

Yes, I googled a food, and this is what I got. Simply brilliant.

3. Middle Name:

I think she's fabulous. Great representation of my middle name!

4. College Major:

Yeah, it's like super like annoying.

5. Favorite Color:

Hehe. There's no explanation for the coolness of this place!

6. Place I'd like to visit:

Seriously, this represents a place.

7. Place I live: (No, this is not for Provo...)

Gay cowboys!! WOOT! (I couldn't resist it. They were cute!)

And now, my boys!! Aren't they wonderful!? They wear orange...what more could I want?!

8. Name of Past Pet:

This one had to be treated with some respect. As my cat's name was an Indian religion. I think I did well.

9. A Favorite Place:

Who wouldn't love this place?!

10. Favorite Holiday:

What's not to love?! It's the best holiday of the year!!!

11. Bad Habit:

No, it's not get stoned! I swear. But he does look it...hehe...hence, the choosing...

12. Favorite Animal:

On DVD Feb. 5, 2008. And that's all I have to say about that.

Well, that was fun...and work is almost done so yay!

Why do I do these things?

Megan tagged me! And normally, I wouldn't do things like this..but she's being insistent. Okay, 10 quirks about myself.

1. I have a HUGE literary obsession. And NOT with fiction. I prefer to read memoirs and biographies. Occasionally, I can find a novel that doesn't bore me, but it's rare.
2. I'm also obsessed with music. I have a lot of it, but still crave more. I'm also rather picky about my music. I'll listen to pretty much anything - as long as it lives up to my standards.
3. I HATE feet. HATE, HATE, HATE them. I've only found a few situations in which they don't repulse me. And no, I will not share those situations. That information could be used against me.
4. I have an obsession with brushing hair. Okay, with hair in general. I can look at a person and tell by their hair whether or not we'll be friends. I've also sat in classes completely distracted by girl's hair that isn't brushed. Biggest pet peeve: people that could have BEAUTIFUL hair, but don't use a brush enough...it's weird...but it's a quirk...so no mocking! I also love getting my hair done! Someday, I'll hire a personal stylist to come over every day to do my hair...
   
5. I'm obsessed with politics!! I mean OBSESSED!! Obama, is my favorite...and I'll stop there, because I can go on forever!
6. I have OCD issues. I've gotten pretty good about controlling them, but I think I'll spend my Friday night cleaning...unless someone finally asks me out...but I doubt he will.
7. My nephew is the cutest boy ever, and I never need to have kids because I'm so in love with him, that I doubt I could ever love another kid half as much...which isn't fair to my offspring...so I'll refrain.
   
8. I like clothes and make my own jewelry, and I love shoes. I know shoes might seem weird in contrast to my foot hatred, but if I can cover them with something cute, then they're a little less wretched.
9. I love to take pictures. I take hundreds of them. And then I keep them on my computer to someday put into a digital or paper scrapbook.
10. I have a language obsession. I'm going to learn Arabic this summer. :D

There they are! And I think I might tag Eleka...or Megan...I don't know. Maybe both??