Ringing in the Holidays

As this is a blog geared toward college students, I'm sure I don't need to spend time detailing all the stresses that accompany student (read: broke) life.  But just for kicks, here's an illustration demonstrating how I usually spend my time:

The yellow portion of the chart is about to expand with the upcoming finals week.  Placed conveniently before winter break, I usually work so hard studying, forget to sleep, and make myself sick just in time for the holidays and just long enough to put off shopping until December 23rd.

Last year I felt like I didn't even register that the holidays were upon us until they were over.  As college students with a million other worries (like tweeting), sometimes it's easy to let the season go unnoticed, but there are a few easy and cheap ways to get into the holiday season.

Even if your wallet is feeling hungry, you can still "decorate on a dime."  Candy canes are inexpensive but hung up or placed around your house provide a little extra holiday cheer and a snack.

If you're like me, you don't discriminate what time of year is inappropriate to listen to Christmas music and play Jessica Simpson's Christmas album all through July (seriously it's a really good album).  Make a station on Pandora and while you're at it, bust out some classic movies or catch them on TV during ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas.

Research shows that our sense of smell is our most powerful sense.  You can create a cozy aroma in your own house without spending $35 on Yankee Candles (although if you want to by all means...as a sidenote I accept monetary donations as well as gifts in the form of candles, candy, as well as canned goods).  Add some left over orange peels and a little (or a lot, you really can't go wrong) cinnamon into a pot of water over low heat.  It'll leave your house smelling delectable for days.

There are also plenty of holiday-related events coming up on campus, including concerts, carriage rides in the arboretum, and one that I'm particularly excited about...a special screening of Love Actually at Grafton Stovall today through Friday.  Happy Holidays!

Seriously, what part of dressing as an octopus DOESN'T put you in the holiday spirit?

-SD

Harrisonburg on Parade!

Last night was Harrisonburg's annual Christmas parade, which ran down South Main Street in Downtown Harrisonburg.

I went to this parade expecting to see a few people sitting on the sidewalk watching a few halfhearted floats meander down the street.  I was SO wrong.  The Harrisonburg community really put on a good show.   

The parade included floats from churches, girl scout troops and roller skaters.  Bands from local High Schools and JMU's own Marching Royal Dukes were also featured in the parade.

My friends and I were sitting on the side of the road behind a large group of kids.  They LOVED absolutely everything about the parade, and were not afraid to show it.  The kids were laughing, talking, and just enjoying the parade, and seeing how excited they were really made the night for my friends and I.

Makes you wish you were still a little kid at Christmas.  

After the parade was done, we walked around Downtown Harrisonburg admiring the lights, looking through stores, and just mingling with the other people who came out for a festive night.  We got some delicious coffee from a coffee truck on the side of the road and enjoyed the beautiful night.

The night culminated with a performance by the Marching Royal Dukes in Court Square to accompany the Tree Lighting Ceremony.  The MRD's were in their prime (as usual) and the ceremony was very enjoyable.  

I realized that I often get lost in the "JMU Bubble."  I forget that there are lots of other people living in the Harrisonburg community besides JMU students.  Seeing other community members come together for an entertaining event like this definitely makes Harrisonburg feel more like home.  

-RC

Penn State: Road to Recovery

Let’s start a riot. Penn State students have been thrust in to the turmoil currently facing their school. In the past two weeks they have lost a president, a coach, and most recently their credibility.

Students rioted in the streets facing tear gas and police force. Yet that have yet to face their biggest obstacle: the facts.

Regardless of who is specifically at fault, laws were broken. The university did what they thought was best for the school and for the community as a whole.

A detailed summary of the crimes that resulted in the firing of multiple Penn State affiliates including Joe Paterno can be found in the Grand Jury’s report regarding Sandusky. Grand Jury Report

Penn State has a long journey on the road to recovering their reputation. Years of violence against young boys went unnoticed and many people who had privilege to this information remained silent. 

Students began rioting in the streets not because of these injustices but because their football coach was fired. Students tipped over a media van chanting “one more game!”

The desire to have coach Joe Paterno reinstated resulted in violent acts including lighting fires on local streets. ”Joe Paterno is bigger than football,” said Jen Knoll a senior at Penn State, but that is exactly what the students are reducing this incident to, football.

Yet no one rioted for the boys who were raped and silenced. No one rioted for the lives that were forever altered in those locker rooms.

Instead students rioted over one man, one more football game, and one result: get Joe Pa back. These outrageous riots in the streets lost students their credibility as sound-minded individuals and manifested as rowdy school children.

These acts of outrage finally subsided. When these torrents of discontent ceased, Penn State took a step on the road to recovery.

Slowly but surely, students may be realizing that football is just a game and they are more than what headlines are proclaiming.

The community of a school is not defined by one horrible act. Yet, how a student body comes together in the face of scandal or heartbreak can speak volumes.

Some Penn State students attended the last game of the season adorned in blue. This blue showed more than school spirit, it was a response to all those victimized. The “blue out” was in support of foundations that advocated against child abuse.

As fans glanced over and saw that sea of blue, students finally got the response they not only wanted but also greatly needed. People stopped and saw that Penn State’s reputation may be damaged but it is not broken.

The peaceful response of students showed that despite allegations and rioting, there was grief. That is community. That is a positive lifestyle. “We are Penn State,” as Knoll so tactfully put it, “and we will not be defeated."


-KP

Lessons Learned from Black Friday

It was the night of Thanksgiving when I see my parents and family friends scrounging for deals in the newspaper. Coupon clippings were all that I could see on the evening before the biggest shopping day of the year. It has basically represented the Superbowl of shopping since only the strong willed and disciplined people are able to brave the cold winds and stand outside in long lines before midnight. 

This year, Black Friday brought the biggest vengeance since the death of a Walmart worker a couple years ago. Since stores had earlier opening times, a woman in LA who was trying to buy an Xbox used pepper spray on nearby customers to gain an advantage on the limited amount of products. Many shoplifters were bloodied by cops in Phoenix, and shots were fired near a California mall. It was important to be extra careful that day, so when I went out to shop and score some deals, I learned a few lessons along the way. 

The hottest and cheapest deals have the most scarcity. The idea of luring customers with a few doorbuster deals has been a staple of businesses during Black Friday. They thrive on the idea of scarcity and when something is scarce, it’s more valued.  However, I realized that waiting in long lines is not really worth it because once you get into the store, the best deals are usually gone. It was a little too late when I realized that the $12 hoodies from Aeropostale were already gone.

If you don’t wake up in time, it’s not the end of the world. Most deals last longer than the opening hours of the day and they usually last all the way till Sunday. I thought it would be impossible to score $13 shoes from Payless but when I came back to campus on Sunday, I still had time to drive and get two pairs of shoes before 5pm. 

It’s better to go after a niche of similar items. Trust me, it’s a lot easier just buying clothes on one day rather than trying to score everything on your list. For example, you will save time and probably have the leisure to get the most scarce and hottest deals if you go after only electronics than trying to also buy toys and clothes. There will be less stores to drive to and you will probably be less tired. 

Be smarter than the marketing team and DO NOT impulse buy. It is so easy to get lost in the hussle of wanting to buy everything on Black Friday that we sometimes waste more money than actually saving. Keep a list of everything that you need to buy and do not go beyond that. If you see a deal at a store that you did not know about, reduce your urge to buy and grab some gum instead to keep you at bay.

 -Sarah Hasnain

Harrisonburg Gift Ideas

Wondering what to get your loved one this holiday?  Downtown Harrisonburg offers many unique options for this gift-giving season.  Here is a list of some stores and what they have to offer.

Artisan’s Hope - http://www.artisanshope.com/

This store has a wide variety of fair-trade, sustainable, and environmentally friendly gifts.  It contains everything from scarves and jewelry to hammocks and vases.  Come in to check out unique gifts from all over the globe.    

The Yellow Button - http://www.shopyellowbutton.com/

Have a fashionista on your list?  The yellow button will be the perfect stopping point for you.  This chic boutique has racks upon racks of colorful, brand-name clothing that will be sure to please.   

Dragonflies Toys - 540.437.1888

This fun childrens store is great for the youngsters.  Brightly colored toys line the shelves of this quaint shop.  However, do not expect to find Barbies, Tonka Trucks, or other well known brands of toys.  Dragonflies is stocked with unique toys from local or small manufacturers.  

If you’d rather give a hands-on present, think about taking your recipient to You Made It!, a make-your-own pottery store that will allow you to get your creative juices flowing.

If your gift recipient is a foodie, consider buying a gift certificate to one of Downtown Harrisonburg’s many delicious restaurants, such as Clementines, Dave’s Taverna, Jack Browns, or Beyond. 

Happy Shopping!

-RC

How To: Survive the Holidays

Duck, duck, duck...TURKEY!

The holidays are upon us everyone! That means gift-giving, happy family fun time, and delicious food. On the flip side, it also means budget-draining present-searching, awkward small talk with distant relatives, and gaining back all the weight you’ve worked all semester to lose. Still excited?

I’m just kidding, a lot of people like the holidays (including me, although it may not sound like it). I just always seem to find a way to make myself stressed out, but this year I’m going to try a new approach.

First of all, I started buying gifts for my family members back in August, when I still had some money I earned from my summer job. I’m also aiming to make as many gifts as I can myself. This lady-blogger has a whole bunch of great do-it-yourself craft ideas. You can also write letters to people telling them about how you are thankful they are in your life. My brother did this last year for my mom and she cried (out of happiness), so I guess that’s a success for him at literally no cost. If people seem to be displeased with your slice-and-bake cookies or hand-turkey cards, simply reiterate over and over that you are in college and VERY VERY POOR.

But really, who wouldn't want this??  Check out the recipe here.

Ah, family. I personally love my family but sometimes I am just not trying to tell them what I’m majoring in for the fifth time. Family gatherings are not always the most fun part of the holiday but usually there is your aunt’s delicious pecan pie and some funny/embarrassing stories about your dad as a kid. It’s hard to avoid the 5 hours of small talk that come with these gatherings, so my best advice is to adjust your attitude. Remind yourself that you don’t see these people very often, make up lies about your career goals to entertain yourself (“I’m really looking into the circus after college, ‘Water for Elephants’ just really inspired me”), or get a third serving of cake. Whatever you have to do to get through this sacred family time.  Hopefully your family isn't (is?) like this one...

Photo courtesy of awkwardfamilyphotos.com.

Speaking of cake, there’s the exponential increase in calorie consumption that comes with the holiday season. Not everybody is a calorie counter, and it’s my belief that no one should be during the holiday months. I’m in no way a health-nazi, but diet and exercise are certainly interests of me, mostly because I’m a huge nerd (if you ever want to talk about carbohydrates or fat calories holla at me). However, I do miss the days of my childhood when I could eat 8 cookies without thinking twice about it. Regarding turkey, stuffing, macaroni and cheese, and 17 assorted desserts, just be smart about it and take it in moderation. Also, remember that you can always exercise but you cannot always stuff your face with biscuits. Don’t let your fear of gaining weight keep you from eating what you want, and keep these habits in mind.

Hopefully you’re still excited about the upcoming celebrations and remember to enjoy all the great parts of the holidays. I know I’m about to enjoy one great part…I think I smell my mom’s sausage bread, and I think it’s my responsibility to go check on that…Happy Thanksgiving!

-SD

How To: Make Your Own Cleaning Supplies

Although most of us would much rather go to Walmart and just buy generic cleaning products, there are other alternative ways to save our money such as making our own cleaning supplies. Not only does it save money in our wallets, it makes good environmental sense as well. Homemade cleaning agents are much safer and healthier for everyone because it does not contain some of the harsh chemicals that are found in many store bought cleaners. It’s a lot easier than what you may think, as long as you have the desire to get clean and green. 

 

 WHAT SUPPLIES YOU’LL NEED:

You need very few supplies to make homemade cleaning products. Most of the items you need will most likely be around the house already.

1. A few plain old spray bottles. You can purchase some, or clean out your old ones (the ones that had icky cleaners in them) and reuse them.
2. Box of baking soda.
3. Table salt.
4. Bottle of white distilled vinegar.
5. Good old plain tap water.
6. Olive oil.
7. Natural soap
8. Fresh lemons.
9. Organic essential oil of tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus, lemongrass and rosemary. You don’t need all of them, but having at least a couple on hand is helpful.
10. Some eco-friendly sponges or cloths. Or simply buy a pack of washcloths, use old cloth diapers, make cloths out of ripped clothes, and so on.

EASY, GREEN CLEANING SUPPLY RECIPES:

Window wash: Many people who are die-hard into green cleaning love vinegar and water as a window wash. Simply mix 3 tablespoons vinegar with 2 cups of water (or for a bigger job – 1/2 cup vinegar to 1 gallon water) and spray right on your windows. Vinegar works great on glass but I also hunted down an alternative one in case you don’t like the smell. You can also use straight fresh lemon juice or club soda to get your windows and other glass items sparkling clean. Spritz your glass with club soda and scrub with recycled newspaper. If you use straight lemon juice, use a lint-free cloth to scrub with.

All-purpose disinfectant: Mix 2 cups water, a few drops of natural soap, and 15 drops each of tea tree and lavender organic essential oil. You can spray this on all kinds of home surfaces – changing tables, cutting boards, toilets, sinks, walls, and more. Just don’t use this on glass, as it will streak. This basic cleaner is so safe and gentle you could literally spray it on anyone, and they’d be fine.  

Scrubbing toilets: Drizzle your toilet bowl with vinegar, lemon juice, or spray on some of your all-purpose disinfectant. Sprinkle with baking soda. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Scrub with toilet brush. This mix will also clean sinks perfectly.

Fast non-toxic oven cleaning: You don’t want to use conventional oven cleaners – any product that requires open windows and gloves to use, is not ok to use around yourself. The best tip is to not wait to clean your oven when it gets dirty. An old stain is harder to clean. To clean oven stains naturally, sprinkle table salt liberally on the hot spill before your oven cools down. Allow the oven to cool. Grab a damp cloth and rub off the spill.

Courtesy of http://www.inhabitots.com/how-to-make-kid-safe-homemade-green-cleaning-supplies/

-Sarah Hasnain