Note:
Due to an unfortunate and unforeseen personal event, I apologize for the delay
in updating you on each day’s National Holiday from May 22 until today (June 14).
For those of you who have contacted me, thank you for your concern and
understanding. Your patience and support during this difficult time has been
appreciated.
Now
that we’re back, let’s see what we’ve missed:
May
22: National Buy-A-Musical Instrument Day
Music
is such an important part of developing a child’s (well, any person’s, really) creativity.
This holiday is an effort to get potential and already existing musicians to
purchase an instrument and learn to play it, or to try something new!
May
23: World Turtle Day
World
Turtle Day is a day to celebrate the awesomeness of turtles! When I think of
turtles, though, I think fondly of the VP-Academic at Acadia University who
happens to LOVE turtles! This, of course, resulted in my having to sing him the
theme song to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Sure, this seems like not such
a big deal, except that it was the first time I had ever met him…I’m sure he
wondered how I ever got accepted!
May
24: National Escargot Day
National
Escargot Day is meant to show appreciation of such a delicacy. Escargot can be served in many
forms, such as garlic butter, wine or with various herbs in an oil base…or as
my brother’s roommate would suggest, with Kumquats. Please note I do not, in
any way, endorse such a combination.
UPDATE (June 30, 2013):
Dear friends,
As noted above, the suggestion of marrying escargot with kumquats was suggested as being a good combination. To be fair, the person responsible for this very suggestion had neither previously tried escargot, nor had knowledge of what a kumquat was, and most certainly was not serious about this suggestion. Regardless, I challenged him to try it. The escargot were prepared and with a mouthful of each component of the pairing, I must say it wasn't...awful. BUT, it also wasn't great. So, the moral of the story is, a) don't make silly food suggestions and not expect me to call you on it, and b) give silly food suggestions a try. Even though this didn't turn out to be the greatest thing ever, I have certainly consumed much worse! You've won this round, sir.
UPDATE (June 30, 2013):
Dear friends,
As noted above, the suggestion of marrying escargot with kumquats was suggested as being a good combination. To be fair, the person responsible for this very suggestion had neither previously tried escargot, nor had knowledge of what a kumquat was, and most certainly was not serious about this suggestion. Regardless, I challenged him to try it. The escargot were prepared and with a mouthful of each component of the pairing, I must say it wasn't...awful. BUT, it also wasn't great. So, the moral of the story is, a) don't make silly food suggestions and not expect me to call you on it, and b) give silly food suggestions a try. Even though this didn't turn out to be the greatest thing ever, I have certainly consumed much worse! You've won this round, sir.
May
25: International Geek Pride Day
Woo!
International Geek Pride Day! Geeks make the world a better place. Need I say
more?
May 26: National Blueberry Cheesecake Day
While
cheesecake is anything less than my favourite thing to eat, I find it
appropriate that this day, in particular, was a cheesecake related holiday. The
blueberry factor is irrelevant, just that it was one of my Mom’s fave things to
make, and this was the day we said goodbye to her.
May 27: National Grape Popsicle Day
This
marks a fairly good holiday, but would be better if it were just National Grape
POP Day! Grape Crush was the best! Is that still made? If so what about the
lime flavor? We used to drink that by the flat in the summer when we were kids!
May 28: National Hamburger Day
Who
doesn’t love a good hamburger? Well, apparently not many, because they made it
a holiday to celebrate them! Traditionally, hamburgers are made with ground
beef, but nowadays they can be made with a variety of meats including pork,
chicken, and even a soy-based version.
May 29: International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers
United Nations
Peacekeepers “monitor
and observe peace processes in post-conflict areas and assist ex-combatants in
implementing the peace agreements they may have signed. Such assistance comes
in many forms, including confidence-building measures, power-sharing
arrangements, electoral support, strengthening the rule of law, and economic
and social development.” That about sums it up.
May 30: National My Bucket’s Got A Hole In It Day
Now,
I’m not sure of this is fact or not, but I believe this holiday is a
celebration of the loveable children’s song, “There’s A Hole In My Bucket.” Do
not quote me on this, but I feel that I am correct…maybe…I hope…
May 31: National Speak in Complete Sentences Day
This
holiday is one that many of us need to practice everyday! So. Do that. Eh?
June 1: National Go Barefoot Day
Okay,
I’m not going to lie, at first I thought this was National Go BIGfoot Day, and
I thought, Whoa! Bigfoot is awesome! But, it turns out it’s a day to let your
feet lose and go barefoot! This of course, is actually way better to me than
Bigfoot day, but I’ll leave this one up to you!
June 2: National Bubba Day
Today is National Bubba
Day. I in no way know what this means, but today is for my Mom. You see, she
recently passed away, and one of the things that stressed her most in life, was
her neighbor Bubba. When I was beginning to look at the National Days ahead, I
saw this day, and made a note, which read, “for Mom.” I’m not sure what I was
supposed to write, but Muj, this was supposed to be for you!
June 3: National Egg Day
What
an egg-cellent holiday! How shell we celebrate? Not diggin’ my yokes, eh? Well
then, perhaps I should move on… you know what eggs are, and you either like
them or you don’t. Personally, I prefer them in chocolate, mini form.
June
4: International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression/Hug
Your Cat Day
This dual national day
is both pleasant and disheartening. On the one hand, who doesn’t love to
snuggle their cat? On the other hand, children should not be subjected to abuse
in any form (mind you, neither should animals or any other human for that
matter). Unfortunately, as we see all to often on news reports, there are far
too many instances of child abuse. This needs to stop. Insert
excellent/important awareness day.
June 5: World Environment Day
Many
of you probably associate me with being an environmentalist, and yes, I
probably did too. But, I’m learning this isn’t so much the case, I’m more so an
anthropocentric-minded looking for ways to enable my species to endure on this
planet as long as possible, hence requiring the planet to be in a state of
continual health and human-centered productivity. I’m not sure if this fits
into the goals of World Environment Day, but its how I’m feeling. So there!
It’s also my little Snip's birthday!
June 6: National Yo-Yo Day
Yo-yo’s
are pretty fun…if you can do the tricks! A yo-yo is “an object consisting of an axle
connected to two disks, and a length of twine looped around the axle, similar
to a slender spool. It is played by holding the free end of the string (usually
by inserting one finger in a slip knot) allowing gravity or the force of a
throw to spin the yo-yo and unwind the string (similar to how a pullstring
works), then allowing the yo-yo to wind itself back to one's hand, exploiting
its spin (and the associated rotational energy).” I tried to find a cool
inforgraphic to give you an idea of the various tricks one can do with a
yo-yo…this is what I found:
June 7: National VCR Remembrance Day
Ah,
VCRs, or videocassette recorders as they are properly known! Remember how the
tape used to get caught in the machine, and one of your parents (or yourself)
would curse out loud trying to get it untangled and workable?! Good times. It’s
amazing to think just how much, and yet how little the technology has changed. I
hope you were all able to take a moment to reflect on past VCR experiences. In
case you were not able to on June 7, I ask that you now take a few moments and
pay your respects to a technology so many of us used to pass the days of our
childhood!
June 8: National Ocean’s Day
National
Ocean’s Day is intended to celebrate and appreciate all that the ocean and its
many parts and organisms provide us (and, really the planet as a whole!). Its
pretty crazy to think just how much we rely on the health and productivity of
the ocean, and also just how much our species has begun to destroy it! Don’t
believe me? Check out this documentary, called Garbage Island!
June 9: National Donald Duck Day
What
is there really to say about Donald
Duck? Well, he was created by Walt Disney in 1934 and is one of the most
popular Disney characters of all time! He has appeared in 178 movies (while
poor ‘ol Mickey has only had 137)! He is known as having either a positive
outlook or a short temper. Hmmm…some might describe me in the same light!
June 10: National Iced Tea Day
Iced tea is “a form of cold tea, usually served
in a glass with ice. It may or may not be sweetened.” There are many variations
depending on various cultural preferences around the world! Some are made from
actual tea, while others are made with a powdered mix!
June 11: National Corn on the Cob Day
Okay,
so I think it’s pretty safe to say that corn on the cob is amazing! I love it
with a heap of butter and a load of pepper, or sometimes (and just go with me
on this one), cooked and cold out of the fridge! Regardless of how I or anyone
else prefers it, I think it goes without saying that this delicious veg
deserves a day in its honour!
June 12: National Peanut Butter Cookie Day
Yuuuummmmm
peanut butter cookies! I’m not much of a cookie fan, but I gotta say, I do
enjoy a little PB cookie action from time to time! My summer roommate has me
hooked on a gluten free version, which I’m pretty certain with a few key
ingredients we added is the filling of Reese’s famous Cups! Just sayin’! Plus,
they are super good raw! Oh cookie dough, how I have underestimated your
awesomeness!
June 13: National Lobster Day
As
an Atlantic Canadian, I feel today’s holiday is important! Lobster is an
amazing snack, dinner, chip flavor…or so I’m told. You see, when I learned
about these lobster-flavored chips, I was pretty excited about the idea. So, I
did what any lobster loving person would do – I flirted with the chip guy from
work until he brought me in a bag to try. But, it turns out after months of
hard work, they contained soy, so it was a no-go for me! Apparently they just
taste like BBQ chips! Lobster is, in fact, the topic of a lot of debate in my
region of the world. Fishermen are in constant battle with the government to
set better pricing regulations, as they are no longer able to charge fair
prices due to market demands. So many people rely on these jobs/profits to
provide for their families. While I see both sides, I think a happy medium
should certainly be sought!
June 14: National Blood Donor Day
Okay,
so blood donation is something we need to truly appreciate! Every year millions
of liters are required to help save lives! According to the Canadian Blood Services website “approximately every
minute of every day, someone in Canada needs blood.” That’s pretty significant,
folks! This isn’t even always just for accident victims, this can be for
various surgeries, cancer treatments, etc. Sure, the idea of having a needle
shoved in your arm is kind of terrifying, but really it’s only a few minutes of
YOUR life, that could make a lifetime of a difference to someone else! So, what’s
your excuse for not going?! Make an appointment with your local blood donor
clinic today, and help change a life or two! Plus…you get good cookies after
you’re through!
So
there you have it folks! There is your update on the National Holidays you’ve
missed out on! Thank you again for your patience during the past few weeks.
Stay tuned tomorrow for the regular scheduled blog updates, along with poll
questions!
Have
you missed the poll questions? Click here
to participate in a bonus “make-up” poll!
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