Rebecca Rash

Freshman, Zoology major

Did the “New Year, ; New You” attitude dwindle as January passed? The end of the holidays can definitely dampen the spirit of New Year’s resolutions. A new semester has begun, and it’s back to the coffee-filled, living-in-the-library work schedule we’ve all become familiar with in the fall semester. But while the start of a new year can sometimes look bleak compared to the fun of Christmas break, changing one’s outlook can turn 2015 into something enchanting. And of course, why not continue the holiday spirit leftover from December? To beat the back-to-work blues, all you need is a dash of the bizarre and a hint of optimism. So let me present:

Dubious Holidays that should be Celebrated Anyway: A List

March 25th: International Waffle Day

The English language was first graced with the word “waffle” in 1725. Before then, the English-speaking world lacked the goodness that is basically a pancake on steroids. In the words of the great Leslie Knope, “We need to remember what’s important in life. Friends, waffles, and work. Or waffles, friends, work. It doesn’t matter. But work is third.” If any of these instructions are new to you, please, go eat a waffle right now. Don’t even wait for this day.

April 14th: International Moment of Laughter Day

Did you miss April 1st? Here’s your second chance! Play a prank, tell a joke, or watch a comedy movie. For those with limited time or attention, watch a vine. Sometimes it’s good to remember not to take yourself too seriously.

May 15th: National Sea Monkey Day

Sea monkeys are a shrimp and look absolutely nothing like monkeys. Their first marketer, Harold von Braunhut, named them after our primate friends because of their tails. Astronaut John Glenn took sea monkeys into space. They were returned to Earth unaffected by their space voyage. Sea monkeys actually look really scary in real life, but the nostalgia (almost) makes up for it.

June 23rd: National Pink Day

Wear pink! It’s an awesome color, reminiscent of love, flowers, the insides of seashells and flamingos. People of all genders can participate! End the stigma of pink as a girl’s color and the stigma of a girly color as embarrassing to men.

July 2nd: World UFO Day

Get ready because if aliens love irony as much as I do, they’d definitely invade the Earth on this day. Brush up on your history because people’s fascination with aliens has spread across cultures and continents. I recommend watching the X-Files for mystery, ET for a cathartic cry, and Ancient Aliens for a laugh. There’s not been much publicity for this day…maybe it’s a government conspiracy after all…

August 17th: National Thrift Shop Day

Step 1: go to the thrift shop down the road.

Step 2: look incredible.

September 19th: Talk Like a Pirate Day

Why does a pirate take so long to learn the alphabet? Because they can spend years at C! Tell some corny jokes like the one above and get all your friends to participate with an embarrassed “aaaaargh.”

October 31st: Increase Your Psychic Powers Day

Celebrate this obscure gem. Halloween is so mainstream. Learn some spells and break out the ouijaOuija board. Meditate, put on a little southern gothic music, light some candles, and increase your intuition. Sometimes, with all the craziness going on in a college student’s life, a little self-awareness can be healthy.

November 12th: Forget-Me-Not Day

Use this day to reconnect with family and friends. Show gratitude for those in your life.

December 16th: National Chocolate Covered Anything Day

I feel like I’ve been waiting for this day my entire life. The possibilities are endless! Chocolate fondue is probably the easiest way to get creative, but bake any type of cookie covered in chocolate or drizzle chocolate syrup over ice cream and your taste buds will probably thank you. So go forth and conquer that apathy that the new yearNew Year can bring! Make up your own holidays if you desire; creativity is one of the best cures for melancholy. 2015 can refresh your optimism. You just have to let it.