Love - by Keyna

It’s that time of year again! The stores are full of reds and pinks and CHOCOLATE! Valentine’s Day is, without a doubt, one of my favorite holidays. It is not just about romance, but all kinds of love. If you find that Valentine’s Day puts in a little bit of a slump, do something kind for someone else! It can be for a friend or someone that you don’t even know. By brightening someone else’s day, you will immediately cheer up so spread some LOVE this Valentine’s Day with Random Acts of Kindness! Here are some ideas to get you started:

•    Hold the door open for someone.
•    Let someone go ahead of you in line.
•    Sit by someone new at lunch…you just might make a new friend!
•    Pay for the person behind you!
•    Write a “Thank you” letter to someone that has made a difference in your life.
•    Have a friend that’s also stuck in a Valentine’s Day slump? Send her flowers.
•    Give someone a hug!
•    Share a compliment.
•    Call a friend that you haven’t seen in a while.
•     Smile at everyone you see!
•    Tape change to vending machines!
 
I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day! How much love will you spread?

Keyna Hoselton is a college freshman at Oklahoma City University in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma majoring in Dance Performance with a possible minor in History. Originally from Fargo, North Dakota, Keyna was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of North Dakota for 2012. Learn more about Keyna here!

Holiday Distractions - by Emily

Whether you’re in high school or in college, the month leading up to the holidays and the end of the school semester can be distracting amongst all the holiday cheer. The end of the school semester comes with final projects, tests, and class wrap-ups. Along with that comes the stress of holiday gift shopping and present wrapping. It can be tough to juggle the urge to bake holiday cookies and sing carols when you know you have a final to study for! I’ve created a list of five ways to keep you from getting too distracted during the holiday season so that all you’re work can be done in time to sit by the fire and enjoy time with family, friends, and true holiday spirit.

1.     Plan out you’re gift shopping. Whether you’re shopping for Christmas, Hanukah, or any other Holiday this time of year, the month of December is the best and worst time to shop. It’s great because there are many sales and specials along with cute holiday themed items perfect for whomever you are buying for. At the same time, this can complicate things. I know I find myself aimlessly walking around the mall every December overwhelmed with all the options and wasting time wandering into every store trying to find the perfect gift. The key is to think ahead and figure out what you are going to get for who and where the best place is to go so you can get all you’re gifts in one shopping trip. Look for specials daily so you can get the best price. Overall, plan out you’re gift shopping so you can save money and time.

2.     Take Advantage of DVR. I know for me ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas is the most distracting part of the holiday season. I may have a ten-page paper to write for my College Writing final and a Chemistry exam to study for, but when Elf is on how can I not drop everything and watch it? This can very quickly cause problems. What I suggest is to DVR or record the movies you want to watch so you can watch them later when all your work is done. Another perk to that is you get to fast-forward through all the commercials! If you don’t have a DVR, find a friend that does and ask them to record the movies and plan a movie day with them when the semester is over. That way you can get all you’re work done on time without feeling like you are missing out. Then, you can celebrate by embracing the holidays with a movie marathon.

3.     The end of the semester is supposed to motivate you, not discourage you. For many of us, myself included, the end of the semester and winter break nearing can often deter us from our schoolwork. We can see that the end is near, so we get careless and tell ourselves “Oh well, I’m pretty much done anyways, so why bother studying?” Don’t let that be you’re attitude! Use the end of the semester as you’re motivation! Be positive and work hard in your last few weeks of classes and don’t throw away all the work you’ve done in the past semester. Make it count for something and say to yourself “Once I ace this final I can enjoy the holidays on a positive note.”

4.     Procrastinate productively. I understand that it’s hard not to procrastinate on any normal day, so during the holiday season it can be even harder.  I’ve found that there are ways to take a study break while still being productive. Use your gift shopping as a way to take a break, or go to the gym and use that time to listen to Christmas music to get into the spirit. It’s important too to make a list of the things you need to accomplish in the time frame that you have so that you know when you can afford a study break. You don’t have to avoid holiday cheer all together, just be aware of what you need to get done and fit in a study break as part of your schedule.

5.     Be thankful. Thanksgiving is the only holiday that deserves a recollection of all we can be thankful for. Enjoy the little things and treasure the memories. I remember when I was young my sisters and I would wake up at 4:00 on Chirstmas morning just to sit in front of our tree and stare at our presents until our parents woke up, because we weren’t allowed to open presents without them. Those are the little things I miss, but as we all grow older we find more and more things to be thankful for and can appreciate even more about life. During one of your study breaks, think about those less fortunate and make an effort to give to those who need it. There are more opportunities than you’d think to support someone else and spread a little holiday cheer to everyone, especially those who don’t always get to celebrate. So amidst all the overwhelming and exciting things that come with this time of year, make sure you find a moment to sit back, relax, and appreciate.

Happy holidays to everyone! Hope this helps you embrace this season while being as productive as you can.

Emily Thomas is a college freshman at Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts majoring in Chemistry and Secondary Education. Originally from Bridgewater, Massachusetts, Emily was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Massachusetts for 2012. Learn more about Emily here!

The Story of Mr. Branch - by Christina

My dad is one of the most influential people in my life.  One of the things that is most unique to him is his gift for writing and telling stories.  They manage to oftentimes nudge me in the right direction in life and serve as a comfort for me.  A few years ago, he shared this story with me and every year around Christmas time, it reminds me of the spirit of the season.  Here is the story, as told to me by my dad:

When I was in high school, I had a job at Jackson's IGA in Pink Hill, North Carolina, bagging groceries.  I worked there often during the winter when there was less work to do on the farm. 

One year, we were planning to have Santa in our store for the kids on Saturday before Christmas. For more than a week, I reminded parents and kids as I took their groceries to their car that Santa would be in the store on that particular Saturday. I found myself looking forward to seeing the eager faces and looks of wonder when they came into the store and saw Santa. 

When I arrived at the store that particular Saturday, I was crushed to learn that the scheduled Santa was unable to make it. But it was even more unbelievable to learn there was no back up plan. All I could think about was all those kids that I had encouraged to return and how disappointed they would be. "How can Santa just not show up?" I kept asking myself. Finally, I had an idea. If no one would step up, maybe our store manager would let ME be Santa. He not only agreed but he also let me use his car to drive the 40 mile round trip to Kinston where Mrs. Lib Watson turned a very skinny 6' tall, 160 pound kid into Santa Claus. Pulling her late husband's Santa suit from storage, she used every pillow, sheet and towel in the house to help me fill it up. I still imagine what must have been going through motorists minds that morning as they saw Santa flying by in a brown 1975 El Camino! Although Santa would be late, he would NOT be a no-show!

I enjoyed every moment of my store job that day. The excitement on the faces of the kids was the perfect reward for a frantic morning and the sweltering environment inside that suit. But there was a side story developing that day that became more meaningful to me in my adult years. Early afternoon, an old black gentleman walked into the store and towards my direction. Although I didn't know his name at the time, I had seen this man many times making the short walk along NC Highway 11 into town and back home again. I knew where he lived - an old, unpainted, deteriorating plank sided house with a rusty tin roof - but, being a busy white kid with places to go and too many things to do, we didn't run in the same circles and this was the first time I had seen him this close.

"Well Merry Christmas, young man!" I exclaimed. "What do you want Santa to bring you this Christmas?"

"You never come to see me at Christmas. Why would I ask for anything?" He stopped and stared at me with no particular emotion on his face that I can recall. I was stunned and heartbroken at the same time. How can anyone feel that way at Christmas time I wondered? Not knowing exactly how to respond, I quickly said with a confidence that surprised even me:

"I don't come to see everyone on Christmas day. Sometimes I come at other times of the year when you don't expect me. It may be small but I always come, because I always care."

He nodded his head as if to say "good day" and moved on through the store. The powerful moment was soon lost on this 16 year old as more kids came in to see "Santa." As I was finishing up with a kid giving me his robust wish list, I noticed a quiet, still figure over my left shoulder. When I turned, I saw the old man politely, patiently waiting to see Santa again. This time, it was his turn to talk.

"Santa, I thought about what you said and I know it's true. I should be thankful. I got to thinking about how you do all the giving and you probably never get anything from anyone, so here." He extended a small brown paper bag. I took it and pulled out a quart of eggnog. Unlike our first encounter, I was speechless. This gentle spirit who had not known material prosperity, took from his own meager purse and bought something for a stranger. He was giving what he could from a sincere heart. When I finally composed myself and turned to speak, he was gone.

I've learned to appreciate that story more now as an adult. So at Christmas, I choose to honor Mr. Branch's memory. I want others to know the lessons I've learned from his simple act. Each year, I choose 11 people (in memory of his walks along Highway 11) to receive a quart of eggnog in a brown paper bag with this story attached. I ask each person to share this story and a quart of eggnog - in a brown paper bag of course - with two other people (one a friend and one a stranger) because this story began with two people from very different worlds.

There is something about the holiday season that suddenly brings things into focus.  With Bing Crosby's rendition of White Christmas playing out of nearly every speaker in existence, red Salvation Army bells ringing in nearly every street corner and beautifully sculpted and reverently arranged life-size nativity scenes standing in front of churches hemmed with garland and candles, it's as if a contagious generosity, usually smothered by the hectic pace of life, suddenly thrives.  Not only does this generosity thrive, but it is no longer limited to the people we normally notice.  We begin to notice the people who the world oftentimes forgets or dismisses because they live in the shadows of our society, people like Mr. Branch.

Who is in the shadows of your life?  Is it the guy who sits quietly and somberly in the back of your Psychology class, afraid to talk to anyone?  Is it the homeless woman who you always pass on your way to the gym, but never acknowledge?  Is it the friendly but lonely old man who swipes your Student I.D. card in the dining hall each day? My dad reached out to someone who often went unnoticed.  He was amazed by all that Mr. Branch had to offer.  Because of Mr. Branch, my dad now reaches out to more people every Christmas.  You never know at first glance what you can learn from someone.  This holiday season, may we reach out in a spirit of uninhibited giving not limited by the lines we have perhaps unknowingly drawn. I think we may be surprised by what we learn and that in giving, we do indeed receive.

Christina Maxwell is a college freshman at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan majoring in Musical Theatre. Originally from Asheville , North Carolina, Christina was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of North Carolina for 2012 and the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2012. Learn more about Christina here!

A Do-It-Yourself Christmas - by Chloe

Thanksgiving has passed, SOOOOO…… Let’s talk about CHRISTMAS!  Now I don’t know about all of you, but I LOVE CHRISTMAS. I love the season of family, friends, snow, and gift giving. I have always loved giving other people gifts, it is my favorite of the love languages, because it gives me so much joy to watch someone open a present and show them how much they mean to me. However, as a poor college student, I don’t have money to be spending on expensive presents, even with my Black Friday Steals!  So, I scoured Pinterest for some awesome, cheap, DIY gift ideas! Here are just a few of my favorites!

1. Ornaments filled with glitter. No, seriously. It is just a clear ornament filled with your choice of colorful glitter and then you can personalize it with a name written in puff-paint or permanent marker and a cool ribbon! 

2. No-sew tie Blankets. We have all seen these, and I have made them for family and this year a friend of mine will be getting one for Christmas!(SHHH Don’t Tell) It is just two, 2-yard pieces of your choice of fleece that are laid on tops of each other and then cut in 1-inch sections and tied around the entire outside of the blanket. This can be kind of expensive if you buy fancy fleece, but they also make great baby blankets or pillows and those only take one yard or even half of a yard of each piece! They are super warm and great for napping! (Every college kid loves her naps)

3. Friendship Bracelets. These are super cheap to make. They use embroidery floss and come in varying styles! They can be made in any color and are great for stocking stuffers or for smaller gifts for friends!

4. Button Jewelry. Okay this is in honor of my good friend Emily who makes practically ALL of her jewelry out of old buttons. Let’s face it, we all have a million buttons laying around, because every shirt, skirt, jacket, etc. that has buttons comes with spare buttons, SO why not make those spare buttons into matching jewelry?! They are truly adorable. You can thread them on a nice string, chord, or ribbon for a cute necklace or bracelet, or hot glue them to earring studs (these can be purchased at Hobby Lobby or other craft stores for CHEAP!). 

I hope this has given you some fabulous ideas for this Christmas that might save you a few dollars! Have a great Holiday season. 

Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas,

Chloe

Chloe McLaughlin is a college freshman at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana majoring in Church Music and Christian Worship. Originally from Frankfort, Indiana, Chloe was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Indiana for 2012. Learn more about Chloe here!