Happy Valentine’s Day!

This one is going out to all the LOVERS in the world…. an oldie but a goodie from Jazz royalty, Nat King Cole, “LOVE”!

L is for the way you look at me
O is for the only one I see
V is very, very extraordinary
E is even more than anyone that you adore can

Love is all that I can give to you
Love is more than just a game for two
Two in love can make it
Take my heart and please don’t break it
Love was made for me and you

At our wedding, our DJ had anyone who wanted the bride and groom to kiss come up front and sing a song with the word LOVE in the lyrics- of course this one was performed (by my husband’s cousin I believe).  It was really a cute thing to do and that portion of our video is one of the best!

Happy Valentine’s Day, Celebrate Holiday readers!

XOXO, Michelle

Epiphany, or Three Kings Day, or Gamy’s Birthday. Your choice.

Hello, Celebrate Holiday friends!

Today we celebrate the religious feast of the Epiphany, also known as the Theophany or Three Kings Day. Usually celebrated on January sixth, or the first Sunday in January, the Ephiphany is considered to be the day that the three Kings or Magi visited the baby Jesus and presented Him with their gifts.

Or the day when we take down our Christmas decorations.

Epiphany Cartoon via la.metblogs.com

In my family, this holiday is never forgotten because it is also my mother’s birthday and because of it, she was named for the three Kings: GAspar, MELchior, BAltazar: GAMELBA.

Of all her siblings (6) which are named with “E” names, she alone got the most creative name I’ve EVER seen. And in true Pinay style, she’s got a nickname: Gamy. As in “G-yammy” not “GAME-y”.

Being Filipina, I have a nickname, too- bet you can’t guess it! No it’s not “Ni” or “Mari-shel” or “Bing” (all the Filippinos are laughing now).

At any rate, Mom, I dedicated this post to you: Happy Birthday! And don’t post my nickname here when you read this!

Be an Angel Day

Be an Angel Day is a special day founded by Jayne Howard Feldman to encourage us to be kind, help others, and be a blessing in someone’s life. Ms. Feldman says she was inspired by angels to create this day on August 22 in 1993.

Be a blessing to someone today!

On Beliefnet.com you can click on a picture to get to see the Angel of the Day- I just now went and got the Angel of Peace, which helps to reconcile opposite forces in our lives and resolve conflicts. Back in Catholic school we did learn a bit about angels, but I just don’t remember them being defined to this degree… let’s see, cherubim, seraphim, …nope, no angel of peace.  I must have missed that day. Hmmm.

Radios, Virtual Worlds, and Ramadan

Well today, folks, is a serious contender as far as holidays go, so if you haven’t already, make some plans to celebrate.

August 20th is National Radio Day, a media that has existed since the 1800’s.  I am a fan of radio, for pop music, morning shows, and my favorite news station, NPR.  However, today in our Marketing Share & Learn session on social media, we learned that radio took 38 years to reach 50 million users, while Facebook added 100 million users in less than 9 months. Wow.

Which leads us to the second holiday for today: Virtual Worlds Day.  Those of you who enjoy a Second Life, or play in Massively Multiplayer Online Games (my sons enjoy Club Penguin) may want to go online and get your avatar hopping!

Finally, we acknowledge that today is the eve of the holy month of Ramadan, the Islamic time for purification both spiritually and physically. Be kind to your Muslim friends, as they will probably be fasting each day this month from sunrise to sunset.

It is nice to think about The Gratitide Challenge I am taking with Tiny Prints coinciding with Ramadan because both are about taking the time to reflect upon life.  But I am rather glad that I don’t have to fast, though!

Have a great day everyone!

Mad Dogs and Mr. President

Please join me in wishing the 44th commander-in-chief  of our nation a very happy 48th birthday today: Happy Birthday, Mr. Obama!

President Barack Obama

Although the president’s birthday is very compelling, I unfortunately am unable to make a whole post out of it. But what I lack in political savvy, I hope I can make up for in charm, wit, and zany saint stories.

Unbelievably, August 4th is not a food holiday nor is it any kind of national holiday. And until we go the way of the Tongan people and declare our President’s birthday a holiday, I fear I am left with having to reach way back to my Catholic roots to bring you the story of Saint Sithney, the patron saint of mad dogs.

According to wikipedia.com, the veneration of  Saint Sithney went like this:

somewhere in Brittany…

GOD: “Sithney, my child, I would ask thee to devote thyself to the patronage of all devout women seeking husbands.”

Sithney: (dissapointed) Oh, my GOD! You can’t possibly expect me to have to deal with the prayers of all those crazy girls wanting good husbands and nice clothes and whatever else girls like that want! I’d rather bless mad dogs and get some rest.”

GOD: “Fine. Be that way.”

Amen.