image: Beverly & Pack

Brandon and I are going to have to celebrate Independence Day a little early this year. My cousin, Sarah, is getting married on the actual day, but I can’t let my favorite holiday pass by without a proper celebration.

July 4th marks the day that Americans declared . . . → Read More: American Cultural Ideals Unfold on Independence Day]]>

image: Beverly & Pack

Brandon and I are going to have to celebrate Independence Day a little early this year. My cousin, Sarah, is getting married on the actual day, but I can’t let my favorite holiday pass by without a proper celebration.

Click here to learn more about the history of Independence Day. 

image: Matt McGee

updated for 2010

The last Monday of May marks the federal holiday known as Memorial Day when Americans recognize the ultimate sacrifice of our men and women that died in combat. The tradition of adorning graves and memorials with wreaths . . . → Read More: 3 Ways to Enjoy a Meaningful Memorial Day]]>

image: Matt McGee

updated for 2010

The last Monday of May marks the federal holiday known as Memorial Day when Americans recognize the ultimate sacrifice of our men and women that died in combat. The tradition of adorning graves and memorials with wreaths dates back to the time just after the Civil War when the holiday was known as Decoration Day. Decoration Day served to cherish the memory of fallen soldiers by beautifying their graves with flowers and wreaths. Though Memorial Day is a somber occasion, it has evolved to include the joyous aspects marking the beginning of the summer season.

Here are 3 ways to enjoy a meaningful Memorial Day:

1. Honor.
Pay tribute to the fallen soldiers by experiencing one of the Memorial Day ceremonies or attending a parade honoring Veterans.

At 11am EDT on Monday May 31st Arlington National Cemetery hosts a wreath-laying ceremony and concert at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider. It will be publicized on major television networks.

At 2pm EDT, the National Memorial Day Parade kicks off in Washington, DC. The parade features marching bands and Veterans units from all 50 states, and will also be covered on major television networks.

Check newspapers or websites for times of local ceremonies and parades where you can pay respect in your area.

2. Serve.
While military service does not call to everyone, you can make a difference in your community with local service. Volunteering with Veterans, children, animals, or any cause that speaks to you, allows you can contribute in a meaningful way.

Click here for a link to VolunteerMatch.org, an organization that matches volunteers with opportunities.

3. Live.
The reason behind the fighting is to ensure we have the freedom to live beautiful lives. With that in mind, you can better appreciate the Memorial Day evolution that includes the “official” start of summer. People open pools that have been covered all winter, go the beach for the first time of the year, and host backyard barbecues for friends and family.

Brandon and I like to celebrate with a few American favorites like hot dogs, hamburgers, and apple pie.

by: Grayson Leverenz

Easter is a holiday that melds many traditions: Pagan, Christian, and National. In the US, people celebrate Easter in different ways.

For practicing Christians, Easter represents the holiest day of the year, the day Jesus Christ rose . . . → Read More: How to Celebrate Easter in the USA]]>

updated for 2010

by: Grayson Leverenz

Easter is a holiday that melds many traditions: Pagan, Christian, and National. In the US, people celebrate Easter in different ways.

For practicing Christians, Easter represents the holiest day of the year, the day Jesus Christ rose from the dead after being crucified.

For some, Easter welcomes the yearly birth of spring with symbols like flowers, colored eggs, and baby chicks.

For others, Easter calls families to the table for feasts of baked ham, sweet potatoes, and vegetables.

Most Americans combine parts of the traditions above into their own unique celebrations. When I was growing up, the most common pieces of Easter Sunday were baskets filled with Easter eggs and candy, an Easter egg hunt for the kids, and the traditional family meal.

To experience a traditional US Easter try the following:

• Dye Easter eggs. My family always used Paas Easter Egg kits when I was growing up.
• Indulge in a chocolate bunny. Here’s a list of the top 9 sources according to about.com Gourmet Food.
• Have an Easter Egg hunt. Hide the eggs you dyed, and have a cool prize, like Peeps, for the person that finds the most eggs. (note, the Peeps website has uninvited music; so mute your volume if necessary before clicking).
• Prepare an Easter Feast. Here’s a link to the Food Network Easter menu.
• Buy new, Easter dresses or outfits for spring, and capture the memory with a family photo. 

For more on the history of Easter, click here.

The pint-sized teenage mogul, musician, and heartthrob, Justin Bieber, acquired Funny or Die today in what is being called the most hostile takeover in takeover history.

Ooh, wait…no, it’s just the best April Fools’ joke of the day. I love it!

Did Google really change its name to Topeka? Nah, it’s April Fools’ Day! Beware of pranks and practical jokes today. Learn more about April Fools’ Day from Wikipedia.

Americans love the movies. We love the stars. We love the stories. We love the surround sound. We love the movies so much in fact we spent over $10 billion at the box office in 2009, and that doesn’t include the . . . → Read More: How to Host Your Own Oscar Party]]>

by: Grayson Leverenz
updated for 2010

Americans love the movies. We love the stars. We love the stories. We love the surround sound. We love the movies so much in fact we spent over $10 billion at the box office in 2009, and that doesn’t include the popcorn.

Enjoy the show!

The stars align for a celebratory hat trick with three holidays on the horizon.

Sunday welcomes the Chinese New Year of the Tiger.

At the same time, romantics profess their love on Valentine’s Day.

Historians honor the . . . → Read More: Celebratory Hat Trick]]>

by: Grayson Leverenz

Sunday welcomes the Chinese New Year of the Tiger.

At the same time, romantics profess their love on Valentine’s Day.

Historians honor the US presidents the day after on Presidents’ Day as many people enjoy a holiday from work, and stores advertise massive sales.

Have fun celebrating!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/auvet/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

by: Grayson Leverenz

We’re right in the dead of winter, with temperatures below freezing in much of the United States. On Tuesday, Punxsutawney Phil takes center stage for his Groundhog Day prediction. Should we expect an early spring or six more weeks of subarctic weather? If . . . → Read More: Groundhog Day 2010]]>

by: Grayson Leverenz

We’re right in the dead of winter, with temperatures below freezing in much of the United States. On Tuesday, Punxsutawney Phil takes center stage for his Groundhog Day prediction. Should we expect an early spring or six more weeks of subarctic weather? If the groundhog sees his shadow, that’s a sure sign of a long winter. If not, an early spring is on the way!

Brandon and I will be celebrating with our usual tradition of watching the movie "Groundhog Day" starring Bill Murray. We’re going to eat sausages and sauerkraut since the Germans introduced Groundhog Day to the US; I’m quite excited about that after being homesick for Germany last week! Unfortunately, we were too late to order Punxsutawney Phil’s beer. Next year, that’s definitely on the menu. 

Here’s to an early spring! 

Click here for more about Groundhog Day and Punxsutawney Phil.

Note: Punxsutawney Phil is a very popular groundhog right now, resulting in his website being down. I’m putting the link here anyway in hopes that his IT people will have it back up and running soon.

Click here to learn more about . . . → Read More: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. | “I Have A Dream”]]>

I’m starting my day with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s "I Have a Dream" speech. The entire thing runs just over 17 minutes; I highly recommend investing the time to hear one of the most admirable leaders in US history share his vision for our country.  

Click here to learn more about Martin Luther King, Jr. day.

updated for 2010

by: Grayson Leverenz

After nursing hangovers, Americans continue the celebration on New Year’s Day, though usually with less alcohol. New Year’s Day is a time to sort through the past and dream of a bright future. . . . → Read More: Celebrating the New Year in the USA]]>

updated for 2010

by: Grayson Leverenz

Eat
Food rituals play a big role on New Year’s Day with some foods thought to bring luck, and others thought to bring money. Like many culinary traditions, New Year’s foods tend to be regional or even family specific. My friend, Stacey’s, family is from Slovakia, and they eat sausages and sauerkraut to coax luck into the New Year. Having grown up in the southern USA, my traditions include: black eyed peas for luck and greens for money, served with cornbread and sweet tea because it’s delicious. Click here for the recipes from the About.com image below.

Create
Your vision of the year ahead. Some Americans make resolutions like: this year I will exercise 5 times a week; this year I will quit smoking; or this year I will go back to school. Others set goals or write plans for the year. And still others update longer-term plans (e.g. 3-year, 5-year, life) to reflect on their progress and motivate themselves to keep moving forward.

image: my 2009 Vision Board

Brandon and I populate vision boards focusing on the Seven Areas of Happiness taught by one of my favorite MBA professors, Dr. Gerry Bell:
1. Yourself
2. Family and love relationships
3. Work
4. Health
5. Money
6. Spirituality and Community
7. Fun

Best wishes for realizing your vision in 2010!