Do you hear what I hear? It’s Christmas time

It’s that time of year again, Christmastime. My Halloween blog was very similar to last year’s, and the Christmas blog is also going to be very similar. Just because the tips are the same doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stop using them. It’s getting close to finals week here at St. Mike’s which means it is that much closer to Christmas.

On to the Tips:

• If you decide to wrap a gift in multiple layers, use newspaper in between layers of wrapping paper so you don’t waste as much wrapping paper.
• If you don't know what to get someone for a secret Santa gift exchange, get something generic that you like. Someone else in the group might like that as well.
• Sometimes the best gifts are the homemade ones, so start thinking craftily.
• Go to the thrift shop to look for some cool and unique gifts for your family. Sometimes they have better items than what is new in the store.
• Give gag gifts to those you love – when they open them they will think it is funny.
• Say “happy holidays” around this time if you want to be politically correct; there are multiple holidays right now and you don’t know what someone might be celebrating.
• Want to celebrate the tradition of a yule log but don’t have a fireplace? Get a video of a yule log and put it on your TV. Same great tradition and easy clean up – just turn it off.
• Play in the snow as much as you can because nothing is better than a white Christmas.
• Making cookies is fun; just make sure you don't eat too much raw cookie dough.
• Get a fake Christmas tree if you don't think you can handle the maintenance of a real tree; for added fun, get one that rotates.
• Here is my Christmas gift to you, a bonus tip: After Christmas is over, make sure to hit the stores to stock up in all of your Christmas essentials for next year.

Most of my family already knows what they will be getting from me this year.

 

Ice skating is one of my favorite things to do. My sister and I went in Washington, D.C.

See our Christmas tree on the left. It also spins.

The blog was already going to be very similar, and the song choices are too. I am a much bigger fan of the traditional singers from the early 50’s and 60’s when it comes to my Christmas selection. Since there are only so many songs that are in the Christmas song selection, I find it better to hear from the earlier singers with their great voices. My personal favorite song is “It’s the Most Wonderful time of the Year” by Andy Williams.

This year for Christmas I’ll be celebrating it as I always do with my family and grandparents. We have been following the same tradition since I was born of making the Polish food pierogies. This year will not be any different. In addition to going home for break, I will be heading to DC again to spend more time with just my sister in the city. When I was there for Thanksgiving we were able to take part in a wintertime tradition of skating outside in the National Sculpture garden. 

The only family picture we took while in D. C.

One last thing:

After being on the show for two semesters and writing the blogs for three semesters, this is my final goodbye — for good this time. I have been able to have some great experiences of telling you my thoughts and playing songs that went along with them on the radio, but I’ve run out of ideas. For starting as a funny idea of something to do, I have had so much fun doing this. I want to thank everyone who has listened to the show, read the blog, or looked at the tips. I’ve had a great time being DJ Q and giving you all of the tips in my head. Thank you for giving me support to have a great show.

It's been a good run and thank you all for the support.

Keep SMCing,

DJ Q

P.S. This blog wouldn’t be as big of a success if it weren’t for my amazing Editor-in-Chief, Sharon. She’s read through every blog, as misspelled and unclear as they are, and made them ready to go online. Thank you for doing all of the hard work that I’m terrible at.

ER: Real World Edition

It’s always a good idea to have a plan for when the inevitable happens, when you or someone close to you has to go to the emergency room. Since I was not planning on going on the day that my emergency happened, these tips might stick in the back of your mind if an emergency ever happens to you.

In other news, ski season is starting, so make sure to have your gear packed and ready to go shredding the mountain for the start of the season.

On to the tips:

• If people ask for your address, hand them your ID card if your address is complicated.
• Stay calm when an emergency happens, that will help the situation you are in.
• If your family is not present, take a friend who knows how to take care of you to assist.
• Answer all of the questions truthfully to allow the doctors to assist you with the most care.
• Make jokes to help through the pain; laughter is the best medicine.
• Ask many questions. It’s better to understand than to think you do and mess up later.
• Record your conversations with the doctor to reference later. Make sure to ask the doctor first before doing so.
• If you need to get a needle in you and you hate needles, look away. It takes the pain away, at least for a bit.
• Be patient. There are many other patients in the hospital and not enough staff to assist them all at the same time.
• Breathe. You’re in here for the long run, so breathe to get you through your ordeal.

You can't forget what the doctor says when it's recorded.

It’s hard to pick just what would be the best songs to put as songs about emergency visits. Fortunately, I found some songs via this great blog. Some of the songs have to do with some of the events that happen while in an emergency room/hospital and others have to do with emergency situations in general. So all of these songs make sense, possibly. They are all interesting and go together some way or another.

This summer I had the great opportunity, as some call it, to find myself in the emergency room after breaking my big toe on Mother’s Day during the St. Michael’s graduation. It was quite an event to figure out how to take care of myself during a time of confusion and shock. If you want to read more about my time in the emergency room, check out the blog “Planes, Trains, Automobiles, and Broken Toes” here. It was bad enough that I had the broken toe, and then I had to take an adventure shortly after to get home. Going to the emergency room is an event that will help build character and teach you about yourself. 

What a fun visit to the emergency it was on Monther's Day this year.

One last thing:

This past week was Thanksgiving and I was able to have a wonderful time. I spent part of it at my roommate Lauren’s house in the Boston area with her family and the other half with my family in the D.C. area. I have so much to be thankful for in being able to have a wonderful break and share in the love and support of all those who love me. It was a nice time to get away from all of the craziness of school and now there is only a little bit left of the semester.

My family altogether for the Thanksgiving break in Washington D.C.

Keep SMCing,

DJ Q