holidays

holidays

…NaNoWriMo? Start your “Thirty days and nights of literary abandon!”

…NaNoWriMo? Start your “Thirty days and nights of literary abandon!”

As you may know, November is right around the corner. Yep, you know what that means, National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo. For those of you who didn’t know November was National Novel Writing Month, NaNoWriMo is a month dedicated to encouraging novel writing, and creative writing in general, that was started by the non-profit organization, Office of Letters and Light. Starting November 1st, it is encouraged that you start writing your own novel, and finish it by the end of November and then enter your new novel into NaNoWriMo. After that, through NaNoWriMo, you are eligible for awards and scholarships for the best writings of the month! So what would be better to get you in the novel writing … Continued
How Can We Discover Who We Really Are?

How Can We Discover Who We Really Are?

“We who are born in America absorb our images of self and culture basically through western eyes… Under such circumstances, how can we possibly discover who we really are?” – David Henry Hwang  May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (http://asianpacificheritage.gov), an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments Asian Pacific Americans have contributed to the nation.   The library has several books on the subject, such as Version 3.0 Contemporary Asian American Plays, Extraordinary Asian Pacific Americans, and Orientals: Asian Americans in Popular Culture, and also has several other resources to assist you in learning more about these fascinating cultures.  Excellent plays written by Asian Pacific Americans are located in the Asian American Drama database.  You can learn about Asian Pacific culture … Continued
World Poetry Day

World Poetry Day

In 1999, UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) declared March 21st as World Poetry Day to “give fresh recognition and impetus to national, regional and international poetry movements.” During an interview with BBC Jo Shapcott, poet, professor, and former president of The Poetry Society (now that’s some alliteration), was asked “Why does poetry need to have a special day?”  Her witty response was, “That’s a bit like asking why we need birthdays. Of course poems are always there, every day, and readers will continue to find them and enjoy them whenever they like. But why not celebrate poetry once a year (at least) in a more public way.” To find a particular poem to celebrate use the … Continued
International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day

As with many observances around the world, International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8th is celebrated in a variety of ways.  From gift giving to rallies to public holiday observation IWD is recognized in over 40 countries.  The tradition first began in February 1909 in the United States by the Socialist Party of America as a strategy to promote equal rights, including suffrage, for women and soon spread to Germany, Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, Russia, and China by 1949.  Historically, the date of observance floated into and out of February and March varying by year and location. By 1977 the United Nations General Assembly urged member states to declare March 8th as the day for Women’s Rights and International Peace.  Present … Continued
MLK Day: Serve and Reflect

MLK Day: Serve and Reflect

To most of us students, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is just a perfectly timed holiday. Not too long after the end of winter break, it gives us time to rest from the hectic first weeks of the semester. But MLK Day means much more than a day off: it is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service. The day gives all citizens the opportunity to build community, empower themselves, and help their peers, neighbors, youth, and underprivileged. While you can volunteer year-round, consider volunteering specifically on MLK Day with a large group and celebrate Dr. King’s belief in a “beloved community.”  If you’re struggling to find the perfect service project, try out one from our … Continued