Oct 05 2023, 06:38 PM

It's World Teacher's Day!

What is World Teacher's Day?

World Teacher's Day commemorates the singing of the International Labour Organization (ILO) United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Recommendation Concerning the Status of Teachers. This document set international standards for the treatment of teachers, including, recruitment, training, continuing education, and labor conditions.

It was first celebrated in 1994 and is a holiday meant to recognize the importance of teachers all over the globe. It's a day used to consider the issues related to teaching and education.

Each year has had a theme, this year the theme is: "The Teachers We Need for the Education We Want: The Global Imperative to Reverse the Teacher Shortage". Current studies show that 55% of teachers expect to leave their profession earlier than planned, with 35% expecting to quit within the next two years.

It's become harder for teachers to teach in many states and communities with the new laws regulating what can and cannot be taught in schools. Funding cuts have stripped away vital educational resources and lowered teacher salaries.

How to celebrate World Teacher's Day

Spend the day appreciating teachers, publicly and privately, for their hard work

      Thank a teacher with a heartfelt 

      Find ways to make their jobs easier

      Encourage local businesses to offer teacher discounts, freebies or contribute food/beverages for the teacher's lounge

      Fulfill their wishes. Have them make an Amazon wish list and get people to donate items they need for their classroom

      Give them a gift to show your appreciation

       Buy them lunch and give them time to actually enjoy it

Bring attention to the major issues teachers face, including the reason for this year's theme. Be their voice and fight for them! (weareteachers.com, World Teachers Day 2023: How to Recognize and Support Teachers)

I actually have a teacher that I wish I could thank in person. I was place in an academic recovery class for my poor grades in English and Math during high school. My grades were so bad that it started looking like I might not graduate. This teacher did everything she could and worked with me so that I was able to graduate. And because of that I would always be grateful towards this teacher.
 

Oct 04 2023, 05:17 PM

It's World Animal Day!

Why do we celebrate World Animal Day?

World Animal Day is less of a celebration and more of a day of action for animal rights and welfare.

Why are animal rights important?

Animals all over the world are being used for entertainment, food, medicine, fashion, scientific advancement and as exotic pets. (worldanimalprotection.org.nz, What is Animal Welfare and Why is it Important?)

115 million+ animals are used as lab experiments worldwide (712,683 in the U.S. alone) (hsi.org, About Animal Testing and crueltyfreeinternational.org, The U.S is Still Failing Animals and the Public)

10 million+ animals are abused in the U.S. and only 0.01% of such cases are reported (worldanimalfoundation.org, The Ugly Truth: 50 Eye-Opening Animal Cruelty Statistics)

How to celebrate World Animal Day

      Donate or volunteer at an animal charity

       Eat vegan or vegetarian for the day

       Spread awareness about the cruelty these poor animals face everyday

Oct 04 2023, 03:47 PM

It's World Space Week!

What is World Space Week?

World Space Week, celebrated October 4th-10th, is an international celebration of science and technology and their contribution to the betterment of human condition.

There are two important dates celebrated during World Space Week:

October 4, 1957: The launch of the first human-made satellite, Sputnik 1, leading the way towards space exploration

October 10, 1967: The signing of the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (worldspaceweek.org, About World Space Week)

How to celebrate World Space Week

       Make your own model space craft

        Have space/SciFi themed movie marathon

        Throw a space/SciFi themed costume party

         Visit a planetarium or observatory (worldspaceweek.org, Event Ideas)

Oct 04 2023, 02:55 PM

Yesterday was Hummingbird and Butterfly!

What is Hummingbird and Butterfly?

Well, it's exactly what it sounds like: a day to celebrate two of the world's most beautiful creatures and most amazing pollinators, hummingbirds and butterflies!

Facts about Hummingbirds and Butterflies

Butterflies:

     There are about 17,500-24,000 species of butterflies with about 500-750 in the U.S. alone

      A butterfly has 6,000 lenses in it's eyes and can see ultraviolet light

      Butterflies are found on almost every continent, the only exception being Antarctica

       Many adult butterflies don't go to bathroom, everything they eat is turned into energy

       Butterfly wings are actually clear, colors/patterns come from the reflection of the tiny scales covering them

       Males drink from mud puddles (known as puddling) (stories.sandiegozoo.org, 19 Fascinating Facts About Butterflies)

Hummingbirds

       They are the smallest migratory bird and migrate alone for up to 500 miles

        They have no sense of smell but great color vision (especially for red and orange)

         There are 5 ways to refer to a group of hummingbirds: a bouquet, a glittering, a hover, a shimmer, or a tune

         There are 300+ species of hummingbirds throughout North and South America

How to celebrate Hummingbird and Butterfly Day

The best way is to plant wildflowers (especially red and orange) for them to pollinate!

Oct 04 2023, 03:05 AM

It's Mental Illness Awareness Week.

Why do we observe Mental Illness Awareness Week?

To think about mental health, tackle the stigma surrounding mental illness and to help find a way to create a society that prevents mental health issues from developing and that protects our mental wellbeing

What constitutes a mental illness?

A mental disorder is defined as a clinically significant disturbance in an individual's cognition, emotional regulation, or behavior

Types of mental disorders

Anxiety disorders

Depression

Bipolar disorder

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)

Schizophrenia

Eating disorders

Neurodevelopmental disorders (ADHD and Autism)

Why am I talking about it?

Well for starters I have, and still do, struggled with mental illness. Namely, depression and eating disorders. At the age of about 9 or 10 I developed anorexia and I was diagnosed with depression at about 13 or 14 years old.

Not only that but people in my life struggle with mental illness (my fiance, my brother, former roommates and classmates, friends)

What to do

Spread awareness and help end to stigma surrounding mental illness. Mental illness is a serious topic that should not be ignored.

Oct 03 2023, 07:28 PM

Yesterday was Child Health Day.

What is Child Health Day?

Child Health Day, celebrated on the first Monday in October, is a day to support the physical, mental, social and intellectual health of all children in the U.S. This day was first celebrated in 1929, almost 100 years ago. (livewellkingston.org, National Child Health Day)

Why is Child Health Day important?

We celebrate this day to raise awareness about the fundamental necessity for programs to protect and develop the health of all children in the U.S. Did you know: It wasn't until the mid-1800s that the first children's hospital was founded. And before the last century, before the 20th century, children were treated- medically, intellectually and socially- as small adults (livewellkingston.org, National Child Health Day)

How to celebrate Child Health Day

If you are a parent/guardian get involved in your child's school's wellness committee or PTO. These committees can help make system-wide changes to benefit the health and wellbeing of children

Things to do at home with your child(ren)

Go outside: go for a walk, to the park, gardening/yard work

Get in the kitchen and have them help you

No screens: play a board game instead

Make sure you child's healthcare is up to date

Vaccinations

Physical exams

Dental Care

Oct 01 2023, 03:59 PM

It's October 1st, which means it's International Coffee Day!

Take today to share your love of coffee and support the farmers who work diligently to grow the beans used to make the drink!

Go to your favorite coffee joint and see if they're doing anything to celebrate this awesome day or, better yet, make your own coffee at home!

Now how do you take your coffee? Personally, I take mine with A LOT of cream and sugar. I've also been known to enjoy a hot or iced mocha and even mocha frappes with extra chocolate drizzle. My fiance, on the other hand, takes his as is. Very rarely does he use creamer and I don't think I've ever seen him use sugar!

No matter what you do make sure to show your thanks for the farmers and enjoy your International Coffee Day!

Oct 01 2023, 03:39 PM

It's October which means it's ADHD Awareness Month!

What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition that includes difficulty with paying attention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.

This condition often begins in childhood and can carry on through adulthood. Individuals with ADHD may struggle with low self-esteem, have trouble with their relationships, and have a hard time in school and/or work. (cdc.gov, What is ADHD?)

Why do we observe ADHD Awareness Month? Why is it important?

The main goal of ADHD Awareness Month is to spread awareness of this condition. To help end the stigma associated with ADHD and support individuals who struggle with it. Not only that but by spreading awareness we can hope to have more accessibility in schools and the workplace for these individuals.

Why am I talking about it?

Well, for starters, I have a younger brother who struggles with ADHD. He was diagnosed in elementary school after getting in trouble in school for not being able to sit still. Not only that, but I believe that I may have it, as well.

What can be done during this month?

Continue spreading awareness:

      Find sources with ACTUAL facts about the condition.

      Print out fliers about the condition and put them up in libraries, at school or at work.

Sep 03 2023, 07:29 PM

Had to change my pfp because I was getting some inappropriate messages and I'm NOT okay with that. Some of yall really just completely ignore my bio where it states I'm engaged and try to start a smutty rp with me in my pms or ask me for my nudes and that is so NOT cool. And getting these kinds of messages is not new for me. I've been getting these messages since I first made this account at the age of 15! And these messages mainly come from guys waaaayyy older than me. I started using this site to chat with people with the same interests as me NOT to get hit by ILLITERATE OLD CREEPS!

Aug 30 2023, 03:39 PM

If you think me answering your little "How are you" with a simple "fine" is rude, then you clearly don't know the meaning of the word. Nor do you know me. I could easily remove your message from my screen without answering, which is what I normally do when asked that question. Why, you may ask. Because it invites small talk and I don't do small talk. 

So, yeah, be glad I actually gave you an answer instead of just ignoring you. 

Btw, the person this is about. I saw your profile. Your bio says you're 75, that's older than my parents. I may be 22 but you still shouldn't be talking to me. It's just gross and weird.