My Alternative Spring Break Journey: Exploring History

Saturday was our last day in the Outer Banks, and we spent the day exploring the cultural history of the area. We started the day by climbing Currituck Beach Lighthouse, one of the five main lighthouses in the state. It took us 220 stairs to get to the top, and the view from above was breathtaking. Although we felt as though we could be blown away by the wind, the view of the area was unforgettable.

The Currituck Beach Lighthouse

We made it to the top of the lighthouse after climbing 220 stairs.

Our second half of the day began by our visit to the Wright Brothers National Museum in Kitty Hawk. Here, we learned about Orville and Wilbur Wright and the birthplace of aviation in the early 1900s. We listened to a speaker explain the history of the Wright Brothers' invention of aviation and explored the meaning behind an iconic moment in history.

It was interesting to hear about the geographic symbolism of Kitty Hawk in relation to the birth of aviation. The first successful power-driven flight in world history took place on a sand dune in Kitty Hawk, NC by the Wright Brothers.

Wilbur and Orville Wright contributed greatly to the birth of aviation.

The iconic photograph to depict this moment in history is one of the most reproduced photos in history. It describes December 17, 1903 as the birth of aviation and the death of impossibility.

This iconic photograph is one of the most reproduced in history. The birthplace of aviation
was the death of impossibility.

Although the Wright Brothers significantly advanced the world of aviation, they also inspired others to believe in the impossible. They brought to light the idea that impossibility is not about failure, but rather, about something that hasn't been done yet. This idea stuck with me throughout the rest of the weekend and even back here at Ithaca College.

I think the idea that the Wright Brothers killed impossibility is one that is important to remember because it motivates us to better ourselves and our daily lives. The legacy of the Wright Brothers highlights the quote that 'nothing is impossible.' Hearing about how the Wright Brothers failed numerous times before they successfully tested a flight reinforced the everyday motto that everyone fails in life. Failure is not an option, but a key to success.

All photos are my own.

My Alternative Spring Break Journey: Wildflower Preserves and Marshes

On our final day of service, Friday, we visited the North Carolina aquarium to help with outside renovations of a wildflower preserve.

We not only laid down gravel on the pathway, but also pulled out vines that were growing everywhere. Some of the vines, at least the ones growing on the ground, were Japanese Honeysuckle. Other vines included various types of ivies.

We cleaned out vines and weeds from the wildflower preserve

Our site supervisor was a botanist experienced in horticulture, so it was exciting to hear about her work with plants. I enjoyed listening to her speak because you could hear the passion she has for her work and her thirty years of experience working in horticulture.

I learned it is crucial to weed and pull out vines from gardens and wildflower preserves because it helps clear the path for budding flowers. In addition, without vines or weeds, insects have an easier time engaging with the plants. For instance, bees and butterflies have easier times pollinating flowers and helping them blossom. Without weeds and vines, the soil that is necessary for these plants is healthier and cleaner. We can protect the ecosystem by removing harmful weeds and vines from gardens and wildflower preserves on a regular basis.

In the afternoon, we explored a marsh on Jockey's Ridge State Park. Here, it was cool to see the wildlife and seawater animals that live in the lake. Our week's worth of work has resulted in our learning and understanding of how to protect the environment and its wildlife, and I think it was a unique experience to wade into the water and find wildlife we have been learning about every day.

The marsh we explored at Jockey's Ridge State Park

In the marsh, we discovered baby flounder, shrimp, blue crabs, mud crabs, and anchovies. Not only that, but we also saw the impact of our oyster shell bags. As we opened up a bag of oyster shells from last year, we saw how the oyster larvae attached to the shell, and thus, has been growing for the past year. Also, we learned that mud crabs and small shrimp like to live inside the shells as well.

Shells are an important part of wildlife, too

Visiting the marsh reinforced the impact of our work over the past week. For instance, bagged oyster shells are not only important for helping oyster larvae attach and grow, but it is also important for other organisms to thrive. Bagged oyster shells and the marsh are crucial for our food chain. They are environments for various wildlife, and without them, wildlife would be put on harm's way.

In addition, our planet ought to be well-maintained and protected because it is the environment that we live in. People not only benefit from a clean Earth, but animals do as well. Wildlife, mammals, insects, and sea life are all impacted by our actions. The next time we think about throwing garbage out a car window or letting pollutants enter bodies of water, we should think about how these actions will effect the life of an animal.







All photos are my own.

My Alternative Spring Break Journey: Oyster Restoration

Wednesday began with a new experience as we worked with the NC Coastal Federation to bag oyster shells.

Oyster larvae, which attach to hard surfaces in order to mate and grow, enjoy attaching to the empty oyster shell.

Before we bagged oyster shells

In order to help facilitate the development of oyster larvae, the NC Coastal Federation bags empty oyster shells to put back into the ocean.

It is important to contribute to oyster restoration because it helps protect the baby larvae during its development stage. Bagging oysters shells was a unique experience for me, one that I have never done.

Our finished bagged shells

We worked with the Eastern Kentucky University students

The day's work highlighted the importance of teamwork and showed me the effects of utilizing everyone's strengths to the fullest. While working with students from the Eastern Kentucky University, I learned that teamwork is a valuable asset when it comes to bagging 500 oyster shells. The team got together and helped us achieve the task within a matter of three hours. 

All photos are my own.

My Alternative Spring Break Journey: Rain Gardens

On Tuesday, the group headed out to two local elementary schools and helped clean up their rain gardens that are a part of the Schoolyard Rain Garden Project. 

Tuesday consisted of working at two local elementary schools

These rain gardens intercept stormwater runoff from entering nearby bodies of water by trapping litter and other various pollutants. 

First, we traveled to Kitty Hawk Elementary School. Here, there was a small rain garden filled with trash and weeds. 

We picked up all the litter, raked dead leaves, weeded the entire area, and put down a fresh bed of mulch. 

We worked on the rain garden
at Kitty Hawk Elementary School

Our work at Kitty Hawk Elementary School prepared us for our next stop, the First Flight Elementary School. Here, we tackled a larger rain garden by raking away dead leaves, picking up trash, picking out weeds, and using about 15 bags of mulch to make the rain garden look fresh. 

The end result of our work at First Flight Elementary School

Although we were tied down by monotonous work, I realized how beautiful nature can be. For me, the past year has been one filled with experiences of exploring nature and getting to know the environment around me. The best part of Tuesday was seeing the end product and realizing the impact of our hard work. So far, through Altetnative Spring Break, I have been able to appreciate the beauty if nature and become more aware of how to preserve and protect our environment. As we continue to explore different aspects of nature, I hope I can create new goals to maintain my role is protecting nature. 

All photos are my own.

My Alternative Spring Break Journey: Protecting Water Quality

Monday was the first day of volunteering with the North Carolina Coastal Federation. The organization works to protect wildlife and provide clean water quality.

The North Carolina Coastal Federation

We started the day refreshing our minds with the water cycle and learning about the causes of water pollution. A fact that stood out to me was when we discussed how stormwater runoff is the number one source of pollution in the United States and in North Carolina. Not only that, but other factors, such as oil, fertilizer, pet waste, and litter, al contribute to water pollution.

A new lesson for me included our discussion of ways to prevent these runoffs and pollution for entering bodies of water. 

One item that helps prevent stormwater runoff and water pollution is a rain garden. 

Rain gardens intercept stormwater runoff from the roof and other nearby surfaces. Rain gutters are connected to a drain buried underground that lead to these gardens, where plants capture the stormwater runoff deep in the ground. Rain gardens prevent the spread of pollution into nearby bodies of water. 

One of the rain gardens at the North Carolina Coastal Federation 

Another interesting item to help intercept runoff are pervious, or permeable, surfaces. While impervious pavements, like common druveways and roads, push runoff and debris into nearby bodies of water, perviois pavement allows for the layer of compacted soil to trap pollutants and reducd stormwater runoff. This type of pavement includes a base and a sub-base with compacted gravel or soil in between so runoff gets soaked and intercepted. 

Pervious pavement

After learning about these items to protect water quality in the area, we got to work weeding the rain gardens, picking up litter, and raking leaves.

I felt satisfied after seeing the difference we made at the NC Coastal Federation through weeding and cleaning the rain gardens and area. The day provided me with a new insight into how a simple rain garden or a certain type of pavement could contribute to providing clean water quality. 

River behind the NCCF where runoff and pollutants end up

After hearing that stormwater runoff, pet waste, fetilizer, oil, and other everyday items contribute to pollution and poor water quality, I realized that everyone can play a role in reducing the amont of stormwater runoff to maintain a clean water quality and to protect wildlife. We can pick up pet waste, compost food, build rain gardens, implement green roofs or pervious payments, and reduce the amount of fertilizer and oil spills. If we can be mindful of how our everyday actions effect clean water and wildlife, then we can help protect bodies of water from being polluted. 

All photos are my own

My Alternative Spring Break Journey: Getting Around

Sunday provided us with the free time to explore the area around house. And of course, we couldn't help but take advantage of that fact, especially with the sunny and warm weather.

On our free day, we traveled to Kill Devil Hills, NC, where we visited sand dunes and Jennette's Pier. Both locations served as prime locations for scenic tours and picture taking.

The view from the top of the sand dunes.

Walking barefoot up toward the mountainous sand dune and hiking up the dune allowed me to entangle my feet in the sand and explore nature's wonder.

I made it to the top!

Of course, climbing up the sand dune was difficult, but the view from the top was breathtaking. The crisp, Spring air and soft, warm sand brought me a bit closer to the feeling of Summer.

Exploring the land of sand dunes

Afterwards, our journey led us to Jennette's Pier, where we saw the ocean traveling beneath our feet at the end of the pier. Jennette's Pier is a hot spot for fishers who are seeking to catch a variety of fish. The pier is lined with bench chairs facing toward the sea and with engraved stone pathways leading to the center.

Jennette's Pier

Today's journey gave me just what I needed to clear my mind and get motivated for tomorrow's busy work day. My encounter with the ocean provided me with a calm peace of mind and allowed me to begin my journey to seek new knowledge about nature's wonders. I much appreciated the ocean and the sunlight on the pier.

The view from Jennette's Pier

Of course, tomorrow will be the beginning of a busy week that will push me to step outside my comfort zone.

All photos are my own. 

My Alternative Spring Break Journey: A Birthday Gift to Myself

After pushing through midterms and completing papers, exams, and projects, it's finally time for every college students' vacation: Spring Break. 

Usually, with the craziness of the semester, I relax at home and enjoy the beginnings of Spring; however, this is the year, I have decided to do something for myself and for the community. 

With that, I am kicking off my 21st year of life by traveling to Kitty Hawk and Outer Banks, North Carolina to volunteer with an awesome group of people. 

In North Carolina, we will be working with a local organization to help with coastal clean-up and to learn about wildlife preservation. 

Our journey began with a 10-hour road trip down to the coast of NC. Though it was a long car ride, it was nice to enjoy the bonding experience with my new peers whom I will be volunteering with. 

To me, service means more than just giving back to the community. It allows me to learn not only about a particular community, but also about myself. Through this experience, I hope I can reflect on my goals for my 21st year and explore the community that thrives in the oceans around us. I hope that I can continue to learn about my own dreams, passions, and goals for who I want to become. I see Alternative Spring Break as an opportunity that will provide me with the outlet to grow as an individual and as a member of the community. 

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The Top 10 Lessons Learned from Harper Lee's "To Kill A Mockingbird"

It has been a few weeks now since the death of Harper Lee, a literary icon who passed away Feb. 19 at the age of 89. I have finally finished processing the legacy she has left behind in the world of classic American literature.

Sure, at first, I only thought about how her novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, was just one of "those" books we were assigned to read in the ninth grade. I never fully realized the impact Lee had on classic literature until now.

Her novel raises awareness to racial inequality, gender roles, innocence and rape. The protagonist and main character of the novel is Atticus Finch, a character many readers would consider to be the symbol of society's moral values and a hero. I am now more appreciative of To Kill A Mockingbird and see how the novel leaves readers with inspiration, integrity, and moral values.

Here are my top 10 quotes - and lessons - I learned in Lee's literary work of art.

1) "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it."

2) "But before I can live with other folks, I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience."

3) "Real courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what."

4) "It's not time to worry yet."

5) "Try fighting with your head for a change...it's a good one, even if it does resist learning."

6) "Atticus had said it was the polite thing to talk to people about what they were interested in, not about what you were interested in."

7) "I do my best to love everybody...It's never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is; it doesn't hurt you."

8) "Equal rights for all, special privileges for none."

9) "But you see, they could never, never understand that I live like I do because that's the way I want to live."

10) "Atticus says you can choose your friends but you can't choose your family, and they're still kin to you no matter whether you acknowledge them or not."

For more quotes, check out Goodreads! 

A Letter To Your Loving Self

Dear Self,

Someone once told me life does not truly begin until you enter college. As an adult, you feel more independence over your academic courses and the balance between social life and school is all on you. Who would have ever known you'd grow up so fast? Certainly not me.

With the expectation to excel at life, you set the bar too high and expect to much from yourself. You study too much. You ponder too much. You criticize myself too much. 

Valentine's Day is celebrating love. And friendship. And relationships. So why not celebrate...you? And I don't mean celebrate you on just one day out of the year, but why not every day?

It's hard to make time for yourself in the sea of scheduled meetings, classes, and homework, but taking the time for self-care is one of the best ways to de-stress. Here are some techniques for self-love and for celebrating you:

• Yoga: Treat yourself to a yoga class or a morning filled with meditation, which can be a relaxing way to begin your busy day and ease your mind, body, and spirit. 
• Sleep: You deserve a mid-day nap to take your mind off of the craziness left in your day. Spend some time during the afternoon to refuel.
• Me Time: Pick a day to date yourself. Whether you treat yourself to lunch or a movie, take the time to get to know yourself. You'll be amazed at all the new things you learn about yourself!
• Let Go: Sure setting goals and expectations are the way to excel in academics and careers, but don't make these goals too unrealistic...that will only create more stress. Learn to let go of the past and focus on the present (this is one techniques that I have recently adopted); it takes the pressure off of you when you stop trying to control your future.
• Volunteer: When you need that time to reconnect with yourself, try volunteering in the local community. Volunteering is one way to reflect on your life and give back to others. Who knows? You might even make a new friend. 

Of course, there are always more self-kindness and self-love techniques. Someone also told me to go with the flow of life and learn to trust your gut feelings. Well? What are you waiting for? 

You owe it to yourself to go out and discover your passions, to explore everything and anything, and most importantly, to love yourself. The latter being the most difficult if you're one who tries to make everyone else happy. Always remember to never stop being the most unique individual you can be. 

Sincerely,

Me

Photo credit: http://www.lovethispic.com/uploaded_images/56853-Live-Love-Laugh.jpg

In Touch with Nature

It's been such a busy summer and a long semester, and my blog posts have not been up to par! But I'm back at it just in time for 2016!

To recap my last volunteer experience, I went to the Cayuga Nature Center through Service Saturday. This experience was far different than any other volunteering experience I have ever had! It was the first time I was working outdoors at a nature center to rake leaves and remove trees. The group and I moved piles of tree branches and cleaned the landscape around the center to make it a bit cleaner as winter approaches.

At Cayuga Nature Center, I was able to help with raking the fall leaves and cleaning up some of the outgrown trees and weeds surrounding the yard. Although the weather was chilly and summer was certainly over, I had come to realize how much of a difference raking leaves makes to an organization such as the nature center. And, of course, I got to see how fun raking leaves can be!

Raking leaves at Cayuga Nature Center

As I spoke with the facilities manager, he informed me that having a group of people - no matter how small - help with cleaning up the yard and preparing nature for the winter ahead was a really large help. For him, it is often difficult to maintain all of the yard work and the indoors facilities and maintenance around the center so having volunteers to complete tasks he had wanted to complete, but hasn't had time to, means a lot.

My volunteer group had much fun exploring the wilderness and maintaining the environment. 

Through my day at the nature center, I recognized the need for more volunteers at nature organizations. It is important to clean and maintain not only the yards, but also the hiking trails in order to create a more clean environment for the people who visit. In a scenic place such as Ithaca, many of the trails call for beautiful hikes. It would be a shame to let these trails go to waste just because there weren't enough volunteers to help with the maintenance of them. At my time with the nature center, I got in touch with nature and worked to improve the environment for environment-enthusiasts and hikers. My advice for those seeking a new experience volunteering would be to definitely try working at a nature center. It allows a new perspective on caring for the environment and why maintaining nature is such an important aspect to our lives. After all, we want the Earth to be around for future generations, right?

"We don't inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children" ~ David Brower

How do you show how YOU care?

Photo credit: https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/10662153_914810398590667_7361399180433284593_o.jpg

Thanks, Summer!

As July ends and August arrives, keep this in mind as "Back-to-School" season approaches! 

We should always be grateful for the fact that we have the opportunity to go to school and receive an education. Getting an education is exciting because it allows us to expand our knowledge, grow as an individual, and learn new things. 

Not only that, but no matter how your Summer went, we should be grateful for the memories we have made with family, friends, and with the community. Every Summer has a story, and we should be thankful for each one of them.

Happy August! 

Photo credit: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrEYWjU78mwd2wakAyJ8oiQKommW-kj0FxP3krFG0dVAlH8BRntaG3yWa0FUpi5TX_CDwTP7IhQq18PF5brwMtLJygWeaukl_WsWvePapJ2JmrDE2SiVbsGI1BcptwtRTUz1A-_twfQwo/h240/10367158_766905273381181_1982363053446511905_n.jpg 

Spring Cleaning

Amidst the muggy (and sometimes rainy) summer weather, we often find ourselves sitting inside the house with nothing productive to do. We struggle to find activities that are fun and will keep us cool without spending the extra cash. One of the ways that I started off the hot days in Ithaca is through volunteering at the local YMCA. 

The YMCA is a recreational center for the local citizens of the community. Many cities will have one because the center is fun for all ages and provides an abundance of activities that one can learn from and participate in. A place of learning and for exercise, the YMCA should not be hastily cared for; in fact, a community center such as this ought to be well-maintained so that patrons of the community can have a place to rely on if they want to exercise at a whole new level.

I worked with employees at the Ithaca YMCA during the last Service Saturday of the year. Just in time for the hot weather and for its summer attendees, the center was in the midst of renovating the swimming area. To help, a group of us started off by taking towels and drying off the entire concrete around the swimming pool -- that is, taking towels and drying each and every crack/spot so that painting would be easier. Drying the concrete around the entire pool area was not easy; it took us about an hour or so to finish this first step.

Next, after the concrete was dried, each of us claimed a different section of the pool area and began painting. I paired up with a friend and began painting the base of the side wall. This was a task that was much harder than I thought. As we painted, we had to make sure the we did not splatter paint on the already-painted white area of the wall. To avoid this as much as possible, we took a piece of cardboard paper and held it behind the area we were painting so that the paint would splash on the cardboard rather than the white areas. It required coordination and meticulousness. 

After we finished the base, we moved on to the other side of the pool area and began painting the concrete floor with a roller. As we took turns painting, we found the task to be more strenuous than we imagined; for, it was hot and muggy inside the renovating area and some parts of the floor were difficult to paint without drawing footprints as we moved along. 

Once it was time to head back on the bus, the employees expressed their gratitude towards us and thanked us for our help. I learned a lot about the YMCA and about the importance of lending a helping hand, even for such small tasks at a local center. 

I learned that even though the task of painting and helping to clean up a small community center was tedious, the center benefitted greatly from our help. When I returned to the bus, I realized that my clothes and shoes were splattered with paint stains. However, I was okay with the fact because I knew that the paint marks meant that I had made a difference in Ithaca before returning back home for the summer. Before leaving the YMCA, the employees told us that they could not imagine the time it would have taken to renovate the pool area without our help. A worker told us that Service Saturday was a great opportunity to give back to the community and praised Ithaca College, and its students, for continually helping out in the community. I couldn't agree more. 

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much" ~ Helen Keller

Remembering Maya Angelou: An Inspiration

Today marks a day of remembrance for renowned poet, author, and Civil Rights activist Maya Angelou. In the world of literature, Angelou leaves behind a legacy; for, she has often written about racism, identity, and self-revelation, connecting with the audience in a moving and emotional way. Her works, such as "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" and "On the Pulse of Morning," became widely popular, quickly inspiring her readers and fellow authors to write with meaningful and fulfilling words. 

Angelou was not only known for her works, but also for teaching us to live life to the fullest and with purpose. She has spread an infinite amount of inspirational and motivational quotes that are often referred to when discussing the philosophical meaning of life. Whether through her passages or from her personal speeches, Angelou spoke to a large audience. As we continue to honor her legacy as a poet, author, and activist, she will be remembered for her messages revolving around life, hope, love, dreams, courage, and identity.

So take the words of Angelou and apply them in your own life and make a difference. We can rely on each other and listen to the words of Angelou to inspire change and justice in our own communities. Whether it's lending a helping hand to a close friend, reconnecting with a loved one, or spreading cheer to a kind stranger, it is never too late to bring about change. Who knows? Maybe you can learn something about yourself along the way. As Angelou said, "Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud."

An inspiration to us all, Angelou shows us how to find our true identities and live life to the fullest. She makes us aware of the world around us and the true meaning of giving, teaching, and learning.

**Read about Maya Angelou's life and accomplishments here

**Learn more about Maya Angelou here

**Check out some of the greatest life lessons from Maya Angelou here

Photo credit: http://meetville.com/images/quotes/Quotation-Maya-Angelou-life-Meetville-Quotes-37354.jpg

On Duty

In spreading the love this Valentine's Day, I went out and did community outreach through Service Saturday. This month's activities involved working with the Great Downtown Ithaca Chili Fest, where organizations and restaurants give out chili. 

Amidst the snow and cold air, I was excited! It was my very first chili fest and I got to help out. My initial reaction to the event was beyond belief. With so many people crowding each vendor, I couldn't wait to experience an annual Ithaca event. With that, I got assigned to volunteer as a patrol officer of some sort. 

My duty was to patrol the sidewalks and make sure that no one jaywalks through the street or organize the lines in a way that it wouldn't spill out onto the street. At first I thought the task was quite simple. I mean, I'm just being a security guard, right? 

Easy enough for me to say. I had never acted as a security guard for anything or anyone (well, unless you consider babysitting to be just that). The first 15 minutes went by without any problem, except for the fact that I started off extremely embarrassed to be wearing a neon vest while holding a neon orange flag. People were staring, and I was not comfortable with that. 

Since I was on duty for 3 hours, I figured time would fly by without me noticing. But that was not the case. In fact, time took forever to pass. 

After about an hour of standing along the sidewalk, my whole body felt as though it was frozen. I could not feel my fingers and toes. I wondered how security guards stand outside for so long in all seasons, for that matter. 

This Service Saturday experience, neither the best nor the most fun, turned out to be the most valuable. I realized how much significance I had as a duty officer when a pedestrian walked past me and told me, "Wow! You deserve a ticket for all that you have been doing. Thanks!" I couldn't believe it. I had actually made a difference in the community by patrolling the sidewalk and caring for others' safety. I felt proud for being recognized for such a small contribution. 

I now hold much more appreciation for security guards and patrol officers. They deserve a lot more respect and gratitude for all that they do. They hold out during the cold winters as they watch for people's safety and don't complain. Security guards and patrol officers provide more for us than we can ever imagine, so take some time one day to thank them. It will make them feel appreciated and might even make their day --- I know, because it made mine and I have been in their shoes. 

Photo Credit: http://www.3dwallz.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/13/appreciation-can-make-a-day-even-change-a-life-copy.jpg 

Spread the Love

Valentine's Day is almost here! A celebration of love and appreciation for those around you have translated into showering each other with gifts, flowers, and an endless amount of chocolates, but why not spread the love with more than just gifts? Why not go out and celebrate Valentine's Day with meaning? In celebration of the holiday, here are 5 ways to spread the love this weekend:

1) Spend a little extra on tips! Whether you're out with friends for dinner or are out on a date with that special someone, try tipping the waiter or waitress a little extra cash. Rather than tipping the usual 10-15%, try leaving 20% (after all, they could have their own plans for Valentine's Day, but are spending their time serving you). Your waiter or waitress will appreciate the extra cash and it will put a smile on their faces!

2) Send out special Valentines! Be it a family member, best friend, or significant other, send your loved ones a hand-made Valentine to let them know you care. Valentines can be crafted and designed for each unique individual thanking them for being them. While you're at it, why not send Valentines to random people you don't know? It might make someone's day and let them know that they are loved, too. 

3) Volunteer in the community! The best way to spread the love this weekend is to sign up for a local volunteer opportunity. Grab a couple friends, travel to a local organization or charity, and get ready to lend a helping hand. You not only show the community you care, but also get to have fun and meet new people in the process!

4) Reconcile your differences! Valentine's Day is all about letting someone know you care, so call up an old friend or family member and reconcile your differences. If there have been hostile relations between you, talk it out. Let them know what's on your mind and make up for the lost time. The best relationships can come from those with the biggest regrets.

5) And finally, love yourself! After taking the time to appreciate others, spread the love, volunteer, and amend broken relationships, why not take time for yourself? You deserve to be pampered and loved, too. So take some time to indulge in your passions. Who knows? Maybe you will discover something new about yourself or find a new favorite hobby. 

"If you have only one smile in you give it to the people you love" ~ Maya Angelou

Photo Credit: http://www.michalesjoy.com/wallpaper/1024x768/giving-my-heart-valentines-day-love-wallpapers.html; http://www.polyvore.com/valentines_day_clip_art_red/thing?id=10619244