Look Forward into 2012

It is mid month and are you already behind in your New Year Resolutions? Do not fear. I have dates and happenings to look forward to and to cheer you up!

The Chinese New Year is year of the Dragon. The Jewish New Year is 5773-5774

We already had the first of 3 Friday the 13^th this year. Next one is in April and then again in July. A great date to buy a lottery ticket, plan a trip to Vegas, or go to the horse races.

2012 is a leap year so February has 29 days. There must be a holiday in there somewhere or at least an excuse to have a party or to treat yourself for the extra day this year!

Because April 15^th   is on a Sunday, taxes are not due until the 17^th. Great news for procrastinators, we have 2 extra days!

The summer Olympics start on July 27 in London. That means you still have 6 months to get into Olympic shape and to work on your dismount technique.

August 12^th the Summer Olympics finally end and you have learned everything about track and field.

September and October you will hear about everything there is to know about all the presidential candidates via their television commercials, leading up to the elections on November 6^th.

Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are on Mondays so short work weeks for 2 weeks!

Most likely there will be a George Clooney movie released during the year. Good chance some reality star will go to jail during the year and it will be made into a new reality show. Another designer will release a collection to Target and you will get on it this time!

What are the best things you are looking forward to in 2012?

Superstitions And Explanations

 Friday May13th is the only Friday the 13th for 2011. Are you superstitious? Is this an ominous day for you or one for fun? Does breaking a mirror, or walking under a ladder give you pause? Do you suffer from paraskavedekatriaphobia? (The official name for fear of Friday the 13th, or a name someone made up!)

I looked at some other superstitions and thought it would be fun/spooky to share:

Spilling salt

Spilling salt means bad luck or going to have a quarrel.

In order to avoid the bad luck or to prevent a quarrel, one has to throw a pinch of salt that was spilled over Your shoulder.

Black cat

If you see a black cat, you should spit (three times) over your left shoulder. Only if it crossed your path otherwise is it bad. But if you take 7 steps backward, you can get your luck back just in case.

Whistling in the house

It is not good to whistle inside a house, because you will lose your money.

In Dutch there is a saying "Boys who whistles gets a girl with a fortune".

Opening an umbrella

Never open an umbrella in the house because you may lose the house.

Bouquets must have an odd number of flowers

Thus, never give 4, 6, 8 flowers to a person because bouquets with even numbers are for funeral ceremonies or cemeteries.

My Favorite: Sewing a hole in a garment

It is not good to sew a hole while wearing the garment. In case you keep your garment on, put a piece of the sewing thread in your mouth.

Explanation: Using an iron needle may attract evil spirits. During sewing you may hurt yourself. The thread in the mouth functions as a channel to leave the bad spirit out.

If someone else does it to you the person may sew your mind; which means that afterwards you cannot think anymore.

What superstitions do you follow?