The purpose of
The Best Part of Today
is to show that there is always something good about every day.
Check back every weekday
for your daily dose of positivity.


Monday, January 31, 2011

Well, this is exciting

The Best Part of Today #74:
Miracle plant growth!

As you can, the growth in all three pots has exploded over the weekend. I would have documented the process more thoroughly, had I not been away for the weekend. Turns out my roommate's thumb is greener than mine! The Forget-Me-Nots are the flourishing ones, followed by the Roses in the bottom right. Despite its modest beginnings, I am particularly pleased that the Strawberry has sprouted. I am hopeful it will at least flower, but it would exceed my expectations if it actually bore fruit.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Is it only a myth?

The Best Part of Today #73:
The Christmas Tree's still up.

Okay so technically I discovered this when I got home yesterday, but with all yesterday's excitement, I neglected to mention it. When I went back to school after winter break, I thought for sure the tree would be down the next time I came home. But here it is, bright and beautiful. Usually by this time, our Christmas tree would hail a storm of pine needles any time you burshed past it, looking more and more bare and twiggy by the minute. But this robust tree has barely spilt any needles at all, and still looks as fresh as the day we got it. I owe it to the fact that this year, I suggested naming it Yggdrasill, the Norse version of the Tree of Life. Go mythology of other cultures!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

I'm the snow gave me a new reason not to be annoyed at its unprecedented quantity

The Best Part of Today #72:
Four day weekend!

It's already awesome not having Friday classes this semester. It's slightly less awesome having practically nonstop Thursday classes from 12:30 to 8:30 pm. It snowed a lot today, and originally, all classes before 12 pm were cancelled. Kind of a bummer. Especially since my cousins from Denmark, who had come up to see my mom for her birthday yesterday are leaving tomorrow and I would probably miss them if I didn't get home early enough tomorrow. But that's why it was REALLY awesome when we got a snow day today. Instead of hours of school, I got hours of Danish fun. And after that, I still have a three day weekend ahead of me.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Breaking News: Homework turns traitor to its race and provides student enjoyment!

THE BEST PAR...hello caps lock...

The Best Part of Today #71:
Reading contest submissions with Alicia.

Prior to this event, I did have another thing that was going to be the BPoT, but that's the trouble with coming up with one early in the day; the whole day has yet to occur. And, for the life of me, I can't remember what that thing was. Now, technically, reading the short story submissions to the Long River Review Magazine was my homework, and by nature shouldn't be so fun. But we had a LOT of fun. My roommate Alicia had already finished her homework and offered to read some of the remaining manuscripts. I handed her the stack so she could choose one, and after that she handed me a new manuscript each time I laid the last one down before I could even ask her for another. She ended up reading only one I didn't read, and only because she said it was gross amateur erotica, but otherwise I'd want to read what she had after she told me about it, so it worked pretty well.

The best part though, was laughing about how ridiculous some of them were. We came up with a sort pie-chart of what they were all about: 40% murder, 50% suicide, 7% cats, 1% people named William, and 2% everything else. Ironically, most (not all, but most) of the really good ones fell within the 2%. How can something associated with the best kind of milk fail?

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Plant! (see Wall-E)


The Best Part of Today #70:
The miracle of life!

More specifically, the miracle of photosynthesis. Let's just be clear: I didn't see any babies born today. And if I did, I'm not sure how I would feel about it. Anyway, today I was very excited to see the first little shoots of our mini dorm plants! Less than a week later and they have already begun to grow! The little Rose pot shows the most little stems, and Forget-Me-Not has one shy little bud half-hidden, half poking its little green head out. Sadly, the Strawberrry pot shows no such progress. But, that one is indeed a fruit, not just a flower, so perhaps it will take longer.

Also, pilates was definitely not the best part of my day today. Very sore.



Monday, January 24, 2011

Getting a workout before even going to the workout

The Best Part of Today #69:
Pilates! (A dramatized account in three parts)

Today was the first day of Monday classes, which also meant the first day of Bodywise fitness classes as well. I resolved myself to go to Yoga today, since it's still early in the semester and I'm not dying under a pile work quite as of yet (though I'm pretty close.) Unfortunately, I did have to go to work after class today, followed by doing some of what homework I did have. Since this took longer than I anticipated, I decided to go to core yoga, instead, being an hour later. When I was finally ready, I looked out the window at the bus I was intending on taking driving away. I know it seems silly to take a bus to a fitness class, especially since I tend to walk everywhere, but it was 11˚ today, plus Bodywise is across campus and uphill. But no matter, I decided to just take the next bus, which I got to on time. I sat down next to a girl wearing snow boots but carrying sneakers. Curious, I thought. Then I remembered, as I squirmed my toes in my large Moonboots, that you need to wear sneakers at yoga, and I couldn't just take off my nice warm snow boots upon arrival. So I got off the bus.

At this point, it was 3:40. Sign-up for fitness classes starts a half-hour before the class. It would probably already be full by now, so rushing upstairs, changing into my sneakers, rushing downstairs, waiting for the next bus, going across campus and arriving on time was futile. So i went upstairs, changed into my sneakers, grabbed the next bus, arrived at Bodywise at 4:15 and was nice and early for the Pilates class at 5. There were a few girls there already, but still, my trials weren't over! By 4:25, there was an inordinate number of girls with "New Year's Resolution" etched plainly on their faces. Some were bound to be turned away. I moved to the front of the room, casually checking my facebook while I was really watching the clock. When sign-up finally started, the girl at the desk asked everyone to line up according to when they had arrived. Naturally I hadn't been the first to arrive, but I wasn't backing down, not after all I had been through to get here! In acknowledgment, I allowed a few girls to line up in front of me. But then I was struck with a new fear! What if my ID didn't scan correctly?

You see, in the short time after I arrived and before the frenzied sign up, I made my way to little convenience store next door to the fitness to buy a bottle of water and an energy bar because I hadn't anything since breakfast. It was only a couple of days into the semester, so I knew I had plenty of points for the meagre transaction. And yet, the cashier was unable to get my card to register properly. I was forced to pay with cash, though it was only three dollars. I thought it was only a symptom of my aging ID card, which beeped imperiously a couple times before being accepted now and then. And now, seconds away from being admitted to the fitness I fought so hard for, I was in danger of being turned away for a petulant piece of plastic. Sure enough, when I presented my card to the girl at the desk, it beeped threateningly. And yet, the girl handed it back to me with a laminated card bearing the number six and pleasant but disinterested smile. I was in!

And then the real workout began.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Easy fun

The Best Part of Today #68:
Seeing Easy A with people I like a lot.

Never underestimate the value of good friends. Curiously, you could kind of say that about the movie Easy A too. I saw this movie the first time on Halloween night with my best friend Caity in Boston, in costume. I was a mermaid. I liked this movie even better the second time, seeing it with my very good friend Sara and my new roommate, Alicia, whom I like very much so far. Also, I got to see the beginning this time (Caity and I were a little late to the theatre); that made it 1. make more sense, and 2. better. It occurred to me, after our night of watching music videos about pokemon and [almost] playing N64 Mario Kart, friends are kind of like those flying Shy Guys with fishing poles in Mario games: when you fall down, and they bring you back to where you belong.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Ahhhhh...*blub blub*

The Best Part of Today #67:
Taking A Bath.

Today was loooonnnngggg day. Even though yesterday was technically the first day of classes, I only had one from 10-12, and spent the rest of the day doing social activities similar to Tuesday and with most of the same people. Today I had 4 classes, going from 11 a.m. to 8:30 pm, with only 2 hour breaks in between. It was cold. I was carrying around 3 thick notebooks. I was walking everywhere in my size 6 rubber boots, which I discovered could be made slightly roomy by removing the insert. This however brought my foot in almost direct contact with the rubber, which, as I discovered today, is an excellent conductor of freezing temperatures. So it was most relaxing today when I finally schlepped up to my room, dumped everything, clothes included, on the floor, and took a nice long soak replete with sweet-pea scented bubbles and a good pleasure book.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

This might be the weirdest thing I've done in a bathroom...


The Best Part of Today #66:
Mini plants!

Today was the official first day of school back at Uconn, and I only had one class. It was pretty slushy outside, and for some ungodly reason, I forgot both my rainboots and umbrella at home, so I spent most of the day trekking around with wet toes. Fortunately, my friend Sara and I went on a field trip to Target, where I purchased an emergency pair of $6 rainboots. Unfortunately, there was only one for this nice-n-low price, which, interestingly, happened to be a size 6. I'm an 8. But my feet still miraculously fit in them, and they prefer being slightly squished than cold and wet. The even better discovery, though was a bin full of teeny terra cotta pots for $1. Sara and I both got of each kind: Rose, Forget-Me-Not, and Strawberry. The pots came with little packets of seeds and a pellet of soil about the size of a medium York Peppermint Patty. It occurred to me that reconstituting the soil pellets in a soup bowl is probably the weirdest thing I've done in a dorm bathroom. I hope it's worth it.



Tuesday, January 18, 2011

A Wintry Mix

The Best Part of Today #65:
First Day of School Cancelled!

Snow days are always great. But it's a special occurrence when the first day back at school is cancelled due to weather. Granted, my friends and I didn't get to go sledding and have snowy adventures because of the freezing rain that tagged along after this morning's snow, but we still braved the elements and had library and co-op adventures. Later that day we had wings delivered to Britteny's dorm, and they got my order wrong and gave me Jamaican Jerk instead of Parmesan Garlic. But hey, sometimes it's good to step outside one's comfort zone, even if it's by mistake. We watched part the Curious Case of Benjamin Button, but we decided to end the length movie early and watch the other half another time.

Well, this is exciting

Okay so I didn't post in a while. Apologies. If you would like to see what was taking up my usual blogging time, click here.

Although I came back to school yesterday, it wasn't that bad. It was actually a pretty good day.
The Best Part of Today [Monday] #64:
Getting a signed copy of Will Grayson, Will Grayson from David Levithan!

I was tempted to say "Dinner," because I was with so many people (including Pawel, who's visiting from home), but to say that would be somewhat misleading as the actual food of the dinner was definitely NOT the best part of the day. But it was fun after to watch Princess Bride with my friend Britteny, who had somehow never seen it before, and also Sara (see link above). Sara purchased for me the amazing WGWG signed by David Levithan as I was driving up to school. It's awesomeness now sits on my bookshelf in all its shiny glory.

Anyway, as you can see it is morning, so I will post Today's actual Best Part once the full day has transpired. See you in a few hours!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Is there a greater joy?

The Best Part of Today #63:
So much reading!

The greater majority of my day today was spent reading. It started in the wee hours of the morning, with short breaks for sleeping and babysitting, and then I was reading until dinner, another short break, followed by one for watching Master and Commander and one for writing this post. And now I shall return to reading Paper Towns by John Green. Expect completion by tomorrow morning.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

A title

The Best Part of Today #62:
More Toys R Us (and other) adventures!

I didn't get the minty moose at Toys R Us with my friend Sara, but I was there again today with my friend Pawel! Mr. Minty Moose was labeled as 50% off at $7.98. I was ready to pay that price, but when I got to the register, the cashier (whom Pawel found very attractive :P) informed me I only owed 0.74 cents. Pawel kindly lent me a dollar because it seemed silly to pay 0.74 cents with a debit card. Pawel even bought me a surprise ice cream (while I was on line at Starbucks, getting a free drink with my christmas Starbucks card). It was quite interesting eating a cold ice cream and then a hot drink. Tasty. And then Pawel even offered to let me take advantage of the "get one free" half of the deal on the belt he bought at Spencers (but Spencers isn't exactly my scene haha). It's the thought that counts though.

In point of fact, The Last Dragonslayer was purchased for me by this very same Pawel and, so far, it is excellent.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

A series of fortunate events!

The Best Part of Today #61:
Finishing my book, and starting a new one.

Not gonna lie, this was pretty great. Because of Snowstorm #3 this winter season, I did not have to go babysit (nor could I get there easily anyway, even if I did have to go). This allowed me to spend the time not spent shoveling the driveway finishing Artemis Fowl: The Atlantis Complex (Eoin Colfer), and move on to The Last Dragonslayer (Jasper Fforde). Excitement abounds!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Don't Forget to Be Adventurous!

The Best Part of Today #60:
Nerdfighter adventures!!!

Today was a awesomely awesome day with one of my favorite people, my nerdfighter friend Sara (no, not my sister). We searched for the elusive mystical beast known as the inflatable snow tube/sled and he led us on a merry chase through Sports Authority, Dick's Sporting Goods and Toys R Us. Though we weren't able to track one of these rare creatures down, we were successful in finding Sara some snow pants, which were put to good use in the attempted creation of snow Daleks, and some rather fine (if somewhat dangerous) sledding and adventuring. When all of our extremities were quite cold and numb, we returned to the warm of indoors, and watched Dr. Who while eating Trader Joes' munchies.

Also, we mutually adored this awesome song.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Pass Along Power

The Best Part of Today #59:
Remembering a Titan.

It's funny how my thoughts todays have mostly been themed on the unexpected. I thought I had my title for this post in mind, but when I started writing it, the title and the way to phrase the BPoT just flowed out of me. Maybe because I just read a wonderful post by Rick Riordan about the controversy surrounding the new edition of Huck Finn, and I absolutely adore his writing. Interestingly, I just realized my title can also relate to both Mark Twain, as the new edition will reintroduce his masterpiece back unto the world, and one of Rick Riordan's books, The Titan's Curse, both of which are excellent books.

What I was originally going for with the BPoT though was my rediscovery of the power of the Library. What a magnificent institution it is that allows you to read books for free! And when you're done, you bequeath those books unto others so that they may share in your priceless enjoyment of knowledge. This may not sound like such a revelation, but after spending hours trying to find the best prices on my pricey spring semester textbooks, this idea was like a godsend. I had the stroke of brilliance to look for my school textbooks in my school library and found a little less than half of them, saving me well over $100.

This idea came to me as I was grumbling about why textbooks are the only books I don't get excited about buying. Normally I like to own the books I read. If I read a book and I don't own it I'll just buy it anyway. One of my favorite things to do is go to my little local bookstore and pick out something I have never heard of before just for pleasure reading. Even though I haven't read about a third of the books that I own, the thrill of acquiring new books never loses its luster. Except when it comes to books I don't want to buy. And I thought, why should I have to buy something I don't want? That is criminally materialistic and backward to me. So thank you, Library, for helping me only get things I really do want.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Two for the Price of One

The Best Part of Today # 58:
Not one but ten!

I knew it was supposed to snow again today, but I was told it was only going to be about one inch. How much did we get? Last time I checked, around 10. One huge snowstorm would have been good enough for me, but two is too good.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Let me spin you an manly yarn...

The Best of Today #57:
Not gonna lie, it was playing Kirby's Epic Yarn for a couple hours.

Not all at the same time of course, but my total time was probably definitely more than two. This unique adorable wii game creatively spins a new adventure for the famous pink puffball in Patchland, a world torn apart by the evil Yin Yarn. Having stolen the magical yarn and rent the pieces of Patchland asunder, Yin Yarn knits together monsters from his magic sock necklace using his magical knitting needles. Having eaten Yin Yarn's crafty Metamato, Kirby was turned into yarn, but he discovered he could turn into a basket of other things from a firetruck to submarine, a parachute to UFO. He claws through cotton stuffing, pulls enemies apart at the seams, and slips through cracks as nothing more than a skinny pink string. Take my word for it, this is an unsolicited endorsement. Wii-owning, Kirby-loving games unite!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

A+B=Chinese food!


The Best Part of Today #56:
Employment!

Well, sort of. Not for me. My sister finally got a real job teaching elementary music (yay for Sara!). I'm sure that was the best part of Sara's day, and I'm really happy for her, but that just means it's time to celebrate by going to a hibachi restaurant! Mmm shrimp fried rice.

And here is a picture of me blowing bubbles with the fruity gum you get with the check!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Sanitary

The Best Part of Today #55:
Making napkin animals.

Napkin shapes really, my one attempt at a swan failed. But we had several styles going on at the dinner table, from hanging heart to minimalist to free form. We were even given a lesson in cloth diaper tying. Most informative. My sister and I even resurrected an old joke, originating from the show "Dirty Jobs," in which Mike Rowe tours the Tidee Didee reusable diaper cleaning facility. Not exactly dinner talk, but hey, we were all finished. Mostly.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Little Fun

The Best Part of Today #54:
Toy Story 3. What a great movie, especially after having a fun time babysitting my neighbour, a little two year old girl named Juliana. Adorable. Fun.