Punxsutawney Phil and Groundhog Day

Punxsutawney Phil is the time-honored groundhog who makes his prediction on how the remainder of the winter will go every February 2nd, better known as Groundhog Day. According to legend, there has only been one Punxsutawney Phil ever and he has been forecasting the end of winter sine 1887! That would mean this iconic rodent is at least 123 years old, though I will add that most zoologists say that a properly taken care of groundhog in captivity has a lifespan of about ten years, so I'll let you decide what you think of the legend.

Whether there has been only one or hundreds, Punxsutawney Phil is the focal point of the Groundhog Day Festival held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. We interpret his prediction based on what he does when he sees his shadow. If he sees it and crawls back in his hole, we are said to have a longer end to the winter, if he doesn't go back inside, winter will end quickly. The world renowned groundhog has drawn crowds of up to 40,000 into the small town. That may not seem so surprisingly large of a number when you realize that most people in America at least recognize Groundhog Day, but Punxsutawney only has a population of about 6,000 people! That means that a crowd of people(many of them in outlandish costumes) almost seven times larger than the town’s population collects there early in the morning to watch a groundhog crawl out of a hole!

Punxsutawney Phil obviously has a very large impact on the traditions in America, and has worked his way into modern popular culture as well. The movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray is set in Punxsutawney during the Groundhog Day festivities and MTV's show Viva la Bam has centered an episode around Phil’s special day too. He even has his own Beanie Baby depicting him in the iconic top hat and tie worn by the “Inner Circle” who is the group designated to look after Punxsutawney Phil. The cuddly character has also surely inspired quite a few Halloween costume ideas.

This prestigious rodent has been one of the most original parts of American culture for over a century, and doesn’t seem to be going anywhere soon. If you’re ever looking for a new cultural phenomenon to experience, going to see Punxsutawney Phil would surely be one to remember!

Back to School Preparations

Most of us know that going back to school can be a hectic time for anybody of any age. Someone beginning first grade and someone starting their freshman year are more or less just as overwhelmed while entering new classrooms, meeting new classmates, and getting the run down on new subjects for the very first time. No one can really avert these pressures, but you can reduce the level of overall stress by being properly prepared. Bringing writing utensils, notebooks, a daily planner, a calculator and any other commonly used school supplies will help keep you significantly more relaxed and will let you focus on what you need to focus on. Wearing your best shirt, or something brand new will help you stay confident so you can work on making a the right impression on your teacher instead of adjusting your clothes. Getting along with your classmates is another thing that will reduce stress, and looking fashionable rather than looking like you're sporting a strange combination of Halloween costumes on can go a long way towards breaking the ice.

This seems like a lot to get ready for, but when you bear in mind that you have the whole summer to do it the chore seems easier. Many back to school sales don't happen the week immediately before school anyway, so keep your eyes peeled all summer long for great deals. On occasion it's cheaper to buy in bulk and wind up having supplies left over for next year than wait for a sale and purchase only what you need anyway, so keep that in mind as well. When you do pay for something, buy items you know will last. Pencils that constantly break and notebooks that lose all their paper in a week will simply add frustrations you don't need.

If you've straightened all of these things out before you even walk through the door, stuff like learning how to get to class and all your new teachers names will be no problem. Having a successful start to the school year is a great way to set a pace for the year and a good first impression can sometimes be the difference between an A and a B, so don't let the school year catch you off guard. Do a little homework this summer and get yourself prepared for the new school year, you'll be glad you did!