
I’m sure many others do. With a Tuesday/Thursday schedule, there are a limited number of days between now and spring break on which to schedule a mid-term. Good luck!

Answering questions at Boston College O’Neill Library

I’m sure many others do. With a Tuesday/Thursday schedule, there are a limited number of days between now and spring break on which to schedule a mid-term. Good luck!

I can think of many options, but most of them involve sacrificing your dignity or lying, so that’s the challenge, isn’t it: how to get this to happen discreetly & honestly. I hear chocolates & flowers sometimes help. Something to keep in mind, too, is that it’s not like the day is magical or anything, and was originally about an entirely different kind of love. IOW, no shame in experiencing other kinds of love on Valentine’s Day.

Yes, that is certainly a key element in the process.

Happy New Year to you, too! Wishing you and everyone the best of fortunes in the Year of the Pig!

Personal taste is, well, personal. So, the answer depends on the person. In general, something is overdone when the original intent is lost due to an overwhelming implementation. When you can’t see the Christmas tree for the forest of trees, then maybe it’s a little much.

The Wall likes that you’re thinking about your mom. If she’s someone who doesn’t need (or want) any stuff, how about an experience — a gift certificate to a tea house, or the fun local brunch place? If she’s sporty — tickets to a sporting event. Or concert tickets (The Rolling Stones are going on tour). Or a membership to a local museum. Giving in her honor to a charity is another option, for example: Heifer Project International (heifer.org/gift-catalog). If you prefer to go the traditional route, my helpers tell me that cashmere is always a winner.
![Is [name redacted] a Goblin or a Ghoul?](https://library.bc.edu/answerwall/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/aw102418-7b-300x300.jpg)
It depends. Are they a) a malevolent, demonic, small ugly creature who causes harm and mischief, or are they b) an undead being who frequents graveyards and eats human flesh? (a = goblin, b=ghoul). We have the Greeks to thank for goblins (“kobalus” meant “knave” or “rogue”) and the Arabs to thank for ghouls. Goblins have populated the European imagination for at least a millenium; ghouls are a more recent addition that came with the translation of 1,001 Nights into French in the 19th Century. For more spooky etymologies, see the Oxford English Dictionary (BC only): bit.ly/BC-oxford-english.

We are well situated for day trips! Even NYC or Montreal are arguably do-able in a (long, exhausting) day. Closer to home, I’d recommend: the coast of Maine including Portland and one of the beaches within an easy drive; the Berkshires for some art, music, theater or dance; or Mystic Seaport if you like ships and history. Or try some of the quirkier trips suggested here: bit.ly/DayTripsOuttaBoston… Beer Can Museum?
Every school is a little different about which holidays are days off. Colleges and universities have to fit a certain amount of classroom time into each semester to keep their accreditation, and it’s a balancing act. Lots of schools don’t get Good Friday off, which we do.