The importance of April

April is really quite a month. It begins the series of really fantastic months (April-August) that consist of sunshine, spring, flowers, summer and all that is bright. Except in Washington. Where it rains constantly. Although here in Seattle, we had some very beautiful days this week. The Quad was full of visitors taking pictures of the cherry blossoms, frisbee players, and students lounging in the rare sunshine. Quite lovely.

And, in case you were unaware, April is National Poetry Month and School Library Month. Which is just perfect. This week (April 10-16) is National Library Week. So visit a library. Check something out. Be kind to the librarians (and the all people working behind the desks!). Read a book!

The University of Washington's newspaper, The Daily, published an article yesterday about Library Snapshot Day here at the UW. On April 12, library users, students and faculty were encouraged to provide feedback about the UW libraries through social networking sites or taking photographs. In light of the recent budget cuts, this day was especially important. Jill Mckinstry, the Director of Odegaard Undergraduate Library, said, "We've heard from students [through surveys] that [the] library as a place is still very important, particularly for the undergraduate population. ...So we're trying to make sure that that is not damaged or hurt." The data from Library Snapshot Day is going to be compiled and then sent to the state on April 27. I found some of the photos from the UW's Library Snapshot Day here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/uwlibsnap11/pool/.

As a patron and employee of the UW libraries, as well as a future librarian, reading this article made me very happy.

April 13 is also the Khmer, Thai, and Lao New Year's! I must admit that I do not know a lot about the celebration of Khmer New Year but I intend to find out. According to Asian Hope, the holiday is one of the largest in Cambodia and celebrates the end of the harvest season.

There's also Easter and the end of Lent. This year for Lent I gave up Tumblr (addicting) and worked towards less complaining and less comparison. It's been an interesting Lent season, what with traveling and such. But I love the journey to Easter and the celebration of Jesus' death and resurrection. I must say, I think Easter is my favorite holiday.

Of course we can't forget April Fools Day, or as I prefer, "Poisson d'Avril!". In France, people try to tape paper fish onto the backs of others without the person noticing. It's good fun and my sister and I have participated many a time. Earth Day also occurs in April. All you tree huggers out there.. go hug your favorite tree on April 22! Today is also one of my best friends' birthday. Happy Birthday Amber dear!

Also, I started this blog in April last year.. and I seem to blog a lot more in April than any other month... an interesting phenomenon.

Never realized how important April really is to me. There's a brilliant little song by Simon and Garfunkel called "April, Come She Will." It goes through some of the months and I'm pretty sure it's about women, but I enjoy it quite thoroughly.

Yesterday, as I was walking to class, there was a sudden rainstorm, even though it was sunny. I walked through the Quad and cherry blossoms were flying everywhere in the wind and the rain and the sun. It was so beautiful.

Enjoy April.