Welcome to the Party!

Even Leo came, looking all snazzy. Below includes a gigantic life update, some cuddly articles, and a bonus "star of Bethlehem" featured here.

The ‘Great’ Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn

Skywatchers are in for an end-of-year treat. What has become known popularly as the “Christmas Star” is an especially vibrant planetary conjunction easily visible in the evening sky over the next two weeks as the bright planets Jupiter and Saturn come together, culminating on the night of Dec. 21.

NASA

As this week is Christmas week, it's cool that tonight, Saturn and Jupiter become best friends and what many theorize, is/was the star the night Jesus was born. "The planets will be easy to see with the unaided eye by looking toward the southwest just after sunset."

On Site

Giant Life Update #2 (8 min)

About time I got to say some of the things going on behind the scenes and here is the first of them: A Giant Life Update. In it, I talk about quitting my job, working for Starbucks, and where I see Japanese taking me.

Feel free to reach out if you want to know more or if you're confused about anything. Even better, you can just say hi or request any fun things from me...your pick :)

Thank you for being a member on the team! Your support helps :D

Off Site

As Christmas is this week I wanted to give you some fun stories to cuddle with. So here are a few volcanos and an old Japanese shop. Cuddle-able? Debatable. Enjoyable? 100%

Volcanoes, explained

Get more information about volcanoes from National Geographic.

Maya Wei-HaasNational Geographic

VOLCANOES: This is a cool fact slide show, but really, I like it for the pictures. Consider it fine art with your fine drinks.

The Sound So Loud That It Circled the Earth Four Times

It was heard in over 50 different locations around the globe.

Aatish BhatiaPocket

SOUND: 4 times!! It was a volcano that went off and people thought it was the end of the world in 1883. That's like someone farting in Boston and hearing it in LA. Oh, it's Christmas? Sorry, that's like them glitter farting then... Haha, I'm a child.

This Japanese Shop Is 1,020 Years Old. (7 min)*

That's more than halfway back to Jesus :P How'd they do it? They stay risk adverse and seek to put stability and longevity over growth and expansion. And they aren't alone as Japan has 40% of the worlds 100-year+ businesses. So when I move there, I'll live to a hundred right??

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*I liked the preview feature last week, but unfortunately some of the sites don't like to allow you to "preview" since they think it's a robot doing it. That said, I'll preview when I can based off the feedback I got :)

Quote of The Week

"Just as iron rusts from disuse; water loses its purity from stagnation, even so does inaction sap the vigor of the mind." - Leonardo da Vinci

Listen to Leo people, and don't be lazy this week. This is meant to be a refreshing time, not a "lazy time". So bake those cookies, talk with those families, and keep "the vigor of the mind"!

Wrap Up

What a crazy time of the year with lots of life changes, big things going on, and Christmas!! I hope you have a chance to be with your family, to be blessed with a meal, and to give thanks for all that is good. Enjoy this Friday, and as always,

Thanks for Reading!

-Bradley