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Isra and Miraj: Prophet Muhammad’s Miraculous Journey
Freedom Gobel
Al-Isra (The Journey by Night) - Quran 17:1
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَى بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلاً مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ البَصِيرُ
(TRANSLATED) Limitless in His glory is He who transported His servant by night from the Inviolable House of Worship [at Mecca] to the Remote House of Worship [at Jerusalem] - the environs of which We had blessed -so that We might show him some of Our symbols: for, verily, He alone is all-hearing, all-seeing.
Part One- The Story of Isra: ‘The Night Journey’
The Prophet Muhammad was fast asleep during the later times of Rajab, the seventh month of the Islamic calendar, when he was woken by the Angel Gabriel. He had a message; an important message. With him he brought a Buraq, or a “horse with wings” (by description). From Prophet Muhammad’s current place of rest and worship, Angel Gabriel took him to Jerusalem by means of the Buraq, where together they worshipped Allah in all His holiness. Gabriel presented Muhammad with the choice of milk of wine, to which he chose milk, representing his good and pure nature.
Part Two- The Story of Miraj: “Ascension to Heaven”
After much worship for Allah in Jerusalem, Gabriel accompanied Muhammad on a spiritual journey: Up to heaven. Along the way, they encounter other Prophets and exchanged messages of peace. At the culminating point of their journey, they met Allah. He instructed that true believers in him and the Muslim faith must pray 50 times a day to prove their commitment. With clear direction, Muhammad made his descent to Earth, but met the Prophet Moses along the way. Moses heard of Allah’s instruction, and expressed that 50 prayers a day is far too many. Muhammad went back to negotiate, and Allah agreed to reduce the number by 5, making the total number of daily prayers 45. Moses still was unsatisfied, and sent Muhammad back for further negotiation multiple times until the final number reached 5 daily prayers, and Muhammad refused to negotiate any more. With that, he returned to Earth.
Isra and Miraj Today
To this day, believers in Allah worship and pray 5 times a day in honor of Muhammad’s journey, and understand that 5 prayers a day is never a burden, but a privilege. On the day of Isra and Miraj, celebrated during the month of Rajab (Islamic Calendar), or April, the people of the Muslim faith will often study or listen to the story of Prophet Muhammad’s night journey either in mosque or in the company of loved ones at home. A communal meal is prepared, sweet are exchanged, and cities are illuminated with an abundance of candles in celebration.
Sources:
http://www.islamicity.org/quransearch/?ref=17:1
http://www.sunnah.org/ibadaat/fasting/ascen3.htm
http://muwasala.org/reflections-on-the-isra-and-miraj/
http://www.islamicity.org/5843/isra-and-miraj-the-miraculous-night-journey/
http://www.aicp.org/index.php/islamic-information/text/english/91-the-miracle-of-al-isra-and-al-mi-raj
http://www.irfi.org/articles/articles_251_300/miraj.htm
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَى بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلاً مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ البَصِيرُ
(TRANSLATED) Limitless in His glory is He who transported His servant by night from the Inviolable House of Worship [at Mecca] to the Remote House of Worship [at Jerusalem] - the environs of which We had blessed -so that We might show him some of Our symbols: for, verily, He alone is all-hearing, all-seeing.
Part One- The Story of Isra: ‘The Night Journey’
The Prophet Muhammad was fast asleep during the later times of Rajab, the seventh month of the Islamic calendar, when he was woken by the Angel Gabriel. He had a message; an important message. With him he brought a Buraq, or a “horse with wings” (by description). From Prophet Muhammad’s current place of rest and worship, Angel Gabriel took him to Jerusalem by means of the Buraq, where together they worshipped Allah in all His holiness. Gabriel presented Muhammad with the choice of milk of wine, to which he chose milk, representing his good and pure nature.
Part Two- The Story of Miraj: “Ascension to Heaven”
After much worship for Allah in Jerusalem, Gabriel accompanied Muhammad on a spiritual journey: Up to heaven. Along the way, they encounter other Prophets and exchanged messages of peace. At the culminating point of their journey, they met Allah. He instructed that true believers in him and the Muslim faith must pray 50 times a day to prove their commitment. With clear direction, Muhammad made his descent to Earth, but met the Prophet Moses along the way. Moses heard of Allah’s instruction, and expressed that 50 prayers a day is far too many. Muhammad went back to negotiate, and Allah agreed to reduce the number by 5, making the total number of daily prayers 45. Moses still was unsatisfied, and sent Muhammad back for further negotiation multiple times until the final number reached 5 daily prayers, and Muhammad refused to negotiate any more. With that, he returned to Earth.
Isra and Miraj Today
To this day, believers in Allah worship and pray 5 times a day in honor of Muhammad’s journey, and understand that 5 prayers a day is never a burden, but a privilege. On the day of Isra and Miraj, celebrated during the month of Rajab (Islamic Calendar), or April, the people of the Muslim faith will often study or listen to the story of Prophet Muhammad’s night journey either in mosque or in the company of loved ones at home. A communal meal is prepared, sweet are exchanged, and cities are illuminated with an abundance of candles in celebration.
Sources:
http://www.islamicity.org/quransearch/?ref=17:1
http://www.sunnah.org/ibadaat/fasting/ascen3.htm
http://muwasala.org/reflections-on-the-isra-and-miraj/
http://www.islamicity.org/5843/isra-and-miraj-the-miraculous-night-journey/
http://www.aicp.org/index.php/islamic-information/text/english/91-the-miracle-of-al-isra-and-al-mi-raj
http://www.irfi.org/articles/articles_251_300/miraj.htm
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Welcome to National Humor Month!
Maysa Saadeddin
April is known for April Fools day, Easter, and spring break. Each celebration is the combination of being goofy and having a good time with friends and family. Decorating eggs lets you design the way you want, letting your creativity show. The goofy side of Easter is hiding the eggs and what surprise you get from the egg. April Fools day is pranking your friends and creating memorable moments. When you think of April you think of these celebrations, however there is more to April then when what people think.
The month of April is not only known for Easter, but it's also the month of humor and comedy. April is full of pranking your friends and hiding eggs for Easter which labels April as the goofy month. Laughter is a very important necessity to help us get through tough times and to not focus on the negative side of life. According to a well-known quote, “laughter is the best medicine.” However there is more to the month of humor than it might seem.
You might be asking, what is the point of National Humor Month? The point is to remind us to stop stressing over everything and just laugh it off with your family and friends. This month brings everyone’s focus on how laughter can be very important to add into your daily life Some people don’t realize how much comedy helps you when you’re depressed or mad. So, this month helps bring the awareness of how humor can improve communication skills and is a way to relax.
National Humor Month was created by Larry Wilde in 1976. Wilde is a comedian, bestselling author, motivational speaker, health humorist, and stage actor. Steve Wilson, who is the director of National Humor Month is an award winning psychologist that has spent 30 years using humor to help his clients. Wilde is also the director of the Carmel Institute of Humor which is a organization that brings awareness that humor can help people in many ways. Aside from him being a director at the organization, Wilde published 53 books that are filled with comedy and meaningful quotes. In his book, “When You’re Up to your Eyeballs in Alligators,” Wilde wrote, “Humor improves vision,” he continued by writing, “Things always look better after a good laugh”.
Laughter can help people in many different ways depending on the situation and how the person feels. One way laughter can help is by reducing stress and relaxing your body. Humor can make you very happy; therefore, it makes you forget about what you are stressing about. Another way is laughter helps by strengthening your immune system. It might seem strange, but it’s actually very true. The reason behind this is that since laughter reduces stress hormones, it increases your immune cells that will improve your ability to fight back diseases and illnesses.
National Humor Month is a month full of laying back and laughing with your friends. Celebrating the month isn’t that hard; just keep on laughing and challenge yourself to make as many jokes as you can in that month. Laughter is an important necessity to have a smile on your face and enjoy the time you spend with your family and friends. Thanks to Larry Wilde, we are able to bring the power of laughter to light.
The month of April is not only known for Easter, but it's also the month of humor and comedy. April is full of pranking your friends and hiding eggs for Easter which labels April as the goofy month. Laughter is a very important necessity to help us get through tough times and to not focus on the negative side of life. According to a well-known quote, “laughter is the best medicine.” However there is more to the month of humor than it might seem.
You might be asking, what is the point of National Humor Month? The point is to remind us to stop stressing over everything and just laugh it off with your family and friends. This month brings everyone’s focus on how laughter can be very important to add into your daily life Some people don’t realize how much comedy helps you when you’re depressed or mad. So, this month helps bring the awareness of how humor can improve communication skills and is a way to relax.
National Humor Month was created by Larry Wilde in 1976. Wilde is a comedian, bestselling author, motivational speaker, health humorist, and stage actor. Steve Wilson, who is the director of National Humor Month is an award winning psychologist that has spent 30 years using humor to help his clients. Wilde is also the director of the Carmel Institute of Humor which is a organization that brings awareness that humor can help people in many ways. Aside from him being a director at the organization, Wilde published 53 books that are filled with comedy and meaningful quotes. In his book, “When You’re Up to your Eyeballs in Alligators,” Wilde wrote, “Humor improves vision,” he continued by writing, “Things always look better after a good laugh”.
Laughter can help people in many different ways depending on the situation and how the person feels. One way laughter can help is by reducing stress and relaxing your body. Humor can make you very happy; therefore, it makes you forget about what you are stressing about. Another way is laughter helps by strengthening your immune system. It might seem strange, but it’s actually very true. The reason behind this is that since laughter reduces stress hormones, it increases your immune cells that will improve your ability to fight back diseases and illnesses.
National Humor Month is a month full of laying back and laughing with your friends. Celebrating the month isn’t that hard; just keep on laughing and challenge yourself to make as many jokes as you can in that month. Laughter is an important necessity to have a smile on your face and enjoy the time you spend with your family and friends. Thanks to Larry Wilde, we are able to bring the power of laughter to light.
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Prom: A Night in Mumbai
Emma Duffy
Prom is just over the horizon, and the Student Prom Committee has worked tirelessly over the last couple of months to plan every detail. The event will take place on Friday, April 7, at the Italian Community Center. It begins at 8:00 p.m. and runs until 11:30 p.m. The theme this year is Bollywood: Night in Mumbai, featuring music and decorations inspired by India’s Bollywood. Tickets are sold outside the library at $60 for students, $70 for guests, and $30 for seniors that successfully completed their FAFSAs!
At previous Reagan dances, students have voiced concerns about the diversity of the music selection, so this year’s prom committee is dedicated to creating a playlist that encompasses a wide range of tastes, including authentic Indian music from Bollywood itself. Food will be served at different intervals of the dance, with dinner served buffet-style at the beginning of the night, and dessert after people get a chance to dance, hang out, and take photos in the photobooth!
While the Italian Community Center is beautiful on its own, the committee will also work to decorate the hall in true Bollywood fashion, featuring bright and vivid colors, lanterns, and sparkling fabrics. Also make sure to grab a swag-bag while you’re there, which includes a prom-themed gift to remember the night.
At previous Reagan dances, students have voiced concerns about the diversity of the music selection, so this year’s prom committee is dedicated to creating a playlist that encompasses a wide range of tastes, including authentic Indian music from Bollywood itself. Food will be served at different intervals of the dance, with dinner served buffet-style at the beginning of the night, and dessert after people get a chance to dance, hang out, and take photos in the photobooth!
While the Italian Community Center is beautiful on its own, the committee will also work to decorate the hall in true Bollywood fashion, featuring bright and vivid colors, lanterns, and sparkling fabrics. Also make sure to grab a swag-bag while you’re there, which includes a prom-themed gift to remember the night.
As this year’s prom is inspired by Indian culture, some students have raised concerns about potential cultural appropriation at the dance. The adult supervisor of the planning committee, Ms Holtgrieve, has asserted that if she thought the school ran the risk of unintentionally appropriating Indian culture, she would not have approved it as the theme for prom. Additionally, other students have added that culture appropriation occurs when someone outside purposely desecrates that culture, misuses elements meant for sacred or religious use, or takes elements from it without giving credit to the source. As long as this dance is dedicated to using authentic Bollywood inspiration, students should not be concerned about potential cultural appropriation.
On a lighter note, henna tattoos will also be sold at this year’s prom! Anita Reed is a professional henna artist that will give henna tattoos for $10. These tattoos are done with natural henna ink made by Anita herself, and leave a design on your skin for up to two weeks. Look for her booth in the lobby of the ICC!
The night should prove to be glamorous and full of color; hope to see you there!
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The Reagan Immigrant/ Refugee Perspective on Trump's Executive Order for Immigration
Freedom Gobel & Leo Espinoza
Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration has generated severely opposing political opinions, and the same goes for his actions since the beginning of his time in office. Trump’s proposed executive order on immigration strived to ban several Muslim countries from immigrating or traveling to the United States and to ban all refugees for a period of months. While a large portion of the American population agrees with this order in its attempt to control terrorism threats, many people view this act as unconstitutional, particularly immigrants and refugees.
Through the ‘We Are Reagan’ project, students from families of immigrants of refugee (or refugees/immigrants themselves) were able to communicate their backgrounds and stories. Three students of the ‘We Are Reagan’ project have expressed a more in-depth view on the current political happenings on immigration: Daeniel Datu, Than Win, and Genesis Barillas. From the perspectives of individuals this executive order affects (or could have affected) in the Reagan populaton, the question of whether Trump’s actions are justifiable or unconstitutional is answered.
Daeniel Datu
My ethnic background is 50/50. Half from my father who is of European descent, and half from my mother who is of South-east Asian. From her I have a small amount of Chinese and a sizable amount of Filipino. My grandmother and grandfather on my mother's side were both born, raised, and died in the Philippines. My mother came to the United States for love; she was in love with my father and got married here.
I think I will feel the normal shift of equality that comes with a powerful figure being changed. I don't think it will drastic; it hasn't been, but I keep being told that I am in danger and that my words are being silenced. I would have to strongly disagree with that notion. I think that true, there will be a change in the vocal population, just as there was with Obama being elected.
I personally think it [the executive order] was made out of unneeded fear, but I do see why Trump made it. While countries like Kuwait, which is officially an Islamic country, have a very similar policy due the extremist groups, I have the feeling it didn't need to be done. We're not Kuwait, and we're not surrounded by countries with extremist groups, and especially not to the severity it did, however there's still slight merit to the order, as there is to every decision.
Than Win
I am Karen from the country of Burma, but I was born in Thailand. My parents and grandparents were also born in Burma. My parents and I came to the US to flee the government and look for better opportunities here.
Under Trump’s presidency, I do not feel I am or will be treated equally. I am a middle class citizen of color, and Trump is a rich, white businessman who is all about money. He makes decisions based on what he thinks is best for him, not for our nation, which is wrong and selfish. He doesn't think about what we want. Being an immigrant and person of color, I do not feel that he cares about us and this is shown through his immigration ban. He just cares about America being great but just through the people he favors.
I severely oppose Trump’s executive order on immigration simply because it's wrong and unconstitutional. I understand that he doesn't want terrorists and other extremists to come to our country, but the benefits immigrants have and will continue to give us outweigh the bad. The US is a country of immigrants, and without immigrants, it wouldn't be what it is now. He has set a ban for several Muslim countries, and it just disappoints me that this would happen.
Genesis Barillas
I am Puerto Rican and Salvadoran. My mom was born and raised in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico and my father was born in El Salvador. My father was a refugee from El Salvador escaping the civil war that began in 1980 and lasted until 1992. Through the refugee program, him, his mother, and his five brothers and sisters were able to move here to Wisconsin around the age of 10. My mother moved to Wisconsin by herself when she was about 15 years old. The reason for her move was to continue her education in the United States and to learn English. She attended South Division High School and so did my father, and that is how they met. After high school my mother returned back to Puerto Rico to attend college and continued living there after getting her BSN degree in Nursing. Because my mom moved back home, that is where I was born. I was born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico in 1999 and moved here to the United States in 2000 in order to be closer to my father and his family who lived here in Wisconsin.
I would hope that minorities would be treated equally in this country, but sadly, I feel that I will be treated differently. I believe that due to Trump’s openness about his feelings toward minorities (specifically the Hispanic community) have allowed for others to voice their opinions and feel that it is okay to be prejudice. I myself travel often throughout the U.S and fear that this has opened me up as a Hispanic female to be judged solely because of the color of my skin or because I speak Spanish. I feel that we have taken two steps back in time and have resorted to judging based on looks rather than brains.
My feelings toward the ban on immigrants can only be described as hurt. In 2016, we reached record numbers of refugees. We helped nearly 85,000 refugees, people searching for work, homes, and safety: all things they could not find in their homelands. I believe it is sad that instead of opening our hearts and finding ways to aid these people from the wars, Trump has decided to ban them. I can only imagine the things my father, being a refugee, has seen. He has never spoken to me about it, and my mother has stated that it was a difficult experience. It is preferred not to be spoken of. I feel that Trump has not been able to comprehend what refugees and immigrants have had to go through; therefore, he hasn’t realized who this ban affects and how.
Sources:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/03/06/executive-order-protecting-nation-foreign-terrorist-entry-united-states
http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/06/politics/trump-travel-ban-iraq/index.html
Through the ‘We Are Reagan’ project, students from families of immigrants of refugee (or refugees/immigrants themselves) were able to communicate their backgrounds and stories. Three students of the ‘We Are Reagan’ project have expressed a more in-depth view on the current political happenings on immigration: Daeniel Datu, Than Win, and Genesis Barillas. From the perspectives of individuals this executive order affects (or could have affected) in the Reagan populaton, the question of whether Trump’s actions are justifiable or unconstitutional is answered.
Daeniel Datu
My ethnic background is 50/50. Half from my father who is of European descent, and half from my mother who is of South-east Asian. From her I have a small amount of Chinese and a sizable amount of Filipino. My grandmother and grandfather on my mother's side were both born, raised, and died in the Philippines. My mother came to the United States for love; she was in love with my father and got married here.
I think I will feel the normal shift of equality that comes with a powerful figure being changed. I don't think it will drastic; it hasn't been, but I keep being told that I am in danger and that my words are being silenced. I would have to strongly disagree with that notion. I think that true, there will be a change in the vocal population, just as there was with Obama being elected.
I personally think it [the executive order] was made out of unneeded fear, but I do see why Trump made it. While countries like Kuwait, which is officially an Islamic country, have a very similar policy due the extremist groups, I have the feeling it didn't need to be done. We're not Kuwait, and we're not surrounded by countries with extremist groups, and especially not to the severity it did, however there's still slight merit to the order, as there is to every decision.
Than Win
I am Karen from the country of Burma, but I was born in Thailand. My parents and grandparents were also born in Burma. My parents and I came to the US to flee the government and look for better opportunities here.
Under Trump’s presidency, I do not feel I am or will be treated equally. I am a middle class citizen of color, and Trump is a rich, white businessman who is all about money. He makes decisions based on what he thinks is best for him, not for our nation, which is wrong and selfish. He doesn't think about what we want. Being an immigrant and person of color, I do not feel that he cares about us and this is shown through his immigration ban. He just cares about America being great but just through the people he favors.
I severely oppose Trump’s executive order on immigration simply because it's wrong and unconstitutional. I understand that he doesn't want terrorists and other extremists to come to our country, but the benefits immigrants have and will continue to give us outweigh the bad. The US is a country of immigrants, and without immigrants, it wouldn't be what it is now. He has set a ban for several Muslim countries, and it just disappoints me that this would happen.
Genesis Barillas
I am Puerto Rican and Salvadoran. My mom was born and raised in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico and my father was born in El Salvador. My father was a refugee from El Salvador escaping the civil war that began in 1980 and lasted until 1992. Through the refugee program, him, his mother, and his five brothers and sisters were able to move here to Wisconsin around the age of 10. My mother moved to Wisconsin by herself when she was about 15 years old. The reason for her move was to continue her education in the United States and to learn English. She attended South Division High School and so did my father, and that is how they met. After high school my mother returned back to Puerto Rico to attend college and continued living there after getting her BSN degree in Nursing. Because my mom moved back home, that is where I was born. I was born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico in 1999 and moved here to the United States in 2000 in order to be closer to my father and his family who lived here in Wisconsin.
I would hope that minorities would be treated equally in this country, but sadly, I feel that I will be treated differently. I believe that due to Trump’s openness about his feelings toward minorities (specifically the Hispanic community) have allowed for others to voice their opinions and feel that it is okay to be prejudice. I myself travel often throughout the U.S and fear that this has opened me up as a Hispanic female to be judged solely because of the color of my skin or because I speak Spanish. I feel that we have taken two steps back in time and have resorted to judging based on looks rather than brains.
My feelings toward the ban on immigrants can only be described as hurt. In 2016, we reached record numbers of refugees. We helped nearly 85,000 refugees, people searching for work, homes, and safety: all things they could not find in their homelands. I believe it is sad that instead of opening our hearts and finding ways to aid these people from the wars, Trump has decided to ban them. I can only imagine the things my father, being a refugee, has seen. He has never spoken to me about it, and my mother has stated that it was a difficult experience. It is preferred not to be spoken of. I feel that Trump has not been able to comprehend what refugees and immigrants have had to go through; therefore, he hasn’t realized who this ban affects and how.
Sources:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/03/06/executive-order-protecting-nation-foreign-terrorist-entry-united-states
http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/06/politics/trump-travel-ban-iraq/index.html
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Have no fear! Fun is near!
Maysa Saadeddin
It’s heartbreaking news when your family tells you that your staying home during spring break. Who wants to sit on their couch and eat chips all day? Everybody! However it gets boring after a full day of lounging around. Spring break is the time to enjoy the warm weather and have fun with family. Boredom shouldn’t ruin your spring break! They are many fun and enjoyable activities out there that you can do along with your family.
Making a pizza from scratch with siblings, parents,and friends can be a fun time. You are able to create any kind of pizza you want. This is a fantastic way to create nice family memories and you can learn how to make a new recipe! To make it even more interesting, you could shape your pizza any way you want. Using a cookie cutter on pizza dough, you can create new shapes, such as hearts or stars.
Another activity to do over spring break is to have a board game tournament with your friends and families. Dig up all your old childhood board games and make a competition. Choose a prize like cookies, or other sugary foods, and ask anyone who would like to play. The winner will be the person who wins the most games. To make it more fun, you can create a forfeit for whoever loses. For example, the one who loses, has to eat a lemon or drink expired milk.
There are many more activities you can do to keep busy. You can bake cookies or a cake and decorate it to look like bunnies. Learning sign language is a great way to both learn something new and have fun doing it. Volunteering at homeless shelters or walking people’s dogs are also activities that can create a positive effect on your community and the environment. Making a garden in your backyard with the help of those who are close to you. Hopefully, with ideas like these and many more, your spring break will be full of enjoyment and fun.
Making a pizza from scratch with siblings, parents,and friends can be a fun time. You are able to create any kind of pizza you want. This is a fantastic way to create nice family memories and you can learn how to make a new recipe! To make it even more interesting, you could shape your pizza any way you want. Using a cookie cutter on pizza dough, you can create new shapes, such as hearts or stars.
Another activity to do over spring break is to have a board game tournament with your friends and families. Dig up all your old childhood board games and make a competition. Choose a prize like cookies, or other sugary foods, and ask anyone who would like to play. The winner will be the person who wins the most games. To make it more fun, you can create a forfeit for whoever loses. For example, the one who loses, has to eat a lemon or drink expired milk.
There are many more activities you can do to keep busy. You can bake cookies or a cake and decorate it to look like bunnies. Learning sign language is a great way to both learn something new and have fun doing it. Volunteering at homeless shelters or walking people’s dogs are also activities that can create a positive effect on your community and the environment. Making a garden in your backyard with the help of those who are close to you. Hopefully, with ideas like these and many more, your spring break will be full of enjoyment and fun.