Jim Carrey's character, Joel, in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind connected with millions when he thought: "Valentine's Day is a holiday invented by greeting card companies to make people feel like crap."

That day people love to hate is right around the corner. A day when hand-holding, lip-locking, starry-eyed duos invade the streets of State College and leave most singles or long-distance lovers, and even some couples themselves, feeling grossed out, rejected, lonely, or all of the above.

I suggest you take the bull by the horns (V-Day being the bull...crap) and make the best of it. I also suggest you take the proposals I have to get through "love day" lightheartedly, as most of them are meant to give the bitter hearts out there something to laugh about.

Spend some QT with your single friends

Carrie made it seem so glamorous on Sex and the City when she said: "If you are single there is always one thing you should take out with you on a Saturday night ... your friends." Yeah, it's sappy, but it's true. Y'all must stick together and misery loves company, so it works out perfectly. Do something to take your mind off spending the holiday without a lover and with all of your lame, dateless friends ... oh wait ... But, yeah. Go bowling, go out to eat or catch a flick (though I wouldn't recommend anything too romantic; you'll run into the enemy).

Don't have any single friends? (We are a dying breed)...

Spend some QT with your roommate ... and his/her date

So your best friend has left you high and dry and become one of "them"? This may be so, but he/she wouldn't want you to spend Valentine's Day alone. Go ahead and crash on those dinner and a movie plans, just be sure to bring your own bottle of wine.

Go ahead and find yourself a Valentine ... for the night

Put on something snazzy and hit the town. There are sure to be lots of other lonely lads and lasses out there. Before you get any crazy ideas, no, I am not suggesting you find them and sleep with all of them. Just find one who suits you and make an agreement to hold hands all night and make googly eyes at each other. This way you won't feel left out and you have the option of ditching your faux lover on the 15th.

Enjoy tasty beverages to ease the pain

Once again, gather all those single pals and replace quality time with margaritas. This should make the evening pass quickly and painlessly.

Laugh and point at all the dull couples

Sure this idea might get you in trouble, but letting those lovey-dovey pairs know you're just as confident, fabulous and not to mention, mature, without a mate as they are attached at the hip will be priceless.

If you're still bitter and contemplating wearing black on Valentine's Day, or if reading this article has made you more bitter, I hope you snap out of it. Valentine's Day doesn't have to be about romance. It is about love. So maybe you can take this day to appreciate everyone you love, whether it be friends, family or a significant other and remember that V-Day should be just like any other day except with more flowers and chocolate. If you don't do it for me, do it to prove to those lovey-dovey couples that
you're not bitter ... you're fabulous.