gistfile1

def date_to_epoch(date, offset)
  Time.local(date.year, date.month, date.day + offset).to_i
end
# example:
# departure_date = Date.today
# days_until_return = 1
# puts date_to_epoch(departure_date, days_until_return)

def this_coming(day)
  if day.is_a? Integer
    day_number = day.to_i
  elsif day.is_a? Symbol
    day.to_s!
  else day.is_a? String
    days={"monday"=>1,'tuesday'=>2,'wednesday'=>3,'thursday'=>4,'friday'=>5,'saturday'=>6,'sunday'=>7}
    day_number = days[day]
  end
  
  result = Date.today
  result += 1 until result.wday == day_number
  result
end
def next_week(day); end
def this_past(day); end
def last_week(day); end

puts this_coming('saturday')    # this includes a saturday in the current week
puts next_week('saturday')     # this does NOT include a saturday in the current week
puts this_past('tuesday')      # this includes a tuesday in the current week
puts last_week('tuesday')      # this does NOT includea tuesday in the current week