sql query to mysql

I have queried a database on the network and get the following into my variable

PS C:\scripts> $a

spent_on                                                                                                    

--------                                                                                                    

3/29/2013 12:00:00 AM

and then this

PS C:\scripts> $a[0]

Friday, March 29, 2013 12:00:00 AM

Can you tell me what is happening here as well as how to test for day and month

Thanks in advance