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Show wy WtrW, wwjra 'fu U 4 jj ,, OLIDAYS Wnvn tthS-- December 13, 1994 the forum Christmas in New York How to love Salt Lake by Johna Devey Brims Forum Staff Writer going to New York anyfor business, so why not do a way little Christmas shopping. NOT! The weather was beautiful in New York, maybe that was part of the problem. Maybe it was because it was Dec. 3 and everyone had the same idea. No matter what the reason was, it was torture. I walked to the corner of 57th Street and Fifth Avc. as I turned to round the building I was immediately caught up in a human wave being jabbed and tossed about like a bouey. I made my way to one side of the mass in hopes to get to my destination back up the street two blocks. I finally reached Bregdorfs only to discover lines at each of the three entrances. People actually waiting on line to go shopping! Forget it . I turned and jumped in the moving wave once again to head down the street to another shopping paradise. This time it was Bcndcls, I was inside within 15 minutes only to find people three deep at every counter. People were grabbing anything and everything in sight, even if they didnt need it, much less want it. I had to get out of there for fear I was going to scream. I had to admit to my defeat. Those women were much better shop I was . . , pers than I. I decided to give up shopping and go to dinner instead and maybe come back to see the Christmas tree and the lights at Rockefeller Center. After the cab driver stopped laughing about my destination I was off to the lights. The driver dropped me off four blocks away because he didnt want to get into all that traffic. I thought to myself, it couldnt be alt that bad. There 1 was again, in that wave passing 45th St. 46th St. 47th St. without any effort at all. Finally , I was at 48th St. and Fifth Ave. thousand with one hundred-fift- y of my nearest and dearest friends. All trying to catch a glimpse of the tree and to get some of that Christmas feeling. It was really hard to get in the mood. The lighting was so bright it looked as though it was 12 noon, even though it was 10:30 p.m. There were people shoving and pushing and yelling, Yo. There were traffic police blowing whistles and horns honking. As I finally elbowed my way out of the crowds and made my way back downtown, I couldnt wait to get back to Utah. Good old slow pace, behind the times Utah. Give me State Street and the Tribune Christmas tree, and yes I will even go as far as to say, give me Temple Square. Merry Christmas. ft Jeff Foote Dont wok the dog during the holidays by Christopher Thomas Forum Staff Writer The holidays arc a completely different unique event on the other side of the world. In South Korea the festivities commence in October with the native celebration of Thanksgiving called Chu suk. I wasnt expecting the traditional over the river and through the woods to grandmothers house to meet relatives I hadnt seen in years; or to stuff my face with turkey and pie while watching the Cowboys on TV with John Madden affixing Thanksgiving puns to football plays but last year my holiday experience took precedence over previous Thanksgiving memories. After getting lost in downtown n Taejon (a city in Korea with a population slightly smaller than New York City) we (my roommates and I) finally found the apartment of a friend who had invited us over for Chu suk festivities. Even though we had arrived two hours late the traditional feast was not prepared so we proceeded to engage in customary holiday South-Wester- small-tal- k. The conversation was similar to dialog back home, except for an ancient Asian proverb narrated by the host who had special regard for foreigners. On a certain winter day a mouse scurried out from her hole in the wall, searching for food to feed her the hungry family. When she came upon a large piece of cheese and was about to pick it up, a cat jumped out and chased the mouse until it was cornered. Suddenly the cat heard the sound of an ensuing dog and quickly ran the other direction. The mouse proceeded to proudly pick up the cheese and take it home to eat with her children while she taught them how to : bark like a dog. I was a little confused by the anecdotes meaning until the host explained the moral behind the story. When venturing into a foreign territory learn the talk of the natives; you never know when it will get you out of trouble. Much to the hosts satisfaction (in the superficial context of the narrative) I quickly applied the meaning A large group of volunteers participated in the Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis Dec. 3 In Sugarhouse Park. The group included members occasion. Over 170 runners and walkers participated, including the of the Westminster College Democrats. Westminster College Democrats, and nearly $12,300 was raised for the Arthritis Foundation. Participant Kent Webb won in the mens division with a time of 19:24, and Francee Laywell won in the womens division with a time of 21:40. The starting gunfire was shot at 10:30 and the race lasted nearly 50 minutes. After the race participants were by Stephanie Mommsen Forum staff writer It was nothing strange to sec Christmas elves, walking lightbulbs and the Westminster College Democrats jaunting through Sugar-hous- e Park with jingle bells on their shoes last Saturday. The Arthritis Foundation hosted their third annual festive fundraiser called Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis on Dec. 3. Jingle Bell Run is a 5K runwalk that consists of two and a half laps around Sugarhouse Park. Participants were asked by the Arthritis Foundation to secure pledges and dress in holiday costumes for the when the meal was served; If two men were sitting here eating (this food) and one of them died the other wouldnt notice because the food is so delicious. I resorted to my favorite oriental proverb in hopes of swaying their attention long enough to rid my side-dis- h plate of an unwanted which I incorrectly suspected to be poshing tang (dog meat). The last time I had resorted to such antics I and the consewas seven years-ol- d quences of being caught were much less severe. Regressing to juvenile reasoning, my first impulse was to alert the family dog under the table and dispose of the unwanted rations, but then I remember if the family had a dog it wouldnt be roaming under the table. Next I surveyed the floor plan of the apartment and examined all of the possibilities but nothing seemed to avail. As a last resort I fumbled for my backpack and clumsily bumped the floor-levtable, knocking my plate onto my pants. Embarassed, I blurted out another oriental proverb Lie back and expectorate. The hosts laughter seemed to ease the degradation of the situation but I still was humiliated by the turn of events. Fortunately when I was served another plate it did not contain the mystery meat, which I suspected to be Fillet of Fido, and I was able to enjoy the traditional meal consisting of pressed rice, fermented cabbage, fish, marinated pork and seaweed soup. The festive meal was topped off with fresh Chinese apple-peawith a side of mandarin oranges that were devoured while watching Ssirum (similar to Sumo except the two larger than life men take hold of a loin cloth type diaper and wrestle until one falls on top of the other). Just to keep the record straight, I didnt ask for a doggy el rs bag. After dinner the conversation centered around the differences in Korean and American cultures. The natives found our celebration of Thanksgiving to be unusual, especially the practice of eating turkey. Most Koreans have not tasted the traditional holiday poultry and find the concept of raising turkeys for invited to the Highland Seminary for a celebratory reception. Lunch was served by the Olive Garden Restaurant while individual times and awards were presented to the runners and walkers by 107.5s Kelly Monson. Other major contributors and supporters include Intermountain Healthcare, Health South and FHP. Katie OBrien, director of the event said, The run was great. Participants were able to secure more Thanksgiving to be strange. Subsequently I questioned poshing tang (dog). The fact that mans best friend is of little use unless it is the main course is strange to me. Even though the host informed me that poshing tang usually isnt served around the holidays, I still reflected upon my little brothers baby (an overweight, middle aged female Basset Hound named Elvis) who is catered to and pampered like a person, and how unusual my Korean friends would find his pet. In Korea its a dog eat dog world where the animal is most revered for its sustenance. I also reflected on the absence of canine gothic in Korean culture. What would the world be like without notorious dogs? Spuds McKenzie wouldnt be portrayed on a surf board or lounging by the side of the pool with beautiful girls by his side but rather the ultimate party animal would be shown lying on the grill with an apple in his mouth or being turned like a shiskabob over an open flame. (Try explaining how dog is the ultimate party animal to my Korean friends!) The White House wouldnt need an airconditioned dog house for the first familys canine friends; the dogs would be kept in the freezer. You wouldnt cry at the end of Old Yeller; Where the Red Fern Grows would have the overtone of a table centerpiece; and the Cleveland Browns (football team) would have a different mascot and their infamous cheering section known as The Dog Pound would be a hot dog stand. Could you imagine a world without Benji, Lassie or Rin Tin Tin? Famous Fidos are as American as mom and apple pie. Frankly speaking, times are changing in Korea, The dog at the village school will be learning poetThe proverb ry in two years. means with time anything is possible and in Korea the popularity of domesticated house pets has slowly increased over the past decade while poshing tang consumption is down. The fact of all of this holiday dogma is there is no place like home to spend the holidays, even sharing a piece of turkey with the family dog while enjoying classic reruns. Toto, theres no place like home. Theres no place like home. pledge money and we netted twice as much money as last year. Jim Martin, Westminster College Democrat who participated in the event said, It was a good time. We werent too concerned with winning, but we had a lot of fun. Monica Sanchez, Arthritis Foundation intern said, We are all so happy for the great turn out at the race. |