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Show Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009 AggieUte Page 10 Ushering in the new year with Spring Festival T By CATHERINE MEIDELL staffwriter For certain countries in Asia, the new year is scheduled on the day of the second new moon rather than arriving on the same day after a 12month cycle. This year Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, landed Jan. 26 and last year was celebrated Feb. 7. Freshman May Bo Hsu. majoring in electrical engineering, said the festival is not a one-day celebration. It usually begins the first day of the first month and then ends on the 15th of that month, but this year the excitement began earlier. "'Gun hay fachoy' is like saying happy new year for my Chinese family. This is the year that my mom was born, the year of the ox," Hsu said. Each year is given an animal, which represents qualities that those born in that year will possess. Hsu said the year of the ox promises prosperity through hard work. Those born in the year of the ox are said to be tireless, patient and enduring of difficult tasks in the Chinese culture. However, the ox also possesses bad qualities like intolerance and a gullible nature. Families who celebrate Spring Festival hope that one of their children will be the year of the golden pig because it is looked upon with respect. Hsu said. Decorations of red and gold till the houses of those who celebrate Spring Festival. Hsu said red is an important color on this holiday because it is said to ward off evil and to be good luck, so many people wear red clothing during Spring Festival. Other decor includes paper lanterns, dragons, flowers and small trees, all of which bring good luck. Houses are cleaned to near perfection, which is also meant to bring good luck for the coming year. Hsu said taking a shower is not advised on the Chinese New Year because it will wash away one's luck. The actual celebration of Chinese New Year consists of firecrackers exploding, Taiko drummers creating background music and parades where the new year dragon makes its appearance. Hsu said a large part of the festivities has to do with food and eating with family members. Qi Zhao is a sophomore majoring in finance whose family lives in China and celebrates Spring Festival every year. He said the Chinese New Year dinner is very important to all Chinese people. "(It is) the most important dinner of the whole year to a Chinese family," he said. He said after he and his family eat dinner, they watch television, play the Chinese card game mah-jong and chat. He said when the night comes to an end, the adults give money to the children. Hsu said her friends in Hong Kong would collect at least $1,000 from their relatives. Even if the adults don't have a lot to give they will offer what they can. Speak U p SOPHOMORE IN FINANCE Qi Zhao tells about his experience with the Chinese New Year. Zhao said the Chinese New Year dinner is the most important dinner of the whole year to the Chinese family. At the end of the night, Zhao said the adults give money to the children. KRISTY JORDAN photo give money and the children never give anything to their parents. This is how Chinese and American holi"In America people days are different," Zhao said. give presents, but we Zhao also said when the children grow up and get jobs, they give don't do that in China. money to their parents as well as We give money and their own children. He said a special the children never program is broadcasted on China Central Television for the new year give anything to their called Spring Festival Gala Evening, parents. This is how but it is mostly viewed by older citiChinese and American zens of northern China. holidays are differZhao said the reason behind firecrackers has to do with an old legend ent." that the Chinese believe in. The legQi Zhao, sophomore, finance end states that a monster called the Nian came to China and destroyed the people's farmland, so firecrackers were used to scare the monster away. "It's just proper," she said. Therefore, the firecrackers are an Zhao said the present exchange is important part of celebration even also quite different in China than in though this is just a tale, Zhao said. America. -catherineMieidell@aggiemail.usu.edu "In America people give presents, but we don't do that in China. We Ready for a Baby? o/i -(he You may be eligible for $$cash upon delivery! Benefits payable In addition to other Insurance. f How ded C/OM do? TuMbLe-ThEMe-al answer: "A STITCH IN TIIME" Denise Abbott 435-757-7834 Proud to be myself oday I stand out. Today I am different. Today I wear my story on my forehead. Today I broaden the minds of my friends. Today 1 raise awareness. Today I am diverse. Today 1 am proud to be Catholic. Ash Wednesday commemorates the beginning the season of Lent in Christianity and, more specifically, in the Catholic religion. Lent is the 40-day season that calls for self-sacrifice, fasting, prayer and dedication in preparation for Easter. Catholics around the world gather at churches to receive ashes to be put on their heads and hear their priest say, "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return." I will never forget the first Ash Wednesday I spent at USU, I woke early and bore the frigid cold to trek to the Jerome's Newman Center on Greek Row. I entered the chapel just before 7 a.m. and took my seat amongst the few professors and students scattered throughout the pews. The mass was over in only half an hour, which is the fastest mass I've ever been to, and left not knowing what to do until my class in an hour. I walked back to campus and decided to head towards the library and was thinking to myself how deserted campus seemed to be. I continued on my trek to seek warmth from the negative temperatures when I encountered the first person 1 had seen that day. This random man I had never met stopped me to inform me I had something on my head. I politely replied, "Thank you/' and continued into the library. By the time my classes had finished for the day, I had received virtually the same comment more than 25 times. I, a Utah native, had never felt like I stuck out more than during this one day. Since that day, 1 have come to appreciate this experience on campus. According to the Bible, the 40-day Lent period correlates with the 40 days of fasting Jesus Christ did in the wilderness while being tempted by Satan. Additionally, the reference to 40 days is believed to represent 40 hours Jesus laid in the tomb before he was resurrected. This day to Catholics is amongst the most holy days of the year, in the eastern states, public schools are cancelled for this day, but Utahns remain oblivious of the fast that begins among them. So here is the moral of my story: Do not remain ignorant to this worldwide season that has begun. Exercise your tolerance and display your appreciation for other religions and their beliefs. Ask someone you see with ashes on their forehead why they believe what they believe and open your minds to actually listen to the passionate words that leave their mouth. To give up something is honorable, support this small group of students on our campus with educating yourself. Remember the reason for the season. Jon Dalton is a junior majoring in public relations. Questions or comments can be sent to him atjon.dalton@aggiemail.usu.edu lm. Fair to help students with self-image By KARLIE BRAND features senior writer BE Center 'Diamond with Engagement TUngpurchase mm on 12 West Main Rtxburg, W 83440 208-359-2500 (Tfext to Taco Qett) 45 ifortfi Main Logan, Vff84321 435-753'4870 (ifext to Persian Peacock) 1737tfurky'Drive Tocatetto, W 83202 208-238-9700 ((Across from Ross) Jealous of the long and lean legs, tiny waist, perfectly toned abs and long, shiny hair? The tall, muscular, tan body with a brilliantly white smile? Thomas Berry, USU Counseling Center staff psychologist, said it can be difficult for a person to accept and appreciate the body they have, especially with persuasive media messages suggesting they don't fit the perfect mold. "Media shows us a homogenized image," Berry said. "Everyone can't look that way but people don't have to look that way to be attractive." In an effort to increase body acceptance across campus, the USU Counseling Center is hosting the Annual Body Acceptance Fair Wednesday. Feb. 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the TSC Ballroom. Anna Mae Jorgensen, a pre-doctorate psychology intern in the Counseling Center, said the fair will promote healthy body images and lifestyles, developing healthy relationships with food, using exercise for fun and learning to appreciate and love one's body. She said an important aspect of body acceptance is finding balance. "I think we tend to go to one extreme or the other," she said. "You should value your body for function and its purpose ... and create a balance where you accept yourself and don't have to go to any extreme whether it be dieting or restricting eating or obesity." TaLisha Wheatley, psychology junior and Counseling Center reach peer, said the fair will include booths on various topics such as "Fashion for Any Body" (fashion merchandizing from Bridgedand Applied Technology College), "You Lose More Than Weight with an Eating Disorder," "Men's Issues on Body Image," "Physical Effects of Restricted Eating" and others. She said there will also be scheduled classes and presentations throughout the day including yoga classes, massage home technique instruction and discussions on finding body balance. She said the fair will also include raffle prizes students can enter for as they visit the different • I See BODY IMAGE, page 11 |