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Tag: New Year

  • Chinese New Year Traditions Still Going Strong

    The Chinese New Year starts today and we say goodbye to the year of the snake and hello to the year of the horse. Each of the animals that are used to represent one of the 12 cycles of the new year have come to have their own meaning.

    The horse represents wood, one of the 5 Chinese natural elements. It symbolizes stability and hard work. Chinese families will start the year off with some traditions that they hope will make their lives better and with the help of the horse, more stable. Some of these traditions may seem silly, but to the Chinese, they are the only way to ensure a good year.

    Many Chinese families celebrate the start of the new year with a traditional meal. Common foods served during these meals include chicken, rice and vegetables. To the Chinese, chicken is a symbol of happiness and prosperity and eating it will help make sure you start the new year off right.

    Some Chinese families believe that what you do on the first day of the Chinese New Year will affect your luck for the entire year.

    Some families do not wash their hair because they fear it will wash away good luck. Other Chinese traditions associated with luck and the Chinese New Year include not using sharp objects to avoid cutting away one’s luck and wearing red which is a symbol of luck in the Chinese culture.

    One of the most common Chinese New Year traditions is fireworks. Many Chinese families will either set off their own fireworks at their homes or attend a fireworks display set off by a business or city. Fireworks are believed to scare away evil spirits and are a sign of celebration.

    Do you celebrate the Chinese New Year and if so, what is your favorite tradition?

    Image via Wikimedia Commons.

  • Woman Ate Only Starbucks for All of 2013

    Her name is Beautiful Existence. That is her real name. And for the entirety of 2013, she ate nothing that did not come from Starbucks. Yahoo News reports that she lost weight, and that she feels great.

    In what appears to be a Bizarro-World version of Supersize Me, the Seattle woman resolved at this time last year to spend her entire year eating only items from Starbucks. She has 2 children, who were exempt from the Starbucks-only rule.

    Beautiful Existence is getting considerable attention for completing her “challenge”, but it turns out this is not the first such endeavor she has undertaken, and it will not be the last.

    In 2011, she resolved to “to take on Parents magazine, the articles, suggestions, items and even advertisements”. Essentially she tried out every tip in Parents magazine, tried the products they reviewed and advertised, and blogged about the entire experience.

    In 2010, she bought all her clothing, and quite a few other household items, exclusively at Goodwill stores. Again, she blogged about the experience.

    Of course, she also has a plan for 2014. She will take on every recreational sport offered by Washington-based REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.). There are over 80 sports on her list to try.

    Naturally, the first thing that most people ask when they hear about her seemingly bizarre self-challenges is, “Why?” And she is well aware that this is the primary response she will get. So, she answers that on her website:

    WHY?

    Well, that’s just one of the questions I get from people … And then over the course of a conversation I see people start coming up with less questions about why and how I will complete this challenge but start suggesting and creating more and more ideas and content for my year with their own curiosities … those questions that leave you with more questions… those questions that eventually work your mind into breaking down the how and why of something and start becoming the “what if” and “what about that!” thoughts that I love about what I do!

    Image via ForOneYearOfMyLife

  • Dubai Fireworks 2014 Breaks Guinness World Record

    On Wednesday, Guinness World Records announced that Dubai’s firework show on New Year’s Eve broke the record set by Kuwait in 2011.

    The main attraction, which covered 58.4 miles of the Dubai coast, took place at the world’s tallest building in Palm Jumeirah.

    United States’ Pyrotechnic Company, Fireworks by Grucci, designed, organized and operated the display. Better known as “America’s First Family of Fireworks,” the company has lit the skies for other commemorated events including: seven U.S. Presidential Inaugurations, the Olympic Games in Beijing and the Centennial of the Statue of Liberty.

    As a “city obsessed with superlatives,” those in charge wanted to make the display something to remember.

    According to the Christian Science Monitor, the “Organizers had promised that the fireworks would form a flying falcon, a sunrise and the United Arab Emirates flag.”

    As the largest pyrotechnic display yet, it incorporated more than 500,000 fireworks at a cost of $6 million. Roughly two-hundred technicians were involved in using 100 computers to synchronize the fireworks.

    Kuwait’s 2011 show involved 77,282 fireworks and lasted an hour long, however, Dubai’s firework performance lasted only 30 minutes.

    Sources say that, “Enough fireworks were launched in the first minute of the display to break the previous record.”

    Dubai is known for breaking other world records as well. It is home to the tallest tower, the largest man-made island and the busiest airport site in the world.

    As of recently, maybe they’ll become the go-to-spot to one of the best New Year’s Eve firework displays.

    Image via Youtube, TriGGahProductionZz

  • Mummers Parade 2014: Philly’s New Year’s Day Celebration

    The world renowned Philadelphia Mummers Parade kicks off today,  New Year’s Day.  The procession will start at 10 a.m from Broad Street to Washington Avenue and lasts a whole day. Just what makes this day such a special day? There are more than 10,000 fans from both near and far that come to witness the colorful parade.  Women  with mustaches and beards and men dressed in dresses and makeup, feathers, confetti, boas and sequins all combine to make an amazing spectacle.

    What is the Mummers Parade

    Well, this event dates back to the mid 17 century and is believed to be the oldest folk festival in the United States. The parade is an infusion of  Swedish, Finnish, Irish, English, German, and African heritage. The Parade took its name from the Mummers Plays (also known as mumming). These are seasonal folk plays performed by groups of actors called mummers originally from the British Isles.

    What to expect

    There are four mummer categories: Comics, Fancies, Fancy brigades and String bands. The participants normally spend months to prepare the movable sceneries and elaborate costumes in order to produce the adorable fan experience in form of music, satire, and theatrics. Each of the categories may consist of between a few dozen to a few hundred people called mummers. The mummers are mostly people from the neighborhood who want to give their fans an unforgettable New Year thrill and continue the community tradition.

    The legendary American tradition normally starts with comics, lampooning pop culture and hot political issues. What follows are the Comic Wench brigades of men dressed in bloomers and hats, followed by the stylish Fancies with feathered, sequin-studded costumes.  The string bands follow next with live musical performances and intricate choreography.

    How it goes

    Different clubs stop to make a performance as they make their way through the carnival, each depicting a different theme.  The themes can vary; from current political affairs to ridiculous or satirical depiction. Some clubs, however, may have an ongoing theme that stays the same each year.

    If you happen to be in Philly for New Year’s Day don’t miss the parade.

    See Last Years Mummers Parade 2013

    Image via Wikipedia

  • Top New Years Resolutions People Make But Never Keep

    Time to toss out the old calendar. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of hanging a fresh cat calendar with new digits staring back at you, empty blocks of excitement and possibility waiting for penciled in appointments and events.

    Unless, of course, your smartphone calendar just advances on its own. In which case, one month rolls seamlessly on into the next, much like our behaviors.

    Here are 3 things almost everyone swears they will change this year. Unless you’re skinny, you see yourself in this list.

    Lose Weight

    America’s obesity rate is growing so fast, one wonders if buildings and elevators built before 1980 may have to be reassessed for occupancy weight load rates. We swear up and down on January 1 that this is going to be the year we start using that Thigh Master, dust off that Atkins Diet book, reinstall that daily weigh-in app we deleted to make room for Pickup Sticks With Friends.

    What most people actually end up doing is buying one more thing that promises to be the magic device that will melt off the pounds. Even those who know that the simple calories-in-calories-out formula is the only thing that has ever worked find some way to link their lack of success to a lack of willpower, procrastination issue, or childhood moment of bullying. That turns a weight loss problem into a personal development problem. Which brings us to …

    Get Your Act Together

    Set goals, keep a dream journal, attend workshops, listen to those bit-torrented Tony Robbins mp3s, download The Secret. One of these things has got to work. Kudos to anyone who realizes that the only thing standing in the way of you and your dreams … is you. If you decipher where to go with that epiphany, let us know. There is a blog site with accompanying information product download just waiting for you to press Launch and collect your riches.

    Keep a Budget

    You have a Mint account. You get emails from Mint, telling you your weekly bank balance on an account you haven’t had since that overdraft incident 2 years ago put your butt on ChexSystems.

    Now you’re paying your bills with a Green Dot card, telling your friends that it’s your protest against Big Banks. Fact is, unless Chase comes up with a Fourth Chance Checking, that Dave Ramsey cash envelope system is the only choice you’ve got. Might as well use what you’ve got. Now all you have to do is order some of those Dave Ramsey Envelope System cards. And for that you need to put some money on your Green Dot card.

    Rinse. Repeat.

    Image via Thinkstock

  • Courteney Cox & Jennifer Aniston Vacation In Cabo

    The hit television show Friends ended in 2004, after a ten-year run. However, Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox, who played best friends on the show, have remained BFFs throughout the years. They were most recently seen together, showing off their bikini bodies, in Cabo this weekend.

    Aniston, 44, and her fiance Justin Theroux, 42, first arrived in Cabo on Friday, December 27 along with Jimmy Kimmel, his wife Molly McNearney, and their friend Meilani Weiss. The next day, Courteney Cox, 49, Howard Stern, and his wife Beth Stern, joined the group.

    “Courteney was hanging out with Jen and they seemed to be as close as ever,” a source told US Weekly. “They spent a lot of time talking by the pool and laughing together with Justin.”

    Aniston and Cox celebrated Christmas Eve in Hollywood together before flying out for their trip. They are currently staying at the $9,500-a-night Casa Olivier, where it is reported that they will be ringing in the New Year together.

    Aniston’s newest movie The family was recently released on DVD and, and Cox can be seen on her television comedy Cougar Town.

    Image via Twitter

  • Weight Loss: Changes You Need To Make Now

    Weight Loss: Changes You Need To Make Now

    Most Americans decide to jump into a weight loss plan right after the new year. It’s a good calatylst, the thought of a fresh start and a new you. But there’s no need to wait until the 1st to prepare yourself. Start being aware now so you can see more success out of your weight loss plan.

    First, use this BMR calculator to understand how many calories your body needs daily to function. This is your minimum daily calorie count. It’s pretty simple: if you go over the limit, you gain weight, and vice versa. Understanding and knowing this number first will help you make smart decisions when deciding what to eat and what your body really needs. Hint: a lot of the time, hunger pains are confused with thirst pains. If you find yourself wanting to snack an hour or two after a meal, try a tall, cold glass of water first.

    Set your alarm. Sleep consistency influences body weight. Start practicing this now by for heading to bed and waking up around the same time every day. This small change can help keep your weight loss consistent and avoid seeing the pounds creep back up come March.

    Eat in the morning. Which has been said in every weight loss plan over and over again, but it’s really true. Don’t skip breakfast. Something small and packed with proteins is enough to kickstart your metabolism and set it in motion for the day. Think of it as firing up an engine: it needs a bit of gas to get moving. Plus, it will work faster throughout the day, so you’ll get a higher calorie burn out of your jog or even going up that flight of stairs. It’ll boost your overall energy level for the day, too, so the 2pm coffee or soda won’t seem as appealing.

    No more fried food. They’re loaded with trans fat, which not only leads to heart disease, but also has negative side effects on our body that linger for months after the calories from that donut or french fries have been burned off. Try choosing baked over fried whenever possible (and usually, it’ll taste just as good!)

    Remember: weight loss shouldn’t be an intimidating or overwhelming process. Small decisions everyday, ones that barely effect the routine of our lives, can help start that change. Awareness of how we’re treating our bodies will lead to better decision making and soon, your balanced diet and lifestyle will reflect in a smaller waistline.

  • Predictions for 2014: What Can We Expect?

    A new year typically brings one or both of two things: Resolutions and predictions. As for predictions, it’s fun to look at what’s ahead and try and guess how we think things will turn out. Here are a few predictions that or may not take place next year.

    A Fresh New Diet Craze: Nothing brings out the measuring tape and the scales like a holiday filled with fattening (and absolutely delicious) food. Millions of Americans will be looking for a quick fix early next year. And as always, there will be businesses ready to capitalize. You will probably hear about a new pill that allows you to eat thousands of calories, never exercise and magically get thinner. Of course actual research will show that as with past diet pill fads, there’s always a catch. Here’s some advice to help save you a ton of money: Cut calories, move around a little more. There is no magic wand that can be waved to help you drop one hundred pounds in a month or two.

    Super Bowl Super Bowl XLVIII: There are changing playoff scenarios as we head into the final week of the NFL regular season. Some teams look stronger than others, but upsets are bound to happen. Who will go all the way? Based on how things are shaping up, I think there’s a good chance we’ll see the Denver Broncos vs. Seattle Seahawks. As I said, upsets do happen. Which team do YOU feel is most likely to rock the boat?

    Leonardo DiCaprio Snubbed Again: Despite a lengthy career and a number of memorable performances, it seems that DiCaprio has been repeatedly been passed over for the Academy Award. Will he get a nod for his turn in “The Wolf of Wall Street”? Possibly. But with so much buzz circling other actors in much stronger movies, it’s likely that DiCaprio will miss out on an Oscar yet again in 2014.

    GOT A PREDICTION FOR THE NEW YEAR? SHARE AWAY!

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Town’s Giant Mushroom to be Dropped for New Year

    Times Square in New York City has been home to the annual New Year’s Eve ball drop since 1907, 104 years total. (The ball did not drop in 1942-43 due to WWII blackouts.) Thousands of people from all over the world meet in Times Square every year to ring in the New Year in a seemingly odd celebration. Well, it’s time for New York to take a back seat for once. This year, the Borough of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania is starting a New Year’s celebration of its own – the dropping of a giant mushroom.

    Kennett Square, Pa is known as the “Mushroom Capital of the World,” and rightly so; Mushroom farms in Southern Chester County account for 65% of the mushrooms consumed in the United States every year. Not only that, but Kennett Square hosts an annual Mushroom Festival, the mission of which is “to promote the mushroom, educate consumers about the health benefits of mushrooms and to promote tourism in Southern Chester County, all while financially supporting local and regional charities through a grant process.” Since its inception in 1985, the Mushroom Festival has given over $500,000 back to the community, raising $65,000 during the 2012 festival alone.

    The dropping of the giant mushroom, which will measure 8 feet by 7.5 feet and weight over 700 pounds, will be the culminating activity of the “Midnight in the Square” event taking place in downtown Kennett Square. Kathi Lafferty, the coordinator of the annual Mushroom Festival, stated that she was encouraged to pursue this venture by state representative John Lawrence.

    When asked why the town had chosen to drop a giant mushroom, Lafferty responded in the only way appropriate: “Being the mushroom capital of the world, I don’t know, why not.”

    As absurd as it is, the dropping of a giant mushroom is not the most outlandish New Year drop in the United States. Pennsylvania is home to at least 48 different drops alone, ranging from items such as a giant Peep in Bethlehem, Pa to a beaver in Beavertown, Pa, and even a yellow pair of “britches” in Lisburn, Pa.

    Other insane New Year’s drops include a 3 foot tall wooden flea in Eastover, North Carolina, a sardine in Eastport, Maine, a live opossum in Brasstown, North Carolina, and a a drag queen wearing a large, red high heel in Key West, Florida.

    [Image via The Mushroom Festival Website]

  • Rosh Hashanah The Beginning of The Year

    A new year begins when the sun sets today. Rosh Hashanah is the famous Jewish holiday that literally marks the “head/first of the year” and symbolizes a period of reflection and hope for achieving personal improvements to live a renewed life. The schedule for a Jewish holiday as well as the typical Jewish calendar centers on sunset being the pivotal time slot as opposed to contemporary society where midnight is the focal point.

    According to the Hebrew calendar, Rosh Hashanah is celebrated during the first two days of the seventh month (called Tishri) and marks the first official celebratory day within a period of many Jewish holidays. Historical and biblical references to this holiday are listed under a couple of different titles. The two historical titles used are Yom Ha-Zikkaron, which has the literal translation of “the day of remembrance” and Yom Teruah, which literally means the “day of the sounding of the shofar” whereby the shofar refers to a ram’s horn that is customarily sounded.

    Other Jewish holidays set to occur within close proximity include: Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah. In 2013, Rosh Hashanah will begin on September 4, and mark the welcoming of year number 5,774 within the Jewish calendar.

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    While it is difficult to hear “New Year” and not have images conjured up regarding paper hats and champagne glasses, this holiday is vastly different from the New Year’s festivities happening on December 31st. While renewal is core to both holidays, Rosh Hashanah is a day devoted to prayer and used to metaphorically cast away sins. Some practices historically were devoted to casting away sins (Tashlikh) such as emptying pockets into moving bodies of water or dipping apples in honey. The act of specifically dipping an apple into honey had a twofold symbolization; one, serving as the manifestation of wishes for a pleasant and “sweet as honey” new year, and, two, an act of physically casting away possessions as though they were sins.

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    Work is not allowed on Rosh Hashanah where the daily schedule is instead expected to include time spent at the synagogue, and where thoughts and energies are to be directed to contemplation for a refreshed mindset.

    [Images Via Wikimedia Creative Commons with attribution to Dr. Avishai Teicher Pikiwiki Israel]