December 6,1995
o
Campus Extras
Different ways of celebrating Christmas around
the world
By Dina Di Maio
Yes, there is more to Christmas
than wassail, caroling and the yule log.
At least, that’s what Meredith’s inter
national students shared at their final
meeting of the semester last Friday.
Nancy Harikian, who is Armenian,
shared a Christmas tradition. She said
that Armenians have a special celebra
tion on the night of January 5th and on
the 6th, or Epiphany. In her family,
they traditionally eat rice and salt fish.
They also eat unleavened bread dipped
in wine.
Yurie Oshila of Japan said that
Christmas is celebrated in Japan not as
a religious holiday, but in “imitation of
America.” She said that more young
people celebrate Christmas. They
decorate trees, and they give gifts only
to younger children. They eat cake
and drink champagne and have a
“quiet, family day.”
Podja Jindal, who is from India,
said that at midnight on Christmas
Eve, children get new dresses and
clothes and go to church. They rest
after, and on Christmas Day, they
cook “a huge meal” for family and
neighbors.
Many ofthe international students
at Meredith are not Christians, so they
do not celebrate Christmas. However,
they shared some holidays that are
celebrated in their countries.
Nadia Dadas, who is from Mo
rocco, told of a Muslim holiday. This
holiday celebrates the birth of the
prophets. Children dress up in new
clothes and are given presents. The
day before the holiday, as a trick, the
children throw water at people for
good luck. This holiday is celebrated at
different times every year. Next year, it
will be in July.
In Bangladesh, people celebrate
Korbani, a holiday which lasts for three
days. According to Shamsia Shaft,
people sacrifice a cow that they then
distribute to poor people. This is sym
bolic to show that people need to be
responsible for others. Children receive
new clothes from their relatives. They
go from one relative’s house to the next
and eat. In the morning, men go to the
mosque. On this day, if you bow down
and kiss someone’s feet, a sign of re
spect, they will give you money.
In Taiwan, they do not celebrate
Christmas, but they do celebrate New
Year’s in February. According to Evelyn
Chen, they eat traditional foods. It is a
custom to give children money on this
day to show that they are growing up
and are old enough to have money.
Yurie Oshila mentioned two inter
esting holidays of Japan. March 3rd is
Girls’ Day. This day is for little girls.
People usually decorate their houses
with dolls dressed in kimonos. May 5th
is Boys’ Day. On this day, the family
flies a flag sporting different fish that
represent a father, a mother, and a boy
child. They put the flag in the window
so that everyone will see it and know a
boy lives in that house.
All of these customs are unique and
special to the people who celebrate
them. They remind us of what a di
verse, wonderful world we live in.
When you think about it, we’re more
alike than we are different.
Tips for exam stress
By Sarah White
English papers, newsletters, final presentations, unfinished shopping
lists-Yes, it’s that time ofyear again-EXAM TIME. And with the studying for
exams and papers and presentations comes stress. Stress is hard on your
mind and on your body, so when you are feeling stressed, you must take
care of yourself Dr. Cindy Bross, a Meredith physical education professor
suggests the following things you can do to control stress:
‘Take time for yourself Do something you enjoy.
‘Go for a walk.
‘Listen to relaxation tapes.
‘Practice progressive relaxation: relax from your toes all the way up to
your head in a peaceful environment.
- ‘Eat healthy by maintaining a balanced diet.
‘Avoid foods high in fat and sugar. Sugar is a downer because it causes
you to be tired.
‘Make sure you get enough SLEEP!
“Getting enough sleep is important,”- said Dr. Bross,”Exam time is a
period in which we become so rundown that we do not sleep well. But
. right now is the time where you should sleep, otherwise when you go
home for Christmas break , you will get sick.”
No one wants to be sniffling or coughing when she opens her presents
or kisses under the mistletoe, so it is important to take care of yourself during
this stressful exam time.
If you think of it in broader terms, all you have to do is get through the
next two weeks and then it will be smooth sailing into the newyear. The best
part is that you will not have to
think about English papers, newsletters, final presentations, and unfin
ished shopping lists anymore. Happy New Year!
Polarte(f Fleece
(Zip and
pullover.
Hand wanner
pocket.)
EC3
OlOLEIS
SAVI 5t% Evnr DAT ON UTAIOG AND OUAUTT tAia CIOTNIS
3105 Hillsborough St., Raleigh • 83W636
^genJ^ja^sji^eekj^reeon-site^Mkin^
Field Jacket
(Camel and
other colors.
The real
McCoy.)
EO
OlOLETS
SAVE S«% EVENT DAT ON UTAIOG AND QUAinT Uia UOTNES
3105 Hillsborough St., REdcigh • 833-3636
^0£en7^aj^s^weekj^reeon^site£arldi^
Attentitm Artists, (^irttjonisis, and Humorists: the
Mereditli Herald i.s looking for someone to draw a
cartoon strip for the new.spapcr. If you are interested
please call X2824 and leave a message.