2017-01-28

【Aiden in English】

        There really aren’t many traditions that go on in my family. I mean, we do set up a Christmas tree around the holiday season, and that’s about it for Christmas. It’s not like we don’t celebrate. Rather, it’s just different every year-round. Sometimes, it’s walking along with some exotic Pacific islands in the middle of the water. Other instances include me watching college football by myself. But because each year is so unique, I can’t really predict what is going to happen.

        Well, one of the only things that I know will occur is the Chinese New Year celebration at China Grace Christian Church. This nearby church holds a large festival of performances all on one night, where literally the program is jammed with Chinese cultural shows. There is typically some singing, followed by dancing, and probably more singing.

        Here’s the thing about these kinds of celebrations. They really don’t change. And I think that is a special thing about tradition. Traditions are born when something becomes engraved in a culture. In fact, I think each family has its own culture, and since they choose their own traditions, it builds the cultural aspects and uniqueness of everyone.

        Every year, I can count on this event to symbolize the culture of the Chinese New Year, with all kinds of entertaining presentations of the New Year. This year is the year of the rooster, a symbol of fidelity. Not sure why, but ask the people who were alive a few hundred years ago and you may or may not find an answer. It also is the symbol of exorcising evil spirits (exorcising- vocab word).

        Everyone has New Year’s resolutions, but no one really follows them after January. So now that the start of February has come along, I want to make some better resolutions to the New Year I respect more.

        For one, I want to actually commit to the projects and sporting events I sign up for. Not that I don’t do such already, it’s just simply that I don’t get involved as much as I would want to.

        Secondly, and this one probably is the biggest one, I want to stop procrastinating. I understand this is something that takes time to develop as a habit, but the rooster, because it calls out in the morning to start the day, somewhat symbolizes for me the call to start attacking work before it can build up. Sure, I rarely complete work late, but the stress of piling up projects is not fun.

        And finally, I want to be engaged in life more, especially with friends. School is kind of the only place I see them, and I hope that can soon change.

【Aiden in English】

        我家真没有太多传统可循，过节的时候虽然喜好圣诞树烘托气氛，但仅此而已，说来并不算无动于衷，只是每年庆祝方式各有不同，有的时候我们漫步在四面环海到处洋溢异国风情的太平洋岛屿，还有的时候我孤芳自赏美国大学橄榄球赛，因为岁岁标新立异，所以我没法预测将来有啥幺蛾子出炉。

        当然，唯独神州基督教会春晚联欢会我早有所知，这所离家不远的教堂将于今晚举行大型艺术盛宴，全部内容均以中国文化为主题，少不了唱歌、跳舞、大概还有歌唱等形式。

        归根结底，这类庆祝活动万变不离其宗，我觉得关键在于“传统”，所谓传统无非就是与文化俱来的民族灵魂，事实上每个家庭也各有各的文化，他们建立自己的传统根基，逐渐形成不同寻常的个体精粹。

        每年我都期待富含中华文化元素的春晚联欢能够带来丰富多彩的文娱活动，今年是鸡年，象征着忠诚，不知缘何而起，想必即使追溯到几百年前恐怕人们照样毫无所知；同时，它还反映出人们祈求驱妖辟邪的美好愿望。

        新年新气象，大家纷纷畅抒新年决心，但元月过后没人真正付诸行动。眼下一月将逝而二月在即，我也趁机聊表心意，决定拿出几点切实可行的计划以示新春姿态。

        第一点，我要认真完成自愿报名参加的课题和体育运动，并不是说以前我缺乏意识，而是说主观能动性尚有差距。

        第二点，也许是最重要的一点，我要改掉拖拖沓沓的作风，本人深知这种恶习绝非一朝一夕便能剔除，但连公鸡都能持之以恒早起打鸣，我何苦折腾自己非得把布置的任务积压成堆才开始动手。没错，我难得推延完成时间，但是因课业遗留问题所带来的负面压力让心里感激不是滋味。

        最后一点，我要多加体验生活，尤其跟朋友一道，目前学校几乎成了朋友相聚的唯一场所，但愿尽快扭转这种局面。

Today in History(历史上的今天):

2017: Conn-Selmer Band Clinic(康塞尔默乐队技术性指导)

2017 Twp Rec Basketball Game-5(2017年乡村娱乐篮球队第五场比赛)

2009: 巴拿马运河(Panama Canal)

2008: 圣托马斯岛(Saint Thomas)