PBL = problem based learning.today's ze last day of PBLNO MORE PBL!!!*hula dancing across the hall*
*victory cheers*thank god for the abolishment of PBL in the 4th block *grinnsssss*_______________________________________
just now, he called. telling me, he found a "HANNA'S FILE" in the main office's pc. which is rather odd amongst the other car-related files. turns out to be an article i wrote when i was in form 4. it was something i did, when my school entered that STAR newspaper competition.. alah,u know.. the one that each school can construct their own newspaper. what was the name ek?? forrgott lahhhh.aiyo~nways, re-reading the article made me smile. reminiscing those moments all over again. i just miss high school so much, the carefree feeling :))). those in 4 Alpha 2004 might remember this, for the others.. i thought i would share this small memory of mine :)its rather loonggggggg. u can read, or u can ignore it. no matter really. haha.
stupid cupid
Valentine’s Day, a day much celebrated and revered by the young and not so young but nonetheless romantic at heart. Valentine’s day is very much a day of the declaration of love and affection not only between two lovers, but also between siblings, parents ,students and teachers and just about every meaningful relationship.
The origins of Valentine’s Day traces back to an ancient roman celebration of Lupercalia. Held on 15 February, Lupercalia festivities are purported to increase the pairings of young lovers. While the pairings of couples set the tone for today’s holiday, it wasn’t called Valentine’s day until a priest named Valentine came along. Valentine, a roman at heart, disobeyed Emperor Claudius’s decree that soldiers remain bachelors forever. Imagine that….not having anyone to love in your life. Well, Saint Valentine found this ridiculous and performed secret marriage ceremonies. Claudius, then, had Valentine jailed for defying him. Valentine was put to death on 14 February for his disobedience. The Lupercalia Day was moved from February 15 to February 14 and was renamed Valentine’s Day to honor Saint Valentine.
Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated all over the world with each having its own unique tradition. The origins of the most popular customs almost certainly traces their roots to a conventional belief generally accepted in England and France during the Middle Ages.
Britain would most certainly be the country which has set the tone in the celebration of this day. Different regions of this nation celebrate their own customs to honor this day, although the sending of cards and gifts is a standard procedure in the country. One uniform tradition is the singing of special songs by children who then receives gifts. In some areas, Valentine Buns are baked with caraway seeds, plums or raisins.
The Danes of Denmark, on the other hand, has a unique way of celebrating Valentine’s Day. It is common for people to send pressed white flowers called Snowdrops to their friends. A cheeky Danish man also sends a form of a valentine known as a gaekkebrev (joking letter).The sender of this gaekkebrev pens a rhyme but does not sign his name. Instead, he signs the message with dots…one dot for each letter in his name.
The tradition of celebrating this special day has been adopted and celebrated in Asia . In East Asia, particularly Japan , the Japanese has taken the celebration to a higher personal level. They celebrate Valentine’s Day on two different dates…February 14 and March 14.On the first date, the female gives a gift to the male. The male has to return the gift he received on the second date…also known as the ‘White day’ .Thus, a Japanese female has a luxury of actually choosing her own gift. Rather practical, don’t you think?
Similarly, in Taiwan , Valentine’s Day is celebrated on two different dates. It is celebrated on February 14 and also July 7, based on an ancient Chinese folktale. The color and amount of the roses given as a gift holds much significance. For example, one red rose means “an only love” and 108 roses means “marry me”.
Valentine’s Day is also shrouded by many rites and superstitions. The belief in some happenings can be frivolous and not at all acceptable in this modern world. It was once believed that if an apple is cut in half on Valentine’s Day, the number of seeds found inside the fruit will be an indication of the number of children that individual will have. This is science in all its simplicity.
In the fourteenth century, the romantics believe that to be awaken by a kiss on Valentine’s Day is considered lucky. Whilst, in Britain and Italy , some unmarried women would rise before sunrise and stand by the window watching for a man to pass. It was believed that the first man seen would be their husband within a year!!! One of the most ancient of Valentine’s Day rituals originated from Wales . Here, traditionally, if a young female is curious and brave enough, she can conjure up the appearance of her future spouse by visiting a graveyard at midnight on the eve of Valentine’s Day. She will sing a prescribed chant while running around the church 12 times. It sure sounds spooky, but what great lengths will the ladies do for their love life.
Saint Valentine’s Day is much associated to the rose. Interestingly, the letter of “rose” when rearranged, form the word “Eros”… God of Love. Different colors of the rose have different sentiments. A lavender rose means enchantment and uniqueness. On the other hand, beauty and passion is expressed through a deep red rose. Another flower linked with Valentines Day is the violet. In the language of flowers, the violet is symbolic of faithfulness.Valentines Day is undoubtedly a day of declaration of love. Through the years commercialism has crept in and made a mockery of this day. Now, the person who receives the biggest card or teddy bear, the most expensive candle light dinner or the most number of roses is the envy of others. Gone are the days when a simple “I Love You” would suffice. Would not it be better to show your affection by a simple gesture of a smile or a hug ????..
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