Will I be in time for my resolutions? - Second attempt

New Years resolutions are often the subject of cartoons

At the end of every year people look back at what the year has brought them and think and talk about what has happened in the past year. The best en worst lists come up and it’s time for new year’s resolutions. Volunteering, travel to new places, be less stressed and live healthy; everyone has them. My new year’s resolution is to be on time for important (or less important) meetings because I am always late. I am always five or ten minutes late, not half an hour. Although, lately I've been really bothered by being late because it must be annoying for the people that have to wait for me, even if it is "just five minutes". Therefore, I decided I want to change this.

The question is, how are we going to make sure that we live up to our new year's resolutions? The solution seems simple and is, of course again, social media. When can it not be used? Taking a look at the internet you can find several websites that can help you fulfil your resolutions.
The website’s title makes a good statement when you enter the goal-listing website 43Things: ‘Changing your life is hard, doing it by yourself is harder’. The goals on the website are often very personal. Isn’t it weird to share those goals and the progress of them with strangers? Martin Leezel, who uses 43Things, disagrees: “Strangers are the ones who have your best interest at heart. For example, if you want to lose weight: isn’t your best friend secretly happier about the fact that she’s thinner than you and gets more attention? On 43Things people are divided into categories with the same goal. Everyone tries to cheer you up, shares their experiences and tries to help and motivate one another”.

The most public and vulnerable way to fulfil your resolutions is probably by uploading a video on YouTube. If you post a video and tell about your resolutions and progress you have made, everybody can see, hear and share it. You cannot post a goal anonymously on 43things and write every now and then about your process. People can recognize you from the video and identify with you,  because of that they’ll support you more than the people will on other ‘help making my resolutions come true’ websites. Therefore, a video is the best way to make your reach your goal but it’ll take some guts.

Sounds like a good story to me but I am not that kind of  a daredevil, I am going to try out the website 43Things. Although, I have some doubts whether this website will help me with my personal goal: being on time for important meetings. It’s something I don’t necessarily need to be motivated for, like for example running a marathon does(which sounds like a fun resolution to me, as a runner). Still, people can support me by sharing their stories about hurrying, rushing, forgetting the time or looking at their watches constantly if they’re are running late. I have added my goals to a resolutions list at 43Things, so let’s give it a try and see if it works out...
To be continued.

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Sources: Rosenbloom, S. (21 januari 2011). I resolve, World don´t fail me now. Geraadpleegd op: 10 december 2011, van: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/23/fashion/23resolution.html?_r=1&ref=newyear&pagewanted=print

Time (3 januari 2011). Top 10 commonly broken new year’s resolutions. Geraadpleegd op 21 december 2011, van: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2040218_2040220_2040221,00.html

Thanksgiving stress? - Second attempt

Thanksgiving is a time to thank the Lord, enjoy ourselves and reunite with family. Traditionally, there is an abundance of food. Furthermore, it is a time to sing, laugh and get together and socialise. Thanksgiving is one of the most frequently and enthusiastically celebrated national holidays in the United States and Canada. This day, gratitude to God is expressed for the harvest. The citizens of Canada and the United States embrace this moment to appreciate their lives and well-being. In Canada Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October. In the United States it is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November due to a slight difference in harvesting period compared to Canada. Frequently, one celebrates Thanksgiving with their beloved family. To accomplish this, people travel all across the USA to be with their families.

Thanksgiving dinner 

Prepare your Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving, there is a lot of preparation involved. Most commonly Thanksgiving is celebrated with a traditional feast with the main dish: stuffed turkey. Therefore, ordering a turkey is on the top of your to-do list. As tradition states, there is no Thanksgiving without turkey.

Originally, turkey was a popular dish at Christmas. This tradition, deriving from Europe, spread to North America when people moved there. They brought their turkeys with them. However, when they reached their destination, America turned out to be inhabited by an even larger turkey species. Eventually, due to the fact that the settlers enjoyed eating turkey so much, this dish too settled into the American culture. From now on, turkey was to be eaten both on Christmas and on Thanksgiving.

Almost Thanksgiving

Just a few days until Thanksgiving? Don’t panic! Understandably, coming closer to Thanksgiving can be a very stressful moment. Due to the fact that people attach much value to Thanksgiving, it is likely they want to prepare amazing meals. With this comes the need to prepare and plan. By doing this you will reduce stress. Always remember, Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy and planning will make it much more enjoyable. However, not every dish can be prepared in advance although this is possible with a variety of dishes. For example, think of pumpkin and pecan pies. These can be stored in the refrigerator after preparation.

On Thanksgiving you can prepare the last dishes. Since you have already prepared most of the recipes, you can be relieved, having prevented the unpleasant pre-party stress. Now, it is simply a matter of a few finishing touches and you are ready to enjoy all the delicious food.

Besides the dinner

During the dinner you can enjoy various television parades and football games. Many regard Thanksgiving as the opening of the holiday season. Firstly, there is Thanksgiving, after that Christmas and lastly New Year. Every year you look back at these national celebrations especially Thanksgiving. This is the moment to spend time with your family, regardless of how far away you live from each other.

Despite the inevitability of pre-Thanksgiving stress, do not be oblivious to the fact that this is a time to be enjoyed.

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Sources:

Melissa Clark. (14 November 2011). What Can I Prepare Before the Actual Day of Thanksgiving? Geraadpleegd op: 7 december 2011, van,  http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/14/what-can-i-prepare-before-the-actual-day-of-thanksgiving/?scp=64&sq=thanksgiving&st=cse

Melanie Wallendorf. (juni 1994). ‘’We Gather Together’’: Consumption Rituals of Thanksgiving Day. Geraadpleegd op: 7 december 2011, van http://www.jstor.org/pss/248948

The true meaning of Christmas - Second attempt

There are a lot of story’s about Christmas but what is Christmas really about?

Every year we celebrate Christmas at the end of December but do we know what we really celebrate? Some people believe that Santa comes down the chimney and then puts gifts under the tree. Why do we even put a decorated tree in our houses with Christmas? Christians believe that we should remember the birth of Jesus Christ, The Son of God who came to earth. However, what is the true story of Christmas?

Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ

Birthday of Jesus Christ

The original idea was that we should remember the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas was first celebrated in Egypt two hundred years AD. The exact date could not be picked because there were no clear indications given in the Bible. The first celebration was on May 20 but later it has been celebrated on other dates and times of the year. At present, we celebrate Christmas on December 25. One thing did remain and that was the reason behind the celebration :  the birth of Jesus Christ. Christians call Him their Saviour and the Son of God. They believe Jesus came to earth to save them from their sin and eternity in hell.[1]

Santa and the Christmas tree

When did Santa Claus enter the story? Santa Claus is derived from the Dutch holiday called ‘Sinterklaas’.  Sinterklaas was the nickname of Saint Nicholas who was born 280 years AD. The legend tells that Saint Nicholas gave away all his possessions and wealth and then went into the country to help the poor and the sick. The holiday is celebrated at December 6, the day that Nicholas died. In 1773 a New York newspaper first mentioned the Dutch holiday where the Dutch ‘celebrated’ Nicholas’ day of death with gifts and sweets. The Americans adopted the holiday and Sinterklaas became Santa Claus. [2]

Christmas presents

Santa Claus puts Christmas gifts under the decorated tree but why do we even put a tree in our house? Ancient people decorated their houses with the trees and plants that stayed green in winter. They had a special meaning to the ancient peoples. Some people even believed that those trees and plants would protect them from witches, ghosts and even from illness. The first time people really put a tree in their house was in the 16th century in Germany. From that moment on people put
ted
a decorated Christmas tree in their homes. [3]

Christmas is a holiday that is celebrated for a very long time. The most famous Christmas traditions are Santa Claus and the Christmas tree which we put in to our houses each year. Both stories are told for a very long time but they are not a part of the original Christmas story. The original meaning of Christmas is the birthday of Jesus Christ so it is a Christian holiday. The Christians believe that Jesus came to earth to save them from their sin and an eternity in hell. One thing is for sure: Christmas is a holiday to be thankful no matter what you believe. Be thankful for the presents, your family and friends, be thankful for a Saviour or be thankful for nature and its beauty!

Sociability

Christmas is a holiday that is celebrated for a very long time. The most famous Christmas traditions are Santa Claus and the Christmas tree which we put in to our houses each year. Both stories are told for a very long time but they are not a part of the original Christmas story. The original meaning of Christmas is the birthday of Jesus Christ so it is a Christian holiday. The Christians believe that Jesus came to earth to save them from their sin and an eternity in hell. One thing is for sure: Christmas is a holiday to be thankful no matter what you believe. Be thankful for the presents, your family and friends, be thankful for a Saviour or be thankful for nature and its beauty! 


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[1] http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03724b.htm 

[2] http://www.history.com/topics/santa-claus

[3] http://www.history.com/topics/history-of-christmas-trees

‘Sinterklaas is coming to town’ - Second attempt

Two weeks before St. Nicholas Eve (December 5^th) Sinterklaas arrives
and
the feast has started

Every year around the holiday season people go crazy in the Netherlands to celebrate ‘Sinterklaas’. Everyone knows who ‘Sinterklaas’ and ‘Zwarte Piet’ are. Sinterklaas is actually like the Dutch version of the American Santa Claus.

He looks like a bishop and holds a crosier. Sinterklaas, Zwarte Piet and his horse Americo deliver presents to the children. Although, the feast is created for children, I have to admit I’m crazy about it too. However, the kids get most of the presents so why would I celebrate the feast as well? It’s because of the fun and especially the food.

People abroad often wonder why the helper ‘Zwarte Piet’ (also know as Black Peter) is black in the story and not white. People wonder why Black Peter is Sinterklaas’ helper. In history Black Peter was a slave. The blackface makeup provides stereotyping. Many people believe that continuing the feast with Black Peter would be very offensive. For these reasons it’s called racism but before I’m going to write more about the feast I want to let you know it isn’t. Black Peter is black because he has to go through the chimney to stock the shoes of the children. In my opinion, we all need to stop looking for stuff and building up a grudge.

Last St. Nicholas Eve

December 5^th of this year I was with my family to celebrate the feast. My sister has two children, which make this feast a big happening. She bought a lot of candy and that’s what makes it even more fun. I think it‘s just like Christmas; you love spending time with your family nevertheless, good food makes it even more fun.

Celebration

There are different types of celebration. Many people celebrate the feast with their (or other) children. Someone in the room sneaks away to knock on the door so the children in the room will believe that he really exists. When they walk to the door they will find a poem. One person reads the poem out loud and after that the children have to find a b
a

u
g full of presents in the house. The party begins and the children have the time of their life.

Not everyone is celebrating the feast with children. Students for example, they just disguise themselves and go to clubs and bars to drink with each other and to have fun.

The feast isn’t complete without candy. For example pepernoten. Pepernoten are typical for the Sinterklaas feast. In English, they are pretty much the same as ginger nuts.

Mm.. I’m getting hungry seeing this picture of ‘pepernoten’

Sint; the movie

The feast is a big happening and that’s why there is even a movie about Sinterklaas. Although the movie isn’t child friendly it does show the popularity of the feast in Holland.

Enjoy the holiday and please leave a comment below.

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Boer, J.H. (5 December 2011). Caving in to misguided political correctness. Vancouver Sun. Editorial, P. A12.

Holiday Gift Giving Around the Globe. (2 December 2009). Prince Rupert Daily News. Winterfest 2009, p. 16.

Larsen, V. (17 December 2008). Cooking up tradition during the holidays. Marin Independent Journal. Food; Lifestyle.

New West record. (25 november 2011). Sinterklaas celebration called racist. Geraadpleegd op 20 maart, van: http://www.royalcityrecord.com/life/Sinterklaas+celebration+called+racist/5765360/story.html

(IS NIEUWE BRON!!)