How the NDB community recognizes Lunar New Year

by Hannah Nebres & Gina Ji Staff Writers

NDB is home to a diverse array of cultures, represented through its students and staffulty. One of the NDB Hallmarks calls the community to embrace diversity, which is seen through acknowledging and celebrating cultural holidays. International students make up a portion of the NDB community and form the International Student Program (ISP) group.

“We’re here to support international students as they study here, both academically and emotionally, at home as well as on campus,” says NDB International Student Director Raena Mullan. “Because these students have traveled a long way to experience NDB’s warmth, it is important to recognize their cultures.” larity. Chrome, particularly of the silver variety, is already taking pants, boots and bags by storm. Studs and glitter detailing will appear more on shoes and purses, like Golden Goose sneakers and Balenciaga’s Le Cagole Hobo Bag. Y2K fashion has spent its time in the spotlight, but this year the trend will be elevated with outfits inspired by the stylings of some of the most iconic romantic comedies. A rise in popularity of tube tops, slip dresses, mini skirts and claw clips displays the desire to emulate the lives of favorite characters. Iconic outfits such as Andie Anderson’s silk yellow gown from “How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days”, Elle Woods’ pink sparkly outfits in “Legally Blonde” and Jenna Rink’s lace slip dress in “13 Going on 30” have all been recreated by many fans. This trend comes not only as an enhancement of the Y2K trend, but as a result of many wanting to live as the main character.

To encourage students to participate in the Lunar New Year festivities, international students led some activities during collaboration on January 20, one day before the actual Lunar New Year in the Chinese calendar.

NDB’s food service program, Epicurean, also did their best to help recognize the traditions by providing Chinese food during lunch. The menu included sesame chicken, vegetable chow mein and hot and sour soup. Students were also encouraged to wear red for this celebration and gain spirit points for their class.

During collaboration, students were invited to join ISP in a series of Lunar New Year activities. Students could test out their painting skills and try their hand at Chinese calligraphy, with red squares of paper and ink for students to use. Students could also create paper lanterns by cutting out designs and taking a guess at the riddles.

In calligraphy, the most popular activity, students learned to write “Happy New Year” in Chinese with brushes. They also got to translate their names into Chinese characters and write with samples from international students. While these activities were designed to be entertaining for students, they also were meant to educate the NDB community about the various traditions involved with Lunar New Year. As NDB continues to have an inclusive and supportive environment, activities like this are vital to celebrate each student’s individuality and give students a chance to share their own traditions.

As the new year continues, trends like hair ribbons, sequins and Y2K influenced outfits are sure to be in fashion as wearers go for a bolder statement in each new look.

Speaking of the 2010s, chrome, studs, rhinestones, sequins and glitter are gaining in popu-

Susie Liu: Celebrating Lunar New Year

Junior Susie Liu is a part of the International Student Program (ISP) and is an advocate for her Chinese culture. She helped plan various Lunar New Year events at NDB and sat down with The Catalyst to discuss her traditions regarding Lunar New Year.

The Catalyst (TC): What is a unique tradition that your family celebrates on Lunar New Year?

Susie Liu (SL): Usually on the first day, we wear red clothes and then also clean our house. We also spend the day buying the materials for the feast. Then on the next day, usually the first day of the new year, we go to the temple and then go to visit our friends and our families. On the first day we also always watch the New Year’s show, which usually begins at eight o’clock at night. So we watch that show for like four hours to finish the year, since it is one of our traditions.

TC: What foods do you and your family make to celebrate?

SL: We usually buy the materials on the last day of the year and then we cook it. It includes soup and a lot of traditional Chinese foods. We also drink apple cider. My grandpa and my mom also make chicken and fish together which is really good.

TC: As a part of the celebration, do you make goals? If so, what goals did you set for yourself this year?

SL: So my goal this year is that I hope I can be happy every day. And as a tradition we usually wish our friends or our parents happiness in the new year too. And then we also hope everybody can have more money. But for me, I probably just wish that I will work hard and then be happy every day.

TC: What is your favorite aspect of the holiday?

SL: I like how relaxed it is. We usually get time off of school and our parents get leave so it is very fun to just be surrounded by everyone and stress free. We like to travel or be with our friends so it is always something I look forward to.