Welcome Back Spring!

Spring season, is my favorite time of the year, after summer of course. Every single thing about this season is appealing: the flowers blooming, the pollen in the air, this whole feeling of rebirth and regeneration.

The good thing about spring is also the fact that you don't really have to think really hard about what to wear. The different colors i see everywhere just make me happy. The sunshine and the warm weather on the other hand make me feel lazy and not want to go to class. I wish spring break was right now, so we can enjoy this weather.

Easter in Spain

Last weekend was Easter, and I saw many people hiding and seeking chocolate eggs, stores and houses decorated with bunnies... and I kept thinking how different Easter is in Spain.

In Spain, traditionally a catholic country, Easter is called Semana Santa (Holy Week) and we have vacation for a whole week, finishing on Resurrection Sunday. During that week, procesiones or processions are held each day, consisting on the carrying of tronos, heavy statues representing a passage of the Bible. These tronos are carried by volunteers as a penance.

Here you can see one of my good friends in her penance:

Each one of the so-called processions has its own meaning:

Palm Sunday: commemorates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem.

Holy Monday: commemorates the anointing at Lazarus' house.

Holy Tuesday: Jesus anticipates to his disciples Judas' betrayal.

Holy Wednesday: Judas conspires to betray Jesus.

Holy Thursday: Last Supper.

Holy Friday: Vía Crucis. Representations depicting Christ Carrying the Cross to his crucifixion.

Holy Saturday: Paschal Vigil or Great Vigil of Easter. Commemorates Jesus being in the sepulcher.

Resurrection Sunday: Easter, el Encuentro. Commemorates the reunion of Jesus and the Virgin Mary.

Some of the typical Semana Santa attires are very shocking for American visitors, but we have to take into account our histories are really different and the meanings of these clothes are completely disconnected from one another.

I am actually from one of the towns where la Semana Santa is more famous in Spain, Cartagena, since it is said to be really beautiful. Besides, we have an extra day of vacation the Monday after Easter Sunday, and we call it Lunes de Pascua or Día de la Mona. La mona is a sweet pastry we eat that Monday. Traditionally, families get together and spend the day in the countryside and eat it. And here is where we can compare our tradition a little bit with America's, since in the middle of the pastry you find an egg, although is not made of chocolate... is a hard boiled egg!

And here you have my cousin and his little son prepared to go on procession!

Is Easter celebrated in your country? If so, which are teh main differences?

Water everywhere!

I know many people, international and local, have told you Fort Smith has not much to offer. But that is simply not true, you just have to know how to take advantage of the multiple opportunities for leisure this town has. For example, many outdoor events such as the kayaking trip we took last Saturday.

Look at these pictures and tell me, isn't Arkansas beautiful?

You are not a sports person? Then you can stay on campus and enjoy fun activities too! Like the Song Kran we celebrated with ILC throwing water balloons!

Do you still think Fort Smith is boring? What can you tell then about the superstorm last Sunday? That was exciting! Scary exciting, but certainly not dull at all ;)

Everything can be boring, and everything can be fun. It always depends on who do you surround yourself with, and your attitude towards the opportunities that arise.

Spring Break!

Spring break is here!!!

Be safe and have fun!!!

African Night 2nd Edition

African Night 2014: "A Common Ancestry, a Joyful Reunion"

Due to the unprecedented success of it’s first edition last year, African Night made it’s comeback this year- BIGGER and better! This year’s theme was : A common Ancestry, A Joyful Reunion!
What is African Night: 

 A yearly cultural event that celebrates the many facets of the African culture via an African dinner, a fashion show, two African dance groups and a guest speaker (This year’s guest speaker was State Representative George McGill)
Who: 

The African Students Association works with on-campus and off-campus stakeholders to organize a tremendous cultural show for anyone interested in having a GREAT cultural experience
When and Where: 

Friday, March 14, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. UAFS Reynolds Room

Some pictures of this year's event.

Pi Day!

I know some of you don't even wanna think about math, but it's Pi (π) Day today!

Why is today Pi Day?

Because Pi is 3.14159265358979.......!!

So what should we do today?

We can eat delicious pies,

throw pies at your friends,

think of pi as mathematical constant,

or debate about pi and math!

Ahhh, I am getting hungry and dizzy by thinking of pi and pies....
Speaking of pies, BuzzFeed Food made an interesting ranking based on their own judgement "A Definitive Ranking of the 20 Most Important Pies." Click here.

Hum. Now I am really hungry....... Wait!
What is the Grasshopper Pie ranked at 19th!?!?
Pie made of bugs?!

No, that sounds gross.

According to some recipes, it's actually just green pie, with usually mint, creme de menthe, or other alcohols flavor!

But!!! 

Some version of this pie from the Philippines used real grasshoppers in back time!

Wow! Cultures are different!

Well, hope you'll get to eat some delicious pies today or sometime!

Have a good weekend!

St. Patrick's Day!!

Have you seen green decorations, probably with shamrocks, this year yet?

Yes, St. Patrick's Day is coming. It is March 17th!

What is St. Patrick's Day?
It is a day to remember one of Ireland's saints, St. Patrick.
I wish I was familiar with the origin and history of this day and I could talk about it. But I'm not.
So if you are interested in history stuff, ask your friend who knows about it well or simply look it up online.
I'm sorry!

So what people do on the day?
What I got from last year is that on St. Patrick's Day or around the day, people put shamrock and green decorations, dress in green clothing,  maybe see parade, eat green food (green cupcakes, green cookies, etc), party, and drink!! People (of course, who are over 21) drink beer and a lot of alcoholic drink on the day.
I might be wrong, but that's what I got.

Parade in New York

Green beer!

Chicago dyed river green!!

And you know what? If someone doesn't wear green, you get to pinch the person!

Be sure to wear green!

Hope you will enjoy St. Patrick's Day!