December 19 through 23 blog posts

Does your gift really last forever?

Post by Nathaniel Chambers

December 19, 2022

Rockin’ around your neighborhood with Christmas carols (Go Caroling Day)

Post by Xiaotong Meng

December 20, 2022

Some people decorate their houses and Christmas trees; others bake cookies or gingerbread. On top of these traditions, another important Christmas bonding opportunity is to go caroling even if you cannot sing at all.

This is exactly what is celebrated on Go Caroling Day on December 20 each year.

Caroling on Christmas first emerged at the church of St. Francis of Assisi in 1223, which has always been a religious practice. The hymn is like a song that is about Jesus and the time when he was born.

The purpose behind this holiday is not just singing songs from door to door; it is more about sharing and passing on the Christmas spirit with others.

If you know how to play a musical instrument like guitar or keyboard, you can also organize a carol party at your house and invite your friends to participate.

OMG… I am feelin’ like such a humbug today (Humbug Day)

Post by Xiaotong Meng

December 21, 2022

Humbug usually describes a person or an object that performs in a deceitful or misleading way. It was first used as a student slang to joke around.

This word has become a catchphrase after Charles Dickens used it to portray one of the characters, Ebenezer Scrooge, in his book “A Christmas Carol.” The protagonist Scrooge always says, “Bah, Humbug!” to depict his frustrations and disappointments during the holiday season.

Similarly, people started to utilize this term more frequently to unwind pressures and negativities. 

Today, December 21, Thomas and Ruth Roy named it Humbug Day, which gives each person 12 free humbugs to blow off all the setbacks and enjoy a wonderful Christmas.

Do not blame yourself when you feel anxious as different festivities come upon us. Use today to have some fun and maybe watch a Scrooge movie with your loved ones.

Mathematics is the most beautiful and most powerful creation of the human spirit. — Stefan Banach (Mathematics Day)

Post by Xiaotong Meng

December 22, 2022

December 22 is National Mathematics Day in the memory of India’s famous mathematician, Srinivasa Ramanujan.

Ramanujan was born in 1887. Due to lack of formal education and poverty, when he was 12-years-old, he created many mathematical statements for himself. At the age of 14 he left home and attended Pachaiyappa’s College in Madras, allowing him to dig deeper into independent mathematics research.

In 1912, Ramanujan started to send his work to British mathematicians. One year later, he got one step forward when Cambridge-based GH Hardy was impressed with Ramanujan’s projects.

Soon after, he went to Britain and enrolled in Trinity College in Cambridge. In 1920, he died at the age of 32 because he could not get used to the diet in Britain.

Ramanujan’s achievements and contributions to the field of mathematics are immeasurable nonetheless

In 2012, former Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, declared National Mathematics Day on Ramanujan’s birthday as a show of respect.Mathematics is a universal language that a lot of people rely on in their daily lives. Studying math not only builds up your logical thinking skills, but also connects you to the world in a new way.

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Post by Xiaotong Meng

December 23, 2022

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