Chardin Collegium Newsletter
December 2014
Some closing reminders:
Hey All! Sadly, we are slowly but surely approaching dead week. You know what that means! The end of the quarter is almost here, so we here at the Chardin wanted to give you a few reminders about closing:
- The Chardin closes on December 8 at 5 PM for winter break, and will be closed for the remainder of finals week
- But the Chardin will re-open on Monday, January 5th!
- Remember to keep up the good work with keeping the space clean.
- Please check the fridge for any food you may have left.
- Don’t forget any belongings in the space.
We will miss you all over the break! We hope you have a terrific time and we look forward to seeing you again in the New Year!
Staff Spotlight: Chloe Belisle
Age: 22
Place of Birth: Seattle, WA
Major: Sport and Exercise Science
Chloe was born in Seattle, WA and grew up here. She is studying Sport and Exercise Science in SU and she finds SU as a campus really open to new ideas. Chloe started become a CCL in September 2014, and she said she really likes her job and coming to Chardin is the best part of her day. After graduation, Chloe wants to continue her education in a Physical Therapy School and start a family.
Chloe can speak two languages: English and French. She said she is trying to learn a third one – Telugu (a language commonly spoken in India). Her favorite movie is Matilda, which she watched a lot when she was little. And she is watching Bob’s Burgers recently and likes music from Imagine Dragons for now. Chloe’s favorite foods are cheese, salmon, Indian curries, banana bread and chocolate. Besides running, Chloe also likes to cook in her spare time, and she is good at cooking curry and baking bread, pecan and apple pie. Her favorite honor bar food in Chardin is Goldfish. Chloe likes anything that is cute, and she really wants to have a parrot as a pet. Chloe likes the color blue, and her favorite season is summer. She treasures a camping experience with her family in Mt. Rainer as her best childhood memory. She can dance the Waltz and contra-dance. Her favorite quote is “You will get what you put in.”
What Chloe looks for the most in a friend is dependability, honesty, and respect. She doesn’t like people who are mean, rude, and violent. For Chloe, truth is more important than unity. She thinks her best trait is that she is hard-working, which she believes is a part of her personality her parents had influenced on her. If Chloe had a superpower, she would choose the ability fly, because being heights scare her right now and she wants to conquer that fear.
Come to Chardin and meet Chloe!!
Winter Holidays Around the World
Hello fellow Chardin members! As we trudge along through finals this quarter and are nearing our holiday break, I thought it would be interesting to review the variety of holidays and traditions that are observed during this time of the year.
November 6 2014: Guru Nanak Dev Sahib’s Birthday
This day is celebrated by Sikhs in honor of Guru Nanak who founded the Sikh religion in 15th century in what is today the Punjabi region of the Indian subcontinent. Guru Nanak preached against the caste system, associated with people of all social standings, gender, and religion. The celebration typically begins two days before the actual birth day with readings from the Sikh holy book called the Guru Granth Sahib and processions. On the actual day of the Guru’s birth, a community lunch is organized to bring everyone together and is free to all.
December 17th-24th 2014: Chanukah
This day is celebrated by Jews in memory of the miracle that occurred in the second century BC. The Jewish people were able to reclaim their holy temple from the Seleucide monarchy and undertook a process of cleansing it. Part of the ritual involved lighting oil lamps, and although there was only enough oil for one day, the lamp burned for 8 days. Today, the festival is celebrated by lighting candles in a menorah, 1 on the first day, 2 on the second, and so forth until the 8th day. It is also traditional to eat dairy products and fried foods as well as exchange small gifts.
December 25th: Feast of the Nativity (AKA Christmas)
Christmas is celebrated around the world by Christians in honor of the birth of Jesus, founder of Christianity. A period of fasting called Advent is observed for roughly four weeks prior to the 25th in which meat is not eaten on Fridays and sweets and fatty foods are frequently cut out of the diet. Orthodox Christian sects often follow the Julian Calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar and celebrate Christmas on the 7th of January and have a fast that begins much earlier than other sects. Christmas day itself is celebrated with rich, fatty, and sweet foods and gift giving between family members and friends is customary.
January 1st: Japanese New Year
Originally based off of the Chinese Lunar calendar, this holiday was shifted to correspond with the beginning of the Gregorian Calendar in 1873 and is celebrated by those following Shintoism or Buddhism alike, although everyone has their own rituals and customs. Traditionally, cold pre-prepared foods such as sushi and mochi are eaten because restaurants are often closed and also to give housewives a break from cooking hot food. Postcards are also sent during this time to keep in contact with friends and relatives and give news about their families. Envelopes containing money are also often given to children. Irritations and frustrations of the preceding year are forgotten and the New Year is embraced. The celebrations often last several days, if not weeks.
What to do this winter break!
There are countless events, festivals, and shows happening in the Greater Seattle Area. The following are several events that I found really interesting to be a part of!
Christmas Tree Festival (Begins November 22nd through December 3rd)
21 designer trees in the lobby and driveways of the Fairmont Olympic Hotel. The trees are gorgeous and are also free to view!
Bellevue Holiday Show (Begins November 28th through December 24th)
Enjoy a 20-minute long show of lights, music, snow, and enthusiastic young drummers in uniform on the sidewalks of Snowflake Lane at Bellevue Square. This was an all-time favorite among my friends and I throughout middle and high school, and you could never be too old for embracing the holiday season with some fake snow!
Nutcracker Ballet (Starts November 28th through December 28th)
It is the LAST YEAR for the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Nutcracker, a holiday tradition for Seattle families and ballet lovers, with a live orchestra, magnificent sets and costumes, and a huge cast in McCaw Hall at Seattle Center. Students get half off admission prices as well, so check out this masterpiece before it ends!
Ugly Sweater Run/Walk (December 6th @11:00am)
At Marymoor Park in Redmond. Wear your ugliest sweater for this 5K and afterparty!Enjoy some hot cocoa as your prize at the end!
Jingle Bell Run/Walk (December 14th )
Wear a costume or tie on bells for the 5K run or walk at Westlake Center, Seattle. I watched it last year and it was hilarious. Perfect for people watching!
New Year’s Eye at the Needle (December 31st)
Put on a winter coat and head to the Seattle Center for the West Coast’s best New Year’s Eve fireworks at midnight. Parties upstairs sell out early, but the view from the ground is free!
Have a fantastic break all!
- Jessie