Valentine’s Day Moods and Traditions

Restaurants will surely be filled, florists will have a huge profit margin and courier and delivery services are sure to have a busy day this February 14. While most people have already booked their itinerary and flower sending, the day of the hearts is something that will surely be a busy day for couples all over the world.

There are people who will be booking themselves at hotels for sure. Some would even find themselves enjoying a musical show in celebration of the occasion being serenaded by ballads coming from well-known musical celebrities with various love songs and entertainment. Clubs are expected to be filled as well, mostly lasting until the wee hours of the mornings.

The mood is definitely under a romantic one. For sure, regular traditions shall be held. But the important thing is really celebrating with the person whom people would consider as special to their lives. That is what the day of the hearts is really all about.

The Rose Parade: Star Wars Spectacular

The annual Rose Parade is a much awaited event. This year’s parade was even more special. Dubbed the Star Wars Spectacular, it had George Lucas for its Grand Marshall and naturally Star Wars for its theme. It was very timely since 2007 is the 30th anniversary of the release of the very first Star Wars movie.
The parade had a float set as the moon of Endor with adorable Ewoks swinging around. Another float was dressed up as the garden planet of Naboo. What was probably the most interesting to many though were the 200 Storm Troopers marching along.

These troopers were not professional actors or entertainers. They were all fans, and they came from all over the world to form this very special part of the parade. The Storm Troopers were chosen from the 501st Legion, a major Star Wars fan club. The members of the legion are fans who dress up in Star Wars costumes for charity events and other activities. They were asked by George Lucas to take part and you bet that for them is already a singular honor. George Lucas shouldered the? cost of their flight, hotel and meals. You can bet these Storm Troopers are having a great new year.
George Lucas says that it was a great honor to be chosen to be the Grand Marshall. “It’s always a great honor to be put in a category with other people you admire,” he said. He joins the ranks of Bob Hope, Dwight Eisenhower and Bill Cosby just to name a few.

Ushering In The New Year

The year is almost over and everywhere people are getting ready to countdown to a brand new year. 2006 has been quite an eventual year indeed for many.

There are parties going on everywhere. All the major cities have plans for fantastic fireworks displays and celebrations. Whether you go to London, New York, Paris or down under to Syndey, the new year will be welcomed in with a bang. In New York’s Times Square, plans for 19 stellar performances from some of the Grammy award winners are lined up including Christina Aguilera, the Rascal Flatts and more.

For those who will be joining the London celebration, good news. You need not worry if you don’t have a car since the public transportation system will be running later than usual. In fact, NatWest is sponsoring transportation on the 31st via the London Underground, London Buses, Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and via the tram. Just don’t wait til the last minute since there is bound to be quite a crowd.

You’re sure to be partying hard on this last night of the year but do keep yourself safe. This can easily be done by following a few simple safety tips:

• Stay with your friends. There is always safety in numbers.
• Keep your valuables safely at home or very carefully guarded. There are often pickpockets at crowded events such as these.
• Drink responsibly. No point in getting so drunk you miss out on all the fun. That’s no way to start a new year.
• Wear shoes that you’ll be comfortable in. You’ll have a long night ahead of you. There is no reason not to be both stylish and comfortable.
• Dress warmly. No point in catching a cold when a little common sense will keep you from this annoying bug.

New Year’s Advice: Grow

Every year people make a list of things that they will to do, be or have. Very few actually achieve these goals. Sometimes it really is a case of aiming for the impossible. You set your self up for failure at the start of the year – that really sucks!

Rather than make a list of things that you know you won’t really do, how about making yourself just one promise? Make it your new year’s resolution that no matter what, you will keep learning something new everyday. This means that you will keep an open mind to things and maybe be more open to possibilities. You may find yourself feeling younger and a lot lighter because of it. Challenge your mind. That’s always great.

It really isn’t true that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. You can learn anything you want to, if you set your mind to it. You might still teach these young whippersnappers a thing or two about trends and technology.

The Wade Christmas Spirit

From the time we were kids, Christmas has been a time of giving and receiving. It isn’t only the kids who look forward to the joy of ripping the gift wrapping aside and discovering what treasure has been bestowed by our loved ones. It does not matter the price or the size. It is about how well we are loved, that they care to think about what we really want and need.

For some though the receiving truly is less important than the giving. One such couple is Dwayne Wade, Miami Heat‘s guard and his wife Siohvaughn. Now that they not only can afford to buy themselves anything they want, they no longer get up early on christmas morning to rip open their presents. Instead christmas for them is about putting smiles on the faces of kids in need.

Giving is what it is all about for Dwayne, his wife and his children. Dwayne Wade says it is about being blessed and sharing those blessings such as they did three days before christmas with these kids from South Florida. His wife Siohvaughn says, “When he does things like this, often he’ll say that if someone did something like it or came where he lived and did something like this for children when he was a kid, that would have made a difference in his life”.

This is the true spirit of christmas. This is what makes the season special.