Supernatural Prediction of Character - Brief Intro to Zodiac and the Years of Animals

Although people are born and raised in diverse conditions, those who have similar birthdays tend to share some characteristics. The most common way in the Western society to predict the characteristics of newborn children is the Zodiac. There are twelve signs in the modern zodiac. 

• Aries, the first constellation in the Zodiac, meaning The Ram in English, has a duration from March 21 to April 19. Aries are often cheerful, childish, straightforward and reckless. 
• Taurus, meaning the Bull, are people who have birthdays between April 20 and May 20. Taurus are found to be conservative and a little stubborn. They prefer stable lives and are good at financing. 
• People who are born during May 21 to June 20 are Gemini, the Twins. They are likely to be changeful and shrewd. 
• Cancer, unlike its aggressive name, has a meaning of the Crab. Cancer, are born between June 21 and July 22, tend to be emotional, sensitive, consistent and loyal to families. 
• Like its name, Leo (the Lion) is confident and dominant. People whose birthdays are located between July 23 and August 22 are Leo. 
• Virgo means the Maiden and has a duration from August 23 to September 22. Many Virgos are perfectionists, therefore some think they are picky. 
• From September 23 to October 22 is when Libras are born. Libra means the Scales, as most Libra are impartial and peaceable. 
• Scorpios, meaning the Scorpion, has a duration from October 23 to November 21. They are often mysterious, rational, sensitive and forethoughtful. 
• People who have birthdays between November 22 and December 21 are Sagittarius, meaning the Archer. Sagittarius are brave, decisive and independent. 
• Capricorn, the Sea-goat, are born during December 22 and January 19. They are mostly patient, realistic, responsible and diligent. 
• Aquarius, meaning the Water-bearer, has a duration from January 20 to February 18. Aquarius are friendly, creative, tolerant, and unique. 
• Pisces, the Fish, are people who are born between February 19 to March 20. Many of them are emotional, romantic and gentle. 

(Important Note: The durations of Zodiacs differ by one to two days every year.)

The years of animals, also called Chinese Zodiacs, are originated from ancient Chinese traditions. Each year is symbolized by an animal and the initial date of the year is determined by lunar rather than solar new year. The order of the animals are fixed: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. They circulate every twelve years (ex: This year (2016) is the year of Monkey, the next year of Monkey will be twelve years later, which is the year of 2028). Similar to Zodiacs, Chinese Zodiacs are also used to predict one’s characteristics according to the year in which one is born. Rats are prudent and diligent. Oxen are responsible and consistent. Tigers are straightforward and impulsive. Rabbits are gentle and honest. Dragons are brave and mysterious. Snakes are concentrative and idealistic. Horses are confident and realistic. Goats are meek and emotional. Monkeys are curious and cheerful. Roosters are sensitive and creative. Dogs are conservative and loyal. Pigs are rational and quiet. 

The wisdom of our ancestors provides us with various ways to predict one’s characteristics by analyzing one’s birthday. Although the predictions do not apply to everyone, Zodiacs and the years of animals are interesting and relatively precise methods to understand ourselves and people around us. 

Source:

“Zodiac Signs and Astrology Signs Meanings and Characteristics.” 12
         Astrology Zodiac Signs Dates, Meanings and Compatibility, N.p., n.d.
         Web. 21 Oct. 2016.

  www.astrology-zodiac-signs.com/.

Chenqi

Barber of Seville

Count Almaviva	the young count who persue Rosina’s love
Bartolo	Rosina’s doctor and guardian, also want to marry Rosina
Rosina	The girl the young count and Bartolo both love
Figaro	The barber who helped count to marry Rosina

Recently, my school orchestra has been doing an interesting piece. The piece is the overture for the opera, Barber of Seville. It is also called The Futile Precaution. The composer is Rossini. Barber of Seville is an opera which is written based on French comedy by Pierre Beaumarchais. The story describes a young Count Almaviva, named Lindoro, who pursues a girl called Rosina with a barber, Figaro’s help. Lindoro hopes that Rosina loves him not because of his money. Bartolo who is Rosina’s doctor, as well as a guardian wants to marry her, so he prevents Rosina from meeting people. Figaro, the barber of Bartolo, who is previously servant of Lindoro, gets paid for helping Lindoro. Finally Lindoro successfully gets married with Rossina.

Gioachino Antonio Rossini

Rossini was born in Pesaro, in 1792 in a musical family. He composed 39 operas, as well as religious music. In his late years, he had depressive disorder. His second wife accompanied him until he died in Paris. His funeral was worthy and big.

Some famous piece:

The Thieving Magpie, Cinderella, William Tell, etc.

The most famous version- Gioachino Antonio Rossini

The first version is written by a highly respected Italian composer, Giovanni Paisello, of the Classical period. When Rossini was asked to compose a new one, he asked for Paisello’s permission in order to show respect of the 1^st original piece. Rossini used only 13 days to complete his piece. At the beginning, especially the first performance, audiences made noises to disturb the show because people think that was extremely disrespect Paisello, who has a high reputation among audiences that he composed a new version. After a week, this situation finally begin to improve. As time went on, the Rossini version becomes the most famous piece in operas and orchestra concerts. And it is the peak of western comic opera history. Although those two pieces all defined as Classical period music. Because Rossini is a romantic period composer, I believe that his version contains more Romantic elements such as emotion and unpredictability. For example, you can clearly hear difference between forte and piano notes (strong and weak). Comparing to most Classical music, which is more rational, due to the environment people persue at the time and also the instruments people used. These two pieces are in different styles somehow.

            

Tyson Nguyen

November 2nd, 2016  

Of Coffee, Coast and Rain

Space Needle - Bryce Mann

Distinct from the crowded and bustling atmosphere of New York City, the seething party vibe of Los Angeles, or the freezing temperatures of Minneapolis, Seattle has its own uniqueness.

“It rains nine months a year in Seattle.”

As Dennis Reed has described in the 1993 iconic Romantic piece Sleepless in Seattle, the city seems to carry herself with the melancholy vibe of a dismal January day. The sequence of continuous raining days has deeply influenced in the culture and perspective of Seattleites, depicting a soothing romantic painting. Being embraced in those heavy layers of misty rain, Seattle reveals its own distinctive characteristics. Indeed, Seattle has been regarded as an analogy to a beautiful woman who sheds tears “nine months a year,” yet, in a way that you can still find her beauty under her teardrops. For wanderlust, the beauty of Seattle might be hidden under the Northern Downpour; only a person who lives in the city for a long time can truly understand its unique beauty.

Pike Market Center - Daniel Gregory 

As referred as an Emerald City, Seattle is indeed a combination of a metropolitan area and extraordinary natural gifts. Embraced by Elliot Bay, surrounded by the Cascade Range, Seattle carries the blend of the sea-breeze from the ocean and the scent of pine trees from the temperate forests. The combination of ocean, forests and a metropolitan city provide citizens and tourists an exceptional opportunity to experience both the city and nature. Pike Market Center, located in the heart of downtown Seattle, facing towards the Elliot Bay, provides the freshest oysters, Dungeon crabs and salmons of the Northwest Region, giving the opportunity to enjoy fresh seafood cuisine in the middle of the metropolitan area. Within the area of Pike Place Market, Seattle-based first Starbucks coffee house has given Seattleites the most original and natural Espresso and variations since 1971, introducing branches of over 50 Starbucks stores around the city, and thousands of retail stores globally. 

Mount Rainier - Denella Sydow

To get an authentic nature vibe, within only two hours from the heart of downtown Seattle, tourists can experience and enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Northwest temperate forests or have the opportunity to ski on the 12,000 feet Mount Rainier, as well as other activities such as hiking or yachting.

With all of its elements and perspectives embedded in the city, the Emerald City—Seattle—is unquestionably the place that is worth experienced for both metropolitan or nature enthusiasts. "It rains nine months a year in Seattle." But Seattle carries her beauty twelve months a year. 

           

Claire Yang

 Oct 23, 2016

WATERMELON

Although summer has past, its position in our heart remain unbreakable.

Innovation in Ordinary 

Experience with Watermelon

Watermelon is one the most commonly seen fruits in the kingdom of fruit. Some people will hug half of a watermelon in their arm digging their metal spoon into the watermelon. Others eat sliced watermelon pieces one bite after another, with juice running down their face. But these ways of eating are semi-barbaric and the juice of the watermelon can get EVERYWHERE. If you don’t want sticky hands, you should try cutting the watermelon into squares.  

                             

In order to do that, you need to cut the watermelon horizontally into flat slices (around one-inch-thick) and cut the rind of the watermelon away from each slice. The main point is to create a separation of the rind from the fruit—but leave the rind in place on the plate like a border. This is the most important step. Next, use the pointy part of the knife and carve horizontal lines on the watermelon. Then, do this again, but this time, carve vertical lines instead of horizontal. Now, the process of enjoyment, surprise and pleasure begins.

                                    

  Inside the smooth outer skin of the watermelon, there is a rosy red colored layer inside. As soon as I touch the watermelon with my knife, fresh pink liquid spills out. The crunchy sound of chewing the watermelon entertains me with sweet and sour taste of the liquid.

                                  

Although the process is tedious, watermelons can bring you a lot of joy and a good mood when you eat each piece and create a completely new image on your plate. Like the heart shape I made on the top on the page.  

It can also be a side dish on a dessert like this. 

Enjoy!!

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