Mongolian Lunar new year

 What is the Lunar New Year?

    Mongolia celebrates Lunar New Year, also known as “Tsagaan Sar”, following the Mongolian lunisolar calendar. Tsagaan Sar translates to “White Moon” and marks the beginning of a new year with the rising of the new moon.  The night before Tsagaan Sar is called “Bituun”, a time when families gather to ensure that the coming year is filled with prosperity. Tradition encourages people to eat as much as possible during Bituun, symbolizing abundance and preventing hunger in the year ahead.

How We Celebrate?

    On the first day of the new year, everyone wakes up early and wears their best new clothes. Men climb the nearest hill to watch the first sunrise, while women prepare milk tea to offer to the earth as a sign of gratitude.  

    Visiting relatives is a key part of Tsagaan Sar, and some people travel long distances across the country to reunite with family. That’s why this celebration lasts almost a week. In my opinion, Tsagaan Sar is more than just a holiday, it’s a meaningful time to strengthen family connections and learn more about our lineage. It’s a warm, heartening celebration where we bond, feast, and exchange gifts as a token of gratitude for each other’s presence.  

    During this time, cadets and younger family members greet their elders with a special gesture of respect, placing their arms under the elder’s arms while embracing. Everywhere you go, Mongolians are moving, visiting, and sharing well wishes with friends and family.  

Traditional Clothing: The Deel

        The deel is Mongolia's traditional attire, dating back to the 3rd century BC. It's unique and beautiful garment that reflects our rich heritage. There are distinct differences in how men and women wear deel, with specific accessories for each. While many people in the cities no longer wear it daily, nomadic communities in the countryside still proudly wear the deel as part of their everyday lives. However, during Tsagaan sar, everyone dress in their finest deels t honor the occasion.

The Festive Feast

The Great Meat (Uuts/Uvchuu) - “Mutton” is the star of the table. Every household prepares a large portion of lamb or sheep, symbolizing strength, prosperity, and tradition. Mongolians have been meat lovers for centuries, and this dish is one of the most defining aspects of our cuisine.

Buuz (Dumplings)– These steamed dumplings are a must-have for Tsagaan Sar and are enjoyed in almost every home.

Dairy Products– Mongolian cuisine is heavily influenced by dairy, and Tsagaan Sar features a variety of fermented and fresh dairy products.

Ul Boov – This is a traditional biscuit made from flour, stacked in a specific pyramid or square pattern. The way it is stacked holds different meanings and represents prosperity for the family.

Airag – Fermented mare’s milk, a naturally carbonated and slightly alcoholic beverage. Despite its mild alcohol content, even children can drink it. It symbolizes abundance, hospitality, and celebration.  

Tsagaan Sar is more than just a holiday, it’s a time for family, tradition, and cultural pride. It brings Mongolians together, whether they are in the countryside or the city, young or old. The traditions, clothing, food, and rituals all come together to create a celebration that is deeply rooted in our history, values, and identity.  
For us, Tsagaan Sar is a time to reflect on the past, embrace the present, and welcome the future with hope and gratitude.

See yall next time,

Nobita A.

Guest Blog: ICPC Washington D2 Regional Programming Contest

 Our guest blogger is Abel, an Ethiopian student majoring in Computer Science! He's going to tell us what it was like to participate in a competitive programming event.

On November 16, 2024, my team and I participated in the ICPC Pacific Northwest Regional (Washington D2 Site) for the third time. The contest was held at the University of Washington, Tacoma, and it remains one of the most exciting and challenging programming competitions I've ever experienced.

Our journey began in 2022 when we were freshmen. Competing for the first time, we managed to solve two problems, gaining valuable insights into the contest's structure and atmosphere.

In 2023, we returned with more experience. The environment felt familiar, and we were more confident. This time, we performed better and finished in 6th place.

Each year has been a learning experience, helping us grow as a team and improve our problem-solving skills. This year, all of our hard work paid off. We won 1st place at the Washington D2 Site! It was an unforgettable moment that showed us how much progress we've made since our first contest. 

The winning team: Yonatan, Abel, and Biniam

What is ICPC?

The International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) is one of the oldest and most prestigious competitive programming events in the world. Teams of three university students are tasked with solving complex computational problems within a set time. The event is intense, and the competition isn't just about writing code. It's about teamwork, quick decision-making, and navigating challenges without external help. 

 

Korean New Year Traditions vs. American New Year Traditions

Hello guys! It's Luna. As the new year approaches, people around the world celebrate in unique ways. As a South Korean student studying in the U.S., I’ve experienced both Korean and American New Year traditions. While both celebrations share a sense of hope and renewal, they differ greatly in customs, atmosphere, and cultural significance.

Chillin' in Chicago: My Winter Break Adventure

Hi, everyone! I’m Nobita. Welcome to my travel blog. I hope you guys are having an amazing winter break. 

    

Chicago is a dynamic city with a unique blend of
history, culture, and community. Whether exploring its architectural wonders, savoring deep-dish pizza, enjoying live music, or cheering for a local sports team, there’s always something to experience in the Windy City.

 

📍360🌃

The 360 Chicago building, formerly known as the John Hancock Center, is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Chicago. Located in the Gold Coast neighborhood, it stands tall at 1,128 feet (344 meters) and was among the tallest buildings in the world when it was completed in 1970. When I was on the deck there was the room where you can feel the wind on that floor which made me feel so relaxed and it felt like therapy and so good.

📍Millennium Park Ice Rink 

Sliding on the cold ice is one of my favorite winter activities—it’s always so much fun! We had to make a reservation first, but it was already packed and sold out, even though it was just Monday. That shows how popular this ice skating place is!  

When I finally got on the ice, it felt amazing. It brought back so many nostalgic memories from my childhood. I remembered all the winter days I spent skating with friends, laughing, and trying not to fall. The cold air, the sound of skates on the ice, and the joy of gliding around made me feel like a kid again. It was such a special moment, and I’m so glad I got the chance to skate here.

📍Art Institute of Chicago🎨

I have a deep appreciation for arts and crafts. If I had the opportunity, I would love to spend an entire day exploring all the incredible artworks and creations at the institute. However, with more than a hundred thousand pieces on display, even a full day wouldn’t be enough to take it all in. Nevertheless, visiting the institute was an amazing experience. In my opinion, it’s the perfect place for a first date. Personally, I would also come here whenever I’m feeling down and in need of some quality time for myself. One of my favorite exhibits was the “Thorne Miniature Rooms.”  

                               

I started my winter break in the beautiful city of Chicago, and it was such a great experience. The city is full of energy, with so much to see and do. Next, I’ll be traveling to Arlington, Virginia, and I’m excited to see what’s waiting for me there. Stay tuned for more updates from my journey. Until then, I hope you all have an amazing day! 🌟

~Nobita.

My experience in the PLU Dance team

 

Hi all, Nobita here. I hope you are all having a good day. I know finals week is coming, but WE GOT THIS, LUTES! Today I wanted to talk about my experience in the PLU Dance team.

How I first Joined ~

 

There would be an audition for everyone who wants to be in the dance team. Our captains mainly seek for someone who really wants to dance and enjoys dancing with passion and positivity. I had my first audition freshman year. I was so nervous and excited for the audition because I had no idea how would it be. I remember there were around 20 people for the audition and 3 captains who ere the judges and one of them taught us 1 min of choreography. I personally think that the audition was not that hard. Two days later the result came up and I was so happy to see that I got into the dance team. On my first day of dance practice, our dance coach told me that I was the first international student in the dance team which made me feel proud of myself. 

PLU Dance team - https://www.plu.edu/admission/blog/meet-the-plu-dance-team/

My passion for dance ~

I started dancing when I was 7 years old and have loved it ever since. I had my own dance team in my middle school and I was in the high school dance team. I used to go to lots of competitions in my country and also overseas with my team in high school. I used to think I would stop dancing once I got into college but apparently that didn't happen. I was so happy when I found out that PLU has dance team. Now I think getting into the dance team was my best decision I've ever made since I got into college. I felt homesick and lonely when I arrived, but dancing kept me so busy that I forgot about those feelings. I'll never loose my passion for dance and never forget hoe it built who I am right now. 

Now it's been 2 years since I got into the dance team. I've learned a lot from my team. We had 2 hours of practice for 3 days every week. Dance team is where I can be myself and let my stress out through all the sweat from dancing for 2 hours. It is actually so fun to be in the dance team. We had so much fun every practice and our team members are actually so kind and understanding people. We always support and take care of each other. there was a time when I was feeling so homesick and having a bad day, and I told that to my senior member and she took me to Target and we had Chick-fil-a which is my favorite fast food place. We had so much fun walking around target and laughing loudly. At that time I realized that if I wasn't in the dance team I would never meet her and we would never be going out like this. I cherish all the memories that we made together. Being in the dance team taught me time management, responsibility, team work, and respect. 

Group bonding activity ~

We went to the pumpkin patch together which I heard it is one of the dance team tradition. We had BIG corndogs, caramel apple, and took some cute pictures together. It was my first time going to pumpkin patch, which was very interesting. Because, I've never seen that much pumpkin and different types of pumpkins. I really liked the animal farm where there were so many cute bunnies, pigs, goats, and other birds. It was the one of the moments were our team members shared big laughter together. 




    

Halloween ~   

Winter Showcase~

Around the end of November or beginning of December, we would have a Winter Showcase where we show our family and friends what we've learned throughout fall semester. Last year we performed around 10 dances, which I was in  five of them. This year we had 12 performances. We would practice every day for a week for the showcase, usually preparing lightning, music, costumes, hair and makeup, and let ourselves get used to dance without mirror on the stage. I would say this week is the hardest week for of being in the dance, but also the most memorable because we are all together working on one big project. We had so much fun doing it but also all of us were so nervous at the same time to make the dance pieces look beautiful and make the showcase perfect. I am so proud of all the dance team members. 

The dance team also has a spring term during which you can audition. We have a spring showcase with theater team. 

More opportunities at PLU~

 PLU has lots of other clubs and sport teams that you can join. I realized the benefit of doing something off school is really important. And the great part is that you can do whatever you want. 

https://www.plu.edu/admission-first-year/campus-life/clubs-organizations/

See guys next time,

- Nobita