Live from Stanford Dining: Mardi Gras Spectacular

Hey everyone! Last week was Mardi Gras, a very popular holiday at American universities (and Stanford is no exception). To learn more about Mardi Gras celebrations all over the world, click here!

At American universities, Mardi Gras is usually celebrated through a themed party or event where everyone dresses up in masks or green, yellow, and purple attire. However, my school took Mardi Gras above and beyond through a special Mardi Gras dinner celebration at my dining hall! The entire facility was decked head to toe in decorations, all in the green, yellow, and purple color scheme of Mardi Gras. There was special food to represent New Orleans (the center of Mardi Gras celebration in the United States) along with entertainment from student clubs on campus, like a live band and performances from different dance groups. There was even a fancy cocktail station (virgin, of course). It was so great to celebrate this fun and festive holiday in my own dining hall. Check out some pictures with the highlights below!

Special Mardi Gras photo booth! Say cheese!

The dining hall fully decorated

My (virgin) mint mojito!

The student band preforming live music for hungry students

A student tap dance group preforming

Overall, the event at the dining hall was an amazing celebration of New Orleans culture through specific food, decorations, and entertainment choices. I had so much fun celebrating Mardi Gras at Stanford!

Did you celebrate Mardi Gras? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo

Midnight in Madrid: Senior Prom

Hey everyone! High school Prom is one of the biggest events of senior year and mine was held last weekend! Prom is an opportunity to get dressed up in long dresses and tuxedos and have a great time dancing and celebrating our last few weeks of high school.

My friends and I met first to take pictures close to the beach and then boarded a “Party Bus” to take us all together to the Prom. Prom was held in a venue right outside of Disneyland which made it even more special. During the night one Prince and Princess from the Prom Court were selected as the King and Queen of Prom. It was a really fun night and one of the highlights of senior year! 

What do you do at the end of your school year? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo

St. Paddy's Day

Hey Everyone! Each year, people around the world celebrate St. Patrick's Day on March 17th. The day celebrates Saint Patrick of Ireland and Irish culture. It started as a feast day to celebrate the Saint but has evolved into celebrating Irish culture and customs world wide. St. Patrick's Day is a public holiday in Ireland, but in other places like the United States is celebrated through parties and wearing green. Why must everyone wear green on St. Patrick's Day? Well originally the color associated with Saint Patrick was blue. Yet as his recognition grew, he became linked with the shamrock, a green four leaf clover. Now, people wear green to honor him and his shamrock.

Currently in the United States, this event is not a public holiday anywhere. However, it is still greatly celebrated through parades, parties, and religious observances. It is used to celebrate Irish American culture, though everyone celebrates even if they are not Irish. St. Patrick's Day has been celebrated in the United States since the late eighteenth century, even before the American Revolution.

When St. Patrick's Day falls on a school day, everyone comes to school wearing green! However, this year it was on a Saturday. This didn't stop anyone from wearing green though! It's always a tradition no matter what day it falls on.

How do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo