Tomorrow is a special day since it comes only once every five years. Wednesday is that extra day, Feb. 29.This makes 2012 a leap year, when, by Western tradition, women can pop the question to their lover.
While matrimonial expectations are far less stringent in today’s society, ancient Irish tradition allowed impatient women to propose to men only once every four years on Leap Day.
If you’ve been waiting for your man to pop the question, there is no guarantee he will decide to do so before the next 29th of February comes around, so take advantage of the opportunity while it’s here.
Besides, if you make the move now, there is a good chance you won’t have to worry about potentially forgetting your anniversary on an annual basis – thinking ahead may grant you a three-year grace period.
Being in college ultimately means students are constantly caught up in an endless abyss of classwork, reading, homework and exams.
It may feel empowering to be independent from our parents, living and functioning without direct guidance from Mom and Dad, but being consistently responsible can be quite tiresome. Rejuvenate your childlike spirit by playing a game of leap frog with friends – DU’s campus is practically designed for such cliche events.
Leap Year – and therefore, Leap Day – is interpreted differently based on the myriad of calendars utilized around the world.
The Chinese, Hebrew and Hindu calendars incorporate an entire extra month into the Leap Year, whereas Leap Years occur at a five-year interval every 3.3 decades according to the Iranian calendar.
Folklore and ancient traditions regarding the Leap Year may also be investigated in abundance, so if you’re not drowning in actual academic studies, perhaps consider arranging a trivia night based on information which only proves pertinent every four (or five) years.
This year, Leap Day falls on a Wednesday, which is celebratory in itself – the week only goes uphill from here.
If “Hump Day” isn’t a valid enough reason to let loose, remind yourself this is the ONLY Hump/Leap Day you will experience for quite some time.
Try thinking of a tradition you and your friends can partake in on Wednesdays and make the inauguration of this tradition the most epic of them all.
Perhaps play a ruthless Scrabble marathon or watch as many Harry Potter movies in a row as is physically possible … unless you can come up with something more outrageous to do every Wednesday, beginning most epically on the last day of Hump/Leap Day in years to come.
While waiting at Jazzman’s or Starbucks to attain your morning dose of caffeine, think about buying a drink for the person behind you.
Even if far-reaching attempts at celebrating the Leap Day seem unappealing or unexciting, there is no doubt the 29th of February is a special occasion, so why not put forth a minimal effort to make the day’s events slightly beyond the ordinary?Who knows, it may even inspire a domino effect of random acts of kindness and cause Feb. 29 to be the best day of someone’s whole (leap) year.
While finding ways to justify festivity on Leap Day may be somewhat of a challenge, coming to terms with the realization every day is worth celebrating might make the process a bit easier. Think outside the box, and take advantage of this unique holiday.
