February has arrived, meaning the brutally cold month of January is finally over! The festive atmosphere of the Chinese New Year is evident wherever you go, the snow on the ground is beginning to melt and heart-shaped chocolates are beginning to line the shelves of department stores once again. Ask any American what comes to mind when “February” is mentioned, and you will get responses such as Punxsutawney Phil the groundhog, the Super Bowl and Presidents Day Weekend. While these are virtually household terms in America, others living outside the United States may wonder what it all means.

    February 2 is Groundhog Day, celebrated mostly in America and Canada. This fun holiday is a big deal in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Each year, a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil emerges from his home and “predicts” the advent of spring. If it’s cloudy and his shadow is nowhere to be found, then spring has supposedly arrived — but if the sun is shining and Phil sees his shadow, it is said that six more weeks of winter must be endured before spring arrives. This year, Punxsutawney Phil happened to see his shadow! This lighthearted holiday is not to be taken too seriously — after all, how can a small, furry rodent predict the weather? — and there are no school, work or store closings for the occasion.

    Interestingly enough, this year’s Super Bowl fell on the same day as Groundhog Day. The Super Bowl is the annual American football championship game of the National Football League (NFL), during which the top two football teams in the nation face off for the title. This year marked Super Bowl XLVIII, or 48. The Seattle Seahawks of Washington state won against the Denver Broncos of Colorado. Hundreds of thousands of avid fans and celebrities go to watch the game live, and others throw parties and invite friends to watch the game on television.

    February 14, of course, is Valentine’s Day. It is not a federal holiday, nor is it limited to just being celebrated in the States, but it is always a wonderful occasion for those in love! Florists burst with beautiful red, pink and white roses. A fond childhood memory of mine is my elementary school’s Valentine’s Day parties. Each year, we would bring in a shoebox decorated with hearts, and exchange valentine’s cards and candies with our classmates. Then, we would stuff ourselves with heart-shaped cookies and pink cupcakes!

    The last big day of February is Presidents Day. It is a federal holiday to commemorate several previous presidents of the United States. It is celebrated on the third Monday of February, because Presidents George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s birthdays fall around that day. On this day, schools are always closed, and most people get to enjoy the luxury of this three-day weekend. Because I do not have school on the 14th, I get a four-day weekend — even better!

    February is such a fun month, filled with pink tulips, spinning footballs, groundhogs and presidents’ birthdays... What more could you ask for? For Americans, it is an eventful month indeed. This year, it is exciting for those living in China as well, due to the occurrence of the Chinese New Year in late January. To all, here’s to a happy and healthy Year of the Horse, and an open-armed welcome to the month of February!

    Merry Gu (辜子蕊)

    is a Grade 9 student at the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur in Villanova, Pennsylvania. She lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania, a suburb near Philadelphia in the United States.