Nine Christmas rock songs even holiday-music haters will love


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“The Rebel Jesus” – Jackson Browne Jackson Browne pairs up with the Chieftains and puts his formidable songwriting and lyrical prowess on display in this meaningful Christmas tune. As cliché as it sounds, Browne reminds us — quite poetically — that Christmas is not about “[guarding] our fine possessions,” but about helping those less fortunate. […]

Lighting up winter in the desert


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In Los Angeles, you’re probably not going to experience the frigid temperatures and heavy snowfall of the East Coast, but that’s no reason to miss out on the holiday cheer of the winter season. Regardless of whether or not you celebrate a winter holiday, the City of Angels has many bright lights and spectacles to […]

The daily grind: A typical day at ECNU


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A typical Monday (by far my busiest school day) at East China Normal University goes a little something like this… 9:00 a.m.: Wake up, check all my social media apps and begin to look like a human. So many Snapstories and new pictures on Instagram to check because of this time difference…there’s just not enough […]

Countdown playlist for the Twelve Days of Christmas


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Christmas music is something I live for and take very seriously. Every year, I anxiously wait until the clock hits 12 a.m. on Dec. 1 when it’s socially acceptable to play Christmas music. The only downside to the holiday is the actual waiting that you have to endure before the magical day. Christmas music helps […]

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Bilbao


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On my way to work teaching English, I see that lovely blue lights have been laced up through the trees lining the streets of the city center. This is Plaza Moyua, the center of Bilbao, a roundabout that connects many different streets. It’s hard to resist baked goods from Martina de Zuricalday, a Basque bakery […]

Five places to get the best ugly Christmas sweaters


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‘Tis the season for sweaters, particularly the beloved ugly Christmas sweaters that have emerged as an ironic trend. However, instead of digging through your closet for that sweater Grandma gave you five years ago, shop through the abundance of options online. Christmas sweaters not only spread holiday cheer, but also comment on the best pop […]

It’s beginning to look a lot like a London Christmas


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Having lived in California my entire life, I feel like I’ve never had the full Christmas experience. There’s something about waking up every Christmas morning to sunny 60-degree blue skies that kind of takes away from the “magic” of the holiday. Every year during the holidays my family and I watch Love Actually (arguably my […]

Five dorm-friendly homemade holiday gift treats


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Bright lights drape trees, and hints of peppermint, gingerbread and eggnog fill coffee shops and kitchens — the time of year we’ve all been waiting for has finally rolled around. As college students, we might not have the means to make or spend a lot on gifts for friends and family. But one of the best […]

A gift for you: Christmas albums for your study breaks


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Each year, Christmas brings a few of the best artists of all time together to sing carols and traditional Christmas songs. You will hear these songs all over the radio stations starting days before Thanksgiving all the way through the New Year. Some of the top artists on the charts have capitalized on this time […]

Holiday Gift Guide


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We’re here to make gift-giving season a little bit easier this year. Daily Trojan bloggers have compiled a list of presents that all your friends, from the book worm to the foodie, will be sure to love. Click on the link below to jump to each section. Happy shopping! For the book worm Compiled by […]