Leap Year: How to spend your extra day

If you’re anything like me, you understand (after watching my favorite episode of Modern Family) that leap year signifies more than just a day of catching up with Earth’s alignment of the sun — it’s a whole extra day of the year. 24 extra hours to do anything. It seems unfitting to spend this day studying for my calc test or getting lunch at the usual spots, so I’ve come up with the best ways to spend Feb. 29 this year, with things I would never think to do otherwise — it’s gotta be special.

Rose Kanaley | The Harbinger Online

Leap year means different things in cultures around the world. It’s an Irish tradition that leap day is known as Bachelor’s day, where women are supposed to ask men to dance or even propose to them. Let’s be clear, I’m not telling you to propose to someone on Feb. 29, but it’s a real tradition people follow. If the man proposed to says no, he has to buy a fur coat or silk dress for the woman (so either way not a bad option). Most of you (probably) aren’t planning on following these traditions this leap day, but we can all be on the lookout.

Rose Kanaley | The Harbinger Online

Leap year, to my surprise, is also considered to be a spiritual time in many cultures. I think of it to be like an underrated New Years, where you can set goals for the next four years instead. As far as spirituality, leap years are said to be lucky years filled with enthusiasm, optimism, love and compassion. I hope that’s true, but either way it’s great time to start setting goals and looking into the future.

Rose Kanaley | The Harbinger Online

There’s never a bad time to take advantage of your surroundings, but leap day is especially ideal. Lawrence may be a 45 minute drive, but the Leap Year Lawrence Fest will feature various pop and reggae artists like Jay Canter and Nitemirror. And the KC area has concerts featuring all sorts of genres — from Bay Faction to the Kansas City Symphony. Or if you’re not feeling particularly musical, there’s always the option of making a fun day out of it to do activities you normally wouldn’t. Lucky for you, it’s on a Saturday so you won’t have to miss any school to explore anything from the cooking competition being offered at the Culinary Center of Kansas City to a workout contest through Warhorse Games KC. Kansas City weather is too unpredictable to look at spending a day hammocking or outside guaranteed, but using the day to get well needed rest from all the bio homework is also an understandable choice.

Rose Kanaley | The Harbinger Online