Many find Valentine's bittersweet

Cupid has been busy sharpening his arrows. And today, students from across the University will be feeling his sting. "Valentine's Day is a wonderful, wonderful holiday," College freshman Stan Parker said. "I think [it] is a great chance for everyone to get a little closer. "[But] it's a double-edged sword," he admitted. "It can either make you depressed or really happy. It depends on your situation in life. Hopefully this one will make more people happy." Other students plan to openly display their aversion to the so-called holiday. "I'll be wearing all black from head to toe in mourning for all lost loves and loves never had," College senior Michele Steinberger said. "All couples should stay indoors." College sophomore Monique Mogenson agreed. "I think Valentine's Day is a bad holiday," she said. "If you have someone who's important to you, you don't need a holiday to celebrate it. If you have someone you just got together with, it's awkward, and if you don't have anyone, it's depressing." But College freshman Alice Birnbaum argued otherwise. "It's a nice day," she said. "We're happy it's here." College freshman Timothy Wexler said he hopes everyone is affected by the spirit of the day. "I think Valentine's Day is a wonderful thing," he said. "I think that we should all love everyone else and I just wish and hope that everyone loves me." Others were quick to contend that individuals' personal love lives usually determine their feelings about the holiday. "It's kind of fun," Wharton junior Dave Dwares said. "It's a nice day to show people you care about how you feel -- you know, for some reassurance." Still other students argue that Valentine's Day is just a merchandising gimmick. "Valentine's Day is just a way for card stores and chocolate companies to make money," College and Wharton freshman Lucrecia Castro said. College sophomore Jen Lattanvio had her own sort of celebration planned for the evening. "I'll be at Casa Mexicana getting drunk with the girls," she said. "I'm a little bitter about Valentine's Day this year. It's sort of like Halloween --it's over-rated." College freshman Ben Dietz noted that Valentine's Day "overemphasizes the need to have somebody." "But it puts a nice emphasis on getting along and having harmonious relationships," he added.