If you were born in the year of 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, or 1999, then you are a rabbit.  Well, according to the zodiac anyway.  Here in China the zodiac is a big part of the new year’s celebration.   Funny fact:  If it is your zodiac year then you are supposed to wear red underwear for better “luck”.  The Chinese new year (also known as Chun Jie) is like an American Christmas.  Its a BIG DEAL!  If you don’t believe me just drop in to hear the fire works and fire crackers that will keep you up every night for the new years week.  The sky on Chun Jie night is equivalent to a battle scene, except that the jets would have to be dropping bombs that explode into a million different colors, if they were to completely identical.  Despite the noisiness it is extremely beautiful to watch all the fireworks exploding against a black night sky.  Chinese families gather for the holiday, and eat the famous Chun Jie food: jiao zi (or boiled dumplings as some would call it).  This whole holiday is almost like a summer vacation for the students who get six weeks off of school *gasp*.  Although I only get two, I am content and look forward to the vacation awaiting me!   

These are a few common posters and signs you’ll see during this holiday:      

If you were born in the year of 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, or 1999, then you are a rabbit.  Well, according to the zodiac anyway.  Here in China the zodiac is a big part of the new year's celebration.   Funny fact:  If it is your zodiac year then you are supposed to wear red underwear for better "luck".  The Chinese new year (also known as Chun Jie) is like an American Christmas.  Its a BIG DEAL!  If you don't believe me just drop in to hear the fire works and fire crackers that will keep you up every night for the new years week.  The sky on Chun Jie night is equivalent to a battle scene, except that the jets would have to be dropping bombs that explode into a million different colors, if they were to completely identical.  Despite the noisiness it is extremely beautiful to watch all the fireworks exploding against a black night sky.  Chinese families gather for the holiday, and eat the famous Chun Jie food: jiao zi (or boiled dumplings as some would call it).  This whole holiday is almost like a summer vacation for the students who get six weeks off of school *gasp*.  Although I only get two, I am content and look forward to the vacation awaiting me!   

These are a few common posters and signs you'll see during this holiday:      

This afternoon, Jessie, Maddie and I took my our electric scooter to run errands and check out the festivities of the New Year. Speedily driving to “China Unicom”, we payed for our home phone bill, then we grabbed two Mango bubble teas on the way back. Our original mission, was to buy butter for Mom to make some of her exceptional granola bars, however, the DIY (do it yourself) store was out of stock! Thankfully having a back-up plan, we rushed over to the “Good Friend’s Store,” an import store in our neighborhood. I love this time of the year, first of all because everyone, all of our Chinese neighbors, are bustling around much like we do during Christmas time. Buying fruit, decorations and fireworks, we see people all over the place carrying large red bags and boxes. It’s very interesting that, like Christmas, the color red is the mark of the season. Every day I am learning more and more about this culture around me… being so different, yet I have am growing to love it.

>> Last week, Michael, Jessie and I walked to a near-by, outdoor skating rink to meet up with some friends. On the way, Michael took some shots of Jessie and I with some new photography skills which he recently discovered. I am so impressed with his creativity and skills concerning photography, I have to admit, its also very nice to have a professional photographer available wherever I go. I can’t imagine life without him, there will be nobody to sit around and drink coffee with, study late at night with, and just talk to. Can you tell that I am dreading is departure?>> From iceskating to grieving my brothers graduation… how will I be able to cope without him?
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>> Amelia and I iceskating!>>

This afternoon, Jessie, Maddie and I took my our electric scooter to run errands and check out the festivities of the New Year. Speedily driving to “China Unicom”, we payed for our phone bill, then we grabbed two Mango bubble teas on the way back. Our original mission, was to buy butter for Mom to make some of her exceptional granola bars, however, the DIY (do it yourself) store was out of stock! Thankfully having a back up plan, we rushed over to the “Good Friend’s Store,” an import store in our neighborhood. I love this time of the year, first of all because everyone, all of our Chinese neighbors, are bustling around much like us during Christmas time. Buying fruit, decorations and fireworks, we see people all over the place carrying large red bags and boxes. Its very interesting that, like Christmas, the color red is the mark of the season. Every day I am learning more and more about this culture around me… its so different yet I have learned to love it.

This week I had my 7th grade Science Fair. All the students were required to do this activity. I did my Science Fair about tongue sores and carbonation. I basically tested that if you have a sore tongue can carbonation take away the soreness or not. Although this experiment didn't work I still had fun learning about these subjects.

Yes, there are a lot of things that I took for granted when I lived in America.  Now living in China, I realize all the things I used to take for granted.  For one, sugar.  Yes, we do have sugar here.  Never the less, the only sugar you can buy at the grocery store is wet sugar (like brown sugar's consistency).  However this sugar is not like brown sugar in the way that this sugar dries out so hard that you have to chip at it with a spoon to put a some in you tea.  So, when we buy the small bag of granulated sugar at the near by import store, the Good Friend store,  I'm thrilled!  Of course it's not like I die eating wet sugar, but granulated sugar is such a treat that I would never imagine I would miss when I moved to China!  I guess the moral of the story is that no matter where you are, there is always something to be thankful for.

Yes, there are a lot of things that I took for granted when I lived in America.  Now living in China, I realize all the things I used to take for granted.  For one, sugar.  Yes, we do have sugar here.  Never the less, the only sugar you can buy at the grocery store is wet sugar (like brown sugar's consistency).  However this sugar is not like brown sugar in the way that this sugar dries out so hard that you have to chip at it with a spoon to put a some in you tea.  So, when we buy the small bag of granulated sugar at the near by import store, the Good Friend store,  I'm thrilled!  Of course it's not like I die eating wet sugar, but granulated sugar is such a treat that I would never imagine I would miss when I moved to China!  I guess the moral of the story is that no matter where you are, there is always something to be thankful for.

Today after church our family went to Hot Pot. First of all I need to explain to you that Hot Pot is a restaurant. At this interesting  activity/restaurant you are given a small individual pot with broth in it. After this you order vegetables, meat, and noodles to cook in your pot. The meat is given to you raw and in thin slices. The noodles are also uncooked. Then you just add whatever you want into the broth to cook. After it is fully cooked to your liking you are able to go to a sauce table where you can get as many kinds and bowls as you like to dip your delicious food in. This is a fun and scrumptious way to spend time with your family and eat great food!

~ sorry we didn't take pictures….. next time we go I will be sure to add them.

Last Saturday night, Michael, Jessie and I walked to a nearby, skating place on a frozen canal, to meet up with some friends. On the way, Michael took some shots of Jessie and I using photography skills which he has developed since our move to China. I am so impressed with his creativity and “eye” concerning photography.  I have to admit, it’s also very nice to have a professional photographer available wherever I go. I can’t imagine life without him, there will be nobody to sit around and drink coffee with, study late at night with, and just talk to. Can you tell that I am dreading his departure next year when he goes to college?

From iceskating to grieving my brothers graduation… how will I be able to cope without him?