For many, especially girls, it’s getting married. Today I will speak about the ceremony of wedding in my hometown. The wedding parties will last 4 days.
Double Happiness: Each half of the symbol is the standard character for happiness, written "hsi" or "xi," and pronounced something like "she" in Mandarin (high level tone –; the first tone). Therefore, two "hsi" graphs together represent the wish for the two young newlyweds to have happiness together.
DAY 1
The day before the wedding, the bride and the groom can not see each other just like here in America. If they do, they will have a bad marriage. The night before the wedding, both the bride and the groom go outside to drink or play with their friends to say bye to their single life. In America, it’s similar to a Bachelor Party.
After returning home, both the bride and the groom need to take a thorough shower before the event, change to some fresh new underwear and incense needs to be burnt.
DAY 2 - Wedding Day: picking up the Bride
On the day of the wedding, early in the morning, the groom and the ushers will decorate the cars in the red and drive them over to the bride's home. The groom will send a car of gifts to the bride's family to bring the bride home.
At the door, the bridesmaids will prepare a lot of tricky questions for the groom to answer. The groom not only has to answer all the questions, he also has perform certain acts such as doing push-ups to show that he's strong enough to take care of the bride, or sing out his love for the bride in front of many people. The ushers will help the groom to pass all these tests. The last test is a financial test. The groom has to pay the bridesmaids some 'red envelopes [good fortune] as gifts, then the groom and his ushers can enter the house and greet the bride.
At the bride's home, the bride will put on her bright red wedding gown and the bride's parents will give her jewelry to wear. The bride and the groom have a big feast on the bride’s house in lunch time and toast a lot of relatives.
Good Fortune woman feeds the bride with rice with 3 dishes.
This first feeding symbolizes ever-lasting happiness.
The second feeding symbolizes many future children for happy family.
The third feeding symbolizes good wealth and health and harmony from beginning to end.
. Bride Leaving Home
During the afternoon, the groom's spokeswoman will enter the bride's house and will carry the bride on her back. The bride cannot touch the ground with her feet until she arrives at the groom's house. In some regions, the bride's relatives will throw rice into the air, hoping that the chickens around will eat the rice instead of pecking at the bride. Sometimes, a red umbrella is used to shield the bride as the opening of the umbrella will symbolize she bring good fortune to the groom's family.
As the bride leaves the house, her parents and her relatives will bid her farewell. Wealthy brides often have several girls who will follow her to the groom's family and continue to serve her. These maids are known as ones who 'accompany the marriage'.
. Bride Arriving at the Groom's Home
After the bride arrives at the groom's house, the couple will worship the ancestors and worship the heavens and earth. Then they will serve tea to the groom's family and the relatives will give them red envelopes.
Before the big wedding banquet or dinner, most of the guests will participate in Chinese national games such as mahjong.
During the dinner or wedding banquet, the bride will change into different dresses. But the main dress will be the RED QIPAO.
The bride and groom will toast their guests and receive red envelopes from their guests. After that, the ushers and bridesmaids and friends of the newly married couple will often play certain tricks and games on them. The goal is to make the groom show his love in public.
Day 3 - The Bride Returning Home after the wedding day
On the day after the wedding, the bride awoke early to attend honor the ancestors at dawn.Long long ago, the bride is expected to return to her family three years after the wedding. Nowadays, the bride can be expected to return to her family the day after the wedding. The groom needs to accompany the bride to bring gifts to the bride family.
Day 4
As a tradition, the next day the bride's family will also return part of the gifts to the groom's family as a courtesy. Some regional custom requires that the family should return the head and tail of the roasted pig to the groom's family symbolizing the good beginning and end of the wedding.
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Saturday, March 31, 2007
Sunday, March 18, 2007
what is life
Today, I earned the first money in America.I have a part-time job with my two roommates in the restaurant. Although I earned only 30 dollars, it is very important to me.
In the morning, we got up early, and then walked to the restaurant. In there, first I followed my friends to learn a lot of things due to they have had the job for half a year. Then they asked me to fry some food which the customers ordered and then brought the food to them. My two friends did other works. Although we were a little tired, we were very happy.
I was a teacher in china, and now I did the things which I do not think of. In china, I always spent a lot of time with my friends and on shopping in my spare time. But now I can not do it, I must take care of me by myself. Sometime, when I was in trouble, I used to giving up living here. I missed a lot of people and things. After crying, I thought a lot of things, and I told I must resist and everything will be ok. Maybe now we do not what life is. Life includes many tasting: sweet, spicy, sweat….. "Life is like as a box of chocolate, you never know you will taste next." Everyone never knows what they will taste next.
I always think if I have chance to choose my life, will I choose the way? I face the question, and I can not answer. Maybe, maybe a lot of maybe will be in my though. Now, I must have good everyday to me. I do, and I must.
I hope my all friends have good everyday.
In the morning, we got up early, and then walked to the restaurant. In there, first I followed my friends to learn a lot of things due to they have had the job for half a year. Then they asked me to fry some food which the customers ordered and then brought the food to them. My two friends did other works. Although we were a little tired, we were very happy.
I was a teacher in china, and now I did the things which I do not think of. In china, I always spent a lot of time with my friends and on shopping in my spare time. But now I can not do it, I must take care of me by myself. Sometime, when I was in trouble, I used to giving up living here. I missed a lot of people and things. After crying, I thought a lot of things, and I told I must resist and everything will be ok. Maybe now we do not what life is. Life includes many tasting: sweet, spicy, sweat….. "Life is like as a box of chocolate, you never know you will taste next." Everyone never knows what they will taste next.
I always think if I have chance to choose my life, will I choose the way? I face the question, and I can not answer. Maybe, maybe a lot of maybe will be in my though. Now, I must have good everyday to me. I do, and I must.
I hope my all friends have good everyday.
Monday, March 12, 2007
spring break
I have a wonderful spring break. My aunt and uncle took to visit the Statue of Liberty and the Atlantic city. We spent two days on the Atlantic city. This traveling is my first long one in the America.
My uncle drove three hours from New York to Atlantic city. It’s very beautiful, and I love walking near the beach. When we arrived, we check in the hotel which has a lot of grab games in the hotel. I saw the games machines on my eye first time. After having a nap, my uncle took me to play games, and my aunt said to uncle ”if her parents know I play the games, her parents will kill you” J. My uncle made me a happy time in the break, so he resisted playing the games with me. I am so luck and I played machine, and finally I won 5 dollars. I got excited and so happy.
Then we have a big dinner on the buffer store. It calls buffer, so my uncle and aunt told me I can eat a lot of food. So I opened my stomach to start eating. I ate a piece of staff, 6 small pieces of cake; some see food, 3 cups of ice cream and drank a cup of lemon juice. My uncle and aunt were surprised at me. I think “Bu Chi Bai Bu Chi, do not waste”J.
At 8 PM, they took me to have swim, because they I am good at swimming and I like it. Due to eat a lot of food, I must lose weight now. So I swam in the swimming pool for 2 hours. For the pool is so small, I only swam go and back many time. Finishing swimming, we went to bed. Next morning, I could not get up, because my back was very hurt and I felt very tired. So I slept whole day on the bed. In the evening we check out the hotel, then we went home by car. I had a wonderful holiday, and so funny. I like The Atlantic city.
My uncle drove three hours from New York to Atlantic city. It’s very beautiful, and I love walking near the beach. When we arrived, we check in the hotel which has a lot of grab games in the hotel. I saw the games machines on my eye first time. After having a nap, my uncle took me to play games, and my aunt said to uncle ”if her parents know I play the games, her parents will kill you” J. My uncle made me a happy time in the break, so he resisted playing the games with me. I am so luck and I played machine, and finally I won 5 dollars. I got excited and so happy.
Then we have a big dinner on the buffer store. It calls buffer, so my uncle and aunt told me I can eat a lot of food. So I opened my stomach to start eating. I ate a piece of staff, 6 small pieces of cake; some see food, 3 cups of ice cream and drank a cup of lemon juice. My uncle and aunt were surprised at me. I think “Bu Chi Bai Bu Chi, do not waste”J.
At 8 PM, they took me to have swim, because they I am good at swimming and I like it. Due to eat a lot of food, I must lose weight now. So I swam in the swimming pool for 2 hours. For the pool is so small, I only swam go and back many time. Finishing swimming, we went to bed. Next morning, I could not get up, because my back was very hurt and I felt very tired. So I slept whole day on the bed. In the evening we check out the hotel, then we went home by car. I had a wonderful holiday, and so funny. I like The Atlantic city.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
about dream
Everyone has their dream. When they reach their dream, are they happy? “No pain, no gain”, they maybe give up something to get their goal, as giving up the times with family and their love, as give up doing their favor things, and so on. But are they happy? Maybe only do they know their feeling.
In the Chinese New Year, many Chinese miss hometown very much. I reach my dream that I study in America, but I lose the happy time with my family. I miss them very much, and I believe that all of the international students miss their family now. We must be independent without our family’s helping. We also must spend a lot of time in our study and life. I believe we will do the best in our future.
In another word, are we happy? The question is hard to answer. I think everything will be ok in our future and we will do our best.
In the Chinese New Year, many Chinese miss hometown very much. I reach my dream that I study in America, but I lose the happy time with my family. I miss them very much, and I believe that all of the international students miss their family now. We must be independent without our family’s helping. We also must spend a lot of time in our study and life. I believe we will do the best in our future.
In another word, are we happy? The question is hard to answer. I think everything will be ok in our future and we will do our best.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
visiting the statue of liberty
Yesterday, my aunt took me to the Statue of Liberty. Unfortunately, it was so cold and very freeze, but we were happy.
At 10 o’clock in the morning, we started going to the Statue of Liberty. I was excited and looked forward to take picture at there. We took M15 bus. After getting off the bus, we looked for the location. Although my aunt has been in America since 1988, today was her second time to visit the statue. So she could not remember how to get tickets. Then we asked and final we found. We spent 2 hours going the tickets’ office. We were freeze and said why we choose today. But we still continue our traveling.
We passed the security test, and then we went on the ship which goes the statue. Our ship was shaking left and right due to the strong wind. We felt not good and took no pictures. So it was so pity. On the statue island, we began taking pictures for each other. I will show you our pictures.
It was pity that we could not go up to the top of the statue of liberty. Only did we visit the foot of the statue. We passed the 145 steps and went outside for taking picture. At 3 pm we took ship to go back. It was very cold, but we were very happy. I hope everyone will have a nice holiday!
At 10 o’clock in the morning, we started going to the Statue of Liberty. I was excited and looked forward to take picture at there. We took M15 bus. After getting off the bus, we looked for the location. Although my aunt has been in America since 1988, today was her second time to visit the statue. So she could not remember how to get tickets. Then we asked and final we found. We spent 2 hours going the tickets’ office. We were freeze and said why we choose today. But we still continue our traveling.
We passed the security test, and then we went on the ship which goes the statue. Our ship was shaking left and right due to the strong wind. We felt not good and took no pictures. So it was so pity. On the statue island, we began taking pictures for each other. I will show you our pictures.
It was pity that we could not go up to the top of the statue of liberty. Only did we visit the foot of the statue. We passed the 145 steps and went outside for taking picture. At 3 pm we took ship to go back. It was very cold, but we were very happy. I hope everyone will have a nice holiday!
Monday, February 26, 2007
courtesy
Courtesy, graciousness, good manners - call it what you want, the supply never seems to equal the demand. From beginning of time, many countries’ presidents politely communicated with other countries’ presidents to build a friendship with each other. In case after case the conflicts could have been overcome or might have arisen, if people involved had just treated one another with common courtesy and willingness to compromise. Do you usually treat others with courtesy or good manners? How do you communicate with others? I believe using courtesy and good manners will communicate with everybody more easily and will have more opportunity for better relationships.
George Washington once said “Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence”. I agree with his words. In my personal experience, my uncle who is in America picked me up in JFK airport in which it was the first time I ever met him. So I was worried about how I could communicate with him during my flight. To my surprise, when I met uncle, he was very kind and friendly and gave me a hug. He’s always smiling trying to communicate with me. I got his warm welcome, and became confidence to speak English with him. Now I am very comfortable to live with his family. However, if my uncle would have picked me up without courtesy, I would have had a lot of trouble on communicating with him and been uncomfortable with his family. So courtesy is the most important in communicate with another.
Confucius once said “When music and courtesy are better understood and appreciated, there will be no war”. Courtesy is very useful to communicate with another. Here is an example about a waiter and a customer in a restaurant. The customer came in to the restaurant and sat in a corner, and then waiter got the order from her. After 5 minutes, the waiter served her food and drink to her. After the waiter put dishes on the table, the customer was getting up to the restroom while he was putting a cup of coffee on the table. Accidentally the customer knocked off the coffee, and the coffee spilled over her expensive dress. The waiter quickly gave his apologies to the woman. But the woman was very kind and said with smile, “It’s ok. It’s ok……”. Good manners are no exception. We believe there would be an argument if the customer was not courtesy. I am sure that courtesy and good manners will solve many problems.
Finally, if you were a considerate person and accepted courtesy, you will be happy. “You reap what you plant”. To treat people with polite manners and courtesy, you will get their gracious treatment.
George Washington once said “Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence”. I agree with his words. In my personal experience, my uncle who is in America picked me up in JFK airport in which it was the first time I ever met him. So I was worried about how I could communicate with him during my flight. To my surprise, when I met uncle, he was very kind and friendly and gave me a hug. He’s always smiling trying to communicate with me. I got his warm welcome, and became confidence to speak English with him. Now I am very comfortable to live with his family. However, if my uncle would have picked me up without courtesy, I would have had a lot of trouble on communicating with him and been uncomfortable with his family. So courtesy is the most important in communicate with another.
Confucius once said “When music and courtesy are better understood and appreciated, there will be no war”. Courtesy is very useful to communicate with another. Here is an example about a waiter and a customer in a restaurant. The customer came in to the restaurant and sat in a corner, and then waiter got the order from her. After 5 minutes, the waiter served her food and drink to her. After the waiter put dishes on the table, the customer was getting up to the restroom while he was putting a cup of coffee on the table. Accidentally the customer knocked off the coffee, and the coffee spilled over her expensive dress. The waiter quickly gave his apologies to the woman. But the woman was very kind and said with smile, “It’s ok. It’s ok……”. Good manners are no exception. We believe there would be an argument if the customer was not courtesy. I am sure that courtesy and good manners will solve many problems.
Finally, if you were a considerate person and accepted courtesy, you will be happy. “You reap what you plant”. To treat people with polite manners and courtesy, you will get their gracious treatment.
Monday, February 19, 2007
friendship
What do you expect in a true friend?
It is an easy question on what a true friend is, but it is very difficult to answer. True friendship is one of those things in life that at times we take for granted. Terms such as “friendship is forever” or “friends always” are a common thread that runs through our lives. But in truth how many genuine friendships do we have? Think for a moment and list those who we feel that are true friends and those who we have a close relationship. Are they true friends? Is their friendship from the heart? How many people do you truly see as friends? What do we expect in a true friend?
True friendship is seen through the heart not through the eyes. An example about two friends is Lily and Angela. Two years ago, they were very good friends and had a worthy friendship. They used to do business together and earned a lot of money. They were very rich. They shopped in fancy stores, and ate at expensive restaurants as well as attending many parties together. They agreed that “friendship is forever” and “friends always”. Then Angela started to lose money due to bad business decisions. Angela had no assets except for her house. Lily knew about Angela’s situation, and then she gave her a hand by giving a loan and encouraged Angela to make better decisions in business. Following Lily’s suggestions, Angela made better business decisions and taking calculated risks. Angela was again making money. She appreciated Lily, and felt that a friend in need, is a friend is indeed.
From the above example, we know real friendship is genuine from one heart to another. I am sure a lot of people would expect to make a true friend like Lily through the heart.
True friends form a special connection that will weather any storm. True friends understand being human and give the other room to grow. True friends are there even when they are not expected to be present. True friends know and cherish each other’s gifts. We expect a true friend who is honest, encouraging, knowing and gentle.
It is an easy question on what a true friend is, but it is very difficult to answer. True friendship is one of those things in life that at times we take for granted. Terms such as “friendship is forever” or “friends always” are a common thread that runs through our lives. But in truth how many genuine friendships do we have? Think for a moment and list those who we feel that are true friends and those who we have a close relationship. Are they true friends? Is their friendship from the heart? How many people do you truly see as friends? What do we expect in a true friend?
True friendship is seen through the heart not through the eyes. An example about two friends is Lily and Angela. Two years ago, they were very good friends and had a worthy friendship. They used to do business together and earned a lot of money. They were very rich. They shopped in fancy stores, and ate at expensive restaurants as well as attending many parties together. They agreed that “friendship is forever” and “friends always”. Then Angela started to lose money due to bad business decisions. Angela had no assets except for her house. Lily knew about Angela’s situation, and then she gave her a hand by giving a loan and encouraged Angela to make better decisions in business. Following Lily’s suggestions, Angela made better business decisions and taking calculated risks. Angela was again making money. She appreciated Lily, and felt that a friend in need, is a friend is indeed.
From the above example, we know real friendship is genuine from one heart to another. I am sure a lot of people would expect to make a true friend like Lily through the heart.
True friends form a special connection that will weather any storm. True friends understand being human and give the other room to grow. True friends are there even when they are not expected to be present. True friends know and cherish each other’s gifts. We expect a true friend who is honest, encouraging, knowing and gentle.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
the chinese new year
Today is the Chinese New Year. I will talk about the Chinese new year. The Chinese New Year is the most important holiday for Chinese people. Like Thanksgiving celebrated in the United States, the Chinese New Year is a time for family gathering. Regardless how far away they live from their parents, Chinese people will do their best to go back home and have a big feast with their families on the eve of the Chinese New Year.
Each year the Chinese New Year falls sometime in January or February. The reason that the Chinese New Year is never celebrated on the same day every year is because of the calendar that Chinese people use to count days. The Gregorian calendar we commonly use today tracks the movement of the sun. This calendar is different from the Chinese calendar. The Chinese calendar, also known as the lunar calendar, tracks the movement of the moon. The Chinese New Year starts with the new moon on the first day of a new year and ends on the full moon fifteen days later.
As the clock strikes midnight on the eve of the Chinese New Year, firecracker sounds pound heavily against our eardrums, and fireworks paint the night sky in red, yellow, orange, blue, and green. People crowd the streets and exchange greetings with one another. For the next fifteen days, Chinese people all over the world reunite with their families, carry out rituals to show respect for their ancestors and mythical gods, or simply have a good time! Here is a checklist of DOs during the Chinese New Year:Do wear red clothes. Red symbolizes fortune and luck.
Do set aside grudges against enemies and call off unpaid debt. Let bygones be bygones - if personal differences or financial obligations cannot be settled before the Chinese New Year, they shall be forgotten.
Do clean your house thoroughly before the Chinese New Year, so misfortune will be cleaned away to make room for good fortune.
Do have a dish of a whole fish for the feast on the Chinese New Year's eve. Make sure that you leave some to be devoured on the following day. As "fish" and "extra" have the same pronunciation in Chinese, having a fish left over from a previous year corresponds to a popular Chinese proverb meaning "having extra every year."
Do give red envelopes (stuffed with money) to your parents, your children, or the children of your friends and relatives. You will only need to do so if you are married. When giving out red envelopes, you are wishing that the recipient would not grow old.
Each year the Chinese New Year falls sometime in January or February. The reason that the Chinese New Year is never celebrated on the same day every year is because of the calendar that Chinese people use to count days. The Gregorian calendar we commonly use today tracks the movement of the sun. This calendar is different from the Chinese calendar. The Chinese calendar, also known as the lunar calendar, tracks the movement of the moon. The Chinese New Year starts with the new moon on the first day of a new year and ends on the full moon fifteen days later.
As the clock strikes midnight on the eve of the Chinese New Year, firecracker sounds pound heavily against our eardrums, and fireworks paint the night sky in red, yellow, orange, blue, and green. People crowd the streets and exchange greetings with one another. For the next fifteen days, Chinese people all over the world reunite with their families, carry out rituals to show respect for their ancestors and mythical gods, or simply have a good time! Here is a checklist of DOs during the Chinese New Year:Do wear red clothes. Red symbolizes fortune and luck.
Do set aside grudges against enemies and call off unpaid debt. Let bygones be bygones - if personal differences or financial obligations cannot be settled before the Chinese New Year, they shall be forgotten.
Do clean your house thoroughly before the Chinese New Year, so misfortune will be cleaned away to make room for good fortune.
Do have a dish of a whole fish for the feast on the Chinese New Year's eve. Make sure that you leave some to be devoured on the following day. As "fish" and "extra" have the same pronunciation in Chinese, having a fish left over from a previous year corresponds to a popular Chinese proverb meaning "having extra every year."
Do give red envelopes (stuffed with money) to your parents, your children, or the children of your friends and relatives. You will only need to do so if you are married. When giving out red envelopes, you are wishing that the recipient would not grow old.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
The hottest love has the coldest end
People love things and reach them to get their aim, and they pay a lot of time, passion, patience and so on. Unfortunately, they fail to get destination with heart their getting hurt. Another word is that the hottest love has the coldest end.
There is a famous baseball team called Boston Red Sox. The city of Boston loves their baseball team very much. The owners have spent millions of dollars to bring a championship to Boston. They won 4 championships before 1918. After that, they did not win title until 2004. They are also popular around country due to their heart breaking losses. Fans have fallen in love with the team. Unfortunately, the strange ways of losing for this team has caused many broken hearts and pain for Sox fans. In another words, we can say that the hottest love has the coldest end up until 2004.
The other thing, I have a girlfriend who was loved very much by this guy. He always showed her how much he loved her. For example, every day he picked up her at home, every lunch, he prepared it to her and he was willing to do what she wants. Although my girlfriend did not love him first, he did not give up and kept doing the same thing everyday. Day after day, she fell in love with him. Their love was so strong, and they planned their marriage after their graduation, and intended to have babies in the future. Everyday they met, then have lunch together and call each other at night. They felt the time spent together was not enough. Unfortunately, the boy stopped calling her and picking up her after 3 months. The girl looked for him, but lost contact. Finally she found him and asked him why, and he only told her that he did not love her without any reasons. That girl was crying with a broken heart. The love has stopped. The hottest love began beautifully, but ended the coldest.
Love begins with smile, grows with a kiss, and ends with a teardrop. In conclusion, people love some things deeply, and it became true what they expected. So they love them with a lot of heart. Sadly, the love would not become true, and they lost with heart getting hurt.
There is a famous baseball team called Boston Red Sox. The city of Boston loves their baseball team very much. The owners have spent millions of dollars to bring a championship to Boston. They won 4 championships before 1918. After that, they did not win title until 2004. They are also popular around country due to their heart breaking losses. Fans have fallen in love with the team. Unfortunately, the strange ways of losing for this team has caused many broken hearts and pain for Sox fans. In another words, we can say that the hottest love has the coldest end up until 2004.
The other thing, I have a girlfriend who was loved very much by this guy. He always showed her how much he loved her. For example, every day he picked up her at home, every lunch, he prepared it to her and he was willing to do what she wants. Although my girlfriend did not love him first, he did not give up and kept doing the same thing everyday. Day after day, she fell in love with him. Their love was so strong, and they planned their marriage after their graduation, and intended to have babies in the future. Everyday they met, then have lunch together and call each other at night. They felt the time spent together was not enough. Unfortunately, the boy stopped calling her and picking up her after 3 months. The girl looked for him, but lost contact. Finally she found him and asked him why, and he only told her that he did not love her without any reasons. That girl was crying with a broken heart. The love has stopped. The hottest love began beautifully, but ended the coldest.
Love begins with smile, grows with a kiss, and ends with a teardrop. In conclusion, people love some things deeply, and it became true what they expected. So they love them with a lot of heart. Sadly, the love would not become true, and they lost with heart getting hurt.
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