AsianGeo

The dragon dance

A group of girls got together and built a giant dragon. We started from scratch with some cardboard and got this:

We also did the dragon dance that is preformed on Chinese New Year. Dragons are also used for Independence Day in Indonesia.

Youtube version

Hong Kong's airport, through which many people move in and out of the country (of China) has many signs translating Chinese to English. Also, many of Chinese businesses extend into America or have English embassies. All temples throughout China, including in Hong Kong, are colored in red and gold--red pillars, gold roofs, and colorful insides. Many people throughout the region of China are Buddhists, Taoists, and practice other ancient beliefs such as Confucism. Citizens who practice these religions honor their gods with incense. Some, especially Buddhists, meditate in order to seek enlightenment and eventually moksha, a state in which they believe that the soul is eternally released into the world.Hong Kong expertly balances the traditions of east and west, old and new. Although Britain had ruled it for 99 years (1898-1997) and thus attained some western culture. However, the people there are very peaceful and religious. The more urban areas of Hong Kong. Hong Kong is an island located slightly southeast of mainland China. Many people use use boats to travel from Hong Kong to China's mainland. Also, a fair amount of Hong Kong's land was carved into tracks for horse racing. However, Hong Kong's people try to build their homes to honor spirits. They do this by purposely aligning their walls and doors so that all of the natural forces' energy is flowing in one direction. The water that Hong Kong is surrounded by not only provides a major port for ship transportation. Many fish and other forms of seafood are eaten frequently in Hong Kong. The magical powers of Hong Kong's Bangyung Tree are believed to help people, especially during the Chinese New Year. People hang fruit and colored paper upon this tree with the hope that it will grant their wishes.

In 1990, China's leader Deng Xiao Ping granted Shanghai trading rights after it was slightly oppressed in communism for forty years. Shanghai is located on China's eastern border. Shanghai is a bustling city, but its peaceful citizens are serene and wise. They are fairly religious. In fact, they believe that jade is a holy stone that connects the earthly word with the spiritual world. Along with the rest of China, Hong Kong has a very large population and population density. It also practices Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucism with very solemn religious ceremoniies. Many people have built towering skyscrapers in Shanghai, where old traditions and cultures blend with modern ones.

Origami

Sanjana, Clara, Isabella, and I made a hat for a doll, and this took forever because we are not skilled at perfect folding.

Japanese

These are some phrases in Japanese that would be useful, and that I learned to pronuced.

Pronuced ee-tankii-des-nay

Pronuced oo-hi-yo-go-

Tales from China

I read the book Tales from China by Annie Bergeret and Marie Tenaille. This shows Chinese culture because these were tales were molded by time and history. The definition of a folktale is a traditional story, and this means the story has been told for a long time. Each story was probably made up as a pass time for something and was remembered. These stories became folktales. An example of an American folktale is Bigfoot. Bigfoot is a story everyone knows; there are giant footprints, and who could have made these? Bigfoot, of course! Some folktales are more known about than others, but some are known all around the country. One that is known is The Ox Driver and the Weaver. This is called many different names and told many different ways, but in the end what happens is a girl goes to earth and falls in love with a human. They are separated, but find each other once a year.

Shogun (Japanese)

Clara, Sanjana, and I went to Shogun, and one part I liked was when we had to catch pieces of food in our mouth. I also liked trying to eat soup with chopsticks.