All Chinese Buddhists are looking forwards to Tibet since it has clearly been regarded as a sacred place in some way.Waving flags;worshiping people with cushions beneath,kneeling every 3 steps on their way until get to Jokhang Temple;rushing yaks and horses on the plateau;dancing girls clad in colorful silk clothes;spectacular sunset;yummy milk tea…
These are the photos taken from the date of my starting working at the hostel to that of this New Year.Nearly a year has it been for me to stay here!!!I have got a lot of memories to share:about our hostel’s friends— Zack,Alex,Arne,Yvonne,Maurice…about our events for Winter Solstice,Christmas,New Year…(start from the last to the first:P)
April 1st 2012 may be a special or a common day,it depends on how you see it.Generally,people in the world knows it is the Fool’s Day while for Chinese people,it is the start of the Tomb Sweeping holidays lasting for 4 days.
However,for us,all the staff in Hanwood,that is definitely a beginning of some unexpected big joke and lasting bad luck.
Since the first day of March,we,well,exactly,our shrewd boss has been expecting holidays’ coming,when usually increasing amount of travelers are here staying,going around and booking some tours with us.That means we may earn a great amount then!!!
Finally,it arrived.Overjoyed Andy(my boss)got up very early to embrace it.He even hummed some tune as a celebration personally.
Ironically,the power suddenly went off.O_o
“What happened???”screamed Andy,so did some of the guests entertaining around in the lobby.
He walked out quickly to check if this fell upon every neighbour.Unfortunately,it did.We thought it would come back very soon since this kind of thing occurred before,though not often,but which was very fresh in our memories.Then we calmed down and began to cope with things without computer and keyboard.One hour later,power was still off.Two hours later,off.Fine,we might wait,it was not a big case.Three hours later,not restored.Euh,there might be some tricky problem.Four hours later,the same…then five,six,seven,eight…
“Could you please explain what it is going on here???”one upset guest rushed to us.
We were shocked dumb at first,brain blanking at that time.One minute later,brain cells resumed brainstorming and organizing the reasons to comfort…
Thus,one day and one night passed.The second day,expecting things would be fine then,we were disappointed and frustrated the whole day.Yes,the same.Some checked out earlier to find another hostel and losses were made in that way.Andy was a bit carried away and freaked out,but no one could help it.
Meantime,we actually got a lot of notifications to say the electricity will be back at what,what,what time.However,any of them was like a lie.It never came back as they said!!!
Then,another day and night.April 3rd was here now.We stopped hoping and did what we should do to “grease the broken chain”.We have been used to complaints and threats to say “we would move out if we would not have power by what time!”Well,ok,do what you want.
At 14:59,some sound cheered us up,it was like the restoration of power.We headed up and saw the light on there and the lobby bright all of a sudden.Oh,yes!!!!!Nightmare has finally gone!We would hold a party to memorize the big moment if not working now.
Now,in retrospect,that was really a big joke for this April Fool’s Day…
It has been almost two years since Hanwood first started.In retrospect,we see that she has experienced a lot.
At the very beginning,few people knew her.It is understandable,of course.All things are difficult before they are easy.However,by and by,things were changing.
Everyone tried his best to offer good services(no matter it be ticket services,daily services,housekeeping services and tour services).Then,very friendly and helpful English-speaking staff with artistic atmosphere and great location around Big Wild Goose Pagoda area has been the most attractive quality of her.With the lively promotion online,the amount of good reviews online was going up.The various activities had been richer,BBQ party during the summertime,dancing party sometime,dumpling party for the chilly winter…More and more funny or moving blogs on the walls in the staircase.
This April,she has been shortened in size in order to make people feel more at home here.New but as friendly and helpful staff have come:Loneking,Candy,Wendy,Jessica and Catherine.
Today,Hanwood has become very known online,but it didn’t stop changing.Hopefully,it will become more and more innovative and novel but still as artistic and cozy.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMvYRxlBkY4—Video about Us on Youtube
Usually,on the 15th day of the 8th month on the lunar calender,the moon is full and Chinese celebrate a traditional festival-Mid autumn.
One guest ever asked me about the origin of it,I didn’t know how to answer since there are several versions.
Here is one of them:
Celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival is strongly associated with the legend of Houyi and Chang’e, the Moon Goddess of Immortality.
Houyi was an immortal and Chang’e was a beautiful young girl, working in the palace of the Jade Emperor (the Emperor of Heaven) as an attendant to the Queen Mother of the West (the Jade Emperor’s wife). Houyi aroused the jealousy of the other immortals, who then slandered him before the Jade Emperor. Houyi and his wife, Chang’e, were subsequently banished from heaven. They were forced to live on Earth. Houyi had to hunt to survive and became a skilled and famous archer.
At that time, there were ten suns, in the form of three-legged birds, residing in a mulberry tree in the eastern sea. Each day one of the sun birds would have to travel around the world on a carriage, driven by Xihe, the ‘mother’ of the suns. One day, all ten of the suns circled together, causing the Earth to burn. Emperor Yao, the Emperor of China, commanded Houyi to use his archery skill to shoot down all but one of the suns. Upon completion of his task, the Emperor rewarded Houyi with a pill that granted eternal life. Emperor Yao advised Houyi not to swallow the pill immediately but instead to prepare himself by praying and fasting for a year before taking it Houyi took the pill home and hid it under a rafter. One day, Houyi was summoned away again by Emperor Yao. During her husband’s absence, Chang’e, noticed a white beam of light beckoning from the rafters, and discovered the pill. Chang’e swallowed it and immediately found that she could fly. Houyi returned home, realizing what had happened he began to reprimand his wife. Chang’e escaped by flying out the window into the sky.
Houyi pursued her halfway across the heavens but was forced to return to Earth because of strong winds. Chang’e reached the moon, where she coughed up part of the pill.Chang’e commanded the hare that lived on the moon to make another pill. Chang’e would then be able to return to Earth and her husband.
The legend states that the hare is still pounding herbs, trying to make the pill. Houyi built himself a palace in the sun, representing “Yang” (the male principle), in contrast to Chang’e's home on the moon which represents “Yin” (the female principle). Once a year, on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Houyi visits his wife. That is the reason why the moon is very full and beautiful on that night.
There are also other versions like”Killing the Mongols on the 15th of the eighth month”in Yuan Dynasty,or the worship of the God of the Moon in very ancient times,etc.
To celebrate it,we held a great event—Chinese Cultural Festival VS Han Clothing Show.
We invited some professional dancers or actors in Han clothing to perform here.Sword Dance,Nunchakuz,T stage Show,Beijing Opera…All of them were more wonderful than imaged.
The audience were from different places all over the world,they chatted and played games together…
Four presenters were there to preside over the event,two in Chinese,two in English.
At around 10 p.m.,it was the time for the last part of it.Everyone came together,preparing to put on various costumes and experiencing the Chinese cultures.
We took pctures,shared the feelings,helped each other to dress,and laughed…^_^
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From last November to last night(Jan 20th,2012),we had been expecting some snow in Xi’an,but none had come until last night.I was so surprised and excited that I wrote some status about that on facebook at once.The next morning,I told the manager,if possible,pls take some photos of it since I wanted to share online.Then I went to sleep straight away…
After I got up,I was told of the ready photos already put in our Qzone,so I went online and downloaded them.
Before posting them,I had a look at them.The Big Wild Goose Pagoda and its South Square in front of it were all covered with white snow.The ground there must have been very slippery since I thought I saw some ice fixed on the surface of paths.(Luckily,I did not go out today at all,the choice was right,Yeah!!!)One of the most interesting parts was that the poor and hard-working Monk Xuanzang was still marching towards India in snow for its Buddhist scriptures…
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2 days ago,we just celebrated the Chinese New Year in China.
Usually the traditions are uniting family,letting out fireworks,eating dumplings and then watching the evening gala to go thru 0 a.m..This is no exception.
However,I still found that the Northern traditions differentiate themselves from the Southern ones.I did not have dumplings for the dinner,but a lot of wonderful dishes.Then,I remembered someone told me people here don’t usually have dumplings for the Eve,instead,for another as important day.A bit disappointed…
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The evening gala is also another expectation for the festival.Even though it is generally disappointing to me this year,there are still some highlights in it. A lot of eminent and talented musicians all came to the gala to sing some old,classic songs.The dancing shows performed by Yang Liping (famous dancer in China),and some intelligent persons around China were eye-attracting.
This morning,I opened the facebook and I saw awesome pics made by one of guests here.They were all about the famous views in the tourist cities of China.
Tibet with its waving prayers flags、Potala Palace and its spectacular plateau,Guilin with its breathtakingly beautiful river—Lijiang and the simple characters in the Old Town,Xi’an with its Terra-cotta Warriors and Big Wild Goose Pagoda,as well as some small places like Huang Guoshu with its running waterfall and natural beauty…
I “like”d almost every picture and downloaded most so as to post it on the blog.
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Feb 6th of 2012 may not be a special day to you unless yo are from China,Taiwan,Singapore or Vietnam.Just as its name says,it is festival celebrated with LANTERNS.
“元宵节”、“上元节”、“灯节”are several other methods of calling the festival in Chinese.It usually falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month in a year since it is the day in the month you will the full moon hanging in the sky.After that day,the celebration for Chinese Lunar New Year which lasts for 15 days comes to an end.
You may be curious about how Chinese people observe this festivity:P.Don’t hurry,I will tell you right now~~~
It was generally originated from the West Hang Dynasty,but was only limited among the royal family and noblemen at first.Therefore,it was not as expected as nowadays by almost everyone in China.Later,it was spread to the masses and customs as well as forms for observance were enriched a lot.
Lanterns played an inportant role in its celebration.Not only would children have one or even two lanterns
in their hands to go out for the fair held on that day and to play with their mates together,but red lamterns
with lucky words imprinted on them would be hung at the every corner of the people’s mansions so as to bring
more luck as well.Lantern Festival is always regarded as an occasion for people to have a family reunion,which
is reflected from a kind food eaten for that day—汤圆，glutinous rice balls.The pronunciation of the Chinese
name is quite similar to that of “团团圆圆”,as means “union”in English.
Besides,there were also some other forms of celebration,such as,dragon dances,lion dances,parade of people walking on stilts,etc.
However,there are some people calling this day a “Chinese Valentine’s Day”for in ancient times,lantern fairs would be held on that day each year where single people went to appreciate beautiful lanterns,solve riddles on lanterns and watch the shows over there,hopefully by doing these they would meet their Mr or Miss Right.
Nowadays,more modern elements have been added to the celebration.Fireworks let out.evening galas shown on TV…
Last night,we had a grand lantern party around the City Wall in Xi’an.A lot of people had been there to appreciate the different styles of lanterns,figure lanterns,animal lanterns,statue lanterns and even buildings composed by lanterns…
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Waking up with happy and relaxing mood,I dressed up and said to myself,”Catherine,it is good day again,learn to enjoy it!!!”Then I rushed out with my bag since it was time to go to work.
“Hello,good morning!!^_^”greeted I with a smile to the French guest met at the first moment of entering the hostel.He smiled back and said bonjour to me.After I put down the bag and went back to tear the old page from calendar,it occurred to me that today was Valentine’s Day!!!
Actually,Valentine’s Day has never been for me.I am now 20,but still without anyone to date with:( However,I am still excited about it for whatever reason.
To my surprise,not everyone is as excited as me.”Valentine’s Day is the worst because people won’t shut up about how much they hate Valentine’s Day.”someone posted on twitter.
Really???I asked Adrian,a Swedish traveler beside me.
He laughed but nodded his head.”Why?!!!”O_O confused was I.
“Well,let’s take it like this.If you were 32 years old,having no husband or boyfriend,and now were sitting a
subway with loving couples around,then what would you think???”Then,sour grapes,I thought at that moment. 
Ah,I forgot about all the left-overs,sorry…
I know you will be jealous if you think you are going to end an old maid or an old bachelor while seeing others intimate.However,that does not mean Valentine’s is resented.
Do you think you may anyone’s heart if you always bear a resentful look???Learn to love the day and enjoy it even though you are still single,your love and gentleness may bring you good luck^_-
Have a try~~~ 
“Oh,my hair is in a mess.I cannot comb it smoothly!!!”Star complained in the bathroom while making herself up.
“Well,just go to the hairdresser’s.I believe she will definitely cut the chaos into orderliness!”I said after her 101st complaint.
“No,I can’t…no no no…I mustn’t!”
“You mustn’t??Why???”I was stunned by her “mustn’t”.
“Did you forget that?It is the first lunar month of this year when cutting on hair is conventionally forbidden!!!”
Ah,yes,I really forgot about that since it is always considered a superstition for me.Don’t you think so???You have to let your hair wait until the second day of the second lunar month just due to some undocumented convention.That is insane!!!I will never do that.
Actually,that is the talk between us going on last month.Now,that conventional day for hair-cutting will be here in two days—we call it “Dragon Head-raising Day”.
You must have been curious about the origin of this seemingly strange custom.I searched online and asked some elder people who told me that it was originated also from a superstition in the ancient times.
It was said that dragon used to live in the palace at the bottom of the ocean and he was in charge of the rain and wind.At the second day of the lunar February,the Winter had just gone and the Spring come back,the dragon dormant for the whole winter began to raise its head in order t0 blow the wind as well as to fall the rain on the ground.Then,everything old will be brushed away.That is why cutting the hair is considered auspicious at that time.All the bad luck will be brought away.
Even though I do not believe in the crazy belief,I will go and have my hair style changed for it has been more chaotic than Star’s a month ago!!!
We kept silent on the way back to the hostel.
Suddenly,”I was still quite stunned by Tom’s performance of climbing the tallest sky-scraper in Dubai!!!How could he make it??!!!”Angel broke the silence.
Don’t be confused,we were talking about the movie—Mission Impossible 4 that we watched last Wednesday afternoon.Before she did that,we were all engrossed with the reminiscences of it.
American thrillers are almost all alike,I always complain about that,however,strangely,they never bored me but thrilled and attracted me a lot.Maybe I am just quite amazed at its techniques and high-tech scenes.I never saw these in the Chinese movies.
“Wow!!!lol”"it was all what I said while Agent Carter put a len into Agent William‘s eye and a copy was made after he blinked twice towards a paper(well even though it was not so perfect at that moment).I screamed out in the cinema when Tom was falling along the tallest building,but luckily I was not kicked out for that since everyone did the same…
Generally,I screamed and laughed and was touched.When it was finished,I felt I was going to replay it if I were in charge of the cinema.However,I were and what was more,I had to go back to work.:(
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A page on calendar was torn and March 6th is now shown on another.Well,Spring is just hidden around us,waiting for a right time to suddenly jump out of the shadow and scream:”I am coming!!!”
Girls have been eager to take off the thick coats and furry boots and put on the light,silky skirts and colorful blouses as well as some handsome suits
“Let’s go shopping!!!”I raised up my hand and was the first one to respond to Muxiang’s calling.Well,I am just one amongst the eager girls.
“Ok!”the other four said yes,too.
“But,when???”
“How about this Thursday???That is Women’s Day!!!I suppose we will at least one-day leave for that.”Star said.
“My boss will not give me any holidays for the festivals,I bet,since it is hospitality!!!Did you ever seen some hotel close the door just for the reason of festivities???Never!!!”I disagreed.
“Then,Sunday afternoon???”
We exchanged the glances and nodded.
This is not yet Sunday,but I have been excited about that.I was windowshopping online these days on www.taobao.com, where you may find various clothes and accessories and even the furnitures.Anyway,it is extensive.However,the qualities can not let me give out my thumb all the time.
I still found a good shop that attracted my eyes.Their commodities are quite delicate and fancy,fused with some ancient and European fashion elements.I love them.
I shared the link with Muxiang immediately,who had an agreeably good taste in fashion and art.
“Too medieaval!!!”that was the comment I got back.
“What???O_oAre you serious,my dear???They are so lovely and beautiful!!!Look at them!!!”I nearly wanted to swallow the 12th paragraph back.I regretted to highly spoke of her taste at that moment.
“Go to my Qqzone and you will know what I meant.”
I spent twenty minutes in her zone and downloaded some pics.
Wow,this is like awesome,but I don’t think it is suitable to me.Anyway,I have to admit—these are much better than mine,but I still need to wait until I get enough money and age to put them on.
“From Wuhan:Students at Zhongnan University are up in arms over horoscope discrimnation.”
This is the first part of a passage put on 21st Century newspaper.Horoscope discrimination may sound strange at first,but in retrospect,you will definitely discover that this prejudice has been all the rage amongst us in daily life.
Teenagers seek friends partly depends upon the widespread “Dispostion Analysis of the Twelve Star Signs”:
Aquarius people(Jan 20th— Feb 18th) are considered rational and mature,but also to be able to spark with some unusual and never-heard-before ideas.
Pisces lot(Feb 19th—Mar 20th) are said to be sensitive and sensational,but also fragile and vulnerable when it come s to emotion and romance.
Aries friends(March 21st—April 20th) would be very postitive and easy to go around due to their liveliness and vigorousness,but sometimes you need to help them get control over their bad-temper and try to keep them from being an easy aggressor.
Compared with Aries,Taurus(April 21st—May 20th) are commonly very introverted and slow,but extremely methodical and stable.A lot of thoughts are done before taking any action.
Gemini people(May 21st—June 20th),who are too much tricky and cunning,often change their words from time to time.Consistence,perseverance and fortitude are never found from their “virtue dictionary”,but “Working by fits and starts”is listed at the top spot,with no doubt
Cancers(June 21st—July 22nd) love family with all their hearts,in others’ eyes.In nature,they want love and security both of which can only be completely given by family.Their beloved people will get the cordial devotion.
If you like your friends to be passionate,active and generous,Leos(July 23rd—Aug 22nd)are the choice.However,do show as much patience and respect as possible to their arrogance,too much self-esteem and carelessness.
Virgos(Aug 23rd—Sep 22nd) are perfectionists,who won’t stand any dot on a over-polished leather shoe or any strange taste in the quality French cuisine.It seems that they are fairly inconfident,always pushing themselves more forwards even though the top has been reached.That is why they burden much pressure every second.Being friends with her may be ‘difficile’,but you will soon enjoy yourselves in her considerate services and help.
Libras(Sep 23rd—Oct 23rd) would be an awesome part if they join the UN.They love peace-keeping not with forces but eloquency and communication skills.Being boss is never their sort since they are all very hesitant when decision needs making.
There is a kind of people who draws a clear line between love and hatred,that is Scorpio people(Oct 24th—Nov 21st).They will not hesitate to go once they’ve decided to love or pursue something,but do not try to annoy them.You will get a huge blow from them for revenge.
Sagittarius(Nov 22nd—Dec 21st) can be travelers and wonderful adventures.They like to be challenged.On the other side,girls,you need to listen up.Never find yourselves a Sagittrius BF,you will hurt greatly by his fickleness in love.
By contrast to Geminis,Capricorns(Dec 22nd—Jan 19th) have got all they lack:patience,perseverance,fortitude,studiousness and responsibility.They are like the apples of God’s eyes.At the same time,the stubbornness and mistrust may prevent themselves from integrating into a team.
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Due to the analysis,horoscope discrimination was subconciously transmitted into minds.Girls and boys are all talking about the analysis.To find out who they are and who their lovers are has taken up all the attention.
Even the company recruits based upon this:
“Students at Zhongnan University are up in arms over horoscope discrmination.
A Guangdong-based company advertised a vacancy for a designer on the website of Zhongnan University of Economics and Law last weekend.Applicants whose star signs were Virgo,Scorpio and Taurus would be considered as propriety.Pisces students were ruled out.Students expressed their anger about star sign discrimination online.The company has not commented”
INSANE!!!That is all my feeling at the first sight of it.
Do you believe that???
Weather Report brought a bad news to us,who were actually intoxicated in the overjoy of coming Spring a moment ago.The long-expected season would be delayed by a gust of strong,chilly wind.Well,skirts taken off,furry coats reput on and outgoing plans cancelled,we have to stay indoors after monotonous work and study.Life becomes boring again…
“How about watching some wonderful movies???”a voice from heart struck me all of a sudden.
Good idea!!!
Half an hour’s searching online brought me a small list:
1.“One Day” by Anne Hathaway,eh…it seems I watched it on my friend’s computer.Thus,pass!!!
2.“A Walk to Remember”by Mandy Moore,it says it’s a movie made from Nicolas Spark’s novel of same name.What’s more,A ROMANCE MOVIE!!!I love it.Ok,it is on.
3.“Dear John” by Amanda Seyfried,I found it from one lengthy page of Nicolas’ life.Another ROMANCE MOVIE!!!On!!
4.“Sherlock Holmes 2—The Play of the Shadow” by Donny Roberts.This is definitely some one I have been awaiting since its first one.On!!!
5.“Harry Potter and And The Deathly Hallows 2”(by someone whose name I do not need to mention since he has been so well-known)oh,my!!!I cannot watch it here???!!!Why???Well,have to pass it…
6.“Bat Man”by Seems to be a bit old compared with the others,but have got very good comments.I’ll do it!!!
7.“The Notebook”by Ryan Gosling,romantic but full suspenses.Who on earth the old man reading to Allie,Noah or Lon???I should go and find it out.
I have decided to make a new plan about the blogs,so I have to
for a WEEK…
Next time,I wish I could show you a brand-new series of blogs about us^_^
