WLE Newsletter October - January 2001
Winter Festivity in China
As the world attempts to unify
itself, traditions from countries all over the world inevitably begin to mesh. In Beijing, the Christmas spirit is jingling
everywhere. The lights, decorations and beautiful Christmas trees add to the festive
mood. Christians celebrating the birth of Christ make up only 1% of China's population. Those who celebrate put up artificial trees that they string with
lanterns, paper flowers and paper chains. The children await Santa Claus - Shengdan Lao Ren (Old Man Christmas) to fill their stockings with Christmas
goodies.
However, the more popular and widely celebrated winter festivity is the Chinese New Year, now officially called the Spring Festival. When the Spring Festival draws near, Chinese prepare for it by cleaning their house and putting red papers up with lucky phrases on their doors. Families gather together for New Year's Eve and have a big dinner called Tuan Yuan Fan (Dinner of Unity). In northern China, people eat jiaozi (Chinese dumplings) as the main part of this special dinner. The people of the country would enjoy more traditional activities such as parades, outdoor operas and fireworks (which are forbidden in city areas) as well as other traditions. On New Years Day, people all over China leave their houses and visit relatives, friends and neighbors. They exchange special greetings for the arrival of the New Year. They bless each other with special greetings for a prosperous and fortuitous year ahead. This action is called Bai Nian (New Year greeting).
Jiaozi
As part of the New Year, many people in the northern part of China eat dumplings called Jiaozi. Jiaozi can be made with many different fillings such as chives and eggs, pork and cabbage, celery and chicken, beef and peppers. The possibilities are endless. Dumplings are not only a New Year treat though, they are also part of the staple diet of many Chinese.
This past November our students were able to participate in the Jiao Zi making experience. Thanks to Jack, we were able to enlist the help of some local chefs who gave us a crash course in Dumpling 101. We made over 100 dumplings by hand! Afterwards, we also had the joy of eating our own creation. Delicious!
January 12 Farewell Dinner
On Friday, Jan 12th, World Link's four weeks & one semester students went to "A Fun Ti", the famous Xin Jiang restaurant in Beijing for their farewell dinner. The restaurant is well-known for it's special Xin Jiang food, Xin Jiang dancing, and most fun of all, getting to dance on the table tops yourself!
When the meals were finished, the music started. Waiters came to clean up the tables so we could join in the most exciting part of the night. Dancing on the table was better than the wonderful
meal itself.
Later, there was drawing where semester student, John Taing, won a Xin Jiang minority hat! Good going John!
Birthdays
Between last month's issue and this issue we had several students celebrated their birthdays. Anthea Forlee (South Africa) celebrated her birthday on the 16th of October, Bunlim Ly (USA) on the 9th of November, Stefanie Stoll (Germany) on the 27th of November and Jonathan Taing (USA) on the 9th of December. In January we had two birthdays as well. On the 5th, Maryann Dunn (USA) celebrated her birthday and Jane Ullmer (Australia) celebrated her birthday on the 8th. Happy birthday all!
Dec. 16 Ice Skating
It was a fun trip! World Link students relaxed and enjoyed themselves at the Di Tan Ice Skating Arena. It seemed that everyone was experienced except Cindy - part of the World Link
staff. But she was picking it up quickly after several failed attempts. Not bad for the first timer!
Ya Dan
We would like to warmly introduce the newest member of our World Link Beijing staff. Ya Dan hails from Kunming, in Hunan, a southern province of China. Ya Dan is currently a student at the Beijing Physical Education University. She will graduate in May of this year. She is the former national champion in Tai Ji and its various forms. She specializes in the sword, the staff, the spear and the knife among many other weapons. She will teach the Tai Ji special elective and be available for any private lessons that the students may request.
Welcome to World Link Ya Dan!
Dec. 9 Weekend trip: Yan Huang Art Museum
The museum, located near Asian Gamed Village, was founded in 1990. It mainly displays the works of the famous contemporary Chinese painter Huang
Zhou, whose Chinese paintings on the minority people's life have been presented in the conference room of Zhong Nan
Hai. Additionally, there are also some examples from other well known artists presented in the museum.
Nov. 25 Weekend trip: Lama Temple
This lamasery, also know as the Palace of Harmony and Peace, was built as a mansion for Emperor Yong Zheng during his rule in the Qing Dynasty. When the young prince ascended the throne, the mansion was converted to a temple, according to tradition. During the reign of Emperor Qianlong, it became a center of learning for the Yellow Hat Sect of Tibetan Lamaism, and at certain periods housed a community of 1,500 Tibetan, Mongolian and Chinese lamas, as well as living Buddha. Today there are about 70 Mongolian lamas in residence.
During a visit the temple, our students observed many tourists and local people pray and bow in tribute to the many Buddhist statues on display. It was a good chance to see a part of Chinese history in action.
Nov. 4 Weekend trip: Fragrant Hill
There is no better time to visit the Fragrant Hills than late autumn when the leaves turned red. During our trip we arrived just in time for the " Fragrant Hill Red Leaf Festival", so we not only saw the leaves turn color, but we saw the colorful crowd as well. Students spent about two and half hours climbing up the mountain, which is considered good exercise by the local people. After a rigorous climb, many took a much deserved rest and rode the lift down!
Oct 27--30 Monthly trip: Shaolin Temple
Shaolin Temple, also known as the "No. 1 Temple around the world",
earned it's fame from the famous movie "Shaolin Temple" starring Jet Li
in early 1980's. On this trip, World Link students went to visit the Yellow River as well as Kaifeng City, and Longmen Caves.
New Rooms
The new hotel students must be marveling at their fabulous good fortune to be the first students to live in the newly renovated Building 2. The new students get to revel in the luxury of soothing pastels and creams, soft, new carpeting and unmarked walls.
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