Chinese New Year or Spring Festival is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It is often called the Lunar New Year, especially by people in mainland China and Taiwan.

Here is the picture from Tom Carter,taken in Beijing

2009  is “The year of  the ox” according to the Chinese animal sign.Ox ,牛,is pronounced NIU in Chinese，the same as the NEW.So Happy Niu Year to the world!

These two photo from Dbf were taken in Beijing.

这两张图片都是Dbf在北京照的.

The first one was taken in Da Bei Ku

第一张的地点是在北京的大北窟

The skyscraper in the second picture is the Sohu Modern Town

第二张图片里的建筑是Sohu现代城

These two photo were taken by Antonio Ho in the Bird’s Nest stadium.

这张图片是Antonio Ho在鸟巢体育馆拍的.

90,000 spectators fell silent at the announcement that Liu Xiang’s was unable to compete at the giant Birdsnest stadium. This overwhelmingly emotional announcement was soon replaced by cheers from the crowd for encouragement on Liu Xiang and the other competitors.

在“鸟巢“中,90,000名观众因为刘翔退出比赛而沉默起来,但这寂静的气氛很快便被

鼓励及支持刘翔和其它运动员的声音所取代.在“鸟巢“外,人们照旧装扮起来,庆祝奥运的举行

These two photos of Beijing’s New National Grand Theater are from Matt Lee.

这两张图片国家大剧院是Matt Lee拍的

The theater was designed by French architect Paul Andreui and is located on west of the Great Hall of the People. It can seat 6,500 people in three halls.

国家大剧院由法国建筑师Paul Andreu设计,它 位于人民大会堂的西面.它的三个大堂能容纳6500个观众.

Matt said in the picture description that entrance into the theater is under the blue part, so the hallway is underneath the pond

Matt在他图片的描述中提到剧院的入口在图片蓝色的部分下,也就是说进剧院的走廊是在水池下面了

With its unique shell structure and the artificial lake that surrounds it, the theater looks like a lucent peddle on the water.

独特的壳状设计和围绕着的人造湖,剧院就像一个躺在水面上的,发光的鹅卵石.

As you look closely at the beautiful theater, you can even see tiny gleaming “stars” on the roof.

如果你仔细看的话,你会发现剧院外部顶上布满了闪闪发光的小”星星”

I met this morning with two Chinese Sea Turtles: both recent graduates of the University of Michigan. They are part of the organizing team for a new NGO with a powerful mission. They are tasked with providing teachers and training for 100 children orphaned by the Sichuan earthquake and now living in Beijing, aiding schools in the quake zone that have teacher needs, and the giving of time and talent to a hospital for young amputees in Chengdu.

今天早上我和两个中国的“海归”见面.他们都是密歇根大学的毕业生,现在在一个非政府组织的组织队伍里工作.这个新的非政府组织现在有一项新的任务-为100个现在住在北京,在四川地震中变成孤儿的孩子提供老师和培训,支援灾区急需老师的学校,以及利用他们的时间和能力在一间成都的医院为截肢者提供服务

I too have been part of the planning committee and have volunteered my Internet and educational skills to help recruit short-term and long-term help for the group.

我也一直是组织委员会的一分子,利用我的互联网和教育技能,义务为团队招募短期和长期队员提供帮助.

Teachers in every discipline and at every level of education are needed for in-province and Internet distance learning. English teachers will not need a to speak Chinese, but other disciplines will require fluency in the subject matter.

< ![endif]–>

现在我们需要各个学科和各教育水平的老师参与到省内和互联网的远程教学中.英语老师不要求会说中文,但是其他学科的老师需要能用的流利中文进行授课

Volunteers who feel they need preparation before heading into Sichuan and other affected areas will be trained in teaching methods, first aid, trauma counseling and critical incident stress de-briefing.

对于觉得在去四川和其他受灾地区之前需要一些准备的志愿者,我们会提供教育方法,急救,心里创伤咨询, 危机情况压力处理减压方面的训练.

You may leave your name, email, and teaching area of interest and in the comments section of this post if you’d like to be contacted. Your information will not be published on this blog. You will be emailed and asked for a resume and your expected availability so we can best match you to schools/students. Volunteers may come for training and a visit of the area before accepting an assignment.

如果你有兴趣和我们联系,你可以在这篇文章的评论区留下你的名字,电子邮箱,和刚兴趣的教育领域.你的信息不会在这博客上发表.我们会通过发邮件来索取你的履历和你能工作的时间.这样我们可以最好的安排你到最适合的学校,教最适合的学生.志愿者在决定接受工作前可以先来进行培训和去将要的工作地点观看

A tribute to the victims Called Love and Hope and written by popular singer JJ. You don’t need to know the language to understand this video rife with both heart-wrenching and triumphant images familiar to those of us living here.

这是一段向受害者表示敬意的视频,名字叫做爱与希望,作曲人是流行歌手林俊杰.就算你不懂歌曲的语言,你也能感受到其中令人心痛欲绝的情感和鼓舞人心的力量.

1.4 Million people in 4,000 villages were financially ruined by the earthquake ongoing aftershocks. There is much to be done for several years to come.

持续着的地震余震使4000多个村庄的1400多万人蒙受巨大的财产损失,在未来的几年,我们依然有很多的工作需要做

China Daily Photo: Forbidden City Beijing

Lonnie is headed for Beijing next week while David takes on Qi Qing Yan in Guangdong, so it seemed appropriate to post a spectacular Beijing preview. Dalian photos and commentary later today!!

Today’s daily photo comes from Ken Leaf and was taken at the Forbidden City:

To see your photo on The Dreamblogue, send it to photos (at) blogofdreams (dot) com.

China Daily Photo: Beijing Train Station

Today’s photo is from Ken Leaf and was taken in Beijing:

Send your photos to to see them on the blog of dreams.

China Daily Photo: Beijing Summer Palace

Today’s photo comes from Graham Mulligan of the China-Canada Education Association and was taken at the Beijing Summer Palace: