Look for love this weekend

I first visited China in 1993 and have returned five times since. A friend of a friend is living in China. I am on her weekly emailing list. This week's news from China - as seen through a waiguoren's (Barbarian) eyes over her da bizi (big nose):

renri
人日
Happy Birthday Everybody!

Whether you knew it or not..... you had your birthday over the last weekend. Yes, the first day of Chinese New Year is long since past BUT there
are really 15 days of holiday with day number 7 being the official birthday of everyone in the world. So, in China, whether you were born in December or April you are considered a year older last Saturday. This might explain why you were feeling a bit tired after the weekend. Now, if you were following
tradition you ate some long noodles on your birthday to signify a long life. For those of you who didn't know you were supposed to eat long noodles.....
I am sure you could eat them tonight for dinner and plead ignorance. Other exciting things that happen over the next few days include all the children getting a new set of clothes. Actually most city children these days don't settle for JUST a new set of clothes but that is the tradition. Even as I am typing this I hear a group of drummers out on the road providing the beat for a traditional lion dance where the dancers bless each shop along the street. And it is all wrapped up next weekend with the lantern festival on day 15 after the New Year. If you weren't feeling tired from being a year older, you will for sure feel tired from the whirlwind of the 15 days of this wonderful holiday. So...... eat up those noodles and ENJOY your birthday!

The school holiday is over and the children are back to class. The people of the week are actually readers like yourself. A number of you helped provide money for gifts for the students and their families this holiday season. Pictured is a rural preschool for physically disabled children that is supported through monies donated to JHF. Here the children are enjoying their new books..... complements of people like yourself. On the shelves in the background you might also spot some of the play-dough, educational toys, bubbles, and coloring books that were also supplied through donations this winter. Some of you actually carried in some of these supplies on trips you were already making to China. Others of you helped pay for books on parenting given to the 120+ families supported by JHF. As the mother of Yao Xin Yu (the little girl with the pigtails at the head of the table) said on the first day back to school, "It is so hard to believe that people who have never met my child would care enough to help her out. Please tell each one thank you and may they have a blessing for this kindness shown to my family." Being in a rural community, most of these children were lucky to just receive the new set of clothing this New Year. Being a family affected by disability each considers itself lucky to have the support of anyone in their lonely walk through life. But ALL of the children are a year older and excited to be back in the classroom. ALL of the parents are thankful and grateful for your support and encouragement.

So, from all of us on this side of the ocean...... Thank You!!!
May you have a blessed New Year!
Hope you enjoy your bowl of noodles!

Ann

Two of our unmarried children are celebrating fifth anniversaries these days with their significant others. Their fateful encounters may have coincided with the Chinese Lantern Festival or the 15th day of the Lunar New Year (February 28, 2002). The Lantern Festival will be celebrated this weekend in China. If you are looking for love, this might just by the weekend to get out and find it. Love may be looking for you too. Good luck. 好运