US gives Russia back Czar`s stolen medallion

The U.S. Ambassador to Russia returned a stolen silver medallion that belonged to the last Russian czar to Moscow Thursday after it was recovered from an online auction by U.S. investigators. Ambassador John Beryle said that the recovery of the rare artifact signaled increasing trust between Moscow and Washington.

The medallion, which bears a portrait of Czar Peter the Great, once belonged to the family of Russia`s last Czar, Nicholas II. It was stolen from the State Hermitage museum in St. Peters burg. A 2006 check showed that some 200 exhibits, including jewelry and icons worth $5 million, were stolen from Russia`s largest museum. Only 35 have been recovered.

In my mind, I am happy to hear this news, but China has the same problem about stolen cultural relics still not return. As we all know that China is a country with a long history, so it has thousands of cultural relics. But during the First and Second World War, many cultural relics were stolen by other countries. Now, although many cultural relics have returned to China, some still not return. So U.S. can give Russia back Czar`s stolen medallion is a good thing I think.

50 ships stuck in Baltic thick ice

The Swedish Maritime Administration said on Thursday that about 50 vessels are stuck in the thick ice the Baltic sea off Sweden`s east coast. Among the vessels there are six large passenger ferries which are in total carrying more than 2,000 passengers, the administration said in statement.

Two of the ferries, including the large Isabella passenger ferry carrying 1.322 passengers and crew, have been freed. The administration has sent all the ice breakers in the area to free the ferries, but gale-force winds are hampering the effort.

Fortunately, no one is hurt and there are no immediate plans to bring people off the ferries, but helicopters and military hovercraft are on standby in case evacuations become necessary, the administration added.

As I think, more and more natural disasters happened in 2010 at the beginning of the year, such as earthquake, typhoon, drought whatever. It is a bad omen for the human beings I think. In conclusion, human should do not destroy the natural environment anymore, and it needs pay more attention.

About Fashion Week

A fashion week is a fashion industry event, lasting approximately one week, which allows fashion designers or "houses" to display their latest collections in runway shows and buyers to take a look at the latest trends. Most importantly, it lets the industry know what`s "in" and what`s "out" for the season.

The most prominent fashion weeks are held in the fashion capitals like Milan, Paris, London, and New York City. In the early and mid 2000s, fashion weeks sprang up around the globe to draw attention to designers elsewhere.

In the major fashion capitals, fashion weeks are semiannual events. January through March designers showcase their autumn winter collections and September through November the spring collections are shown. Fashion weeks must be held several months in advance of the season to allow the press and buyers a chance to preview fashion designs for the following season.

In my mind, fashion week is a famous traditional activity in the western. When I was young, I often saw the fashion show on the TV from the fashion week. I think this is a good way to tell people around the world which style is popular at a period. It also can develope the culture exchange by the international stage.

Follow the honey

Chinese farmers who travel the country in search of nectar for their bees produce most of the world`s honey. Like many people from "Bee Town" in Lanxi, Eastern China`s Zhejiang province, Jiang Lizun is a bee farmer, who treks around the country searching for nectar. The 57 year old, who has been an apiarist since he was 17, follows the seasons while transporting more than 100 hives. (It`s from Sina News)

As I think, can be a beekeeper is a not simple job, especially go around the country just for searching of nectar. It is admirable because he is really hard work on his job and make a contribution to the skill in beekeeping. In conclusion, I think everyone on every work should learn from him, including students. If a student can do some hard research likes him, the student must will be successful in his schoolwork.

Earthquake in Chile

Heroism and banditry mingled on Chile`s shattered streets Sunday as rescuers braved aftershocks digging for survivors and the government sent soldiers and ordered a nighttime curfew to quell looting. The death toll climbed to 708 in one of the biggest earthquakes in centuries.
Efforts to determine the full scope of destruction were undermined by an endless string of terrifying aftershocks that continued to turn buildings into rubble. Officials said 500,000 houses were destroyed or badly damaged, and President Michele Bachelet said " a growing number" of people were listed as missing.

(It`s from Sina News)
In my mind, more and more earthquakes were happened in around the world. My hometown, Yunnan province also got a earthquake at last week, but it was just not heavy. Maybe it is like Maya people predicted, like that movie 2012, said earth will be destroyed in 2012. Although I do not believe it and I would like to think it is just a prediction, more and more natural disaters seem demonstrated it. So please protect the natual environment and do not deastroy it.

Chinese leaders attend Lantern Festival celebration

President Hu Jintao and other top Chinese leaders joined an evening party Sunday with representatives of intellectuals in Beijing to celebrate the annual Lantern Festival. Hu Jintao and eight other members of the Standing Committee of Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, including top legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao, attended the event featuring song and dance shows and rice dumplings, a traditional food for the festival. (It`s from Sina News)

Since I was young, on each Lantern Festival, every family members would come back to join the big family for eating rice dumplings together, because eating rice dumplings in Lantern Festival is symbol of reunion, it is very important for each Chinese families. There is a old saying in China, people always become extremely homesick when festivals come, especially Lantern Festival, which is symbol of reunion.

This time, when the festival came, I stayed lonely far away from my home town and without the rice dumplings what were made by my mom likes usual, so I got a feeling that was I really miss my family.

2010 Winter Olympics

The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, will be a major international multi-sport event held on February 12-28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the resort town of Whistler, British Columbia and in the Vancouver suburb of Richmond.

Following Olympic tradition, then Vancouver mayor Sam Sullivan received the Olympic flag during the closing ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympic in Turin, Italy. The flag was raised on February 28, 2006, in a special ceremony, and will be on display at Vancouver City Hall until the Olympic opening ceremony. The event will be officially opened by Governor General Michelle Jean. (It`s from Sina News)

Although I did not watch the 2010 Winter Olympics, I still can remember the last Olympic Games in Beijing. It was perfect, and China got the No.1 of the Gold medal. I think the Winter Olympics is little bit different with Olympic Games, but they both have the sportsmanship and some international or peaceful things. It is the most important symbolize of Olympics.

Gypsy girls in Bulgaria look for husbands in market

Every year, at saint Todor`s day, families from a specific gypsy clan gather to find appropriate husbands for their girls. Dressed in their finest clothes, the girls try to catch the attention of men who are willing to pay a good price for them.

(It is from Sina News)

As I think, this kind of way to find husband is not a good way, because maybe a couple who get married in this way actually they are not appropriate for each other. Maybe a girl who accept a man just because of the man gave a good price for her, not because the girl really loves that man, so I think this kind of marriage cannot keep going for long time. In fact, the true love is the most beutiful love in the world, although it needs you take lots of time to find and use your heart to treat.

Drought continues to ravage southwest China, extending to north

A total of 53.36 million Mu (about 3.56 million hectares) of crops in China had been affected by severe drought by Saturday, said the Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.The drought, mostly in China`s southwestern provinces including Yunnan and Guizhou, had damaged crops and cused water shortage to both people and livestock.

In Yunnan, the worst drought-stricken province, up to 31.48 million Mu of crops had been affected, with 11.53 million Mu seriously damaged and 6.16 million Mu destroyed. About 5.97 million people and 3.59 million livestock from water shortage.The drought had also started to affect China`s northern regions, as several northern provinces had not seen rainfall for nearly 40 days with signs of drought showing up in farmlands. (It is from Sina News)

In my opinion, the human destroyed nature environment is the main reason of the why the huge drought happened. Although the environment problems are much accounted by media, they still

happened in our daily life. I think the environment problems should be the one of the subject in primary school because it is a very important problem in the human`s future actually.

Toyota to recall Corolla?

First it was gas pedals, then brakes. Now Toyota and the U.S. government are looking into complaints that the popular Corolla is difficult to steer straight. Reuters reported that U.S. safety regulators will launch a formal investigation of steering complaints in certain newer model Toyota Motor Corp Corolla vehicles, for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received more than 150 complaints about possible steering problems in 2009 and 2010 Corolla models. (It is from Sina News)
In my mind, Toyota is one of the largest car companies in the world, and Japenese cars are also popular in the world. It is like Toyota 's adevertisment said, "where there is a way for car there is a Toyota". Although Japenese cars are usually cheap and their model is fashionable, they often have some problems in the safety of controlling, so I think the quality of Japenese cars are worse than German cars and American cars.

Preservation campaigners cover Hollywood sign

Los Angeles – Crews are covering the world-famous Hollywood sign with panels reading "Save the Peak."
It's part of a campaign by a nature preservation group to save an adjacent hilltop from development. Trust For Public Land spokesman Tim Ahern said the letters will be covered Thursday through Tuesday.The group has raised about $7 million of the roughly $12 million needed to buy the Cahuenga Peak property from the Chicago area-based owners. The owners had announced plans to develop the 138-acre parcel into luxury homes.
The Hollywood letters were altered in 1992 to promote the film "Cool World." Some residents were angered because they feared the giant Kim Basinger likeness seated on the "D" would draw crowds to their neighborhood. (It is from Sina News)

In my opinion, I am happy to see this news because more and more people aware of the environment problem is really important for the situation of the world. Many companies or factories even can destroy the nature environment just for making money. I think preservation campaigners cover Hollywood sign is a excellent way to save the peak, and it also satirized the owners had announced plans to develop the nature place into luxury homes.

Beijing embraces lunar New Year after overnight firework spree

Foreign college students set off fireworks in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 13, 2010, in celebration for the Spring Festival, the Chinese traditional lunar New Year starting from Feb. 14 this year. (Xinhua Photo)

For Chinese, this is the happiest time in the year, and in this year's spring festival has more meanings: it is only a day before the Valentine's day :) , that means Chinese young people have to decide to bring their boy or girl friends home or leave their parents to go out for a date.

Freezing conditions worsen as Chinese travel home

JINAN, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- Heavy snow and freezing temperatures forced more airports and highways in northern China to close Thursday, just two days ahead of China's Spring Festival.

Millions of travellers already on the road hope to arrive home by Chinese New Year's eve on Saturday.

Meteorological authorities forecast more blizzards to hit more areas Thursday, impacting nine provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in China's northern, western and eastern regions.

In the Tibet Autonomous Region in southwest China, more than 20 soldiers rescued ten people Thursday morning after trudging strong think snow and strong winds. The ten were trapped after a snowstorm Wednesday morning.

As I think, it is probably not the right time to snow, during these weeks, hundreds million of people from big cities went back their home in other parts of the country to celebrate the traditional Chinese new years, the snow caused bad effect on transportation systems which let many people couldn't go back home on time, from the news, I think that the things goes better this year, I wish everyone can go back home and have their own celebration.

President Hu visits Taiwan businesses on mainland ahead of Spring Festival

ZHANGZHOU, Fujian, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- President Hu Jintao on Friday visited some Taiwan businesses in Zhangzhou of southeastern Fujian Province ahead of the Spring Festival to extend New Year greetings.

He said the mainland and Taiwan were negotiating on the cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement. "Its' something that will help promote cross-Strait economic cooperation and bring win-win results. During the negotiation process, we will put into full consideration the interests of Taiwan compatriots, especially those of farmers."

Hu expressed hope that more Taiwan compatriots would be dedicated to promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and work with the mainland people for an even brighter future of the ties.

In my opinion, president Hu choose such a special date to visit Taiwan businesses, it express a very clear concern about Taiwan affairs, as the history reasons, Taiwan now and mainland China have complex relationship, the tension between two sides almost bring wars when 1994, I hope mainland and Taiwan can have more business and more peaceful in the future.

Washington,D.C. paralyzed by heavy snowstorm

Washington,D.C Feb. 6 -- Up to 2 feet (60 centimeters) of snow had fallen in Washington as of Satuarday morning, leaving the capital area paralyzed and thousands of families without electricity. (it is from SINA News).

In my opinion, have people think about that why the weather becomes very strange now? I think that is beacuse of people destroyed the environment for building some companies, apartments whatever. Why greenhouseeffect happened? If you have watched two movies: the Day After Tomrrow and 2012, you will know about the reasult of environment damage. About the heavy snowstorm in Washington,D.C, I think it reminded human to do not destroy the environment, but rather to protect it.

China`s car nut buys Volvo, `marries Hollywood star`

Chinese "car nut" appears close to sealing a deal to buy US automaker Ford`s Swedish unit Volvo, a sale he compared to a "poor Chinese lad marrying a Hollywood film star." Us auto giant Ford announced Wednesday it had settled all "substantive commercial terms" of a deal to sell its Swedish unit, Volvo cars, to China`s Zheliang Geely Holding Group.

Li Shufu, Geely`s CEO who has a "car nut" reputation in China, said Wednesday in Beijing that his company hopes to sell on the global marketplace. "The idea of Geely is that we will let Chinese cars go global, instead of just letting global cars be sold around China, but i firmly believe that, in the future, where there is a road, there will be a Chinese car," he said. (It is from SINA News).

In my opinion, I am happy to saw this news because I am really interested in cars. Although Chinese light industry is very well-developed, likes some daily necessities, but Chinese heavy industry is just developing, likes cars, it is much lower than Germanic, Japenese, American. It is a true, but I am still very happy to see that is Chinese heavy industry with the rapid development. I really hope that Chinese cars can export to overseas likes Japenese Toyota `s advertisment: where there is a way for car there is a Toyota.

Year of the Tiger, 2010

The Chinese use the lunar calendar for celebratory enents with includes the New Year. This falls somewhere between late January and early February. The cycle of twelve animal signs originates from Chinese tradition as a way of naming the years. The animals follow one another in an established order and are replicated every twelve years. The rat. ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig are the twelve animal signs. Every animal has particular characteristics and people born in a specific year are believed to take on these characteristics.

According to the Chinesse Zodiac, the Year of 2010 is the Year of the Tiger, which commences on February 14, 2010 and ends on February 2, 2011. The Tiger is the third sign in the Chinese Zodiac cycle, and it is a sign of bravery. This courageous and fiery fighter is admired by the ancient Chinese as the sign that keeps away the three main tragedies of a household. These are fire, thieves and ghosts. (It is from SINA News).

In my mind, Chinese Spring Festival is the most significant festival in China, it is like Western Christmas Day is the most important festival in Western countries. When the Spring Festival Eve, people ususally stay with their family, and have a fancy dinner, such as dumpling, fish, chicken. After dinner, people aways stay at home for watching CCTV Spring Festival Gala, and most of children like to play fireworks in outside. When the 12 am is coming, it is symbol the Spring Festival Day is coming, and all Chinese families light firecrackers at the same time.

Confucius

It is a film from Jan. 22 takes a look at the late stages of Confucius` life. Starring Chow Yun Fat who is one of the most famous actors in China, and who payed a role in Pirates of the Caribbean : At World`s End.

It is a true that Confucius was the most famous educator who created Confucianism and had a great impact on education and polity in Chinese histroy, therefore it is worthy of going to watch this movie. If you want to know the Chinese traditional culture, go to watch it will be a good choice. I think you also can watch Confusicus in every movie theaters in Thailand.

US arms sales harm cooperation

China has lodged solemn representations with United States over its announcement of arms sales to Taiwan about $6.4 billion package including Black Hawk helicopters, Patriot "Advanced Capability-3" anti-missile missiles, and command-and-control technology, warning the move would seriously damage cooperation between the two countries. (It is from China News-Sina)

In my opinion, Taiwan is belong to China since Qin Dynasty in 221 BC. Although after the Chinese War of Liberation, and Taiwan was divided for the time being, all of Chinese think Taiwan is belong to China. It is a true that cannot be changed by anyone, even for most of people who live in Taiwan all want China can unify Taiwan. I think United States sales arms to Taiwan is an erroneous behavior, because it damages cooperation between the two countries, and also destroys the tendency of the world peace.

13 countries agree plan to save wild tigers

A dozen Asian nations and Russia vowed Friday to double the number of wild tigers by 2022, crack down on poaching that has devastated the big cats and prohibit the building of roads and bridges that could harm their habitats.

"This is a historic meeting. Before this, not many people paid attention to tigers," Thailand`s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suwit Khunkitti said after the three-day meeting in Hua Hin. "Stopping the depletion of tigers is a very important issue for all of us."

The declaration will now be considered for approval by heads of state the 13 countries in September at a meeting in Viadivostok, Russia.

(It is from the Sina`s News)

In my opinion, I think human should to protect all kinds of species, expect for some injurious insect likes: mosquito, fly, and do not destroy the enivironment because it is not only the animal`s home, but also the human`s home. Each animal or plant make up the integral Biocycle, and if one of the each part was broken by human, the balance of the whole Biocycle will be destroyed. Tigers are one of the most important animal in the world, so we should to protect them and their habitats.

About Avatar

On 18th Janaury 2010. Avatar won the best film in the 67th Golden Globe Awards, and James Cameron won the best filmdirector. Avatar got over 17,000,000,000 box office, and made the highest box office in histroy.

I have watched this movie. I think Avatar`s picture and music both are really wonderful, and it describe a story about human invade planet Pandora for natural resources. Finally, the actor became the avatar helped the alians to defeat the human`s military. The movie told us to human have to protect the environment, stay in peace and far away from war.

About the Earthquake in Haiti

On January 12, 2010. It was the strongest earthquake in Haiti`s 200 years, which level was 7.3. About more than 70000 people were killed in the earthquake. Chinese govenment provided many rescue workers large amount of money to Haiti.

It is unfortunately that 8 Chinese rescue workers were killed in the rescue operation. Chinese President Hu Jingtao attended the funeral of 8 Chinese heroes with heavy hearts.

I am relieved to hear the news about China helped Haiti a lot, even the rescue workers gave their life. I think we are live in one world, and we are all the humanbeing, so we should to give them a hand to help Haiti overcome the disaster.

My new life

On Decermber 20th, I left my hometown to go to the Mahidol University International College`s Pre-College. The weather in Tiland is really hotter than Kunming and people in Tiland are usually friendly. There are many big malls in Bangkok, I have been the Siam a few days ago. You can do many interesting tings in there,for example: go shopping to buy many clothes, to watch movies, to eat food in many kinds of restuarants. I think it is a quite good place for fun.
I am living the International Dormitory, so I made friends with many difference countries, such as: America, Nepal, Serbia, France. They are friendly too. Kian and Andy who are from California and Chicago had help me a lot for my English speaking. They taught me about Slang and some daily words just like: ass, awesome and so on. I told them my English skills are really bad , so I want to improve my English skills immediatily. They also were very happy to teach me. So my speaking and listening have a little bit increased. I have to say thank you to them here.
Although it is my first time to go aboard to study, I think it is pretty good. Because I got a difference experience from it. In this experience,I had grow up! I think I can study hard then I will be better on my English skills. Thanks for all my teachers, Mr.Edward, Ms.Maria, Ms.Suzanna.