Catch-up - CNY - Kansas Day - Sauda-Day - Braille Test

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28th Chinese New Year
This is the year of the Rooster, the zodiac animal that is trustworthy, has a strong sense of timekeeping and is responsible at work (side note: I am an earth dragon... Just Like Jesus 😊 The Chinese New Year is based on a lunar cycle that goes through twelve animals. It is celebrated throughout China and the Chinese diaspora.

CNY is celebrated with firecrackers, red packets, and lion dances, among other things. The legend goes that a village was being attacked by a Nian, a mythical creature that would take children and destroy property. An old man swore he would rid the village of the Nian. The Nian was afraid of loud noises and the colour red, so he hung up red sheets and set of firecrackers all night.

To celebrate, my friend and I ate Chinese food and exchanged red envelopes. I lived in Hong Kong a couple of years ago, and celebrating New involved going out with friends to watch the fireworks over the harbour, getting red packets from my students, and watching the lion dances from the rooftop on Lamma Island.

Good times.

Happy New Year!

29th Kansas Day I didn't (and still don't) know much about Kansas. I asked a friend who lives there how they celebrate Kansas Day and she responded with 'that's a thing?'. So I read... And watched 'The Wizard of Oz'. I hope to visit the state later in the year 😊 My favourite thing I discovered is that in 1888, Oskaloosa had an all-women town council led by a female mayor -this was 32years before women in other states could even vote!

30th Saudade Saudade is a difficult word to translate. It is a Portuguese word that is a longing for something you once had, but don't have any more, but also like homesickness, missing a loved one, or feeling blue. For my Saudade Day, I looked through some old photos. I did end up feeling nostalgic for travelling days and life abroad, the groups of people I once knew and the life i had there. It wasn't an unpleasant feeling, but I do in some ways miss it.

31st Braille 20/26 ... So... a B? B-? I'm not sure how to grade this. I'm looking for a beginners book online to try and get some more practice with reading.

1st February: World Hijab Day! (Due to continued internet issues, I will be posting a day late for the foreseeable future).

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Comments

[Mandy]

Learning
Enjoying reading your blog - and learning things I wouldn't necessarily naturally come across day to day x