Higher Futures 4U

Hi everyone!

I hope you’re having a good week at school. It’s turned so cold this week, that I’m sure it’s going to snow soon – I can’t wait, because it seems like we’ve not had any snow at all yet this Winter! I want to make sure I can remember how to build snowmen and have snowball fights, so fingers crossed for it snowing this weekend!

I went into Manchester last weekend to see the Chinese New Year celebrations. I’ve never seen the streets so busy – Chinatown was completely packed. Apparently there were 70,000 people who came along, which is more than they’ve ever had for Chinese New Year – what a massive crowd!

Chinese New Year Fireworks!

It all started off with a 53-metre long paper dragon parading through the streets – that’s longer than 4 and a half buses! It looked amazing. Each year the celebrations begin with a dragon parade, but this year it was extra-special because it is the start of the Year of the Dragon. In the Chinese calendar, each year is represented by an animal, and if you are born in that year, you are supposed to share certain characteristics with that animal. So if you are born in the Year of the Dragon, it is believed that you will grow up to be strong and powerful and wise. Because dragons can breathe fire, you might have a bit of a temper, but dragons also have a hidden soft-spot, so you are also secretly very kind and compassionate to others.

We did a project at school a few years ago about Chinese New Year, and I found out that I was born in the Year of the Pig! At first, I thought this was an insult, but then we found out that the characteristics for the Pig are honesty, sincerity and being helpful, which I think is pretty cool! How about you? – do you know what animal sign you are?

After we watched the dragon parade, there were lots of acrobats and street performers to watch, and traditional chinese music being played on lots of drums and cymbals. One of my favourite parts was when 2 martial arts performers did something called a High Poles Lion Dance. They were in really colourful costumes, and they did lots of really clever leaping and hopping between some really high poles. It was incredible, and the whole crowd was completely amazed. Apparently they had come all the way from China especially to perform in Manchester!

Later on, there was a really cool firework display – check out my photo on the left. You can see lots of Chinese lanterns, and if you look carefully, you can see a firework exploding just around the corner! My cousins Karen and Alex really liked it too – they always try to guess to the colour of the rocket before it explodes. Alex is really good at it!

Finally, before we all went home, we called into one of the Chinese bakeries to get Honey Buns. They are brilliant! Have you ever tried one?

Have Fun!

Sam