觀音 Guan Yin

Happy Holidays! 节日快乐!

Welcome to the 2016-2017 Edition of the Dragon Times!

Digital Illustration and Article by Fiona Cahill

While traveling in Asia, I noticed different statues depicting many types of goddesses and Buddhas. One of the most popular deity statues is Guan Yin, who is known as the goddess of compassion, mercy, and kindness. She is one of the most beloved and well known goddesses in Asia.

During her life she was known as Miao-shan, a Chinese princess, and she begged her father to let her become a nun instead of marrying. Enraged by her request, Miao-shan’s father forced her to do all of the menial household tasks. Eventually, he allowed her to go to the temple, however he asked the nuns to treat her poorly so that she would become disheartened and return home. Miao-shan decided to stay at the temple, so her father sent a man to execute her. When Miao-shan arrived in hell, she released all of the goodness she had and turned it into a paradise. Lord Yama, king of the dead, sent her back to earth before she could ruin his realm. She lived on Fragrant Mountain as Guan Yin where she watched over human beings. Guan Yin would often notice people in trouble on their boats at sea and rescue them, and she became the patron goddess of sailors and fishermen.

Thailand Trip

Article Submitted by Caroline Dym

This summer I went on a three week service trip to Thailand. To get to Thailand I traveled for 42 hours. The first city my group and I went to was Bangkok. In Bangkok we visited the Grand Palace as well as many markets and temples. All of the temples and the Grand Palace were very beautiful. For community service in Bangkok, I worked at a local school. At the school I taught children that were in 1st– 4th grade how to speak english. The children were so grateful and excited whenever we came to teach which made the experience very fun and rewarding. After a week in Bangkok, our group traveled to a small island called Ko Samet. During our three day stay, we snorkeled and relaxed on the beach. One night we watched a fire show on the beach! After Ko Samet we traveled to Chiang Mai. In Chaing Mai we visited more temples and also worked at an elephant rehabilitation camp. The elephant rehabilitation camp was one of my favorite parts of the trip. Everyday we would feed, bathe, and play with the elephants. I had a great time in Thailand and I would love to go back sometime soon!

Interview with Tiara McIntosh

Article Submitted by Lauren Burd

What is your name, age, and grade?

My name is Tiara McIntosh, I am sixteen years old, and in the 11th grade.

What are some of your favorite classes at Sacred Heart Greenwich?

I really enjoy both English class and Chinese class, but I would say that my favorite class throughout my time at Sacred Heart Greenwich has been Chinese.

How long have you been taking Chinese?

I have been in Chinese class since the beginning of middle school and I continued taking Chinese into upper school.

What do you like about Chinese?

I find Chinese very intriguing because it is one of the oldest languages in the world’s history and I like learning such a historic language. I also like how each Chinese character can have an abundance of different, complex meanings.

What do you like about learning Chinese at Sacred Heart Greenwich?

Throughout middle school and upper school, I have found that all of my Chinese teachers have been extremely passionate about the Chinese language and dedicated to teaching us all the intricacies of the language.

Would you like to visit a Chinese speaking country?

I actually visited China on a school trip last spring break. I had a lot of fun visiting historic sites such as, Tiananmen Square, and I tried a lot of new and exciting foods. I feel like I learned a lot about the Chinese language when I was there and I can’t wait to go back some day!

Chicken Dumpling Soup

Recipe Submitted by Lauren Capolongo

Ingredients

Chicken Soup:

• Two 3-pound chickens, each cut into 6 pieces and backbones reserved
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 6 medium carrots, chopped into 1-inch pieces
• 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 4 stalks celery, chopped into 1-inch pieces
• 2 large leeks, white part only, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces and soaked in cold water to remove grit
• 2 medium yellow onions, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

Dumplings:

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 3/4 cup milk, plus more if needed
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Soup:

1. Put chicken pieces and backbones in a large pot and cover with 16 cups water. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to a low simmer. Poach the chicken until cooked through, 25 to 30 minutes.
2. Remove the chicken pieces with tongs and set aside to cool, then discard the backbones. Once the chicken cools enough to handle, pull the meat from the bones, shred and roughly chop; set aside. Strain the chicken broth and keep warm.
3. In a medium pot, melt the butter over medium heat, and stir in the carrots, garlic, celery, leeks, onions and poultry seasoning. Cook the vegetables until they begin to soften, 8 to 10 minutes, then stir in the flour.
4. Add the reserved chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the soup thickens slightly and vegetables soften, about 25 minutes. Stir in the shredded chicken and bring the soup back to a low simmer.

Dumplings:

1. In a medium bowl, add flour. Put in the milk, butter, baking powder, salt and eggs. The dough should be moist. Add additional milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed. 
2. Pull the dough into 1/4-cup pieces and place directly in the simmering soup; cover and cook for 10 to 12 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve.

Learn Chinese with Tutu the Rabbit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEuSqWLclJs

Dragon Times

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中国新年 – Chinese New Year

中文：

周一2月8日，中国新的一年开始了！  庆祝活动持续了一个星期。为了庆祝，人们清洁自己的家园，给孩子钱，挂红色装饰在自己的家园。中国人认为红色吓跑妖魔鬼怪。他们还放鞭炮，有舞狮吓唬坏的灵了。人们还吃了中国传统食物，如鱼，饺子，和桔子。这些食物象征着好运和繁荣。

每年，有一个新的生肖动物。一个生肖动物代表了一年的未来。有12生肖的总和。今年是猴年。猴子象征着智慧和幽默。出生在猴年人是非常有纪律，尽量避免麻烦。

English:

On Monday February 8th, the Chinese new year will begin!  The celebration lasts for one week.  In order to celebrate, people clean their homes, give children money, and hang red colored decorations in their homes.  Chinese people believe that red scares away demons and ghosts.  They also light firecrackers and have lion dances to scare bad spirits away.  People also eat traditional chinese food such as fish, dumplings, and oranges.  These foods symbolize luck and prosperity.

Every year, there is a new zodiac animal.  A zodiac animal represents future of the year.  There are 12 zodiac in total.  This year is the year of the monkey.  The monkey symbolizes intelligence and humor.  People born in the year of the monkey are very disciplined and try to avoid trouble.       

Article By: Georgina Cahill

Photography By: Georgina Cahill

剪纸 － Paper Cutting

中文：

在古代的时候， 蔡伦发明了纸。   人们开始通过削减叶， 也皮 。  如今，由于有这么多的颜色，所以人们使用纸张。  中国剪纸又美丽又对称。剪纸还有常常红色。  因为剪纸带来幸运， 所以人们开始用剪纸来装饰门窗。人们也给把剪纸作为礼物送给好朋友。

中国孩子喜欢做剪纸。  它们用剪纸装饰自己的校服和书本。 为了做好的剪纸作品，你必须练习。人们经常用剪刀做剪纸作品， 但是大师用刀子用刀子。 当人们剪纸的时候由于你可以得到用剪刀剪，所以你一定要小心。 即使剪纸是有点危险，你应该做的。 它们美丽也给你带来好运。

English:

In ancient times, Cai Lun invented paper. Before, people cut leaves and animal skins. Now, since there are so many colors, so people use paper. Chinese paper-cutting is beautiful and symmetrical. The paper-cuts are usually red. Because paper-cuts bring luck, use them to decorate their windows and doors. People also give them to good friends as gifts. Chinese children like to make paper-cuts for fun. They decoupage them to their school uniforms and books.

In order to do paper-cut works, you have to practice. People often use scissors to make paper-cut works, but Masters use a knife. Since you can get cut with scissors, it is important to be careful. Even though paper-cutting is a little dangerous, you should try it. They are beautiful and will bring good luck.

Article by: Georgina Cahill

Easy Egg Noodles

INGREDIENTS:

• 8 ounces lo mein egg noodles*
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, julienned
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 1/2 cup snow peas
• 3 cups baby spinach

FOR THE SAUCE:

• 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce, or more, to taste
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon Sriracha, or more, to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, ginger and Sriracha; set aside. In a large pot of boiling water, cook noodles according to package instructions; drain well.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium high heat. Add garlic, mushrooms, bell pepper and carrot. Cook, stirring frequently, until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in snow peas and spinach until the spinach has wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Stir in egg noodles and soy sauce mixture, and gently toss to combine.
4. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Article By: Lauren Capolongo, Genevieve Capolongo, and Francesca Lippolis

中国的长城 – The Great Wall of China

 

中文：

中国的长城正在建设中去了公元前221年中国皇帝秦始皇统治时期，在秦朝时。罕见为公众所知，墙体由四个较小的部分，最古老的部分是刚开始后，中国统一的封建国家变成一个大帝国。建设由于被建在崎岖的地形，包括河流，溪流，高山，沙漠风格的景观墙是困难的。然而，壁从地球的多个层，用石头和树枝木框内混合制成，导致壁是非常耐用。工人经常运送仰睡的材料，以及他们使用了一系列创新的运送材料。材料通过手至手，而工人把墙在一起，这导致了像薄山路地形更高的效率和安全性。

在长城展示了两个重要的中国思想。首先，中国认为，防御应建立以创造与复杂的地形面积较大出入。第二，中国人就地取材建造城墙是非常重要的。虽然壁上对剑和弓箭防御，它并没有在中国发生停止交易，文化交流。墙上导致先进的养殖技术，动物，如马和骆驼，和音乐，这都成为中国文化的一个重要组成部分。虽然大部分的墙体已经由于战争和来自大自然的破坏摧毁了几个世纪，许多遗迹仍然存在，并已成为中国最著名的纪念碑和国家象征之一。

English:

The Great Wall of China went under construction in 221 BC under the reign of Chinese emperor Qin Shihuangdi, during the Qin Dynasty. Uncommonly known to the public, the wall is made of four smaller sections, and the oldest section was begun just after China unified its feudal states into a large empire. Construction was difficult due to the wall being built over rugged terrain, including rivers, streams, mountains, and desert-style landscapes. However, the wall was made from multiple layers of earth, mixed with stones and twigs inside wooden frames, causing the wall to be very durable. Workers often transported the materials on their backs, and they used a series of trails to transport the materials. Materials were passed hand-to-hand while the workers put the wall together, which led to greater efficiency and safety on terrains like thin mountain trails.

The Great Wall shows two important Chinese ideas. First, the Chinese believed that defenses should be built in order to create greater access to an area with difficult terrain. Second, it was important to the Chinese to use local materials to build the wall. While the wall provided defenses against swords and bows and arrows, it did not stop trade and cultural exchange from occurring in China. The wall led to advanced farming techniques, animals like horses and camels, and music, which all became a large part of the Chinese culture. While much of the wall has been destroyed due to centuries of damage from war and from nature, many remains are still present and has become one of China’s most famous monuments and national symbols.

Article By: Lydia Currie

Photography By: Georgina Cahill

Beijing – 北京

中文:

北京

北京在中国的东北边。北京在河北省．它的人口是一千五百万个人。北京有很多的很有名的地方。比如说故宫，颐和园，长城，天坛， 等等。故宫从明代到清代。故宫是中国最老的宫殿架构。颐和园有很漂亮花园，也有很漂亮的湖。颐和园有中国最大的公园。

北京的长城比美国长。北京也有天坛。古代的时候，中国人觉得皇帝是神。皇帝常常去了天坛祈祷。因为中国人觉得圈的形状有好的风水所以天坛有圈的形状。它也有很好的大学比如说Peking 大学。北京有很成功的商业。它有很好的商务中心。

English:

Beijing is located in Northeast China. It is located in the Hebei Province. Beijing has a population of 15 million people. It has many famous places such as the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Great Wall of China, and the Temple of Heaven.The Forbidden City is China’s oldest palace. The Summer contains many pretty gardens, and a beautiful lake. The summer palace has the China’s oldest public garden. Beijing’s Great Wall of China is longer than the United States. Beijing also has the Temple of Heaven. In ancient times, Chinese people believed the emperor was a god. He would often go to the Temple of Heaven to pray. Chinese people thought a round shaped building was good feng shui, so they made the Temple of Heaven round.

Beijing also has very good colleges such as Peking University. Beijing’s has very successful businesses and is a great business center in China.

Article By: Katherine Siciliano

Photography By: Katherine Siciliano