We had snow!

Not a lot, but it was my first snow. It was very cold, so I had to wear my hoodie.

It was very pretty, but it was all gone by lunchtime. Next week I will go to the beach, so no cold weather and I can wear shorts.

Chinese New Year

This time of year, the Chinese celebrate their new year. There are lots of fireworks and decorations - and food! Behind me in the picture is a New Year display. It is floating on a pond. At night they will light it up. The Chinese have different animals to represent each year. This coming year is the year of the Rat. Chinese people hang many decorations made of red on their doors. It might be a lantern, the words for 'good luck' or even a poem to celebrate the year. They also hang red lanterns everywhere! This one is hanging on a tree near where I live. The last day of the new year celebration is on a day called The Lantern Festival.

The reason Chinese new year is celebrated at a different time is because they use a lunar calendar, that means it is based on the moon, not the sun.

Families will have big celebrations, much like we do at Christmas or Thanksgiving. My favorite part is when they give out red packets. When a kid gets a red packet, it has money in it!

They eat lots of fish, my favorite, and dumplings, noodles and sweets. I'm looking forward to seeing, and hearing, all the fireworks in the next few weeks!

Travel Tips

Traveling can be fun or frustrating. It is important to be ready, whether you are going to your grandparent's house or around the world. Car, bus, train or plane - what do you need? I always like to take a comfortable pillow to sleep on. It needs to be small so you can pack it. Books, games or crossword puzzles help to pass the time. I also like taking some of my favorite music to help. Many of my travels to the mountains require a very long bus ride. That's when my pillow and music really help. I always take my Bible. That is something I read every day. I also pack a flashlight, in case there is no light. It helps me know where I am when I get to new places. I also take my passport whenever I go places. It is really fun to look at it and see all the places I have been. Having sunglasses and suncreen is helpful on the beach as well as when I go up high into the mountains.

I also make sure I have the right clothes. When I go to the mountains, I need good boots and a warm coat. In a few weeks, I will go to the beach and need sandals and shorts. I try to keep things that I need, like my passport and flashlight, in my backpack - in my case that's my shell. If you are ready for your travels, then you can enjoy the journey! Always be ready for new things. Maybe there is a new food you have never seen, or a different language to listen to. I always enjoy new smells, sounds, sights and tastes. I know that God made the all, so I am ready to experience them!

Sometimes making food is different as well. Below is a picture of my friend, Mike, grinding rice. They put the rice in the middle wheel and Mike turns the big wheel to make the rice. very cool!

Welcome!

Hi everybody!

Thanks for stopping by. My name is Blaze. I want to tell everyone about all the new things I experience while I travel. I will talk about fun places, interesting foods, airports, people I meet, funny stories and anything else I think you might like. I will try to write something every week. If you have questions or ideas for me, leave a comment, or e-mail me at trekkerblaze@gmail.com. I will be overseas until June, and then I will visit America. I hope I can meet you and you can tell me some stories!