My name is Wang Kun. Since middle school, my sister and I {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (dream) about taking a great bike trip. After graduating {#blank#}2{#/blank#} college, we finally got the chance to do it. It was my sister, Wang Wei,{#blank#}3{#/blank#} first had the idea to cycle along the Mekong River from where it begins to where it ends. Our cousins live near the Lancang River which {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(call) the Mekong River in other countries. My sister soon got {#blank#}5{#/blank#} interested in {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(cycle) too. Then she began to organize the trip and insisted that we start from the source of the river in Qinghai province {#blank#}7{#/blank#} the air is hard to breathe. I doubted her decision but she gave me a {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(determine) look. I know her {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(good). Once she has made up her mind, nothing can change it. Finally, I gave {#blank#}10{#/blank#}to her.

    When I was an international student in China, I was lucky to experience Chinese New Year. The build-up was exciting as everywhere {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(decorate) with red.

Some fellow students and I decided to travel from Xi'an to Guilin for the festival. Travel during that time is quite{#blank#}2{#/blank#} adventure—many people journey home {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (see) their families and everywhere is very busy. On the eve of New Year, we watched the CCTV New Year's Gala. Although we didn't really understand everything, it was good to be lost {#blank#}4{#/blank#}the atmosphere(气氛) of the occasion! At New Year, families make{#blank#}5{#/blank#}(taste) dumplings together as part of the celebrations. On New Year's Day, and for several weeks afterwards, you can hear firecrackers and fireworks everywhere, and the air{#blank#}6{#/blank#}(smell) strongly of dynamite(火药) and smoke. This was adventurous for us!

    Being in China during New Year somewhat meant{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(lonely) though it was a great experience. I can{#blank#}8{#/blank#}(absolute) explain it with how international students in the UK might feel at Christmas if{#blank#}9{#/blank#}(have) no loved ones around them. Overall, my first Chinese New Year was an amazing experience{#blank#}10{#/blank#}I will never forget.

    In Chinese culture, each year is related to{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Chinese animal according to the 12-year cycle. 2018 is an Earth Dog Year. People born during the year of dog {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (believe) to take after some of the animal's characteristics, such as loyalty, patience, and reliability.

    Zodiac(黄道) theory also relates to Chinese elemental theory, {#blank#}3{#/blank#}associates the 12 animals with one of five elements :metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The five elements {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (combine) with the 12 zodiac signs produce a 60-year cycle. Zodiac animals have both fixed and non-fixed elements attached {#blank#}5{#/blank#} them. For example, the dog (as well as the dragon, ox, and goat) is always associated with the earth element. {#blank#}6{#/blank#} the year of 2018 is considered an earth year according to the Chinese solar calendar, those born in 2018 are considered earth dogs, which carry characteristics like being communicative and responsible at work. Though dogs are{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(general) associated with earth, those born during the metal dog year are believed to be conservative and{#blank#}8{#/blank#} (caution)in nature. As Dogs are not good at communication, {#blank#}9{#/blank#} is difficult for them to convey their thoughts to others. Therefore, Dogs tend to leave others with the {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (impress) that they have a stubborn personality, but they are indeed loyal to their families and friends.

    On our way to the house，it was raining {#blank#}1{#/blank#} hard that we couldn't help wondering how long it would take {#blank#}2{#/blank#} （get）there. It was in the middle of Pearl City.

    We were first greeted with the barking by a pack {#blank#}3{#/blank#} dogs, seven to be exact. They were well trained by their masters {#blank#}4{#/blank#} had great experience with caring for these animals. Our hosts shared many of their experiences and {#blank#}5{#/blank#}（recommend）wonderful places to eat, shop, and visit. For breakfast, we were able to eat papaya（木瓜）and other fruits from their trees in the backyard.

    When they were free from work, they invited us to local events and let us know of an interesting {#blank#}6{#/blank#}（compete）to watch，together with the story behind it. They also shared with us many {#blank#}7{#/blank#}（tradition）stories about Hawaii that were {#blank#}8{#/blank#} （huge）popular with tourists. On the last day of our week-long stay，we {#blank#}9{#/blank#}（invite）to attend a private concert on a beautiful farm on the North Shore under the stars，{#blank#}10{#/blank#} （listen）to musicians and meeting interesting locals.