China's Tea Villages

    In most Chinese tea villages, March is the time of year in {#blank#}1{#/blank#} locals start to pick and process tea. The usually quiet villages suddenly become busy centers of activity, as people take out special tools and prepare {#blank#}2{#/blank#} tea processing. In some villages, local residents hold traditional ceremonies,{#blank#}3{#/blank#} (thank) heaven for its blessing. The price of tea {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(pick) in March is extremely high because {#blank#}5{#/blank#}is fresh, tender and contains multiple trace elements.

    China {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(be) famous for tea production since ancient times. Of the goods transported and traded along {#blank#}7{#/blank#}Old Silk Road linking China to the Middle East and Europe, the importance of tea was matched only by silk. China produces Oolong, black, green, white, yellow {#blank#}8{#/blank#}dark (aka post-fermented) tea. The Oolong, green and black {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(vary)are most notable for their high quality.

    Most of China's tea villages are found in remote mountainous areas in the country's south and southwest,{#blank#}10{#/blank#} the beautiful scenery is often hidden under clouds.

    Spreading an Infection

    I've made it a habit to smile at people as often as possible, saying some kind words, “hello, thank you, have a nice day”, whatever fits. I have the right situation as I am living in{#blank#}1{#/blank#}big city with many, many people.

    I'm doing this for quite a while now, so I've seen all{#blank#}2{#/blank#}（kind）of reactions, from people feeling{#blank#}3{#/blank#}（threaten） by a friendly word, reacting  {#blank#}4{#/blank#}（angry） or even aggressively, to people{#blank#}5{#/blank#}faces lit up with a huge smile and gave me the{#blank#}6{#/blank#}（impress） that I've made this moment good for them.

    Today something happened that I hadn't yet experienced: Two people, complete strangers{#blank#}7{#/blank#}me, one in the morning, one in the afternoon, whom I passed on the street without {#blank#}8{#/blank#}（smile）at them,{#blank#}9{#/blank#} with a friendly face, looked up from their inner focus, looked at me, started to smile and greeted me friendly while they{#blank#}10{#/blank#}（pass）.

    Have I started a “kindness virus”? That would be great! It makes my day, and I'm still smiling. I hope you do too!

    Are you a man or a mouse? When {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (ask) this question, people want to know {#blank#}2{#/blank#} you think you are a brave person or a coward. But you will never really know the answer to this question until you {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (test) in real life. Some people think they are brave but when they come face to face with real danger, they act like cowards. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} think of themselves as cowards, but when they meet danger, they act like {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (hero).

    When you are in a very dangerous situation and feel afraid, the body automatically produces a chemical {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (call) adrenalin (肾上腺素) in the blood. With adrenalin in the blood system, you feel {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (strong) than ever before. {#blank#}8{#/blank#}, when you are absolutely {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (terrify), the body can produce too much adrenalin, {#blank#}10{#/blank#} makes you find you can't do anything at all.