Dragon Head Raising Day,{#blank#}1{#/blank#} falls each year on the second day of the second lunar month, is one of the Chinese traditional festivals. As the proverb goes: “The dragon is awaked,{#blank#}2{#/blank#} (raise) his head”. On this day, dragons, a prominent totem (图腾) in Chinese culture raise {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (they) heads with the sound of thunder. Around this time, the earth {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (burst) with life. Grass and trees are beginning to shoot up. In ancient China, people {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (pray) the dragon god beside a river or a lake for the precious spring rains to breed their crops.

    {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (tradition), food eaten on this day was renamed after parts of the dragon. For instance, wontons were called “dragon's eyes.” The special {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (food) usually eaten on this day include dragon's scales, popcorn and pig's head.

    In Shanxi, people get their hair {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (cut) in a symbolic move to remove the old and embrace the new. In {#blank#}9{#/blank#} countryside in Hebei Province, people would fetch water from a well at dawn. It was believed {#blank#}10{#/blank#} on this day the well was full of dragon eggs which would bring the collector good harvest.

    Here, let me share one of my experiences with you. When I was a ten-year-old girl, I was once asked to deliver a speech titled “A Real Test in My Life” before the whole class! Just imagine how {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(terrible) shy I was the moment I thought of that with so many eyes {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(fix) upon me. I had no other {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(choose), though. First I was to draft the speech and that was just a piece of cake for me, because I was a good writer — something to pride myself in. But the hard part {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(lie) in my oral presentation; to read from {#blank#}5{#/blank#} paper was not allowed; I had to give the speech from my memory and in front of such a big audience ! A real trial began when I stood on the platform with my legs trembling and my mind blank. How much time had passed by, I didn't know. My listeners were still waiting, patiently and without any signs of rushing me. Gradually I found {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (I) back，giving out my speech with difficulty. Finally I finished. After {#blank#}7{#/blank#} seemed to be a hundred years, I found my audience applauding. I made it! From then on, my fear of talking before an audience disappeared. Actually with my confidence building {#blank#}8{#/blank#}， I now turn out to be a great speaker.{#blank#}9{#/blank#} (Look) back, I know the greatest difficulty on our way to success is our fear; overcome it，{#blank#}10{#/blank#} we will be able to achieve our goals.

    Yesterday, another student and I, representing our university's student {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(associate), went to the Capital International Airport to meet this year's international students {#blank#}2{#/blank#} were coming to study at Beijing University. After half an hour of waiting for their flight to arrive, I saw several young people enter the {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(wait) area looking around curiously. I stood for a minute {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(watch) them and then went to greet them.

    The first person {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(arrive) was Tony Garcia from Colombia, closely {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(follow) by Julia Smith from Britain. After I met them and then introduced them to each other, I was very surprised. Tony approached Julia, touched her shoulder and kissed her {#blank#}7{#/blank#} the cheek! She stepped back appearing surprised and put up her hands, as if in defence. I guessed that there was {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(probable) a major misunderstanding. Then Akira Nagata from Japan came in smiling, together with George Cook from Canada. As they {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(introduce), George reached his hand out to the Japanese student. Just at that moment, however, Akira bowed so his nose touched George's moving hand. They both apologized – another {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(culture) mistake!