2 . Primary and secondary school learners, university students, and guests were invited on Wednesday and were treated to a colorful celebration at the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi, to mark the beginning of the year of the dragon which officially starts on Saturday. The place featured beautiful decorations with red and gold colors and lucky symbols.

Visitors got an opportunity to participate in cultural experiences including painting, papercutting and pot throwing as well as experiencing Chinese cuisines like spicy hotpot, steamed stuffed buns (包子) , Chinese hamburgers, dumplings and barbecue among others. They were also treated to heartwarming performances including face-changing, lion dance, dragon dance, drumming, Chinese opera, Chinese songs and a talent show featuring Chinese traditional clothes as well as a mixture of Chinese and Kenyan fashion.

Leah Muthoni, a student at the University of Nairobi lauded the Chinese cuisines served at the event, especially noodles and dumplings. She also appreciated the decorations, drawings, pictures and performances. Similar feelings were also shared by George Mwita, another student from the University of Nairobi who greatly enjoyed the pot throwing game.

In his welcoming speech, Professor Stephen Kiama, the vice headmaster of the University of Nairobi who doubles up as the Kenya director of the Confucius Institute, hoped this year will be a good year of development because the Chinese dragon horns represent power and strength, while the drums represent courage and energy.

Kiama said the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi has achieved a lot since its establishment in 2005, including winning the Confucius Institute of the Year Award seven times and pioneering the establishment of the Bachelor of Arts in the Chinese language in Kenya. “Last year, with the joint efforts of the various parties and stakeholders we established the first bachelor of education in Chinese in Kenya and we admitted the first group of students,” he said. Kiama hopes that this year the Confucius Institute will gain more force with the blessing of power, courage and vitality from the year of the Chinese dragon. He said the Confucius Institute offers a good platform for cultural exchange between China and Kenya through events like the Chinese Lunar Year celebrations. Kiama hoped that the relationship between China and Kenya would further be strengthened by the blessings of the year of the dragon.

In Chinese methodology (方法论) , the dragon has the power to control seasons, time and harvests, and it’s seen as a symbol of wealth. The Chinese consider dragons to be powerful. sympathetic, wise, kind and warm.

3 . When my school offered the opportunity to take part in a School Challenge, I didn’t hesitate to sign up for the initial meeting.     1     We decided to plan a three-week adventure in Romania.

Of course, it was not a case of simply signing up and paying the money.     2     We arranged a variety of events for the purpose. We had decided to go to a remote rural village and to work with a team of local people to improve the school buildings.

We had been warned that our trip would not be a holiday and that things would not always go to plan. We certainly experienced the difficulties during the trip.     3     This meant that they were too weak to continue walking and we were not able to travel as far as we had intended. In fact, one of the team quit the journey.

    4     I never got tired of watching the sun rise every morning over the pine forests. Feeding the bears in the sanctuary was also incredible. I would never have imagined that these powerful creatures could be so gentle and calm. My best memory, though, was working on the school building project. I will never forget the hospitality and kindness of the villagers. They cooked us amazing meals and did everything they could to make us feel comfortable and welcome.

My School Challenge trip influenced my life in so many ways. It gave me a taste for independence and adventure, and certainly made me want to travel more.     5     Not having television, internet and hot running water for three weeks was certainly a challenge, but in many ways enjoyed living a simpler life for a short time.

5 . As a high school student, you’re likely used to learning through reading textbooks.     1     This lies at the heart of “experiential appreciation,” a philosophy that encourages you to engage directly with the world around you. It’s about learning from real-life experiences, and discovering a more profound and engaging way to learn.

To practice experiential appreciation, you can start by getting involved in hands-on activities related to your subjects. They will provide a firsthand understanding of the concepts you’re studying, making learning active and meaningful. So, try joining a sports team, picking up a paintbrush, or taking part in a local charity event.     2    

As you dive deeper, immerse (沉浸) yourself fully in the surroundings and activities. When you’re in nature, don’t just look around.     3     Touching the leaves, feeling the wind and listening to the birds can enrich your learning and make each moment more memorable.

    4     After trying something new, ask yourself what you learned and how it made you feel. Write in a journal or discuss it with friends. This self-discovery turns experiences into life lessons and offers a deeper understanding of the world.

Experiential appreciation transforms learning from a task to be completed into a journey to be treasured.     5     So, explore the world around you, let every experience shape you, and discover the endless possibilities that await. This is the core of true learning, where every moment is a step towards a richer, more enlightened life.

6 . I’ve loved to sew all my life. I started sewing clothes for my dolls when I was 7. My mother showed me how to stitch with a needle and thread, and it was my favorite pastime when it was too cold and snowy to play outside. As a teenager, I began to design and sew my own outfits. I cut out paper patterns to construct dresses and skirts, and I’d sit at the old sewing machine for hours.

In my late 20s, I began to buy used and vintage clothes to upcycle and refashion. My favorite places to buy vintage clothes are thrift shops (旧货店) and church rummage sales (教堂义卖).

However, about 10 years ago, when I was ripping out the silk lining (内衬) from a beautiful long blue evening dress, I stopped. There was a hidden pocket in the front that I failed to notice as I merrily ripped at the seams. I pulled out an old photo of a young woman wearing the very same blue evening dress. A long silver chain necklace hung gracefully down the front of the dress, and she was holding a black purse. She had a soft smile, and she looked to be in her early 20s.

Somebody else wore this dress many years ago. Who was she? Did she wear it to the theater? To a fancy dinner party? And I was now tearing it apart. I felt guilty.

I mentioned my concerns and guilt to my daughter. She said, “Mom, you should be proud of your upcycling and your sewing creations. You are keeping clothes out of the landfill (垃圾填埋场), and you’re creating new fashions. Consider it a bonus (意外收获) if you find objects in the pockets. The clothes are talking to you!”

I decided to pay homage to this upcycling discovery -and the many others I’ve found over the years — by displaying them on a bulletin board in my sewing room. These discoveries have made me enjoy refashioning and upcycling clothes even more. But I have learned to be a little gentler when I rip seams open with my scissors, and I approach pockets more carefully.

8 . Must-read New Fiction Books

We all have a few tried-and-true fiction favorites, but there’s something special about a brand-new, hot-off-the-press novel. Whether it’s your favorite author’s new release or a new writer’s first work, great fiction books make the perfect escape from ordinary life. That’s why we’ve rounded up a list of the best new books released in February.

Age of Gold by Jerry Lapoor

Jerry Lapoor’s latest action-packed novel unfolds like a crazy movie. This thriller begins when a wealthy man’s car gets out of control. But when the dust settles, the rich man is nowhere to be found. How and to where does he disappear? With an exciting plot that will carry you from old-money houses to small agricultural villages, Age of Cold will take you on an unforgettable ride across a vast land.

City Under One Sky by Rachel Young

In the book, Young presents a crime story set in a small town. Detective Sara Kennedy has been sent to investigate a case. But soon after arrival, Sara gets snowed in with the 205 townsfolk living in the same apartment building. Who is hiding the key to the crime? And is there anyone she can truly trust? The appealing story, strange but distinctive characters and unexpected plot are just a few of the reasons why City Under One Sky gains its popularity.

Lady by Jess George

Lady is an irresistible fiction from Jess George. The story of Mary’s fresh start at adulthood is shot through with themes of family, race and discrimination, womanhood and the immigrant reality of feeling torn between cultures. Though struggling with life in London as an African, Mary jumps at every chance to stand on her own feet.

10 . I’d entered into another one of those busy periods in life that we all have from time to time. It is those times when in addition to the usual hustle and bustle of life a dozen other things suddenly show up that need to be done right away as well.     1    

After grabbing what I needed I walked through the corridor containing mostly little things.    2     As I walked by, one of them jumped out and caught my attention.

It was a little saying on a cheap wood square no bigger than my hand with a string attached to hang it on the wall. In cursive writing along the top it said: “SLOW DOWN &” while below it in big block letters were the words: “ENJOY TODAY”.

I just stood there and read this message over and over. As I did, I felt a calm settling over my soul.    3     And for the first time I had allowed peace and love to flow into me again.

    4     Then I brought it home with me and hung it on the wall in my bathroom. So every time I made one of my many trips there I could see those words again and follow the wonderful advice.

In this crazy life, we all need to remember to “SLOW DOWN & ENJOY TODAY.”    5     Instead, life puts us here to love, to find joy and to share that joy with the world.