Sun, Jun 8, 2025

The Most Relaxing Place: The Swimming Pool

  [中文版本]

I love swimming—the swimming pool is my little world.

On regular days, being in the pool makes me happy and relaxed. I can swim slowly or quickly. However, during swim competitions, I have to give my best effort to improve my performance, and swimming becomes exhausting.

One of the reasons I love swimming is that most of my friends are there. Sometimes, I feel frustrated, but once I start swimming and spend time with my swimming friends, I feel happy again. Sometimes, we have breakfast together, and other times, we gather for fun events.

The swimming pool is my happy place.

The Most Relaxing Place: The Swimming Pool

Little Leopard: The adorable companion who helps the teacher grade homework

  [中文版本]

Today, the teacher introduced us to a "little leopard." It's a plush toy that the teacher placed on the desk.

It’s super cute. It has a round head and a pair of big ears, as if it’s carefully listening for its prey. It has big, round, adorable eyes that seem to be watching the students during class. It also has a chubby and fluffy body. Its belly is snow-white, covered with many big spots, which could help it camouflage in the tall grasses of the African plains. It crouches on the desk,  grading homework with. I really want to ask: is it fun sitting here every day?

It must have been in this classroom for a long time, but with the teacher’s company, it must be very happy.

Little Leopard: The adorable companion who helps the teacher grade homework

My Family's Christmas Tree

  [中文版本]

There is a Christmas tree in my house. Every year on Christmas Eve, my dad sets up the Christmas tree because it’s an artificial one. Our Christmas tree is very tall—taller than my mom! It’s twelve years old—older than me! Its trunk is black and smooth, with lots of branches growing from it. On the smaller branches, there are green and pointy leaves.

My dad hangs lights on the Christmas tree. Then, my sister and I hang decorations on it. Among our decorations, some are made of paper, some of plastic, and some of glass. Some of the decorations look like stars, some like balls, some like Santa Claus, some like animals, and some like snowmen. After that, we place a small paper Christmas tree and paper presents under the big Christmas tree. Finally, we put a paper star on top of the tree. We put glitter glue on the star, so it looks shiny, but it can’t actually light up.

This is the Christmas tree that my dad, mom, sister, and I decorate together every year.

My Family's Christmas Tree

I Love My Community, Kentlands

 [中文版本]

Kentlands is the place where I grew up. I love Kentlands because living here is comfortable, and life is very convenient.

My favorite place is Kentlands. I have lived here since I was three years old. When I was five, I started elementary school here. In second grade, I met a girl named Annie, who also lives in Kentlands. Since then, we have become best friends. Now I am in sixth grade, and she is still my best friend.

There are many advantages to living in KentlandsThere is a school nearby, so I don’t have to travel far for my educationThere is a river where people can take walks along the waterDaily life is convenient, with a large shopping plaza that has all kinds of supermarkets.There are restaurants from different countries and even a farmers' market. Every Saturday, farmers bring fresh vegetables and fruits to the shopping plaza to sell.

I love living here because I have many friends, and I feel at home in this community.

I Love My Community, Kentlands

My Cyber Robot

  [中文版本]

For my birthday last year, I got a little robot. It can't run or jump, but it can do a lot of things. As soon as I got the robot, I started playing with it. I really like my little robot!

My little robot is gold. Its mouth is big and round. Its head is also square, with two big round yellow eyes, and a small ball on top of its head. If you press that yellow ball, the robot will say something. It might say, "Hello, it’s nice to meet you. My name is Cyber." It might also say, "Alert! Alert! Intruders are coming in!"

Its body is also square, with a big badge in the middle that says “CYBER”—that’s my robot’s name. It has ten arms, which are thin and black. In its hand, it holds a big golden sword.

Its long legs have many black stripes. Its feet are like its head—square and big.

My little robot is my favorite companion!

My Cyber Robot

May 2025 News Roundup

[中文版本]

Internationally, Friedrich Merz was elected Chancellor of Germany in the second round of voting. Meanwhile, in Mali, hundreds of people gathered in the streets of Bamako in early May, calling for democratic reforms.

In other news, the United States experienced two major tornado outbreaks in May. From May 15 to 16, 55 tornadoes struck the Midwest and Southeast, resulting in 27 deaths. Another 109 tornadoes hit the Great Plains and south-central regions between May 18 and 21, causing severe damage and widespread power outages.

In Australia, continuous heavy rainfall has led to severe flooding.

In science and technology, the CERN ALICE experiment has claimed the ability to transmute lead into gold. In addition, a new study has identified several genes linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which may help improve our understanding of the condition.

In sports, the 2025 French Open began on May 25. Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka are among the top contenders drawing significant attention.

Finally, many high school seniors in Maryland successfully graduated this May. We look forward to their bright futures and continued success!

 May 2025 News Roundup

The unparalleled beauty in Grandma's garden"

  [中文版本]

My grandmother loves growing all kinds of flowers and herbs. Different kinds of plants grow all around our house; different flowers bloom during every season of the four—winter jasmine, peonies, roses, orchids, chrysanthemums, lilies, roses, dahlias, zinnias. Among them, my favorite flower is the peony.

Peonies come in a rainbow of colors—red, white, purple, yellow, and more. The row of peonies my grandmother planted in front of the house are pink. Whenever spring arrives, the peonies always radiate the brilliance of the season. The blooming flowers have layer upon layer of petals, thin and delicate in pink, wrapping around a pale, tender yellow pistil in the center. The pistil is plump like a kernel of corn, and the leaves are emerald green, sometimes still carrying dewdrops. When bathed in the morning light, the entire flower sparkles, dazzlingly bright and utterly enchanting. Breathing in the peony’s unique fragrance fills my heart with delight—it’s truly breathtaking!

Because of my grandmother’s love for gardening, whenever I have free time, I join her working in the yard, digging soil, pulling weeds, pruning branches, and watering plants—busy but full of joy. Gradually, I’ve learned a lot about flowers. Grandma told me: "The peony is China’s national flower, holding special meanings for the Chinese people. During the Tang Dynasty, peonies symbolized wealth, prosperity, and love. Many scholars wrote about their beauty, calling them 'the national beauty and heavenly fragrance' and 'the king of flowers'! Even today, Chinese people deeply admire the peony, seeing it as a noble and magnificent flower. During festive occasions, many people buy peonies as gifts for family and friends, as they symbolize wealth, peace, happiness, and good fortune—making them a beloved and cherished treasure."

After hearing Grandma’s words, I loved peonies even more. Not only for their noble beauty but also because they embody happiness and joy, bringing me endless delight. I cherish and enjoy the time spent working alongside Grandma. The days when the peonies bloom are the happiest days for our whole family. I love our peonies; they bloom not only in our garden but also in the hearts of everyone in our family.

The unparalleled beauty in Grandma's garden"

My Capybara Friend

  [中文版本]

This year, when I went to China for a trip, my uncle bought me a capybara. It’s a stuffed animal, and when we found it, it was hiding in a corner, as if it were sleeping.

The capybara is really cute. Its head is soft and fuzzy to the touch—so comfortable, and I love it so much. It wears a blue shirt decorated with tropical summer elements, like tall coconut trees, big ocean waves, and white flowers that represent summer. Looking at it makes me want to go to the beach every day! My capybara has tiny little feet—if you don’t look closely, you might not even notice them.

In the summer, I would go to my uncle’s shop and play video games with my capybara. I’d put it on my lap to sit steadily, and even placed a bubble tea straw by its mouth so it could “drink” too. While I played games and my capybara “drank tea,” we had so much fun together.

When it was time to return to the U.S., I brought my capybara on the plane with me, all the way from Beijing back home.

 

My Capybara Friend

Confucianism

 [中文版本]

Confucianism is a philosophical and ethical system developed from the teachings of Confucius (Kong Fuzi), a Chinese thinker and educator who lived from 551–479 BCE during the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history. Rather than focusing on gods or the afterlife, Confucianism emphasizes how to live a good life in society — with harmony, respect, and responsibility at its core.

At the heart of Confucianism are a few key concepts:

  • 仁 (rén) – Humaneness or kindness: The idea that people should treat each other with compassion and empathy.
  • 礼 (lǐ) – Ritual, manners, or proper behavior: Respecting traditions and social roles helps maintain order.
  • 孝 (xiào) – Filial piety: A deep respect for parents and ancestors.
  • 义 (yì) – Righteousness or moral integrity: Doing what is right, not just what is profitable.
  • 智 (zhì) – Wisdom: Understanding how to make thoughtful, ethical decisions.

 Confucius believed that if everyone followed these principles, society would be harmonious and stable. Confucianism puts a strong emphasis on social relationships. It teaches that people should act morally in their roles, such as:

 Parent and child

  • Ruler and subject
  • Husband and wife
  • Older sibling and younger sibling
  • Friend and friend
  • Each relationship involves mutual respect and responsibility.

In Chinese history, Confucianism was more than a belief system — it shaped education, law, and government for centuries. Civil service exams during imperial China tested knowledge of Confucian texts, meaning that government officials were trained in Confucian thought. Confucianism teaches that a good ruler should act as a moral example rather than rule by force. This idea influenced leadership across East Asia.

Confucianism has deeply influenced not only China, but also Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. Even today, Confucian values like respect for elders, education, and family loyalty remain important in many Asian cultures.

In the modern world, some criticize Confucianism for being too hierarchical or restrictive, especially regarding gender roles. However, many scholars see it as a flexible and evolving tradition that still offers wisdom on how to live ethically in community with others.

Confucianism is not a religion in the Western sense, but a living philosophy that has shaped entire civilizations. It asks people to focus not on what happens after death, but on how to live well, respect others, and contribute to society. Its timeless emphasis on character, harmony, and duty continues to influence millions around the world today.




Confucianism

My Little Panda

  [中文版本]

Five years ago, when I was still in school, my teacher gave a small prize to students who answered questions correctly. When it was my turn, I stood up and gave my answer. The teacher said I got it right and invited me up to the front of the class to claim my prize — a little “panda.”

The moment I saw it, I thought it was so adorable! Its hands and feet are tiny and black. You could say, “It has small, black hands and feet.” It also has big, brown eyes. Even though it can’t blink, it always looks at me with such warmth. It’s always smiling and never seems sad.

Real pandas are actually huge. They spend their days eating bamboo and lounging around. Their round bodies are very heavy — adult pandas weigh between 220 and 254 pounds. But my “little panda” is nothing like that. It’s not lazy at all. No matter what I’m doing — playing, studying, eating, or sleeping — it’s always by my side, smiling.

I chose to write about this “little panda” because it has been with me since I was a child. It’s my best friend, and it’s incredibly cute. Every day when I come home, it’s there waiting patiently for me. When I’m feeling down, it’s there to comfort me. Some people might think it’s just a toy, but to me, it’s a very special friend.

 

I hope it can stay with me forever, because we’ve shared so many wonderful memories together.

My Little Panda