new year

www.miamiherald.com — This is why Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo came back. The Chinese pair finally won the Olympic gold medal that eluded them for so many years Monday night, a prize so compelling it lured them out of the cozy life of a happily retired married couple. It wasn't the best skate of their career, but it was good enough for gold - and that was all that mattered.

www.joop.in — Chinese New Year’s, something to look forward to, but also something to fear. As Chinese New Year’s is the biggest holiday of the year in China, it’s hard for a foreigner to get into the same spirit. After all, christmas and New Years are far behind us already. It’s kind of fun to spectate the celebration.

www.chinadaily.com.cn — Looking for a train ticket? Get your move on. At least this year the weather is several degrees warmer and the snow several inches lighter. "This Chinese Lunar New Year about 2.32 billion trips will be made in 40 days, or 3.5 percent more than in 2008, and put the public transport system to test till Feb 19, the National Development and Reform Commission said."