Cao Xiaobao is a Beijing high school art teacher, seen here holding up a portrait of himself done by one of his students, on Jan 22, in his school's studio. Cao was born in 1953, so he will turn 60 this Year of the Snake. He's currently helping some seniors prepare for the national college entrance exam and is busy with his daily work, but quite happy. He says that, at his age, there's generally a feeling of peace and quiet when you face difficulties and he has almost no troubles to worry him. His one hope, though, is to be able to travel to the countryside of Russia, a place with beautiful scenery that can help him create some good art works. Wang Jing / China Daily

Special: 2013 Spring Festival