User Comments - billglover
billglover
Posted on: Christmas Promotion
December 7, 2008 at 12:24 PMI'll be taking advantage of the Christmas Promotion. I'm thinking of giving the 6 month voucher to my wife to use on EnglishPod, but I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm considering using it to extend my own subscription.
Will let her decide :)
Posted on: To bag or not to bag?
December 3, 2008 at 1:03 PMIn the UK I can think of at least one store that charges for standard (not long life) plastic bags; M&S. They even vary the price based on the size of the bags.
A number of stores hide the bags from view, forcing you to actually ask for a bag if you need one. We Brits aren't great at asking for stuff so I'm guessing that this works for some people.
Posted on: More Chinese lessons, and now EnglishPod!
November 16, 2008 at 9:25 AMOff over to EnglishPod to sign up. You never know, I may learn a thing or two.
Posted on: Asking for Leave
November 15, 2008 at 12:47 PM这个周末我太太上班。我比她多休年假。我的公司给我三十天休年假。
Posted on: Asking for Leave
November 15, 2008 at 12:00 PMFrom the sounds of it, I get more than average when it comes to leave.
We get 30 days annual leave + UK bank holidays, from the moment you join the company. We can carry up to 10 days (5 days, 5 paid) over each year. I seem to carry over around 5 each year because I simply can't use up enough. So, for the second year in a row I have 35 days holiday.
In theory we can take it whenever we want as long as we give double the length of the holiday as a notice period. So, 1 week off means I give 2 weeks notice. We don't have to give reasons, but often people will ask out of interest. "I've got days to use up so I'm just going to sit around at home" is not an unusual reason. But, I've also known the company to ask people to postpone holidays if possible.
I might struggle in a Chinese company, but at least now I know how to ask.
Posted on: Hungry Traveler: Beijing
November 3, 2008 at 9:10 AMGreat lesson. Rated this one 5*.
Hearing about, 冰糖葫芦, brought back memories of standing in the freezing cold outside a 北京 supermarket being asked to try all the different fruits available. I don't think I could eat more than one of these at a time though.
What I like about 老北京的炸酱面, the "Chinese spaghetti bolognese," is its simplicity. I'm surprised I haven't got round to attempting this dish myself. If I get out of work on time, this is my first choice for dinner.
And finally, whilst we are on the subject of food. Does anyone know the name of the dish in Xi'An which is like a soup made from meat, naan bread and a lot of oil?
Posted on: Interview with Cassie
October 26, 2008 at 7:48 AMCongratulations Cassie. Really good to hear how you came across ChinesePod.
It is wonderful to see someone selflessly jump at the chance to help others the way Cassie has done. A big thankyou to her.
Jenny is right. Her students are very lucky. I would like to hear more about the mentor system in China. It sounds as if it is taken a lot more seriously than here in the UK.
Posted on: Party Time at ChinesePod
October 12, 2008 at 12:11 PM1000 lessons is mind boggling. I can't even comprehend listening to that many lessons, let alone producing them.
Well deserved celebration guys. I'll organise something similar when I finally study my 1000th lesson.
Posted on: Cosmetic Surgery and Mooncakes
September 15, 2008 at 8:01 PMTried my first mooncake last weekend. After being told how no one likes them, I was pleasently surprised.
Needless to say I've written about the experience in Chinese and English over on my blog: http://billglover.co.uk/archives/2008/09/13/738
Oh, while I remember, is the "music" in the background throughout the Dear Amber show a new addition? I don't know why, but listening to the show this morning I noticed it for the first time. Drove me nuts. Anyone else noticed it?
Otherwise a great show. Good to hear some more detail around the Mid Autumn Festival. Thanks :)
Posted on: Stupid Doctor
December 7, 2008 at 7:46 PMThis is a little above my level, but I've struggled through thanks to Cassie's transcript.
A couple of things I still don't understand are the use of 着 in 哭着说. Does this mean: Crying, she said...
Also the phrase, 有一个小朋友生病了, is a bit confusing. Literally this means: have a child sick. I'm not sure how to translate this in the context of: 有一个小朋友生病了，她妈妈带她去看医生。
Many thanks for your help.