User Comments - catherinem
catherinem
Posted on: The Red Spectrum of Meaning
March 1, 2010 at 3:48 AMI've heard that it comes from an old legend. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong!)
Long ago there was a monster named nian. This monster came to terrorize people, especially at the end of the winter when it was most hungry. Villagers discovered that the monster feared two things: the color red and loud noises. Hence the red signs and lanterns everywhere, and the loud firecrackers all night long during the Spring Festival.
Posted on: The Black Spectrum of Meaning
February 19, 2010 at 1:43 AMIt's not that they're unconcerned with the rule. There are government exceptions for the one-child policy. Some people who may have more than one child:
-people belonging to ethnic minority groups
-people in rural areas whose subsistence relies on having children help out with farm work
-couples who are both only children (20 somethings who were born after the one china policy was started) may have 2 children.
-families in which the first child born is severely disabled or has died.
Posted on: Do you have a girlfriend?
February 18, 2010 at 6:49 AMUnfortunate, but true. Thanks for the suggestion!
Posted on: Chinese Zodiac Birth Year
February 18, 2010 at 6:46 AMJust China? ;)
Posted on: Chinese Zodiac Birth Year
February 18, 2010 at 6:45 AMLook at the bright side: now you know for 2021.
Posted on: An Invitation to the God of Wealth
February 18, 2010 at 6:30 AMApparently! It took me over two hours to fall asleep last night with all of the fireworks going off outside. One even hit the A/C unit outside my bedroom!
Posted on: Return to the Hometown
February 18, 2010 at 6:24 AMWe're not having any problems accessing them here. Did you try another browser? Are you seeing the loading wheel or the speaker icon?
Posted on: Return to the Hometown
February 18, 2010 at 6:23 AMWhen I was studying in the Boston area, "let's hang out sometime" never really meant "I wanna hang out" unless someone gave specific plans. In Chicago it means you actually want to hang out with the person. I guess these things depend as much on local culture and attitudes as on language!
Posted on: Foot Therapy
February 17, 2010 at 7:19 AMI have a friend who has a little personal acupuncture kit to help with circulation, especially in the winter. She swears by it! I say go for the foot massage - the part where they bathe your feet in boiling water is my favorite!
Posted on: Choosing a New Pair of Glasses
March 12, 2010 at 2:05 AMI guess you could say: 放松，老兄。In this case, 老兄is like "man" or "buddy." I still prefer: 别生一头牛，老兄！(my completely botched attempt at a literal translation)