User Comments - jennyzhu
jennyzhu
Posted on: Chinese New Year Plans
February 6, 2008 at 9:41 AMhenning, Yes, 外公 is used more in the South.
Posted on: Chinese New Year Plans
February 6, 2008 at 6:15 AMSeveral cities including Beijing completely banned firecrackers a few years ago, but it is such an essential part to the celebration that it was reinstituted. But the central business districts and highly populated areas in many cities are firecracker free zones for public safety reasons. Happy new year! 鼠年快乐！
Posted on: Whatever...
February 5, 2008 at 6:02 PMRicegrass and Xiaohu, Speaking of the snow, China is struck by the worst ice storm in decades. The Southern parts including Hunan and Guizhou are the hardest hit. I havn't felt this much unified resolve in a long time, where people are doing their bit to fight the cold. Taking an example, there are advertisements everywhere urging people to use less electricty so as to save energy for the struggling people, since many cities lost electricity and water supply. And to a great effect too, I noticed many and myself become a lot more careful with energy.
Posted on: Whatever...
February 5, 2008 at 5:53 PMbirfday and all poddies, Sincere apologies for saying 到 in 到底 is 'first tone'. It is certainly not. It is the fourth tone. My verbal slip and we didn't pick it up in post production. Our apologies. For me, this lesson is the archtypal chinesepod lesson: super useful, engaging, creative and energetic. We want this kind of quality in all of the lessons. But it's easy to become stale, and lose the learning magic. That's why the song is such a powerful symbol as well as a conrete learning supplement. It revitalises our brains and the lesson. It was inspired by how John came to master the word 到底。
Posted on: Hiring a Courier
February 4, 2008 at 6:24 PMThere is an astounding number of courier services in China, which allows you to choose the courier by specific location. My tip is if it is really urgent, choose a courier based near you for superfast pickup.
Posted on: Hiring a Courier
February 4, 2008 at 6:17 PMSorry guys about the misaligned expansion sentences. We will get them fixed ASAP. Thank you for your patience.
Posted on: 一边...一边 ... (yībiān...yībiān...)
February 4, 2008 at 6:33 AMewong, We use the verb 弹for instruments that you directly play with your fingers, like the piano and guitar. Therefore, it's 弹钢琴。 Pedal is 踏板/ta4 ban3, step on the pedal 踩踏板。Notes is 乐谱/yue4 pu3. Wow, playing music is inherently multitasking.
Posted on: Hiring a Courier
February 4, 2008 at 6:09 AMguys, They are working properly now. Thanks for pointing out the mistakes. Our apologies. Ha, the Fix needed a fix today.
Posted on: All You Can Eat and Drink
February 4, 2008 at 6:02 AMJust to add to Auntie68's great explanation, 素菜 often contains a lot of soy bean based foods in the great tofu family, including mock meats.
Posted on: Chinese New Year Plans
February 7, 2008 at 4:56 PM鼠年快乐！ I saw the most spectacular display of fireworks last night. It was in the tallest hotel in Puxi of Shanghai, in a bar with panoramic view of the city. Magic and fireworks, literally. The city was lit up by thousands of fireworks going off at the same time or one after another. These 'civilian' fireworks are absolutely beautiful. Besides the spectacle, the joy behind it made it all the mroe special, personal and collective joy. That sight should be live broadcast.