User Comments - pearltowerpete
pearltowerpete
Posted on: 北京人上海人眼中的中国地图
February 3, 2009 at 7:23 AMHi changye
I thought of that sad irony myself.
But please, all, let's not get too much into the sensitive political analysis when writing in Chinese.
I am a mega-fan of political discussions. But the reality of modern China is that there is a big mean firewall, and a bunch of upwardly mobile grad students willing to search for reactionary posts to earn their Party membership.
We all like to express our minds as much as possible, but we don't want to do anything to bring in the Net Nanny and get CPod shut down.
And let's all wait for the day when our discussions are limited only by our imaginations, and not by our fears.
Posted on: Pregnancy Series 2: Pregnancy House Ar-rest
February 3, 2009 at 6:46 AMHi kubus,
I translated it as "taken for a ride." In less idiomatic English, we could say "got made a fool of" , or "got taken advantage of" (though not in the sexual sense).
Posted on: Thoughts on Returning Home 回乡偶书
February 3, 2009 at 6:27 AMHi cassielin,
物是人非 wùshìrénfēi (things last, people don't) is definitely not limited just to He Zhizhang. I have felt it myself, and I'm not even 老大 ;-)
Hi obitoddkenobi
I like the vibes you're sending out, brother.
We say that a poem touches us. But poetry and language are really just tools. The thing that really has the power to move us is our shared humanity. It exists way beyond space and time.
Posted on: 北京人上海人眼中的中国地图
February 3, 2009 at 5:31 AMHi changye and miantiao
Who knew that the People's Daily could be a source of proverbs and wisdom?
Posted on: Thoughts on Returning Home 回乡偶书
February 3, 2009 at 4:26 AMHi changye
You should feel honored! Your name has become the newest 外来词 in English:
changyeify (2009): Henning in Stuttgart
to make something more scholarly. To thoroughly examine etymology and history in an attempt to master a language.
ex: "Mom, my teacher said my report on Ming Dynasty rhyme patterns was pretty good, but I should changyeify it a bit."
Posted on: New Year's Cash
February 3, 2009 at 3:21 AMHi alexyzye
Sorry for the delayed reply to your question.
Generally, parents will give 红包 to their kids until the children get a job, although some will continue until marriage (and often, for the first year that the kid is married). Some kids will give money to their parents, although that is just a way of showing 孝敬 (respect for one's parents). It is not 压岁钱.
One of my Nanjing friends was always embarrassed because although his grandparents were quite poor, they insisted on giving him a 红包 every year. In this kind of situation, the kid will often take the money, and then the parents will give money to the grandparents! It's a circle of love.
Posted on: Thoughts on Returning Home 回乡偶书
February 3, 2009 at 3:06 AMHi all
Thanks for your enthusiastic replies. We will soon be able to offer PDFs, which will make things easier for you and for me!
As for Baker Street, it is flat-out the best song around. Period. Better than a thousand orchestras playing the Ode to Joy all at once.
But how about this: if poddies have a different idea for a theme song, send me a personal message. I will give all ideas serious consideration.
This is important, because poetry and good music go together like ginger and scallions.
Posted on: Thoughts on Returning Home 回乡偶书
February 3, 2009 at 2:00 AMHi all,
Here is today's poem.
少小离家老大回，shào xiǎo lí jiā lǎo dà huí
乡音无改鬓毛衰。
xiāng yīn wú gǎi bìnmáocuī
儿童相见不相识，
értóngxiāngjiànbùxiāngshí
笑问客从何处来。
xiàowènkècónghéchùlái
离别家乡岁月多，
líbiéjiāxiāngsuìyuèduō
近来人事半消磨。
jìnláirénshìbànxiāomó
唯有门前镜湖水，
wéiyǒuménqiánjìnghúshuǐ
春风不改旧时波。
chūnfēngbùgǎijiùshíbō
Posted on: 户籍制度
February 3, 2009 at 1:41 AMHi dunderklumpen
There's nothing offensive about how you used "screwed up" ;-)
Posted on: Thoughts on Returning Home 回乡偶书
February 3, 2009 at 7:29 AMHi cassielin
Your story is a great addition to the discussion. It shows that poetry is still alive.