User Comments - wei1xiao4
wei1xiao4
Posted on: Dog Meat and Animal Rights
March 21, 2009, 07:42 PMWhen I lived in China, I had the fortunate opportunity to visit Guizhou during their harvest festival. Guizhou is one of the poorest provinces in China. During the festival (which most westerners recognize from photos of the women decked out in their silver headresses), truck loads of dogs were being brought in for the makeshift tent restaurants that were crowded with customers. Of course, most of the westerners that were permitted to attend the festival were appalled. But our guide gave us an enlightening perspective on this. He said that for most of his life he remembers being hungry. He told us about his father feeding he and his brother a rat that he had captured when they were sick because he thought the meet would help them to get well. They felt lucky to have any meat at all. In agricultural societies, meat can be a rare delicacy. And if the harvest is not substantial and the winter is long, food of any sort aids survival, even dog. It is easy for those of us who have never gone hungry to be self righteous and say what we would and wouldn't eat.
Posted on: In a Moment
March 17, 2009, 11:20 AMGreat phrases, thanks!
Posted on: Interview with Cassie
February 22, 2009, 03:16 PMCassie, sorry that I'm a little late finding this interview. It was so great to hear your voice. You know that I am one of your biggest fans! My best wishes for you. You have a special talent as a teacher and I am glad you are putting it to good use!
Posted on: The Final Show
January 11, 2009, 10:44 PMSo, today, I'm headed to study my Chinesepod lesson and I log on and see Qing Wen. Well, I just can't pass those up, and I hear Jenny's voice and not yours, Amber, and I start to panic and rush to Community to find out what I have misssed. My heart is aching...it's true... you are leaving Chinesepod and us! How much pleasure you have given us over the years! We laughed along with you and Clay, we sided with you and Connie, we learned about Chinese culture and most importantly about how an effervescent Canadian girl can have an impact on it. You are a blessing and we will all miss you terribly.
Now you are part of Chinesepod history along with Colleen, and Aric, and Clay. Your podcasts have immortalized you! Your kids will one day get a glimpse into this chapter of your life. I was so happy to have had the opportunity to meet you and I invite you to dinner in New York City. And I happen to know some lovely yourng men there who would be pleased to make your aquaintance! Ha! You have friends all over the world...like it or not.
Best of luck. Thanks for the smiles!
Barbara
Posted on: Autumn Outing
November 23, 2008, 10:36 AMVery touching. Yes, this is also difficult for me, and I have had to listen and relisten numerous times. Some of the sentence constructions are so interesting. I just love these "What's the story" lessons! Can I get a translation on the last sentence please? Does it mean, "So sometimes I imagine the excitement of my youth, I really feel quite naive yet it feels so real." I know that is not literal, but am I close getting the gist of it?
Posted on: Argument over Garbage (1)
November 20, 2008, 02:29 AMA freind of mine in Hong Kong worked for a distributor of high end spirits that were exported to China. She said that refilling bottles was a big problem in China and that she would pay the restaurant/bar to get the empty bottles back so they could not be refilled. This way her company could try to protect their brand.
Posted on: 练书法
November 19, 2008, 09:08 AMVera, I love the story and these lessons. But I can't beleive that someone like you with so much patience listening to her students butcher Chinese day in and day out with the same amount of enthusiasm could get so angry at your dear, sweet mama. Is this story truth or fiction? Tell us.
Posted on: My Foreign teacher
November 04, 2008, 10:47 AMI have just had a few minutes to log onto Chinesepod after a month of travelling. I love "What's the story?". It is exactly what I was looking for to improve my listening skills. Well done and thank you Chinesepod!
Posted on: My Foreign teacher
November 04, 2008, 10:47 AMI have just had a few minutes to log onto Chinesepod after a month of travelling. I love "What's the story?". It is exactly what I was looking for to improve my listening skills. Well done and thank you Chinesepod!
Posted on: Surprise summer visit!
July 20, 2010, 12:56 PMVera, so happy to hear your voice back on Chinesepod. We are so proud of all your accomplishments! You will always be my laoshi.