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Friday, January 14, 2011

Language Learning

Can I get an awwww? My favorite popstar at his first American movie premiere...he went from not speaking English to being able to give interviews in English very quickly...hard work! It gives me some hope about my own Mandarin abilities...it's easy to compare to people who are bilingual...but I am learning to give myself some grace and have fun, because I've only studied formally for one year, whereas your average Chinese students has studied English since they were a child.

Some things I am learning about language acquisition:

  • Have fun, and relax! Don't try to prove your ability to anyone, just seek to have genuine conversation! It's ok to not express yourself perfectly, you are still learning!
  • Have friends who don't speak your language, as well as those who do. People who can help you by forcing you to speak only in the language you are learning are great, but it's also useful to have friends who can explain and correct you.
  • Immerse yourself in fun ways! I watch Chinese movies/tv, listen to Chinese music (and look up the lyrics), and got renren.com (Chinese facebook) to practice reading and composing sentences in a more fun way...also, having cultural things to practice with helps you learn common usage outside of a textbook. Also, when I was studying Arabic, Arab music was extremely helpful in learning pronunciation in a beautiful way, believe it or not!
  • Find your motivation in learning...I have reasons for wanting to learn to communicate with people
  • Learn about the cultural aspects of places where the language you are learning is spoken...it helps a lot with understanding language usage and evolution!
  • It's ok to enjoy speaking in your native tongue....your mind does need a break!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Insert Sigh of Contentment

School is out! (Chinese holidays are a little different than in the U.S....we get half of January and all of February off).

That said, many of my friends have gone home for the holidays, but I'm grateful for some chill time before I do a little traveling. I also get to spend some concentrated time with the people who are still in town, like many of my friends from my English Corner.

Lots of little things blessed/touched me this week:
  • My friend giving me a box of Crystal Light Energy that she got in a package...I love that stuff!
  • Another friend bending over backwards to help me set up a Chinese bank account and get set up with taobao.com (the Chinese ebay!).
  • One of my teachers randomly telling before our final that I was "really pretty". Random, but I like compliments. ha My theory is since our final was an hour later than our class usually is, I looked awake for once. ha
  • A friend's husband who plays the guitar serenading me with some Jay Chou songs (he even tried to imitate his voice for me, ha!)
  • Finding out that Bi Rain is performing in Beijing in March! I have GOT to go!
What blessed your week?

Monday, January 10, 2011

请书

Dear Cute Korean Classmate,


I like the way you say "ahhhh" when you are interested in what the teacher explains. I like the way you have very neat handwriting (unlike me). I like that you are quiet but also quietly listen and laugh or smile when I say something funny or silly. I like that you fall asleep at your desk during the break, but are very attentive and studious while class is going on. I like your voice.

I like that you have a similiar mindset about living overseas, and that you want to be here long-term.

We have our obstacles to overcome....such as that we both communicate in what is a second language for us....and that you may think I am a little bit crazy...but our love will overcome. As I have already impressed you with my pronunciation of one Korean word, I am clearly ready to be a Korean wife. And with my high kimchi consumption rate, we clearly have similiar interests.

Please give me the half-Asian children that I so desire. They will be on the non-muscular, skinny side....but with my Western eyes and your Asian genes, they could take the world by storm (think really intelligent supermodels).

Love,
Yue Bai (Your Creepy Stalker Classmate )

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Spotlight: Shopping Find





These affordable little rings were purchased in the DongCheng district of Beijing in the "Creative Neighborhood"...an area of hutongs turned into artsy little shops and restaurants...think of something you might find in Austin, transplanted in China. This shop specialized in real leather goods... these rings with fastened charms....unique and really cute! Check the website at http://craftxm.com