"Bye" in Chinese I don't know about Russian since I don't speak it but I do know that in Chinese "bye" means "bye". Only difference is us English speakers usually say it once and the Chinese say "bye bye" but they both refer to "good-bye" not really sure why that is but there are some words that the Chinese took from English.
Thinking I do think a lot in general, like ... all the time. Way too much about some things that don't need to be thought about sometimes. That's not a good habit, but hey it's what I do and it's really hard to stop.
Going back to the US Knock on wood about your comment on us going back to the states sooner rather than later. I'm working on it but it's not easy that's for sure.
Nice post It is pretty amazing how hard it is for people to detach from their parents. Whether it's getting approval before marriage, or going abroad, or whatever -- it's inconceivable to me how parents control their fully grown children sometimes.
But then again, had I been born here, I might look upon it differently.
(p.s. I've submitted this one to DalianDalian.com news/stories page http://www.daliandalian.com/news )
A few words. DANG!!! You remembered a LOT of that conversation. I know I'm not around much but I really like thinking deeply about stuff. I jus remember you saying that Cam said you like to think alot and he doesn't. If you ever want to think with me I love doing that and really don't have many people to talk about deep stuff about. I know it seems silly but sometimes I just like sitting around thinking.. why's this and why's that... why's the sky blue.. but it's really not blue it's clear... yadda yadda. P.S. Are the pictures easily accessible? I want to see the bridal pictures. How much does one give for a wedding present anyway? I've heard the extreme.... from 30 to thousands...
It doesn't make sense! I had to read your blog entry after seeing the title. It's exactly the kind of thing my friends and I get frustrated at here in Chengdu. One person we knew put it quite simple when someone said 'It doesn't make sense!', there response was 'It makes sense in China.' I think that is the only way to explain these frustrations. I have so many to tell I could write a book x
What does bye mean? I wonder what "bye" means to either the Chinese or Russians. Is it a word in their language that means something totally different than goodbye?
Your blogs are the bomb, so to speak Jenni,
I can't tell you how many people feel your blogs are so cool. You're right, they are exactly "travel" blogs, but they talk about things most people would never get from a travel blog. It is so interesting to hear you talk about the interaction between, the differences and similarities with the respective languages and cultures.
I know you're REAL busy, but don't totally give up on your blogs...
Love,
Dad
Idioms All languages have "idioms" that don't translate from one language to another. Sometimes it is a group of words that, when combined, have a completely unique meaning; other times, it is a word, such as "cool" that is currently "in vogue", but does not really connect with its original meaning. The derivations of these words are sometimes known; othertimes, not...
Dad
Homogeneous populations The U.S. is so heterogeneous, with people from all over the world. It was not unusual for you to come across people from Asia in Chapel Hill, for example. But in Asia, the populations are more alike- you are different to them; they are not as accustomed to WASPs, like you.
Your "fishbowl" analogy was very astute, and accurate. You are DIFFERENT. It is your job to show them that we are all part of the SAME, human race.
Love,
Dad
have a safe journey I am at the beach with Debbie, Tim, Chrissy and Char. I see you are about to take off for the big journey. Be safe, have fun and I hope to see you sometime soon.
lots of love,
auntie char
I logined in,and post it agian,ha Hey. Jupe,Have a good time.I found your flog from google,Becouse I am a dalianren,so I am very interesting to your flog.I read all articles in your flog,and saw all your pics,it took me 3 weeks.and I like that.It makes me know you,and improved my english in addition.
ha,So you will have a long trip,Have a Good Time.
good wishes for you living in Dalian;
my email: wang@vip.sina.com
see u
Hey babe, hope your ear feels better! Oh, and I think China might commemorate the loss because they're so happy Japan lost. I don't know about you, but I might feel that way if Japan colonized part of my country and raped one of my major cities (i.e. The Rape of Nanking). Just a thought. :)
Guangzhou is safe Hey, i'm just a random reader of your blog. I visited Guangzhou last year, it's safe as anywhere else. It is however a big, dirty, nasty industrial city with little to offer a tourist - so is Shenzhen for that matter. If you want to check out some cool bars, go to the Holiday Inn, there is a strip of bars behind the building.
Keep Writing I used to llive in Hunan teaching English and I have been reading your blog for months. I can relate to so many things you say. I hope things are going better for you, it sounds like it. I miss China and hope to come back in the Fall, but reading your blog makes me feel like I am back.
Last time before surgery Every time you write into your blog, I print it out and take it home to mom. Since I will be in surgery on Friday and probably won't be in the following week, it'll be a while until I can respond to an email or blog entry.
I haven't read this one, yet. Just got back from "pre-op" (for the surgery). No big deal, but it's the first step and I suppose I'm starting to get a little nervous (although I'm still excited about the possibility that my neck will function in some kind of normal way).
Love,
Dad
nice city Nice to read journal about Shenyang. It is an exciting city. When the international Horticultural Exposition is coming, it becomes more beautiful and there is much more to see.
Cultura Hola Jupe
Me gusto mucho leer tu adventura en Corea. Yo vivi 6 anos en Corea. El primer ano fue muy duro, no me gusto. Tome una decision grande y era de cambiar las amistades que tenia eran muy negativa. Cuando hice el cambio todo era mucho mejor. Siempre haz lo que siente tu corazon y lo que te hace feliz. Si escribir tus adventura te alegra, sigue haciendolo. Otras personas quisieran hacer lo mismo pero no tienen el corazon de adventurarse. Disfrute tu vida y si haces error no te de pena. Si tus amistades te quieren de verdad te consuelan y te aceptan con todos tus defectos. Llorar no significa debilidad sino que eres un ser humano con sentimientos. Todos tenemos sentimientos pero no lo demostramos en publico. Viene de la forma que fuimos criadosa en nuestro hogar.
Que lindo que puedes hablar 3 idiomas y ayudas a a otras personas para entenderlo. Que Dios te lumine siempre,
Te recomiendo vayas a este restaurante en Seoul. Telefono 998-8512 si te gusta lo picante , no es un plato turistico. DAK KALBI
Bueno, Bonito, Barato
What a lousy night... Jenni,
I'm so sorry you had such a crummy night. While it's easy to say that we all have such nights, it still doesn't make your's any better. I hope you can appreciate the fact that you have already decided not to stay in China for any great length and take what good you can from the rest of your stay. It is a lot different and that is what you'll eventually get out of this. As for booze, generally I'd be a lot careful about it- it has done terrible things to members of my family, over time...
Hope you're feeling better about yourself.
Love,
Dad
I guess it's the little things... Interesting that you'd get confused by the cultural differences in the way you describe. I'd never have thought about it. This is part of the "learning process" that takes place anywhere, I suspect; although, it is more apt to happen in China or India than Costa Rica, for example. I wouldn't beat yourself up on it. Your intentions were good.
Love,
Dad
Watch out for grain alcohol No matter what country you're in, they will have something like the "grain alcohol" you described. It is always very high in alcoholic content and more importantly it is often (even in the US) very low quality. It's the low quality nature of the "stuff" that makes it dangerous. You want to stay away from it; or, from any "home-made" alcohol, unless it is beer or wine.
Happy Halloween!
We had a halloween party last night in Gilpatrick--made cut-out cookies and carved pumpkins. It's starting to get cold here as well. We've had frost a few times. Glad to hear that you are doing well. Take care!
Laurel
Jupe
Estoy aNaya Laoshi
"Bye" in Chinese
I don't know about Russian since I don't speak it but I do know that in Chinese "bye" means "bye". Only difference is us English speakers usually say it once and the Chinese say "bye bye" but they both refer to "good-bye" not really sure why that is but there are some words that the Chinese took from English.