User Comments - doodle16

Posted on: Women's Day Special

And suddenly my profile picture is a lot more relevant! 

Posted on: Small Talk Like a Native

I love how Constance says "we don't care." That the question everyone wants answered but is too polite to ask.

Posted on: Introduce Your Name Like a Native

I don't thing my way of describing my name helps. "你好，我叫曌明空，明空的曌，曌的明空"

Can I say that or does it make thing more confusing? :P

Posted on: Dragon Boat Festival Special (Video and Podcast)

They are the new Jenny-John combo

Posted on: I Don't Drink With Villains

Is becoming this emotional over alcohol common? 好像在他看来，不喝酒就不是朋友了。。。

Posted on: The Emperor's Wives

我也超级爱看！但是很难懂:( 求求你们都给这种的课！！

Posted on: Greetings from Two Visiting Cpod Users

For anyone else interested in Wu zetian: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_Zetian

A brief summary that I didn't get to say during the podcast. Born to well off and established family, she was made a concubine to the emperor at age 14 (638 a.c.e). She was a relatively low ranking wife to the young Emperor until the emperor died in 649. Following the death of the emperor, Wu Zetian, a concubine in mourning was sent to live as a nun.

When the new emperor (the youngest son of the former emperor), Emperor Gaozong came to visit the temple to mourn, he discovered Wu Zetian also in mourning as a nun. Wu Zetian was then invited back into the palace by the Empress, who thought she could use Wu's beauty to manipulate her husband.

She then once again became a concubine to the emperor (a bit taboo since she was technically his step mother). She became the second most women in the palace, after the emprress herself. Wu Zetian eventually managed to overtake the empress however. The story goes that Wu Zetian had her own daughter strangled and then blamed the empress for the daeth. The empress was then deposed and Wu Zetian rose to the highest position possible for a women, wife of the empreror, Empress (皇后).

When her husband died, her son took the throne as emperor and she reigned as regent. As regent she wielded absolute power, removing political rivals. At 690 she proclaimed herself Emperor (皇帝), the first and last woman to do so. She then took the name 武则天， and later took the name 武曌. 

Thanks again for letting me visit the office! And sweet lord, do I really sound like that?!? 

Posted on: Chinese Games Part 2: Cards and Dice

For all of those interested in 三国杀 (three kingdoms kill) I recommend this website which teaches in English:

http://sanguoshaenglish.blogspot.ca/

I am a huge fan of this game and I recommend to anyone wanting to learn history, 成语 or having a fun time :D

Is it possible to get a lesson on this subject? I'd love to learn how to say a lot of the 三国杀/card playing terminology. 

Posted on: Chinese Graded Readers and ACTFL

Thanks for the reply! I look forward to purchasing one or two more!

As for The 60 Year Dream, I'm a shallow man.... the art style looks the most appealing to me. It has a truly Asian style cartoon look to it.

Also while I have your attention, let me just compliment the quality of the adaptations! I bought The Secret Garden an hour ago and I'm already thrilled you guys decided to avoid transliteration! I've read enough 阿拉丁 and 哈利波特 to know transliterations really ruins the Chinese reading experience.

Posted on: Classical Chinese vs. Modern Chinese

Oh right, I suppose where we disagree is on is if the emperors were tyrants to begin with. Being from a monarchy myself, I would say I'm certainly biased to one side.

However if you have any specific sources or recommended reading about Wuzetian and her reign, I'd love to learn more about my name sake.