User Comments - jerseyguy

Posted on: Why are You Studying Chinese?

I'm studying chinese for many reasons.

I've always been interested in learning it, probably because Chinese culture and food seemed so different from where I grew up.  Plus my wife is from Taiwan.

Posted on: Boston

That's great news about the transistion lessons.  The jump from elementary to intermediate lessons is a big one for me. 

Posted on: The Person Component

I liked the concept, but not enough content for a 5 minute video.

Posted on: Asking for Leave

Days off really varies depending on the company in the US.

Companies tend to give 10 or 15 vacation days a year from your first day on the job, going up to 15 days your 3rd or 5th year, plus you get 8 to 12 holidays a year off, and sick days.

Other companies give you 20 days a year of paid time off.  These can be used for vacation or sick days, plus you get 8 to 12 holidays off (company is closed for the day)

When I lived in Australia I got 20 days of holiday off, plus another 8 or 10 days off for national holidays. (Don't remember the exact number, but it was 2 fewer days a year than I was getting in the US)

Posted on: Triumph of the Rat

I actually understood this story!  I didn't understand it word for word, and I know I couldn't repeat it, but I understood it.  Now I need to get my active ability up to where my passive ability is.

These video series chinesepod does are great.

Posted on: Antiperspirant in China

When I lived in Sydney I couldn't get my usual US brand.  I would bring back 6 or so sticks on my visits to the US or ask for them in care packages from my parents. 

Seems like the newer intermediate lessons are not as hard, which is good since I thought the step from Elementary to Intermediate was mighty big.  Or maybe I'm getting better, or some combination?

Posted on: Taipei

Taipei 101 is a very cool building. I love the Papaya milkshakes and the Taiwanese sausages you dip in soy sauce and garlic.

Posted on: Diet Coke

I tried ordering a Coke at a Mcdonalds's in Taipei. I tried a few times. The cashier looked at me and said in English "Do you want a Coke?" doh! looking for a rematch on my next trip.

Posted on: Not on purpose

My mother-in-law and sister-in-law from Taiwan arrived last night. I tried the line asking about her boyfriend and why didn't he come. It's great to be able to use these sentences or change them a bit for real life use.

Posted on: Cooking Wings

In the expansion pack some of the sentences are mismatched. The English translation is for a different Chinese sentence then the one it is paired with.