User Comments - marygrace

Posted on: Zombies!

that was a *great* film clip, kimiik!  thank you!! it all makes sense now!  

also, i've heard about yinde, but never understood it. is it 阴德？ is that what you need when you die, go to yinjian, are judged for your deeds, and then need to avoid punishment?  if we could have a lesson about that, and/or funerals, it would be helpful. it's my sense that the more we learn about all this, the more we will understand chinese culture.

thank you, chinesepod!!  the new examples within the discussion format is great, too.

Posted on: Lao Wang's Office 8: Trimming the Fat at the Office

Another great lesson!

How about a lawsuit, a mediation or arbitration, *and* more office intrigue?

Posted on: New Year's Cash

Great lesson!  小娟娟 is adorable.

Here is my new year's blessing for all poddies:

"He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor."  Proverbs 21.21

Posted on: Pregnancy Series 2: Pregnancy House Ar-rest

Great lesson and comments!  I love learning about the Chinese family, traditional and modern.  

And I love learning about the ancient etymology of Chinese characters.  A lot have to do with ritual and have parallels to ancient Biblical wisdom. 

I've always wondered about "我".  What was a "pike" and how did this become the word for "me", "I"?

Posted on: Farewell, Son 游子吟

What a wonderful addition to Chinesepod!!

I loved Elvis as well.  Will you be doing other celebs and Tang poems?

I think that unless it's a modern poem, I'd prefer an intro and ending song that's from the era.

Thank you for your creativity!!

Posted on: The Good Husband

大家好!

(1) i heard that almost all women worked outside the home in china.  i thought it was rare to have a stay-at-home mom?  how common is this?  is this for mainly affluent families?

(2) i used to think that if my hubby didn't want to discuss things right away, that it meant he didn't care.  after i read the book "men are from mars and women are from venus" i realized that it's okay for him to read the newspaper, watch tv, etc. while he winds down.  after he does this, we have great discussions. so i would advise lao po to wait for hubby to wind down before she brings up the mortgage, pipi's future, and lao gong's raise.

Posted on: Triumph of the Rat

I was born in the year of the rat!

Thank you for a great video!!!

I love Emma's hand motions.  Are these typical for Chinese people when they tell this story?  Or did Emma make these up herself?

Do Chinese parents tell children this story when they are young?

It would be great to have a continuing series of children's stories.

Posted on: The Boy That Cried Wolf

Awesome!  I agree.  *All* the lessons should become video lessons.

Posted on: Traffic

I agree that this format would be great for *all* levels.  Please do video for the upper levels.

感谢!

Posted on: Language Power Struggle

This is an *awesome* lesson!

Thank you, John.  It shows your genius in providing lessons which are realistic and empathetic/compassionate for the weary Chinese language learner.

(1) Sometimes Chinese folks will praise your Chinese (even after only saying two words), if your tones are correct and what is said is appropriate for the situation.  Hence the elevator story relayed earlier.

(2) When I am in China, I often hear English learners tell me there is no opportunity to practice English. So I do try to speak English back to them.  Fortunately, some of them get tired of practicing English and then start speaking Chinese with me. :)  Those who become friends use at least some Chinese because they can express themselves best in their native tongue (unless of course, they're fluent in English). So with some friends, we go back and forth between English and Chinese, depending on the subject and our respective vocabulary levels. 互相学习 can work with the right folks. 

(3) In China and elsewhere I feel I use the same simple words over and over again.  I'm having a very difficult time getting from "intermediate" to "advanced/fluent".  That is why I love Chinesepod. I've taken Chinese classes, had tutors, been to China multiple times, etc., but I find Chinesepod so far is the best way for me to learn at this stage.  感谢！Would be interested in hearing suggestions on how to make the jump!