No time to write any details, here are a few photos
vendredi 12 octobre 2012
jeudi 11 octobre 2012
J+51 : Chinese lessons...
I know have private Chinese lessons!!! This was arranged by the school but took some time to get started.
Twice a week, I have a 2hour lesson (on Tuesdays and Wednesday) with a lady, who had to stop teaching, against her will, because of health issues. She has now recovered, and... Only has me as a student!
She is passionate about teaching, and has more than 20 years experience, however, she looks 25 years old!
I was really impressed by her patience, she made me repeat some syllables 100 times, greeting me with a warm smile of encouragement every time...
And the lessons take place 5minutes (by foot) from my school! I now have books and homework of my own, which I have already finished for the next lesson!
This is truly going to make a difference to my learning of Chinese.
Every night, I listen to tapes and CDs for about 40minutes, after that I set a clock and I read (with the recording) for 10 minutes, and I end with my writing: I copy my weekly list of words 20 times each.
I would say, I approximately master about 300 words. (I'm really not sure!!) ~ yes, I know these words but when I speak them... Here comes my big problem at the moment: no one understands me! Yes, the most difficult part in learning Chinese to my mind is the pronunciation.
For those who don't know, in Chinese, there are 4 different tones, this means four different ways of pronouncing a word.
1- the flat tone (the voice must be high key while making this tone) example: 妈 （mā)
2- the rising tone (voice goes from mid-high pitch to high pitch) example: 麻 (má)
2- the 3d tone (voice starts high pitch, then goes really low, and then back up again: people usually nod the head really slowly to illustrate this tone) example: 马 （mǎ)
4- the last tone, the falling tone (pronounced very fast, and usually louder than other tones) example:骂 （mà)
And OF COURSE, they all have a totally different meaning. So most of the time, what I want to say is very clear in my mind, I try and say it but it produces a very surprising effect on my audience ! Sometimes, they all start laughing, and I have no idea what I have just said...
They are all very encouraging and keep telling me this is normal, I need time...
It does procure immense satisfaction to be able to have basic conversations in the elevator with my neighbors, or the guardian of our building!
Twice a week, I have a 2hour lesson (on Tuesdays and Wednesday) with a lady, who had to stop teaching, against her will, because of health issues. She has now recovered, and... Only has me as a student!
She is passionate about teaching, and has more than 20 years experience, however, she looks 25 years old!
I was really impressed by her patience, she made me repeat some syllables 100 times, greeting me with a warm smile of encouragement every time...
And the lessons take place 5minutes (by foot) from my school! I now have books and homework of my own, which I have already finished for the next lesson!
This is truly going to make a difference to my learning of Chinese.
Every night, I listen to tapes and CDs for about 40minutes, after that I set a clock and I read (with the recording) for 10 minutes, and I end with my writing: I copy my weekly list of words 20 times each.
I would say, I approximately master about 300 words. (I'm really not sure!!) ~ yes, I know these words but when I speak them... Here comes my big problem at the moment: no one understands me! Yes, the most difficult part in learning Chinese to my mind is the pronunciation.
For those who don't know, in Chinese, there are 4 different tones, this means four different ways of pronouncing a word.
1- the flat tone (the voice must be high key while making this tone) example: 妈 （mā)
2- the rising tone (voice goes from mid-high pitch to high pitch) example: 麻 (má)
2- the 3d tone (voice starts high pitch, then goes really low, and then back up again: people usually nod the head really slowly to illustrate this tone) example: 马 （mǎ)
4- the last tone, the falling tone (pronounced very fast, and usually louder than other tones) example:骂 （mà)
And OF COURSE, they all have a totally different meaning. So most of the time, what I want to say is very clear in my mind, I try and say it but it produces a very surprising effect on my audience ! Sometimes, they all start laughing, and I have no idea what I have just said...
They are all very encouraging and keep telling me this is normal, I need time...
It does procure immense satisfaction to be able to have basic conversations in the elevator with my neighbors, or the guardian of our building!
Sweet anecdote
I receive a lot of gifts, little messages, candy... But I received a very very unusual present the other day.
In my desk, in school, I found a small packet, with my name on it.
I opened it, very curious and excited about what could possibly be inside, and mostly about who it was from!
But first surprise: it was anonymous.
Second surprise: it was a CD!
So in the evening, I listened to the first track. Ok... Chinese pop music. Since it all sounds a little similar to me, although it was rather pleasant, I was about to skip track when I heard the singer shouting "yeahh.. justine.."
- I couldn't believe it-
I let you imagine for a second the expression on my face... Just before bursting into laughter!
I listened more carefully, this song was recorded by someone in school, it was his voice. And my name was incorporated in the song, about 200times.
This is crazy, I didn't know how to feel! A little scared, I had no idea who it was from (I still don't, 5 days later), this boy is doubtlessly to shy, I also felt touched, and ... Very very amused!!!
The voice is so good it could trick anyone; I was almost sure this was an official song.
I found out the meaning of lyrics:
"Baby, yeah.. Justine... Yeah...
Why don't you think of me?
Why don't you love me?
Look at me girl, I'm here for you..! Yeah .. Baby.. Yeah... Justine... ". AND SO ON.
It is a shame the artist doesn't show himself, but it is often the case here. Shyness is one of the main weaknesses in china.
I think this was a very sweet and brave things to do. For that reason, I haven't shown this to anyone here, I will keep this to myself, it would be immature and unfair to him.
In my desk, in school, I found a small packet, with my name on it.
I opened it, very curious and excited about what could possibly be inside, and mostly about who it was from!
But first surprise: it was anonymous.
Second surprise: it was a CD!
So in the evening, I listened to the first track. Ok... Chinese pop music. Since it all sounds a little similar to me, although it was rather pleasant, I was about to skip track when I heard the singer shouting "yeahh.. justine.."
- I couldn't believe it-
I let you imagine for a second the expression on my face... Just before bursting into laughter!
I listened more carefully, this song was recorded by someone in school, it was his voice. And my name was incorporated in the song, about 200times.
This is crazy, I didn't know how to feel! A little scared, I had no idea who it was from (I still don't, 5 days later), this boy is doubtlessly to shy, I also felt touched, and ... Very very amused!!!
The voice is so good it could trick anyone; I was almost sure this was an official song.
I found out the meaning of lyrics:
"Baby, yeah.. Justine... Yeah...
Why don't you think of me?
Why don't you love me?
Look at me girl, I'm here for you..! Yeah .. Baby.. Yeah... Justine... ". AND SO ON.
It is a shame the artist doesn't show himself, but it is often the case here. Shyness is one of the main weaknesses in china.
I think this was a very sweet and brave things to do. For that reason, I haven't shown this to anyone here, I will keep this to myself, it would be immature and unfair to him.
Marriage in china
I had a discussion with a teacher in my school about marriage. He was curious to know the differences between a French and a Chinese marriage.
First of all, In china , the legal age for marriage isn't the same for men and women.
Women: 20
Men: 22
I will not comment this discrimination.
Even though china, as we all know, is developing at a very high speed, the rules regarding marriage remain considerably traditional.
This teacher is 23, he told me most Chinese women would not marry a man if he doesn't own at least a house (the car comes next, and of course some women have developed higher standards! ..)
He also told me that for young people, it is a struggle to buy a house/flat. He said housing prices in Nanjing were very expensive, and that he was financially incapable of becoming an owner. This is something I haven't really thought of before but I will pay more attention to it in the future, from what I here, Nanjing seems to be quite an expensive city.
When I told him that young couples in France often start off by renting a flat together, making savings with both salaries to get a loan for a house, this sounded like a dream to him!
First of all, In china , the legal age for marriage isn't the same for men and women.
Women: 20
Men: 22
I will not comment this discrimination.
Even though china, as we all know, is developing at a very high speed, the rules regarding marriage remain considerably traditional.
This teacher is 23, he told me most Chinese women would not marry a man if he doesn't own at least a house (the car comes next, and of course some women have developed higher standards! ..)
He also told me that for young people, it is a struggle to buy a house/flat. He said housing prices in Nanjing were very expensive, and that he was financially incapable of becoming an owner. This is something I haven't really thought of before but I will pay more attention to it in the future, from what I here, Nanjing seems to be quite an expensive city.
When I told him that young couples in France often start off by renting a flat together, making savings with both salaries to get a loan for a house, this sounded like a dream to him!
mardi 9 octobre 2012
J+49 amusing facts~
Quite often, I am surprised by Chinese people's reaction or behavior! Although I am really getting used to the noisy eating habit, the different conception of hygiene.. (They do not use deodorant, and told me: only foreigners need this, we don't really sweat- >.. Yeah sure, sure..!)
When I make a compliment to a schoolmate, for instance I told a girl today I liked her hair very much, that is was very pretty, she answered: "clever girl! You seem to have a very good eyesight!"
Adults as well as teenagers will say, when they have free time "I can go out an play with you"
When they feel like eating something, not for hunger, just satisfaction they will way: "I want to eat something, my mouth feels lonely"
I was told more than once : "ok justine, now you can go and have fun with yourself" (I thought that sounded extremely sad!!!)
Everything is always very formal, even amongst teenagers. In high school? They will say "ok, let's have a conversation"; "and now justine, do you allow me to ask you a question?" "if I want to accompany you to buy water down stairs, will you agree? Will you accept me?"
>at the beginning, I thought this was some kind of joke, but in fact it is their way of communicating!
When I make a compliment to a schoolmate, for instance I told a girl today I liked her hair very much, that is was very pretty, she answered: "clever girl! You seem to have a very good eyesight!"
Adults as well as teenagers will say, when they have free time "I can go out an play with you"
When they feel like eating something, not for hunger, just satisfaction they will way: "I want to eat something, my mouth feels lonely"
I was told more than once : "ok justine, now you can go and have fun with yourself" (I thought that sounded extremely sad!!!)
Everything is always very formal, even amongst teenagers. In high school? They will say "ok, let's have a conversation"; "and now justine, do you allow me to ask you a question?" "if I want to accompany you to buy water down stairs, will you agree? Will you accept me?"
>at the beginning, I thought this was some kind of joke, but in fact it is their way of communicating!
lundi 8 octobre 2012
J+48 exam day
Today we took the first monthly exam, it lasted all day. (No flag ceremony, no morning exercise...)
It included the 3 main subjects : Chinese, maths and English. All the students were allocated a different seat in a different classroom for each subject. Of course, I didn't understand a great deal... The teacher wrote down a note for me saying "you can read a book, it's ok"
This exam is very important for them, the results will fall this week as well as a parents teacher meeting... They all fear this moment!
This evening, I accompanied my sister to the hear dresser, in china, most of the time, they are men, and have the most crazy hear style I've ever seen! They walk down the streets by groups of 7 or 8, and you can immediately guess who they are!
It included the 3 main subjects : Chinese, maths and English. All the students were allocated a different seat in a different classroom for each subject. Of course, I didn't understand a great deal... The teacher wrote down a note for me saying "you can read a book, it's ok"
This exam is very important for them, the results will fall this week as well as a parents teacher meeting... They all fear this moment!
This evening, I accompanied my sister to the hear dresser, in china, most of the time, they are men, and have the most crazy hear style I've ever seen! They walk down the streets by groups of 7 or 8, and you can immediately guess who they are!
dimanche 7 octobre 2012
J+47 free time!
Today I took advantage of my free time! I met with my foreign friend (from Hungary), he had a football game, so I joined him and his team for the whole afternoon. They were all very friendly! His school is near the Olympic center (Nanjing will host the 2014 youth Olympics so the entire city is getting ready for it, buildings and new infrastructures are appearing out of nowhere at a frightening speed!)
Just earlier this morning, I assisted the preparation of 饺子 (dumpling) at the restaurant.
1- chopping all the vegetables
2- mixing the vegetables with herbs, pork and soya sauce, rice wine, chili, salt, pepper in a big bowl.
3- place a spoonful of the mixture in a wrapper (made of a special dough, I arrived to late to see how this dough was prepared).
4- cook the dumplings in a big wok, with boiling water.
5- ENJOY !!!
They were delicious. People usually eat these 饺子 with vinegar.
Tomorrow, we go back to school for a whole term...
Just earlier this morning, I assisted the preparation of 饺子 (dumpling) at the restaurant.
1- chopping all the vegetables
2- mixing the vegetables with herbs, pork and soya sauce, rice wine, chili, salt, pepper in a big bowl.
3- place a spoonful of the mixture in a wrapper (made of a special dough, I arrived to late to see how this dough was prepared).
4- cook the dumplings in a big wok, with boiling water.
5- ENJOY !!!
They were delicious. People usually eat these 饺子 with vinegar.
Tomorrow, we go back to school for a whole term...
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