DennisLeiqin

For awhile I tried to learn one new Chinese phrase each week. I'd repeat it over and over. I'd write it down in pin yin and in phonetic sounds and carry it with me. I'd practice on every Chinese I knew (found out that depending on where they're from they might have a different pronunciation, so I usually would stick with the South China sound of my wife). I now am proficient with ~50 common phrases. Problem is that I don't have a working vocabulary like 2mike&jin where I can sting words together to make a sentence. Volunteer teaching ESL to Chinese I notice that the students tend to have difficulty putting words together to make a sentence. I've suggested that they too learn a phrase a week... "May I use your restroom? How much does this cost? What is your name? I am happy to meet you. I live in Alhambra... " Seems to help them excel

Seems like the cruise persons would have answers to these questions. Sounds like life is good for you David... nice to read just a bit of an update.

Poor bugger, it looks like he should have left out the A.

I've been thinking about this and realize living within and among the largest US Chinese community, we have available just about everything and anything you'd want or get in China. Leiqin goes to the Chinese herbalist ~ once a month to buy her special herbs and medicines. Stores here have Wisconsin and Korean ginsing by the barrel. Point is, if anyone wants to send us a list of things you need that you must have and can't find where you live, send me a PM (in Chinese OK) and we'll purchase and mail it to you... prepaid (within reason). Or PM me with your phone number and I'll have Leiqin call and talk to your wife about her needs.

Hi Hank, Fostering a Chinese student is a popular way to supplement income here in SoCal. Chinese prefer their child stay with an English speaking family. Most often the school that he's attending would file for the students I20 (student visa) and once approved send to the student. Check with his school. They will have all the answers to your questions. Good luck and don't let him stay up all night on QQ chatting with his friends back in China.

Gotta question this - wouldn't you need to know the current requirements for the charging? The specs he gave are for the hub only. The charger OUTPUT: 5V-2000mA So, yes, what is he charging?

Congratulations, Dan... now don't let it go to your head.

A penny doesn't buy much or anything in the US anymore. Watched some TV show recently that said how it cost more to make a penny than a penny is intrinsically worth. Yet, those pennys are valuable to many in the world. I remember my first trip to China, I paid one Yuan for a pedal cab. The Yuan was worth the equivalent of 12-1/2 cents back then. Made me think how that 1/2cent was probably important to my 'driver'. We have coin offerings at our church. Those coins are collected and given to World Visions who uses the money to feed those displaced by the Haiti earthquake. $100 will feed 2000 meals.

Nice... I will use that story too, from time to time.

"To the moon, Alice..."

Darn it, the music drowned out CC's speech. Cripes, and I wanted to hear it! Still...congratulations Lee and CC.

A young woman with a soiled infant strapped to her back rummaging through trash.

Leiqin asked me this just recently too. Whether a large group or just us, we'd sure like to see you and Ling again, Mike.

Got me back...good laugh!! Depends on your mask. I use a Mirage Ultra Nasal mask and have learned that I can keep my glasses on, under my mask, while I watch TV. Yeah, wearin' a CPAP ain't the sexiest bedtime thing, but kinda wish I had brought it with me on my first trip to China. I do believe that after hearing me snore, that young lady realized what a lifetime of torture awaited her if she decided to immigrate with me.

Chinese have a difficult time understanding the differences between carbs and protein. They have this (assumed urban legend) idea that Americans are fat because we eat too much meat. Problem is, when Chinese continue to eat their diets high in rice and noodles and become sedate like most Americans, diabetes often becomes a problem. I know several Chinese who've developed diabetes since living here. Sorry, but you're going to need another Chinese who understands how our bodies coverts excess carbs into sugar and that excess sugar is then stored as fat. My wife took a nutrition class given in Chinese by the county health dept where she learned about carbs and protein...still, she can't give up her rice and noodles. I have sleep apnea and sleep with a CPAP. Please insist that your doctor prescribe a sleep study. Snoring and sleep disorders cause a lack of oxygen to your blood. Your heart must work hard to supply oxygen thus potentially shortening life. Apnea is a serious problem, yet easily treated without medication or surgery. Get that sleep study! Good luck.