PC Translations

I always seem to forget that translation is a whole different thing, as far as language learning goes, than simply being fluent in two languages.  Learning to navigate between the two, and to effectively convey the same idea in two different mediums, is quite tough.  I admire a translation company that can do work well and quickly.  It is really no joke, going about this work.

For the composition, I think I made it harder on myself than it had to be.  I was a bit "psyched up" for it, because I know that writing is my weak point.  But once I got going, it wasn't as bad as I thought.  There were still plenty of words that I had to look up in order to be able to write them in Chinese, but that's not as bad as it could have been.  At any rate, I do think it will get easier as I go along, both for compositions and translation.

The material we are using is very good.  It is the Contemporary Chinese series, using the advanced book.  I like the way the book is laid out, with the lesson text first in simplified characters, then in complex characters, and only at the end in Hanyu Pinyin.  Most other books I have used have the pinyin incorporated into the text, which makes it too easy to rely on the phonetics rather than learning to read the characters.

The course looks like it will move along rather quickly.  We worked a lot on reading and writing today, and took some time for extended conversation too.  I have lots of homework to finish over the next several days.  I think the work will certainly be challenging enough.

I've found a flat, and moved in.  I've registered for the course at the Mandarin Center, and am more or less on my way now.  It should be lots of fun.

I will be studying in a one-to-one setting three days a week.  It is only a 3-month course (90 hours), but I hope to see a good deal of improvement in my language skills between now and the time the course finishes.  Already, there have been a few times I felt pushed to use the language in ways I am not used to, and that has to help in my overall skills.  Just the other night, when I was looking for a flat, the agent asked me how the property market in the US is going.  That's not something I often talk about in Chinese, and answering the question stretched me just a little.

Looks like it could be lots of fun!

The film is simple, and was ideal for a Chinese New Year lighthearted laugh.  It would be good for a family outing as well.  Don't, however, expect too much more than that.

As with every Stephen Chow film, there are plenty of laughs to be had, and the boy (played by a female actor) is really very good.  The story is predictable, but fun.

The special effects (the alien pet) were ok, but I was not overly impressed.  The creature itself has some cute moments in the film, but overall doesn't do much for me.  Certainly not enough to steal the show from the kids.

It's a good year for me, with most of my friends/family being home for the holiday — all the more important to me because I am leaving for an extended time overseas just when the holiday ends.

Let me wish everyone

I have wanted to go to a Police concert for a very, very long time.  When the band split in the early '80's, I was a young teenager, too poor and too young to be at a concert for The Police.  I never imagined I'd be able to be at a concert for the trio, one of my favorite bands ever.  It was fantastic to finally be there on Monday night, watching them perform live in Singapore.

Fiction Plane, fronted by Sting's son (bass and vocals), did a great job on their opening set.  I came home and downloaded their CD, and I suspect many others might have done the same.  They gave a good performance.

Of course, that was nothing compared to the main spectacle we were all there to see.  Sting, Andy, and Stewart together on this world tour... it was probably the best live performance I've ever seen.  Those three are all outstanding showmen, and they really know how to stage a good performance.  

Age hasn't slowed them down — it might have made them better.  If they haven't stopped in your city yet, get tickets NOW!  You want to miss the show.  Top-notch.  A+++.  Out of this world.  Whatever other best-of-the-best modifiers you want to place on it.... The Police world tour deserves them all.