Wednesday, November 25, 2009

New Suzhou Museum

I recently visited the New Suzhou Museum for the first time, and was completely impressed with what I found there. Designed by world-renown architect I. M. Pei, the structure is absolutely beautiful. It fits right in with the beautiful garden city of Suzhou.

Posted by poetically challenged at 01:41:41 | Permalink | No Comments »

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Travel

The third essay I had to write for my class was sort of a strange assignment.  My textbook had two separate questions.  One was “when you travel, do you like to take a lot of things, or fewer things?,” and the other was “tell about a travel experience you’ve had.”  My teacher asked me to combine the two questions into one short passage.  I found it odd to combine the two into one, but here is what I came up with:

去旅行
我现在去旅行的时候，从不喜欢带很多东西。以前我带的东西不少，可是最近几年有所改变。可能是因为我要常常出国，觉得带很多东西太麻烦了。行李很难装又很沉。而且现在不管去哪儿，日用品都买得着，除此之外其它的东西都不那么重要了。
可是两三年前，我去湖南的时候，发生了一件很好笑的事情。我和两个朋友一起去。一个像我一样，不喜欢带太多东西；一个什么都带。我们两个怕麻烦的就笑话那位带很多东西的朋友。我们觉得最好笑的是她竟然带了一个电吹风。我们问她：“你带电吹风来干什么？你知道吗？我们去爬山，哪里有时间打扮？这个电吹风是用不着的。”
但是我们第一天去爬山就遇到了大雨。到山上的时候，我们三个人的鞋子都湿透了。吃了晚饭以后，我们去房间用那位朋友的电吹风把鞋子吹干了。虽然我们两个一整天都在笑话她，但是她还愿意给我们用她的电吹风。辛好她不是那种很小器的人！
经过了这件事情，可能我应该再考虑一下。。。或许那位不怕麻烦的朋友的做法比较好。去旅行的时候，带足东西其实也是很好的习惯。
Posted by poetically challenged at 12:11:42 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

30 Minute Languages

As a frequent traveler, I’ve come across a resource that I think is going to prove very valuable to me.


I find, when traveling, that knowing a little bit of the local language goes a long, long way.  Not only is it easier to get around, but attempts to understand and speak a language always win points for you as you make your way around an unfamiliar environment.   I am not talking about mastering a language or anything, but just picking up enough bits and pieces to try to function… and even to let folks laugh at the feeble attempts to put the foreign words into one’s own mouth.

The resource I’ve found that is fun to use, as well as being helpful, is a CD-ROM produced by euroTalk.  My 2-CD set has over 20 languages, helping the learner to pick up a few basics before hitting the road.  You can choose your own language to learn from, and then choose the target language that you are trying to learn, then get started on the lessons.

It works with both Windows and Mac, and is useful for anyone wanting to pick up a bit of help in a language before setting out on whatever big adventure is taking you overseas.



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Monday, August 13, 2007

It’s All About Perspective

Over the past 3 months, my 2 nephews (6 and 7 years) have been staying with me.  We traveled to Shanghai during their time here, just for the adventure.  It was great!  We did all sorts of fun things, and had an all round good time. And the boys were wonderful, trying all sorts of odd foods (odd from their background) and seeing all sorts of exciting things.  They ate duck tongues and necks, pig tongues, donkey meat, and snake meat.  They loved it all.


Last weekend, we went fishing.  We caught a good sized fish, and it was quickly cooked up and we ate it.  My older nephew caught the fish, so we gave him the head.  He was thrilled, and did a good job eating it up.  I asked the younger one if he wanted the bones from the centre of the body.  He said yes, so I asked if he knew how to eat them.  He said, “Sure, it’s just like eating snake.”

Funny thing is, when he gets back to the US, no one will believe him when he says things like that.  But it’s all true!
Posted by poetically challenged at 15:07:36 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Disney World and Universal Studios

I’ve been to Universal Studios several times. I always enjoy it when I go. My family has a video from my first trip there. It “starred” my dad, my younger sister, and myself in a western flick. We all enjoyed being in it, and having the memories on video is kind of cool.

We’ve always taken in Universal Studios on the same trips where we’ve enjoyed Disney World (in Orlando) and Disney Land (in LA). The package of enjoying both great places together is pretty unbeatable. I really enjoyed how in Florida, there is so much more to it than the same old same old. You’ve got Disney World, Epcot Center, Universal Studios, Disneyquest, Downtown Disney Pleasure Island, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach Water Parks. At night, there are lots of great dinner shows, like Arabian Nights, the Pirate Adventure Show, and Medieval Times. All are loads of fun — not to be missed!

And here’s some great news for you; if you are heading to Orlando, you can get Walt Disney World Tickets at low prices, as well as discount tickets to other great attractions in the area. All you have to do is visit orlandofuntickets.com, and you’ll find all sorts of great tickets and packages, and at very good prices.

A trip to Orlando is loads of fun for the whole family. By booking discount tickets, you can make it affordable too.

Posted by poetically challenged at 19:17:37 | Permalink | No Comments »