Today was a fantastic Christmas, spent with a bunch of Chinese Canadians, and Chinese food. The host Lao Liu's house and garden were gorgeous too!
In fact these people are REAL Chinese (their kids are not). Talking to them made me feel at home. They shared experience of how to push their kids to learn Chinese. Chinese characters are so damn difficult to learn.. for the poor 'second generation immigrants', we have to say sorry...:(
One buddy is even from Baotou, my city, now working in Singapore. He actually went to my parents' middle school. That's funny. He told me a lot about Singapore, labling it as the 'best society of all Chinese communities'.
I'm grateful for their party, their stories and their being together. Have to say it's so good to be able to live in the Chinese way, in a developed, beautiful, and safe country like Canada. Many strange questions popped up in my mind, like...
- when I have my kids can I get them learn Chinese? will I push them to learn their dad's mother tongue when I know it tortures them?
- when I'm 50, will I still share what I see and think in Chinese, like I'm writing my (other) blog in Chinese now?
- ...
I don't know...
Anyway, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my friends!!~~
Friday, December 25, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
2010 Olympics Flame Passing Kingston!
Today is the second time in my life to witness Olympic Relay passing by "my" communities. The first time was last May in Shanghai, where the flame went through my campus (Jiao Tong University) three months before being lighted in Beijing. This time, it's for Vancouver 2010 Games - they are not the Vancouver games or Richmond games, but Canadian games. That is why the relay reaches over 1000 communities throughout the country.
Kingston celebrations were held on market square in front of the city hall in Canada's first capital. The spectacle was much smaller than last year's events in China, but equally exciting for me. The last night before leaving the town, I'm happy to call myself a Kingstoner.. :)
The torchbearer who lit the cauldron was Vicki Keith, a lady who broke 16 world open swimming records, now coaching Canadian physical disabled marathon swimming team.
The Olympic relay was said to be once-in-a-lifetime events. For me, however, it has been something twice-in-19-months in a row. For both times, the torch was carried literally within 15 meters from me. :P
Kingston celebrations were held on market square in front of the city hall in Canada's first capital. The spectacle was much smaller than last year's events in China, but equally exciting for me. The last night before leaving the town, I'm happy to call myself a Kingstoner.. :)
The torchbearer who lit the cauldron was Vicki Keith, a lady who broke 16 world open swimming records, now coaching Canadian physical disabled marathon swimming team.
With the flame behind me
The Olympic relay was said to be once-in-a-lifetime events. For me, however, it has been something twice-in-19-months in a row. For both times, the torch was carried literally within 15 meters from me. :P
With my classmates on the Relay day last year :)
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Recommended stuffs for Chinese-learners
If you
- want to learn about Chinese language and culture
- speak English
Then the following places are good for you:
[BBC language - Chinese section] http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/chinese/
If you are going to China for a short time, nothing is better than this for craming some basic phrases.
- want to learn about Chinese language and culture
- speak English
Then the following places are good for you:
[BBC language - Chinese section] http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/chinese/
If you are going to China for a short time, nothing is better than this for craming some basic phrases.
[Confucius Institute] http://college.chinese.cn/en/node_1979.htm
It is under The Office of Chinese Language Council International (also known as "Hanban"). As for the role of this bureau, I'm thinking of ETS as to the USA. The Confucius Institute promotes Chinese language and culture by organizing online courses and classroom-learning programs all around the world. This website is beyond the learning of Chinese language, but covers culture, traveling, food, arts, etc. Chinese-speaking who are interested in teaching Chinese languge can also find it helpful.
It is under The Office of Chinese Language Council International (also known as "Hanban"). As for the role of this bureau, I'm thinking of ETS as to the USA. The Confucius Institute promotes Chinese language and culture by organizing online courses and classroom-learning programs all around the world. This website is beyond the learning of Chinese language, but covers culture, traveling, food, arts, etc. Chinese-speaking who are interested in teaching Chinese languge can also find it helpful.
[TargetChinese] http://www.targetchinese.com/
It's a relatively new site, but covers very "in" topics among Chinese young people, especially netizens. You can subscribe weekly e-mails from them. I think they are really interesting.
Last but absolutely NOT least, this one!:
[Danwei] http://www.danwei.org/
If you think you are REALLY an expert about China now (for example if your parents speak Chinese at home) and you want to know more about this society, this one is for you. Though it's totally in English, it is most suitable for Chinese living abroad. The name Danwei(单位) is a funny, interesting and cool one. As for the contents... I have to say they are voices you don't want to neglect.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Distance is more than geography
In strategy class we had a chapter talking about "distance" between countries - in term of operating business. I and some friends found a lot of business "frameworks" and models apply so well in other issues, say, finding and assessing a dating partner. If you relate them well, they will work wonders for you.
Here's this one: my funny interpretations of the CAGE analysis.
Cultural:
I would say this is the one of most important things in a romantic relationship. Culture determines language, religion, values, all of which are important. Romantic stories cross language, culture, even religion boundaries sometimes appear. Yes they sound cool. But very few end up together, and many such couples end up divorced, saying "We really can't get along..." Anyway, it's way easier to find a soulmate among those who share the same culture with you.
Administrative:
Well, it's a bit hard to apply this one here. But there ARE administrative barriers involved, for example, parents.
Think about Romeo and Juliet, you will understand this, right? Today in some places - Asian countries for instance - senior family members are still key decision-makers and stakeholders of your dating or marrying someone.
Geographic? or Genetic...
I'm not particularly interested in talking about geographic distance. Instead, one thing I found common is people have expectations on the other person's physical characteristics, especially height. Part of the reason is physical attraction, and you are afraid of losing face if found dating with someone unattractive. The other part of the reason is for the sake of next generation - in choosing a marriage partner, you are looking for better genes.
Economic
Well, money speaks, whether you believe it or not. Yesterday I read an interesting argument: gender equality enlarges the imbalance between the rich and the poor. How come? Because people generally choose a partner with similar level of education, skills, experience, and essentially INCOME. As more women join labor force, the distance between rich and poor families are doubled. This is an unintended outcome of gender equalization.
Here's this one: my funny interpretations of the CAGE analysis.
Cultural:
I would say this is the one of most important things in a romantic relationship. Culture determines language, religion, values, all of which are important. Romantic stories cross language, culture, even religion boundaries sometimes appear. Yes they sound cool. But very few end up together, and many such couples end up divorced, saying "We really can't get along..." Anyway, it's way easier to find a soulmate among those who share the same culture with you.
Administrative:
Well, it's a bit hard to apply this one here. But there ARE administrative barriers involved, for example, parents.
Think about Romeo and Juliet, you will understand this, right? Today in some places - Asian countries for instance - senior family members are still key decision-makers and stakeholders of your dating or marrying someone.
Geographic? or Genetic...
I'm not particularly interested in talking about geographic distance. Instead, one thing I found common is people have expectations on the other person's physical characteristics, especially height. Part of the reason is physical attraction, and you are afraid of losing face if found dating with someone unattractive. The other part of the reason is for the sake of next generation - in choosing a marriage partner, you are looking for better genes.
Economic
Well, money speaks, whether you believe it or not. Yesterday I read an interesting argument: gender equality enlarges the imbalance between the rich and the poor. How come? Because people generally choose a partner with similar level of education, skills, experience, and essentially INCOME. As more women join labor force, the distance between rich and poor families are doubled. This is an unintended outcome of gender equalization.
About me and my blog
1. Who am I?
Born and raised in China, now studying in Canada. Will be studying in Europe in the coming months.
2. Why am I opening this blog? What will I write about?
I love recording things that I find interesting. I used to write my blog in Chinese language. Now thinking of sharing my thinking with more people, so I start writing this blog in English -universal language of the planet. I will write down my so-called "cross-cultural" experience and whatever I have to share. I'm not native English language user. I apologize for that, if you find my writing not perfect. I'm trying to improve all the time.
If you are interested in learning about China, you may also find something for you.
3. What the hell is the title of the blog?
Rong is my given name. I know it sounds wierd in English...
4. More stuff about me?
Like travelling, though I haven't really travelled in many places. Volleyball is my favorite sport.
5. Where else to find me?
If you read Chinese, you can have a look at my blog in Chinese. (http://blog.sina.com.cn/gaorong1986) The title Guang-yin-de-gu-shi means "The Stories of Time", my favorite song by Taiwan musician Luo Dayou.
If you are on twitter, you can find me @RonyGao - I tweet in Chinese sometimes, and apologize for that if you can't read.
Born and raised in China, now studying in Canada. Will be studying in Europe in the coming months.
2. Why am I opening this blog? What will I write about?
I love recording things that I find interesting. I used to write my blog in Chinese language. Now thinking of sharing my thinking with more people, so I start writing this blog in English -universal language of the planet. I will write down my so-called "cross-cultural" experience and whatever I have to share. I'm not native English language user. I apologize for that, if you find my writing not perfect. I'm trying to improve all the time.
If you are interested in learning about China, you may also find something for you.
3. What the hell is the title of the blog?
Rong is my given name. I know it sounds wierd in English...
4. More stuff about me?
Like travelling, though I haven't really travelled in many places. Volleyball is my favorite sport.
5. Where else to find me?
If you read Chinese, you can have a look at my blog in Chinese. (http://blog.sina.com.cn/gaorong1986) The title Guang-yin-de-gu-shi means "The Stories of Time", my favorite song by Taiwan musician Luo Dayou.
If you are on twitter, you can find me @RonyGao - I tweet in Chinese sometimes, and apologize for that if you can't read.
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