In this episode, I talk about how China celebrated its National Day historically and the National Day in general, for both China and the rest of the world.
In this episode, I share and talk about a poem from the Song dynasty that I really like and is aptly related to the mid-autumn festival that’s coming up. I also talk about how some of the ethnic minorities in China may celebrate mid-autumn festival.
In this episode, I talk about a recent, major turning point in my life. This could be the beginning of something beautiful or beautifully sad. But how do you know if you don’t try?! Here’s to having the courage to try something new 🍻.
In this episode, I compare Jane Eyre from “Jane Eyre” with Lin Daiyu from “The Dream of the Red Chamber” to illustrate some differences between Chinese and Western culture as presented by these two characters.
Deng Xiaoping was a Chinese politician who has the reputation of being the “Architect of Modern China”. In this episode, I briefly go over why he changed his name three time, the three falls and rises of his political career and a couple of his major contributions to modern China.
With a blow of the eastern wind, The lanterns scattered on the many trees blossom Like flowers in the night; Fireworks fall Like shooting stars.
Fancy carriages take their turns about the road, Moving sound of the flute moves in the air; The white jaded teapot tips in the sky; Streams of light below perform Performing a dance of fish and dragon through the night.
Those fair ladies, They pass me by, Dressed head to toe in silver and gold, Leaving behind a trail Of gentle laughter and sweet perfume.
I’ve looked through the crowd a thousand times, Searching for the one; Then, a glance back, There (s)he is, Standing in the dimmest place.
We’ve all seen the ‘crispy Peking duck’ on a Chinese restaurant menu but do we understand the history, culture and art behind how it’s made? Let’s find out. In this episode, I talk about how the roast duck dish came about, the two main ways of how it’s cooked, the three ways of how it’s eaten and the restaurants you should go to in Beijing if you want to taste the true beauty of this dish.
Also available on most major podcast platforms (e.g. Apple Podcasts / Google Podcasts / CastBox / etc.).
In this episode, I talk about depression. Most of the world is now in lockdown mode, with the reduced level of social interaction, depressive symptoms may appear. I hope we can all look after our own mental wellbeing as well as look out for our family and friends.
Key Vocab:戴口罩(dài kǒuzhào),戴手套(dài shǒutào),抑郁症状(yìyù zhèngzhuàng),心理医生(xīnlǐ yīshēng),神经递质(shénjīng dì zhì),激素分泌 (jīsù fēnmì)
Rúguǒ nǐ de péngyǒu huò jiārén gēn nǐ shuō tā (tā) men déliǎo yìyù zhèngle, nǐ gāi zěnme bàn ne?
不要责备他们或者说,“你看起来还好啊”这类的话。应该给予她(他)们适当的关心和支持。但不要做过了。过多的关注和追问可能会让他们觉得喘不过来气。Bùyào zébèi tāmen huòzhě shuō,“nǐ kàn qǐlái hái hǎo a” zhè lèi dehuà. Yīnggāi jǐyǔ tā (tā) men shìdàng de guānxīn hé zhīchí. Dàn bùyào zuòguòle.Guò duō de guānzhù hé zhuīwèn kěnéng huì ràng tāmen juédé chuǎn bùguò lái qì.
倾听。好好听她(他)们说的话。她(他)愿意跟你分享代表着她(他)已经很信任你了。如果不知道说什么,可以让她(他)们知道你在乎她(他),问她(他)们如何可以帮助到她(他)们。不要敷衍。Qīngtīng. Hǎohǎo tīng tā (tā) men shuō dehuà. Tā (tā) yuànyì gēn nǐ fēnxiǎng dàibiǎozhuó tā (tā) yǐjīng hěn xìnrèn nǐle. Rúguǒ bù zhīdào shuō shénme, kěyǐ ràng tā (tā) men zhīdào nǐ zàihū tā (tā), wèn tā (tā) men rúhé kěyǐ bāngzhù dào tā (tā) men. Bùyào fūyǎn.
你也可以以你的情绪把她(他)们带动起来。你开心,她(他)们也会受到影响。出门运动、跑步,也可以带上她(他)。Nǐ yě kěyǐ yǐ nǐ de qíngxù bǎ tā (tā) men dàidòng qǐlái. Nǐ kāixīn, tā (tā) men yě huì shòudào yǐngxiǎng. Chūmén yùndòng, pǎobù, yě kěyǐ dài shàng tā (tā).
Also available on most major podcast platforms (e.g. Apple Podcasts / Google Podcasts / CastBox / etc.).
Short English Summary: In this episode I talk about whether people in China celebrate Christmas. Much like some celebration in the West, there would be Christmas trees, Christmas shopping, Christmas dinners, parties and people wearing Santa hats. However, we all know that China is not a religious country. Although China has a diverse set of cultures and religions (including Christianity), it is encouraged that, without losing the core of the culture and religion, such cultures and religions are merged with Chinese traditions. As such, Christmas in China is more commercial than it is a celebration of the birth of Jesus. A Chinese way of celebrating Christmas has also developed over time. If Christmas is celebrated without its religious roots and without the Western tradition of spending time with family, is Christmas a shell of an occasion? Should this type of ‘Christmas’, then, be celebrated at all? I welcome your comments below.