Friday, October 2, 2009

Chinese Music Class

I have had two Chinese Music Classes, I have them on Friday afternoon 3PM to 5PM. The teacher has lots of energy, she hands out the lyrics in Chinese characters and in romanization. She explains the lyrics mostly in Chinese, then we listen to several versions and try to sing along. After a few times she passes the microphone around and we each sing a few lines. That part is tough.

There is one of the songs from the first class. First in Chinese and then in English.































Here is my attempt at an English translation:
































You can hear the song at:

http://www.imeem.com/ltdhuat/music/UP5rGWUm/angel-hou-qiu-tian-bie-lai/

In class we heard it both with a female and male singer. It has two different effects depending on which gender signs it. It's a sensitive song, I wasn't a dry eye in the class.

All of the regular Chinese class is at a simple level because it can only use the grammar and vocabulary that we've seen. In contrast, these popular Chinese songs use all the complexity of the full Chinese language.

And now for some bathroom humor:


























This the sign in the Foreign Language Institute.

Below is a new restaurant that I'm going through there menu item by item. I would show you a picture of their Shao Long Tang Bao but it would just make you jealous.
:)


























I'll be in Taipei this weekend, but I have two blogs ready to on Saturday and Sunday.

I just notice that blogger is too narrow to see all of the lyrics in both Chinese and English, but by clicking the image it will open the picture in a separate window and then they are all visible. They can also be saved/copied from that window. Why
the blogger window is so narrow I don't know. Sorry

2 comments:

Paula said...

What a beautiful song! I enjoyed listening to it with the link you gave. It was most appropriate considering the Moon Festival time. Your program seems well balanced and fun.

You remind me a little of Michael Moore, with your observations of everyday life, such as the restroom signs. He has come out with a new movie on capitalism that's gotten good reviews. Maybe you could team up with him to do a feature on Taiwan.

I researched moon cake recipes. Most say they are a lot of work. Many have egg yolks in the middle as an important ingredient, which doesn't work for this vegan. I think I'll forget the moon cake project and go sew instead.

The Bellevue restaurant Facing East got a rave review in the Seattle Times today. I've got to go back there soon. Florence, let's set a date!

Have fun in Taipei!

Florence said...

Mike,

Good blog and good restroom picture. You make us feel that we were there. I am glad Paula like the song. Yes, you do a very good job with the blog. It is the only web site I go everyday other than Yahoo mail. Even with yahoo mail, I no longer open the web page since I had the iPhon.

Paula, there are probably many "facing east" in Taiwan. If you visit Taiwan, you will have no trouble to get a seat!

Mike, your school web site has a contest for writing travel article, you could earn a lot of the money by submiting it in. Please check it out!