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Post by con's fly is open on Sept 25, 2005 13:25:30 GMT 7
There is a foreign bokkstore near Raoul's; I wandered around looking for it one afternoon but couldn't find it.
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Newbs
SuperDuperBarfly!
If you don't have your parents permission to be on this site, naughty, naughty. But Krusty forgives
Posts: 2,085
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Post by Newbs on Sept 26, 2005 6:57:36 GMT 7
Yeah, I reckon most of us can identify with that sort of situation.
"1421" is, IMHO, a good read. I reckon the jury is still out on it, but therein lies a bit of a problem. Conventional historians don't like the idea of a retired RN officer coming along and rocking their boat. Then I read an article in "Straits Times" that suggested that the powers that be in Beijing aren't super keen on the hypothesis either, because they feel that it can portray China in a inward looking mob who didn't grab their chance when they had it.
I got my copy in Beijing, and I also saw it in Beijing. If it can't be found in a good foreign language shop in Suzhou, then damn, Suzhou is not paradise on earth. Sorry, Mr N but I don't think I can help you.
Where I live now is not too far from where the Mahogany ship went down. Next summer I reckon I might just head down that way and check out the local historical societies. If I find the Mahogany ship then expect Newbs to appear on the front page of "China Daily". Yeah, right.
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Post by con's fly is open on Sept 26, 2005 16:53:29 GMT 7
I found that Chinese were tickled by the fact that they acomplished all these things, and were one fire (and emperor's nervous breakdown) away from being the Canadians, flying to Norway to teach my kids Chinese.
But, to quote The Soong Sisters, "There are no ifs in history."
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Newbs
SuperDuperBarfly!
If you don't have your parents permission to be on this site, naughty, naughty. But Krusty forgives
Posts: 2,085
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Post by Newbs on Sept 27, 2005 7:43:35 GMT 7
Yes but, Con
If you stack up the accomplishments of Zheng He against all the other accomplishments in the Middle Kingdom in the last 5000 years, then the official response to his endeavours is pretty muted.
At the same time it's quite correct to say that a fair bit of the North America and Australasia came damn close to being part of the Chinese empire, rather than the British empire.
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Post by Lotus Eater on Sept 27, 2005 12:25:12 GMT 7
Remote empires are very difficult to control. Ask the Romans. They are revolting is the answer.
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Post by con's fly is open on Sept 27, 2005 20:37:25 GMT 7
Just ask Dubya. Actually, don't bother: deep denial.
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Post by Mr Nobody on Sept 28, 2005 6:51:21 GMT 7
I haven't read the book yet, but from what I understand of the history of the situation, they didn't want it. The place was barbarous away from the middle kingdom, so they left it.
Idjit emperor - look at Canada and Australia now - bet they wish they had conquered the kooris and inuit while they could. Hah.
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auflos
Up And Coming
Posts: 12
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Post by auflos on Oct 3, 2005 20:59:59 GMT 7
Hey Ruth,
I spent several years in St. Augustine. My parents live in Lakeland (near Tampa) St. A went all commercial with lots of bus tours and condos, so I bailed.
Thomas
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Post by Guy Courchesne on Oct 9, 2005 10:42:18 GMT 7
Speaking of something to read, here's a book availabe online from a favorite journalist of mine. www.kk.org/outofcontrol/BTW...I liked St. Augustine. Spent two days there in late 2000. Was my first experience seeing 'Hurricane Evacuation Route' signs. Made me wonder why every structure other than the Spanish fort was built so flimsily.
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Post by OZgronk on Oct 24, 2005 12:18:59 GMT 7
Trying to put together a lesson plan for the week (I've got an hour before class starts... so plenty of time), and stuff me if this weeks unit on Britain (Senior Grade 2) doesn't have a half page story about 1421, which is also one of the many books I brought over instead of Vegemite.
(btw...how do you make that "quote" thingy work)
The same unit also has a "profile of Agent 007" complete with a picture and bio of Brosnan, but absolutely no mention of his name!
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Post by OZgronk on Oct 24, 2005 12:36:18 GMT 7
I suppose if I am drinking in the "where are you" section I should point out I am teaching Senior 1 and 2 in a middle school in Yongzhou, 300km south of the capital Changsha (Hunan)and about 200km north of Guilin.
The school sits on top of a hill with great views, the city centre has everything we want except peanut butter and an espresso machine, and there is even a small airport with a jet service to Changsha 4 times a week.
I am here with my wife, and there are two other FTs at another school nearby.
Oh no, 30 minutes till class starts and still no lesson plan....procrastination is so easy when you sit on a PC with the web browser open ..... someone earlier mentioned the 5 step lesson plan....I think that should be alright.
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Post by Mr Nobody on Oct 24, 2005 15:59:17 GMT 7
How come I don't get interesting things? I got drivel written by some illiterate foreigners that can't get the grammar right, and their advice is either archaic, dodgy or just plain wrong.
At least I have the tapes now, so lesson plans for the next 3 weeks are orchestrated listening to them. (waves arms, sits down while the darlings listen, stops tape, waves arms again.)
Gotta put some tests together this week though, for their semi semester quizzes.
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Post by con's fly is open on Oct 24, 2005 17:53:36 GMT 7
Mark, the other English teacher, flew home for a funeral, so I'm teaching his classes as well as my own. The thing is, I don't mind: his kids are fantastic! 7 girls and 3 boys. The Finnish girl's a smartass, and Eric, the Afrikaaner, is hyper, but they are angels compare to my houligans. But the workload is quite something. Also, I'm taking my little thugs out on a field trip on Wednesday. Can't count how many things could go horribly wrong. Add to that the performance we're going to give for the parents, on less than 2 weeks' practice... Mind you, I feel lucky to be here. Fellow Suzhouites, come this weekend, be very afraid.
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nolefan
Barfly
Quod me nutrit, me destruit!
Posts: 686
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Post by nolefan on Nov 21, 2005 18:11:24 GMT 7
My wife and i are happily hiding in anonymous Tangshan, Hebei ( of the 1976 earthquake fame). We work at a teachers' College with 3 other laowais.
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Post by Hamish on Nov 21, 2005 18:31:15 GMT 7
YO! Neighbor!
Sallie and I are in Baoding with a spare room.
Drop by.
AH...bring single malt.
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nolefan
Barfly
Quod me nutrit, me destruit!
Posts: 686
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Post by nolefan on Nov 21, 2005 18:44:34 GMT 7
YO! Neighbor! Sallie and I are in Baoding with a spare room. Drop by. AH...bring single malt. . Cheers! I just might. Haven't hit baoding yet! So careful what you wish for, you might just get it. I'll wait for my wife to head to Beijing for a shopping weekend and pack the good stuff.
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Post by cheekygal on Dec 10, 2005 2:37:32 GMT 7
Hi, welcome me I'm in Beijing, full time kindergarten children (full time as in besides teaching them English, I participate in their other daily activities)
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Post by Dr. Gonzo on Dec 10, 2005 3:43:57 GMT 7
Welcome cheekygal, from "the other side". You'll find this forum an altogether different place.
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Post by George61 on Dec 10, 2005 4:58:07 GMT 7
Another kindergarten teacher? Welcome aboard, Cheeky. We are a bit short in that department. You and Con can swap war stories.
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Newbs
SuperDuperBarfly!
If you don't have your parents permission to be on this site, naughty, naughty. But Krusty forgives
Posts: 2,085
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Post by Newbs on Dec 10, 2005 5:58:23 GMT 7
A public welcome to Cheekygal, my newest, bestest drinking buddy. My shout so what'll it be, mate? Baijiu, pijiu, putaojiu, tepid tap water. Okay, only kidding about the last one.
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Ruth
SuperDuperMegaBarfly
God's provisions are strategically placed along the path of your obedience.
Posts: 3,915
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Post by Ruth on Dec 10, 2005 8:14:30 GMT 7
Welcome, Cheekygal. Fulltime kindergarten You probably need that drink Newbs is paying for. Always good to have another female on board, too.
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Non-Dave
Barfly
Try Not! Do - or Do Not... There Is No Try!
Posts: 701
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Post by Non-Dave on Dec 10, 2005 9:10:38 GMT 7
Welcome cheekygal. If you teach Kindy you must be a big drinker, so you should fit right in! Have one on me too.
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Post by con's fly is open on Dec 10, 2005 10:12:37 GMT 7
Welcome Cheekygirl! I have a great story about playing Santa Claus, but I'm not ready to talk about it yet.
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Post by Mr Nobody on Dec 10, 2005 14:23:52 GMT 7
Hi Cheeky. Welcome to the Far Side of the ESL. (with appologies to Larson)
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nolefan
Barfly
Quod me nutrit, me destruit!
Posts: 686
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Post by nolefan on Dec 10, 2005 20:53:41 GMT 7
cheeksy in tha house! one round of cowjuice on me
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