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Post by Lotus Eater on May 28, 2006 8:38:04 GMT 7
Ruth, take a deep breath, lie down for a little while and tell yourself you still know the difference between he and she - then you'll feel OK again.
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Ruth
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God's provisions are strategically placed along the path of your obedience.
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Post by Ruth on May 28, 2006 8:42:02 GMT 7
Keeping up with the Zhou-nses.
I can't do it.
A few mornings ago I was up at 5:30 (really rare) and noticed my neighbour across the street washing her windows. I was suitably impressed with her energy level at that time of the day (I was stumbling around the kitchen trying to find a cup for coffee). I was also impressed with the task she was doing. Washing windows is on my list of things to do that I keep procrastinating about.
This morning I saw her wiping the windows AGAIN. All of them. Both rooms that face our flat. Both sides of all windows. Then she wiped the leaves on the plant that's in her balcony/sun room. Maybe she does this every day before I even get out of bed. Maybe she only does it every few days.
Whatever. I can't compete.
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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 May 28, 2006 8:45:45 GMT 7
Good point, Lotus. When I start referring to my husband as 'she' I'll just jump out the window.
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Post by Dragonsaver on May 28, 2006 8:49:37 GMT 7
Good point, Lotus. When I start referring to my husband as 'she' I'll just jump out the window. I will let you jump - IF you live on the first floor. Other than that, I will NOT allow you the opportunity!
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Post by Lotus Eater on May 28, 2006 9:00:33 GMT 7
Keeping up with the Zhou-nses. I can't do it. A few mornings ago I was up at 5:30 (really rare) and noticed my neighbour across the street washing her windows. I was suitably impressed with her energy level at that time of the day (I was stumbling around the kitchen trying to find a cup for coffee). I was also impressed with the task she was doing. Washing windows is on my list of things to do that I keep procrastinating about. This morning I saw her wiping the windows AGAIN. All of them. Both rooms that face our flat. Both sides of all windows. Then she wiped the leaves on the plant that's in her balcony/sun room. Maybe she does this every day before I even get out of bed. Maybe she only does it every few days. Whatever. I can't compete. Ruth - you don't want to compete - this behaviour is a sign of serious insanity combined with boredom taken to extreme levels. Plus her motivation could be that she wants to see very clearly what all of the neighbours - especially the really interesting laowai ones are doing - all day.
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Ruth
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God's provisions are strategically placed along the path of your obedience.
Posts: 3,915
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Post by Ruth on May 28, 2006 9:13:29 GMT 7
Ha! She can't see through my windows. Too much dirt. Well, I did the classroom windows earlier this month. Haven't done the kitchen ones since the fall, though. Living room and bedroom have been done recently, but they don't face her apt. IMHO, twice a year is enough to wash the windows. Spring and fall. Just like my mother taught me. DS - 4th floor. 70 stairs up. Don't worry, I won't really jump. My luck I would only permanently injure myself, not actually die.
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Non-Dave
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Try Not! Do - or Do Not... There Is No Try!
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Post by Non-Dave on May 28, 2006 9:57:45 GMT 7
Don't do it Ruth, no matter how bad things get.
Your student's need you, we would miss you... and think about poor Roger. Who would carry her camera?
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Post by Lotus Eater on May 28, 2006 10:15:01 GMT 7
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Post by Mr Nobody on May 28, 2006 11:02:55 GMT 7
My mum taught me twice a decade is more than enough for windows. The dirt keeps the curtains from fading, especially where you have daylight savings.
Unless you have a cleaner. Speaking of which, I wish they would clean the bloody classrooms.
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Post by George61 on May 28, 2006 14:51:44 GMT 7
Very important point, ND.
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Post by Lotus Eater on May 28, 2006 16:24:44 GMT 7
I am half way through editing a 542 page book - after finishing an 80 page thesis edit. This makes me tired. But I am listening to Yo-yo Ma (Ma Yo-yo) play Bach cello music, with a small commentary about Bach's life in between, plus Torville and Dean skating to the music. It is lovely. I found several of these DVD's in a music DVD shop. Good to work to.
This has been really good for my Chinese. I sit with a couple of Chinese dictionaries, plus an English one - and Oxford on-line - so that I can work out what they are really trying to say and then use the subtle nuances of English to convey the subtle nuances of Chinese.
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woza17
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Post by woza17 on May 29, 2006 21:01:01 GMT 7
Good on you Lotus, I certainly admire your energy.
I often buy the Guanzhou Post as I have related before. Now if you write a 1200 word article and it is published you get 500 kwai. I have started writing the article in the car to work. the title is My Chinese Daughter -in Law, a bitch piece on the cultural differences on the process of birthing. Eri is going to write a counter piece on My Australian Mother-in Law. I reckon we could between us, land 1000 big ones.
I am not going to sweat to much over it and do a stream of consiouness George) thing, if I think too much about it it won't get finished. I have read a few articles by other foreigners and I think I have a handle on what they are looking for. My American mate can edit it for me she is a real wordsmith.
Now another thing I want to talk about is will our jobs become redundant. One of my students was telling me that EF in Dongguan has started this service of having students learning English over the internet from their teachers. How it works is that perhaps 10 or 5 students sign up at a cost of 360RMB a month which gives them acces to the FT for 6 hours a week for one month the rest of the time the students can chat amongst themsleves at allocated times. It means that no one has to leave home. I have heard of this before and even signed up with some company to do this but haven't heard back since. Thoughts please
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Post by Mr Nobody on May 29, 2006 21:13:00 GMT 7
Yeah, I signed up for one. That was back in Oz, to get some practice and maybe a reference or something, never heard anything from them again.
No worries, most chinese people don't have computers, and even if they did, it wouldn't work too well for a long time. This industry will be here for a long time - our working lifetime at least, until someone makes some cheap, piratable software that actually works, or the local teachers start being able to speak good native style English.
Not to mention that talking to people across the globe without governmental supervision won't ever become popular with the powers that be, I think.
We are cool. I give it at least ten years, probably more likely 50.
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woza17
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Post by woza17 on May 29, 2006 21:38:25 GMT 7
There could be some advantages though, when I am 80 and wheelchair bound perhaps Eri and Dennis can wheel me up to the computer and say Mum you have an English lesson now. We will leave you here for 2 hours and just check the notes beside you, just follow the prompts OK. Jude will check on you every 15 minutes now remember, no swearing. We have written down the words that you can't use. Now remember you are a young 30 year old we have changed the camera profile and this is your background. Don't m'kay up OK. Do you want some Mexican dumplings> We can pick up some if you like but remember the chilli plays havoc with your bowels not that you have to worry too much about that but your colestomy bag leaks more I think the chilli eats through the plastic.
No you can't die yet, you are still a useful member of the community and can contribute to the household.
The way of the Future
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Post by Mr Nobody on May 29, 2006 21:44:39 GMT 7
Cheers Woza, we all have a bright future by the sound of it. Just as long as the baijiu doesn't leak out of the bag, too, we'll be right.
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woza17
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Post by woza17 on May 29, 2006 21:52:38 GMT 7
Mr N the only time I would drink that stuff if there is nothing else to drink.
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Post by acjade on May 29, 2006 21:55:23 GMT 7
Mr. Nobody.... how's Mrs Nobody?
Off topic I know but still family related stuff. God it was was good seeing you in Suzhou. MIssing you guys and trying not to get anal about giving everything away to move into my new apartment.
I tried to give Gretch at least one of the Terracotta Warrior wall plaques and she accepted with alacrity until she adopted a puppy and had to fight through the trenches to get it home and safe.
Back on semi-topic. Can I give you and Helen a Terracotta Warriors wall plaque as a gift for the little Nobody or would the wind-up singing minstrel be more appropriate?
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Post by Mr Nobody on May 29, 2006 22:02:31 GMT 7
The wonderful Mrs N is fine, reading over my shoulder as your message came up, actually.
She is well, says hi, and misses you too. She likes all of the people she has met from Raoul's, but so far, won't join. She won't explain why, but I suspect it is simply that I call her whenever something involves her, and she has her own stuff to do, like tormenting me and spending my money on fruit.
She says waiting for babies is too long, and wants to get the next one from the supermarket.
I asked for her opinion on what you said, but it took a while to explain. When she stopped laughing, she said she was fascinated by my description of a wind-up singing minstrel. So SHE has spoken. Thanks for that.
Oh, yeah, Woza I know. But when we are in wheelchairs, we may not be able to choose. Or be able to tell.
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Post by acjade on May 29, 2006 22:18:29 GMT 7
She is fine She says waiting for babies is too long, and wants to get the next one from the supermarket. God bless you both and the little one. Lucky little bastard.
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Decurso
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Things you own end up owning you
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Post by Decurso on May 29, 2006 23:18:57 GMT 7
She is fine, reading over my shoulder as your message came up, actually. She says waiting for babies is too long, and wants to get the next one from the supermarket.. I hear her Nobby.This is hell...every hour seems like a day.I really appreciated your sentiments upstairs so allow to me wish you the best.Is this your your first?Doesn't matter..post pics when the happy day comes.
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Loops
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Raoul, after a day reading the garbage we dump on his forum...
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Post by Loops on May 30, 2006 1:46:27 GMT 7
More Nobodys?!?! Well I guess Nobby will finally have someone willing,errr stick around for ALL of his lengthy conversations...'cept of course 'til the little bugger can walk...then he too, will dart for the nearest exit... I'm happy for you Nobby!! I even got Tigger to dance for ya!! Get him watching them Bruce Lee movies at an early age... jerome.galica.free.fr/cinetv/Bruce Lee.gif[/img]
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Post by Mr Nobody on May 30, 2006 6:13:41 GMT 7
Kung fu will be king. But no Li Xiao Lung for this baby. The one true master, Wong Shun Leung, and his one true disciple, Barry Lee. I have plenty of footage of both.
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Post by cheekygal on May 30, 2006 8:30:26 GMT 7
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woza17
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Post by woza17 on May 30, 2006 17:51:29 GMT 7
Cheekgirl who is pretty?
Mr N how many months to go?
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Post by Mr Nobody on May 30, 2006 21:33:20 GMT 7
3 or So. Mid September apparently, woza.
Yes, this is our first, decurso, and thanks.
Loops, I will tell the little one all about tigger the loopy tiger.
Thanks AJ, and thanks all. I am still waiting with baited breath. (Chinese seafood food does that, along with poor dental hygeine. Oh, wait, I meant bated.)
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