The travels of Justin

Maintaining my proficiency in Mandarin has been a constant challenge. Instead of taking structured classes I have been trying to find ways to at least maintain what I have already learned. I am grateful that Vancouver’s great population of Mandarin speakers has given me opportunity to use the language in everyday life. One challenge I [...]

我昨天晚上（2007年4月5日）在南昌大学北区逸夫馆报告厅看《南昌大学第十四届校园歌手大赛》。比赛由主办南昌大学学生会。我昨天下午不知道南大有比赛，然后朋友来就告诉我。我有一点空，所以我们一起去比赛。去大赛比我一个人在房间学习非常有意思，当然！我听过最多大赛的歌，但是我听不懂。我印象是都歌手好听。只有一个人唱一首英文歌：《I Believe I can Fly》（原文歌手：R. Kelly）。他感情唱歌唱得强烈，非常好！我现在不可以唱中文歌，以后。。。不知道。哈哈！慢慢来。。。

The other day I took a walk on Zhong Shan Road (中山路 zhōngshānlù) which is part of the shopping centre of Nanchang. I’ve never gone shopping there, but I still enjoy the area with it’s crowds of shoppers and activity. Zhong Shan Road is dotted with mostly middle-aged ladies trying to grab my attention with [...]

CBC reports that Canada Post (加拿大的邮局) has released it’s latest stamp celebrating the year of the Pig. I think most Chinese people I’ve met (and foreigners too) are quite surprised when I say how Chinese traditions are woven into Canadian life. A symbol of a Chinese festival being specially acknowledged in this way does not [...]

“Hello,” said the little girl. I guessed her age to be less than 10-years old as I looked up from my dinner. Sitting alone in a quiet corner of CBC Chicken I smiled as I replied: “hello.” “What is your favourite colour,” she asked after a slight pause. Obviously curious about the bearded foreigner, she [...]

A city block in China is huge compared to those in North America. Often the area within a Nanchang city block will contain a small maze of streets connecting the random collection of buildings. A quiet hidden street Another foreigner introduced me to a small restaurant that was in an area hidden from me until [...]