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On Wednesday, 18.05.2022 I took the TestDaF at the Goethe-Institut Malaysia. In Malaysia there are only two places you can take TestDaF, eit...

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Doggy Tales: Sights

Monday morning: Saw a pair of sweet doggies - one white with brown patches and another brown one with black muzzle trying to cross the road at BU12. I recognize the white one with brown patches, she stays in the forest clearing nearby. Further down the street at the 90 degree right turn, noticed a small white doggy with floppy ears, looks like a female who gave birth to puppies not long ago.

Monday evening: 4th Mile Old Klang Road near the Old Tin Hau Temple. Two dogs walked on the other side of the road near the temple against the traffic. One white one and one brown one. The brown one walked in a funny way. I scrutinized him, and my heart sank, he had only 3 legs. Without a right front leg he had to hop along as a tripod dog :(

Main road of OUG-Yarl Garden passing by the hill slope where the Chinese school is. The spot where a few pickup trucks sell roast duck, roast pork, and BBQ pork. The mixed Dalmatian female and two other doggies gathered around one of the trucks for dinner. Lucky doggies. They roam the residential area searching for shelter every time it rains.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Doggy Tales: Committment

I always tell my friends who want to keep a dog this: "Be prepared to sign a 15-year contract." Yes, it's true. When you choose to keep a dog, you have to give him (or her) a good life. Dog's life expectancy is 15 years, so if you get a puppy it'll grow up into a doggy and he's yours for life. Can you commit yourself to such a major commitment?

Your doggy will become your boss at home, your schedule will revolve around him, you will do many things for him - clean up the shit, take him to the vet, feed him, bathe him, walk him, and much more. You have to plan your holidays accordingly. You have to look at your living space - landed property or apartment? Indoor or outdoor dog?

If you want a pedigree dog, are you prepared for high maintenance? They got to go for haircuts, pedicure and the whole lot of periodic necessary upkeep.

A sample routine for someone's dog: Feed three times a day. Walk twice a day. Search for ticks daily. Bathe once a week - warm water only, do not bleach, use hairdryer to blow dry. Give treats to see a short performance.

You'll also need to learn how to read doggy language. Can you understand what your doggy's trying to tell you? It's more than bow wow woof woof. Their eyes, body posture, facial expression etc. convey messages to us. Even though doggies can't speak human language, they understand human communication to a certain extent. Any dog lover would concur with this. I believe the social nature of dogs has helped them blend well into human society, at least with those who love doggies.

Doggy Tales: Attachment

Some doggies cannot be separated from their owners. Otherwise, they'll exhibit weird behavior such as going on hunger strike, hiding from everyone, or incessant barking. There's no way they'll survive more than a night in a pet hotel without going crazy. Must find someone to take care of them on a full-time basis. Even then, the doggy may show strong signs that he/she misses his/her owner.

Update, 23 July 2010

Been too busy to update my public blog since mid-June. Lots of work to do, and work takes priority over other matters. Gym's been good. Am currently on maintenance mode. Three to four times a week keeps the achievements the way they're supposed to be.

Salsa in KL still continues at the default hotspots. I don't have the time to dance as often as in the past. Perhaps once a fortnight I go out, and what little I know is still enough for simple social stuff. Zouk's entering the scene with a bunch of enthusiasts. It may well be the next social dance to complement salsa the way bachata has.

The more I take photos the more I realize I need to improve. When I look back at photos taken in the past few years, I gasp. If only I had the knowledge I have now. It's like life, when I reminisce on events of a decade ago, I wish I had today's mind in my then body and stayed clear of all the yun wong lou 冤枉路。What's past is past, cannot be changed, but we still can influence our future to a certain extent.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Lyrics & Translation: Đừng Xa Em Đêm Nay by Thảo My

This Vietnamese song was quite popular around the year 2000. It brings back quite a number of memories for me. Here are the lyrics and English translation for your karaoke pleasure.

Music Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1HXVjozmqg

Lyrics Source:
http://www.vmdb.com/viewSong.jsp?id=4272

Translation Source:
http://anonymouswish.xanga.com/200152727/item/

Song Title: Đừng Xa Em Đêm Nay (Don't Leave Me Tonight)
Artiste: Thảo My
Written by: Đức Huy

Lyrics & English Translation:

Đừng xa em đêm nay khi bóng trăng qua hàng cây
Don’t leave me tonight when the moon passes the trees
Đừng xa em đêm nay đêm rất dài
Don’t leave me tonight, night’s too long
Vòng tay em cô đơn đêm khuya vắng nghe buồn hơn
In my lonely arms, night is dark and forlorn
Còn tim em khát khao yêu thương.
My heart thirsts for your love

Đừng xa em đêm nay hãy nói anh sẽ ở đây
Don’t leave me tonight, please say that you will stay
Đừng để em một mình nơi chốn này
Don’t leave me alone in this place
Hãy ôm em trong tay cho em biết anh cần em
Hold me in your arms so I know you need me
Và hãy nói anh vẫn yêu em.
Say, you always love me!

ĐK
Repeat

Giọt nước mắt nào đổ trong bóng tối
A tear drop falls into darkness
Khi nằm lắng nghe tiếng đêm, lắng nghe tiếng đêm
When I lay, listen to darkness, listen in darkness
Nghe nhịp đập con tim ru em giấc ngủ yên.
Hear the beats of my heart lull me my good sleep
Đời em vắng lạnh và anh đã đến như ngọn nến
My life is empty, you came as candles
Trong bóng đêm, nến trong bóng đêm soi vào tim
In darkness, candles in darkness brighten up my heart
Nghe xao xuyến đã ngủ quên.
Bitterness fell asleep

Đừng xa em đêm nay khu phố quen đã ngủ say
Don’t leave me tonight, my street is asleep
Đừng xa em đêm nay đêm rất dài
Don’t leave me tonight, night’s too long
Hãy yêu em đêm nay cho quên hết đi ngày mai
Please love me tonight, to forget tomorrow
Đừng xa em, đừng xa em đêm nay.
Don’t leave me. Don’t leave me tonight.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Cantonese Joke: Ah Por Gong Wa Jau Yam 阿婆讲话走音 (Mature Audiences Only)

First in a series of 阿婆讲话走音 Ah Por Gong Wa Jau Yam jokes.

This clearly illustrates the pitfalls of not pronouncing Cantonese with the correct tones. Every word you say must be correct in tone and sound, otherwise the meaning changes dramatically as you can see from this Granny Speaks Out Of Tone joke.

從前有一個住係海邊的亞婆,有一日佢見到兩個人跳海,佢去救左其中一個人,而另一個救唔到。咁佢就打999報警。電話一通,
chungchin yau yatgo jyu hai hoibin dik apo, yau yat yat keui gindou leunggo yan tiu hoi, keui heui gau jo keijung yatgo yan, yi ling yatgo gau mdou. gam keui jau da 999 bou ging. dinwa yattung,
Earlier there was a Granny staying near the seaside, one day she saw two people jumping into the sea, she went and saved one but couldn't save the other. So she called 999 to make a police report. When the phone call went through,

婆婆就問:喂!系唔系鳩鳩鳩呀?(婆婆想問系唔系999)
popo jau man: wai! hai m hai gau gau gau a? (popo seung man hai m hai 999)
Granny asks: Hello! Is this dick dick dick? (Granny wants to ask "Is this 999")
個差佬就答:乜撚野鳩鳩鳩呀?
go chaailou jau daap: mat lan ye gau gau gau a?
The policeman answers: What the cock is dick dick dick?
婆婆就話勒:有人屌"high"丫!(有人跳海)
popo jau wa lak: yau yan diu "high" a! (yau yan tiu hoi)
Granny says: Someone's fucking cunt! (Someone jumped into the sea)
個差佬就講:人地屌西關你撚事呀?
go chaailou jau gong: yan dei diu hai gwaan nei lan si a?
The policeman says: What the heck does other people fucking got to do with you?
婆婆又話:一個有鳩,一個無鳩呀!(一個有救,一個冇救)
popo yau wa: yatgo yau gau, yatgo mou gau a! (yatgo yau gau, yat go mou gau)
Granny then says: One's got a dick, the other doesn't! (One saved, one not saved)
差佬就答佢:屌西當然要一個有鳩,一個冇鳩嫁啦!!!
chaailou jau daap keui: diu hai dongyin yiu yatgo yau gau, yatgo mou gau ga la!!!
The policeman then answers: Fucking cunt of course means one's got a dick and the other doesn't!
婆婆就講:無鳩的叫得好大聲丫。
popo jau gong: mou gau dik giu dak hou daai seng a.
Granny then says: The one with no dick screamed very loudly.
差佬又答佢:叫床丫嘛,糟到你咩!亞婆,你之前食撚左乜野?
chaailou yau daap keui: giu chong a ma, jou dou nei me! apo, nei jichin sik lan jo matye?
The policeman then replies: Lovemaking sounds, does it bother you? Granny, what the hell did you eat earlier?

Source:
http://hkg.westkit.net/?p=v&id=2272736

Vadivelu Tamil Comedy: Tar Road Joke

Tamil Comedy: Vadivelu Tamil Joke - Tar Road

மீண்டும் வடிவேலு, பார்த்திபன்..
miiNdum vadiveelu, paarththiban..

“பார்த்தி.. இது என்ன ரோடுப்பா?”
"paarththi.. idhu enna rooduppaa?"
“தார் ரோடு”
"thaar roodu"

“ம்க்க்ஹும்.. இந்த ரோடு எங்க போகுதுன்னு கேட்டேன்?”
"mkkhum.. inda roodu engga pooguthunnu keetteen?"
“எங்கேயும் போகலை.. இங்க தான் இருக்கு”
"engeeyum poogalai.. ingga thaan irukku"

“ம்ம்… சரி.. நான் தெளிவா கேக்கிறேன். இந்த ரோடு எந்த ஊர்களுக்கு நடுவுல இருக்கு?”
"mm... sari.. naan theLivaa keekkiReen. inda roodu enda uurgaLukku naduvula irukku?"
“உள்ளூருக்கும் வெளியூருக்கும் நடுவுல இருக்கு.”
"uurLuurukkum veLiyuurukkum naduvula irukku."

“ப்ப்ச்ச்… இந்த தார் ரோட்டுக்குன்னு ஒரு பேரு வச்சிருப்பாய்ங்கல்ல.. அதச் சொல்லுயா..”
"ppss... inda thaar roottukkunnu oru peeru vachchiruppaaynggalla.. adhas solluyaa.."
“அப்படித் தெளிவா கேளு.. அப்போதானே கரெக்டாச் சொல்ல முடியும்…”
"appadit theLivaa keeLu.. appoothaanee karektaas solla mudiyum..."

“அதத் தானே தெளிவா மொதல்லருந்து கேட்டுக்கிட்டு இருக்கேன்.”
"adhat thaanee theLivaa mothallarundu keettukkittu irukkeen."
“என்ன கேட்டே?”
"enna keettee?"

“இது என்ன ரோடு?”
"idhu enna roodu?"
"இது தார் ரோடு."
"idhu thaar roodu."

பா எத்தணை வகைப்படும்? அவையாவைன்னு சொல்லு?
paa eththaNai vagaippadum? avaiyaavainnu sollu?

ஐந்து வகைப்படும் சார் அவை ஆசிரியப்பா, கலிப்பா, வெண்பா, வஞ்சிப்பா, படையப்பா.
ainthu vagaippadum saar avai aasiriyappaa, kalippaa, vanjippaa, padaiyappaa.

Source:
http://www.facebook.com/notes/tamil-tamil/cirikka-cintikka-nakaiccuvaikal-funny-jokes/397168059709

Monday, May 31, 2010

Lyrics, Romanization & Translation: Marry Me Today (Jin Tian Ni Yao Jia Gei Wo) 今天你要嫁给我

Wedding Song: Marry Me Today (Jin Tian Ni Yao Jia Gei Wo)

This song is dedicated to all my friends who are going to get married. Very beautiful and meaningful lyrics, nice to listen to even for those who aren't familiar with Mandarin. English translation provided line by line. Adjust the words a bit and you could attempt an English version :)

Music Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21_0MI4OTRI

Marry Me Today (Jin Tian Ni Yao Jia Gei Wo) sung by David Tao and Jolin Tsai
今天你要嫁给我 (蔡依琳 - 陶喆)

chūn nuǎn de huā kāi dàizǒu dōngtiān de gǎn shāng
春 暖 的 花 开 带走 冬天 的 感伤
Flowers blossoming in spring takes away the winter's pain

wēifēng chuī lái làngmàn de qìxī
微风 吹 来 浪漫 的 气息
A light wind blows a breath of romance

měiyī shǒu qíngē hūrán chōngmǎn yìyì
每一 首 情歌 忽然 充满 意义
Every love song suddenly is filled with meaning

wó jiù zài cǐkè tūrán jiàn dào nǐ
我 就 在 此刻 突然 见 到 你
At this point you suddenly appear before me

Jolin ->
chūn nuǎn de huā xiāng dàizǒu dōngtiān de jī hán
春 暖 的 花 香 带走 冬天 的 饥 寒
Flowers blossoming in spring takes away the bitter cold of the winter

wēifēng chuī lái yìwài de àiqíng
微风 吹 来 意外 的 爱情
A light breeze blows unexpected love [our way]

niǎo ér de gāo gē lā jìn wǒmen jùlí
鸟 儿 的 高 歌 拉 近 我们 距离
Birdsong draws us closer to each other

wǒ jiù zài cǐkè tūrán àishàng nǐ
我 就 在 此刻 突然 爱上 你
At this point I suddenly fall in love with you

tīng wǒ shuō
听 我 说
Listen to me

shǒuqiānshǒu gēn wǒ yīqǐ zǒu
手牵手 跟 我 一起 走
[Let's] hold hands, walk together with me

chuàngzào xìngfú de shēnghuó
创造 幸福 的 生活
and create a happy life [together]

zuótiān nǐ láibùjí
昨天 你 来不及
Yesterday you did not arrive on time

míngtiān jiù huì kěxī
明天 就 会 可惜
it would be a shame tomorrow

jīntiān jià gěi wǒ hǎo ma
今天 嫁 给 我 好 吗
so will you marry me today?

RAP ->
Jolin in the house
D.T. in the house
Jolin in the house
D.T. in the house (Come on)
Jolin in the house
D.T. in the house
Our love in the house (Sweet sweet love)

xià rì de rèqíng dǎdòng chūntiān de lǎnsǎn
夏 日 的 热情 打动 春天 的 懒散
Summer's kindness shifts spring's idleness

yáng guāng zhàoyào měimǎn de jiātíng
阳光 照耀 美满 的 家庭
Sunshine illuminates the beauty of the family

měiyī shǒu qíngē dōu huì gōu qǐ huíyì
每一 首 情歌 都 会 勾 起 回忆
Every love song will bring up memories

xiǎng dàngnián wǒ shì zěnme rènshi nǐ
想 当年 我 是 怎么 认识 你
[I] think about how I met you that year

Jolin ->
dōngtiān de yōushāng jiéshù qiūtiān de gūdān
冬天 的 忧伤 结束 秋天 的 孤单
Grief in winter finishes autumn's loneliness

wēifēng chuī lái kǔ lè de sīniàn
微风 吹 来 苦 乐 的 思念 (I'm missin'you)
The breeze blows by withered yearning (I'm missin' you)

niǎo ér de gāo gē chàng zhe búyào biélí
鸟 儿 的 高 歌 唱 着 不要 别离
The birdsong makes me not want to leave

cǐ kè wǒ duōme xiǎngyào yōngbào nǐ
此刻 我 多么 想要 拥抱 你
I immediately desire your hug

tīng wǒ shuō
听 我 说
Listen to me

shǒuqiānshǒu gēn wǒ yīqǐ zǒu
手牵手 跟 我 一起 走
[Let's] hold hands, walk together with me

guo zhe anding de shēnghuó
過 著 安定 的 生活
and live a peaceful life

zuótiān nǐ láibùjí
昨天 你 来不及
Yesterday you did not arrive on time

míngtiān jiù huì kěxī
明天 就 会 可惜
it would be a shame tomorrow

jīntiān nǐ yào jià gěi wǒ
今天 妳 要 嫁 給 我
so you shall marry me today

tīng wǒ shuō
听 我 说
Listen to me

shǒuqiānshǒu wǒmen yīqǐ zǒu
手牽手 我們 一起 走
[Let's] hold hands and walk together

ba nǐ yīsheng jiao gei wǒ
把 妳 一生 交 給 我
surrender yourself completely to me

zuótiān búyào huitou
昨天 不要 回頭
Don't look back [to yesterday]

míngtiān yào dào baishou
明天 要 到 白首
we'll grow old [in the years to come]

jīntiān nǐ yào jià gěi wǒ
今天 妳 要 嫁 給 我
marry me today

RAP ->
Hey hey, uh uh

dingdong
叮噹
Ding dong

tīng zhe lǐtáng de zhōngshēng
听 着 礼堂 的 钟声
listening to the church bells ring

wǒmen zài shàngdì he qīnyǒu miànqián jiànzhèng
我们 在 上帝 和 亲友 面前 见证
God and our friends will all be here to witness us [get married]

zhè duì nán nǚ shēng jiùyào jié wèi fūqī
这 对 男 女 生 就要 结 为 夫妻
This man and woman shall now get married as husband and wife

búyào wàng le zhè yīqiè shì duōme de shénshèng
不要 忘 了 这 一切 是 多么 的 神圣
Do not forget just how sacred [marriage] is

nǐ yuànyì shēngsǐ kǔ lè yǒngyuǎn hé tā zài yīqǐ
你 愿意 生死 苦 乐 永远 和 她 在 一起
You will for better for worse be with her together

àixī tā zūnzhòng tā ānwèi tā bǎohù zhe tā
爱惜 她 尊重 她 安慰 她 保护 着 她
Love her, respect her, comfort her and protect her

liǎng rén tóngshí jiànlì qǐ měimǎn de jiātíng
两 人 同时 建立 起 美满 的 家庭
A couple together creates a happy family

nǐ yuànyì zhèyàng zuò ma? Yes I do
你 愿意 这样 做 吗? Yes I do
Are you willing to do this? Yes I do

tīng wǒ shuō
听 我 说
Listen to me

shǒuqiānshǒu yīlu dào jintou
手牽手 一路 到 盡頭
[Let's] hold hands together to the end

ba nǐ yīsheng jiao gei wǒ
把 妳 一生 交 給 我
surrender yourself completely to me

zuótiān yi shi guoqu
昨天 已 是 過去
Yesterday was the past

míngtiān gengduo huíyì
明天 更多 回憶
tomorrow will be full of memories

jīntiān nǐ yào jià gěi wǒ
今天 妳 要 嫁 給 我
marry me today

jīntiān nǐ yào jià gěi wǒ, jīntiān nǐ yào jià gěi wǒ, ...
今天 妳 要 嫁 給 我, 今天 妳 要 嫁 給 我, ...
marry me today, marry me today, ...

Sources:

http://www.chinese-tools.com/songs/song/65/jiageiwo.html
Mandarin lyrics with hanyu pinyin romanization and English notes when you move your mouse cursor over the lyrics. It also shows you which Chinese words are one on their own or combinations of two or more characters. However, some lines have been left out.

http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/d/david_tao/marry_me_today.html
English translations of the song lyrics.

http://geci.st020.cn/129470.htm
Traditional Chinese version of the lyrics.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Grandpa Appeared In My Dream

This morning my late 公公 appeared in my dream. In the dream sequence, I sat in his bedroom lit by the morning light, and he said to me in Cantonese, 《记得洗头发呀。》 He seemed happy and relaxed. Today, Sunday, 9 May 2010 is the 49th day since he passed away.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Random Thoughts about my India Trip

Weather: Hot and humid in Cochin. Hot and dry in Bangalore with cool nights. Hot, dry, and sunny in Goa. I went during the first week of April 2010, and April's the hottest month in these parts.

Food: Vegetarian everywhere. Food is classified as veg (green dot) or non-veg (red dot). Have to eat from hygienic places and drink only bottled water. Don't try the groundwater, it'll make you sick. Impossible to get good Chinese food. Possible to get some nice Western and Indian fusion foods. Pork and beef available in Goa. One and only pork shop along MG Road in Bangalore. Missed the Fenny, a unique hard liquor made from the soft part of the cashew fruit, which is available only in Goa.

Language: Malayalam in Cochin. Kannada in Bangalore. Konkani in Goa. Other than these main ones, you could try Tamil in Cochin, Hindi or Telugu in Bangalore, and Marathi or Hindi in Goa. Can get by with English for most tourist purposes. English fluency much better than China, but with a very strong Indian accent.

Cities: Bangalore's big. Goa is somewhat like Malacca, lots of villages and small towns but no big cities. From what I heard about Cochin, it's much cleaner, well-organized and friendly compared to the other two.

People: Malayali people in Cochin, they belong to many faiths - Hinduism, Islam, Catholicism, St,. Thomas Christians, other Christians, Judaism. Kannadigas predominate in Bangalore, but there are some Tamil and Marathi people there too. Konkani people in Goa, but lots of Marathis, as well as people from other states. Quite a number of Northeast Indians and Tibetans who could pass for Chinese or vice versa.

Tourists: In Goa, from all over India. Foreigners mainly Russians, with some British, Germans and perhaps a few Americans. In Bangalore, didn't see many foreigners despite the city being an international IT city. Not sure about Cochin because I didn't go anywhere other than the airport.

Scenery: Ranges from breathtaking to horrifying. Beautiful mountains, lovely beaches, vibrant alleys. Rubbish piles, dusty roadsides, broken earth. You'll see everything, and I mean everything from nicely-built bungalows to ramshackle hovels. Lots of stray doggies, but they're usually big-sized and look well-fed.

What else:

Don't bank on peaceful sleep if you're near any road. People honk all the time, just like in China, perhaps even worse.

Traffic's horrifyingly chaotic. Don't even think of crossing the road in peace and safety. Best thing to do, follow what the local Indians do and you'll be relatively allright.

If you're a foreigner, prepare to be charged higher prices than the locals for shopping, transportation, etc. Must know what's the market price for, say, a ride from downtown Bangalore to the Forum Mall or J. P. Nagar, then you can negotiate with the auto (pronounced "aato") rickshaw drivers. If you're lucky you'll meet an honest aato driver, so remember to tip him for his honesty.

People in the travel industry such as drivers, tour guides, porters, etc. depend on us for their living, so do remember to tip appropriately.

The dust will get into your nose and lungs. It's everywhere during the dry season. Can't avoid it unless you wear a face mask all the time. Unlike China, nobody wears face masks outdoors. So if you've got sinus, asthma or respiratory problems, you might want to think twice before coming.

Get a GPS. Trust me on this, it really helps. If not, buy a detailed map of the location you're in and use your inbuilt sense of direction. Otherwise, refer back to the GPS.

Try not to look too much like a foreigner if possible. Yes, I know it's easier said than done.

Get a local Indian SIM card for your mobile phone. It will make communication smoother for everybody. You'll need a photocopy of your passport, passport size photo and your hotel address in India.

It's always better to confirm everything and agree on the details before taking up any offer, package, or things like that. Make sure both sides are clear on the payment amount and expectations. Mis-communications can happen so take care to prevent them.

Perhaps I'll add more details and tips in other posts, if I ever get down to doing it. Have fun, my friends and readers.