Nobu’s Weblog

My friend from China called Tim was visiting Hong Kong last weekend, so I accompanied him to Ocean Park, which is a popular destination for tourists and a great amusement park combined a zoo and riding attractions.

Tim has already pre-booked tickets in China. I was very surprised (°o°;;) ナント！ that after discount tickets only costs 150 RMB (=175HKD), original entrance fee is 250 HKD in Hong Kong!! Thank you, Tim!

We always speak Chinglish, a mix of English and Chinese. It is a great exercise for both of us, he can improve his English and I can improve my Mandarin.

While Tim was trying to find the tour guide, who will issue us the tickets, I was waiting at the entrance. A lady with her daughter was sitting at the entrance. A small yellow and red sticker named with a travel agent in China was labeled on her shirt; she probably joined a tour to come to Ocean Park. Well, I assume the lady observed Tim and me for a while. After Tim left in order to find the tour guide, she talked to me “Ey, 朋友,你很漂亮! [Ey, friend, you are beautiful!]“ I was surprised and answered “我的朋友你很漂亮吗?  [Is my friend beautiful?]” When the lady rose up her voice and used her hands to express her feelings, I recognized that I misunderstood her. She said, it sounds a little bit angry, but she was not angry at all “不是! 他不漂亮!! 你是朋友!! 你很漂亮!!! [No, he is not beautiful! YOU are beautiful!]” First I thanked her （*＾.＾*）エヘッ
, but then I remembered and said with a big smile in my face “哪里哪里! [Not at all!]” The lady and the daughter were laughing. Tim rushed back and asked me “Any problems?” I could not answer clearly, I just smiled to Tim, to the lady and the daughter. (^ー^* ) フフフフ

We received tickets from the tour guide and explored Ocean Park, mainly the riding attractions. Later on we went to a German pub “Schnurrbart” in Lan Kwai Fong. In total it was nice day!.. and a beautiful day *ggg*

Tim, hopefully you have enjoyed your stay in Hong Kong! 

PS. In this context 朋友 is used as a greeting to an unknown person. It does not mean “friend” (orginal meaning).

In order to improve my Chinese pronunciation much more, I have decided to talk more. Recently I have started to speak Putonghua also in office, and nearly all of my colleagues kindly cooperate with me, although is not always easy (sorry m(T__T)m). One of my colleagues Henry teaches me new words with at least 4 characters, which I try to use it as often as possible.

Henry: Today you are very beautiful!
Nobu: Thank you!
Henry: In Chinese it means “今天你是貌美如花.”  “貌美如花” means beautiful like a flower!
Nobu: 今天我是貌美如花, 真的吗? [Is it true, that I am very beautiful today?]
Henry: 真的. [Yes, this is true.]

The following day
Nobu: 今天我是貌美如花吗? [Am I beautiful like a flower today?]
Henry: hm … [he is thinking]
Nobu:  今天我不是貌美如花. [Today I am not beautiful like a flower.]
Henry: ???
Nobu: 今天我是普通花*. [Today I am normal flower.]
Henry: Hahahaha

You may think this conversation is meaningless. But for me it is not, by using new characters also learning characters, which I cannot find in my text book, is a great experience for me. When I look in the past, e.g. last year I was too shy and afraid to talk. But since “Happy Chinese”-experience in Guangzhou, I feel very motivated to talk. At the moment my sentences are short and easy, but I am sure one day I can make more complicated sentence like “I am a happy person with an unique smile learning Putonghua in HKG and I am proud of myself’ (^_-)

—

*this expression is created by Nobu and does not exist.

As I have mentioned I have been in Guangzhou during new year.  I was looking for CD in a CD-shop, but unfortunately I could not remember the singer’s name.  Well, in school I have learnt to describe things, if I do not know something. So I use this method to explain the shop assistant - she speaks only Putonghua - what I want. So I also do!

Can YOU guess, who I am looking for?

“我 找 一 张CD.
I am looking for a CD.
我忘了歌手的名字, 我忘了他的汉字.
I forgot the name of the singer, I forgot how to write his name.
但是我记得他是男人, 他是台湾人.
But I remember he is a man, he is Taiwanese.
他的歌是普通话.
His songs are in Putonghua.
他的名字有三个汉字. 一 个汉字是”绿”.
His name contains 3 Chinese Characters; one of them is “green”
我朋友说他的歌好听.
My Friend told me his songs are good.”

The shop assistant did know immediately who I am looking for and offered me following CDs.  (-^〇^-) If you also want to know, please click here.

Yesterday I went to specialized doctor. When I arrived there, I recognized that she does not speak English, only Cantonese and Putonghua. (；_______；) In my opinion it was quite difficult to communicate, since I did not know the vocabularies. So this doctor describes what she actually wants to say eg. “Do you have a baby in you stomach now?” I mean physically it is not correct, but I DID understand now that she is talking about. Further on “Does your body like everything?” = Do you have allergy?, “Does blood come out from your body?” = Do you have your menstruation?

I was quite “happy” when she told me that the result of the examination is going to be send to my general doctor. I guess otherwise I did not understand what’s going on, except I am ill. ~(>_<。)

One of my dreams at the moment is speaking, reading and writing Putonghua fluently. Well, I think my writing and reading is not bad, but my pronunciation is still not good.

Last autumn I met Shan (Taiwanese grew up in China) in the hospital. She was interested in me and would like to talk me. We found out that we have one language (luckily) in common: Putonghua. It was the first time I used this language for a private communication and honestly I could not imagine until this moment, that I am able to discuss and talk. Wow it was so amazing. When we could not see us, we wrote SMS to each other, she always corrects me and I have learnt a lot. For exchange I told her a lot about Germany. This is was the beginning of a friendship, but also for my confidence in talking Putonghua; even I talk like a small child.

I also started to watch Taiwanese Drama with Chinese Subtitles. This way I was able to train my listening and check it by myself. Often I am ringing up my friend in SH and talk in Chinese. It is always quite funny. My friend is always very patient listening to me.

One day in CN, when I was sitting in the cab, I started to discuss with the taxi driver about a the life as a taxi driver and merchandiser. (⌒▽⌒；) オッドロキー It was not that difficult that I thought!

Since I felt still unsatisfied with my progress, I am joining now a Chinese Business Class, in which I have learnt to write essays (at least 400 words) and holding speeches (It should be 3 minutes speeches, but my speeches are always around 1-2 minutes). I was surprised by myself ビックリ～　（/’O';)/, that I am able to write a long essays. Suddenly I had a lot of fun to write essays, so meanwhile I am just writing some of them just for fun. I may upload some of them here. ＼(^^)／わーい

This year I started to paddling together with MAD PADDLERS and got to know to a lot of paddlers. Some of them do speak Putonghua as well, so I also have a lot of opportunities to speak this wonderful language.

I guess I need to try to speak more Putonghua, also in my private life, so I can learn and train.

This moment came earlier than I thought: Damn! (°_°;)ハラハラ（; °_°）

After I went to the exhibition “Hong Kong Fashion Attitude” – which was unexpectedly  small – there were 3 hours left to my next appointment.

I was looking around in Tai Wai and finally decided to go the hair dresser. Here I have not a big choice as in Hung Hom, where I am living. Just 8 salons. I was wondering 「(ーヘー;) え～と, which is the best choice. First I have checked the price list – it was nearly the same, then I have checked the well visited one. 2 of them are quite busy, that mean they are good, but since I do not so much time, I did not go. I was thinking again. What kind of stuff I can check, too. Well, at the end I choosed a hair salon, with the most handsome guy(s). (o・∇・)o ヤッタ！

After a while I found out  that that this guy, as well as his colleague and the shop manager – all handsome (but not my type) – do not speak English at all. I was showing to my hair magazine, what kind of hairs I like and/or dislike by smiling, body languages and Putonghua. At that moment I was just thinking even the cut gets worst, hair will grew again, so “Don’t worry, be Happy!”

The guy was washing my hair and start cutting my hair carefully.  He touches my head softly and it was like a very comfortable massage – which makes me totally sleepy ＼（~ｏ~）／ふぁ～. While he was cutting and highlighting for 3 ½ hours- which is normal -, he tried to correct my position, which was totally impossible, because I felt in a deep deep sleep and I was not able control my head and shoulder position any more. They fell down… （－－）zzz．。oｏOＯ○ Even I choose the salon with handsome guys, I was dreaming of Echizen, Komatsu Nana, Nobu, Shah Rukh Khan, Kimura Takuya and Ruroni Kenshin (a really weird mix!). And when I woke up （○＿○）パチッ, I was slavering! What a shame! I hope I was not snoring, too. I apologized to all guys in the hair salon “I am really sorry for falling asleep (シ_ _)シ　 ハハァーー…, but it was so comfortable!”, but all guys (?_?) did not understand what I am talking about, so I paid as fast as possible and left/run out  タタタタ ε=ε=ε=ヘ(;°∇°)ノ the hair salon.

At the beginning of this year I told me friend “After 6 months I would like to talk Chinese fluently!” Maybe you think “You are crazy!” But I am not. I know few ppl, who have learnt easy Chinese conversation in 3 months. Unfortunately in June I was not able to talk.. or do a conversation.

When I was in the hospital in September I got to know a TBC (Taiwanborn Chinese). Her Putongua is clear - I was able to understand AND I was able to communicate with her. I was so happy and so surprised about myself that I am able to do it! Wow, wow, wow!
Few days ago I took a cab in CN. Since I stuck in the traffic jam, I started a discussion(!) with him! Wow I really did not know that I can do it! We have talked about a taxi driver life, foreigner’s life in China, necessary English Skills in China and so on.

Few months ago I told Rophard “I am looking forward to the day, that I can speak Chinese fluently.” And Now this is my time! Of course I am still not perfect, but it does not matter, I am able to DISCUSS, COMMNUNICATE, that means my listening and understanding skills have been developed before and also my talking speed has progressed.

Some how I am so happy o(^o^o)o(^o^)o(o^o^)o ウキョキョキョ

If you are also learning chinese, please do not give up! It is so nice to talk this language! ＼（＠＾o＾）／ ＜キャッホー！！

PS I have also started to write SMS in Chinese. Hehe

Since I am living here I have decided to learn some Cantonese phrases and words, which makes my life easier. In order to remember I write down them on a small yellow paper and stick it on my screen at work.

A German colleague passed me by and was surprised “Wow, you are also now learning Cantonese. Good! Go Head!”
Later on a Chinese colleague passed me and recognized “Why did you stick so many Cantonese dishes on your computer?”

“ Because I like them so much and I would like to order them by myself!”

But hey, Pssst! Do not tell everybody that only Cantonese Dishes are mentioned there XD

After I was remembered by Chinese men that I am living in the best environment for learning and talking mandarin, I reviewed my lessons “Like/not like”, “colors” and “Shopping” in a real shop in China. Yeah, right, no time to be blue. I have to practice more, let’s go Nobu!

“How much is THIS blouse?”
“How much is THAT blouse?”
“Do you have this blouse in blue/red/brown/black/green?” (Actually I was not interested in these colours, but I was reviewing the colours. XD)
“I do not like this shirt, BUT I like this one.”
“How much is all together?”
“It is expensive, I only pay xxx RMB!”
“This is too small and I am too big. Do you have big size shirt?”
etc
Since the sales woman DID understand what I am talking, I was really interested in talking more and more, even I do not want to buy anything, perhaps only one shirt XD
In order not to bother her, I choose a shop with less guests.

Success No.1

Lisa(L) makes a phone call to the travel agency(T) in order to book a train ticket to Guangzhou in China.

T: Wei? (Chinese greeting on phone)
L: Hello, I am Lisa. Do you speak English?
T: Yes.
L: Great, I would like to book a …
T: Yeah, I understand. You are applying for a Visa.
L: No. I would like to book a …
T: You do not want to apply for a Visa?
L: No. I would like to book a ..
T: But you said Visa.
L: No, that’s my name.
T: We do not have such Visa.
L: No, my name is Lisa. I do not want to apply for a Visa! I would like to book a ..
T: Pizza?

（；＿＿＿；） Lisa hang up.