1. When did someone last suggest you 'chill out'? Or, when did you last tell someone (or want to tell someone) to 'chill out'? Or, when did you last tell yourself to 'chill out'?I really don't know. I haven't heard that expression used in a long time.2. What most recently caused your heart to melt?Another tough one. Probably at my cousin's wedding over the summer. I was so glad, because I knew how much her fiancé cared for her.3. "An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered." G.K. ChestertonYour thoughts? When did you last experience either an adventure or an inconvenience? How did you see it at first, as an adventure or an inconvenience? Does it feel the same in hindsight?Makes sense. The last time I had an adventure and an inconvenience was during a hike I went on this summer. In some spots, the trail was rougher than I prefer. Normally I would have turned around. To me it seems pretty inconvenient to have to hike up a trail with a big rut in the middle! But by doing it anyway, I got to brag about facing something that made me nervous. So I had an adventure because I made it passed the obstacles.4. A Wendy's Frosty, root beer in a frosty mug, or a frosted chocolate cupcake...of these three, which one is your favorite 'frosty' treat?I don't go to Wendy's (a fast food restaurant) very often, so I don't know if I'd like a frosty. Right now I don't feel like having anything too sweet, so I guess I'll go with the root beer.5. Would you say your life so far this year has been more like a circus or a symphony? Explain why.I'd say it's been more of a symphony, because a symphony has so many instruments that harmonize. Likewise, I have been able to keep a good balance between work and hobbies this year. 6. Since it's a 'snow day' here, what's your favorite song containing the word 'white'?It's never a snow day where I am, but I'll answer this anyway. My favorite song with the word "white" in it is "Into the White" by the Pixies. They are an American rock band that is not especially well known, but they influenced Nirvana, a band that was popular here in the early 90s. I got to see the Pixies in concert a few years ago, and they were great!7. If you had to leave the city you currently live in, what would you find hardest to leave behind?The weather!8. Insert your own random thought here.One time a company filmed a car commercial at my grandparents' house. It's not unusual to see people filming in that part of LA. They were trying to make it look Christmassy, so they covered the lawn with fake snow! Before they took it off, I got to go play in it.Do Chinese people who celebrate Christmas associate it with snow?Again, here's where I get the questions:http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/

1. American Idol is back for a 14th season. Are you watching? Have you ever watched? If you were to audition for the show (or were made to audition), what song would you sing?I have never watched American Idol, nor do I ever intend to. If I could audition, I'd start by singing a few songs to my friends and family, and then ask them which one they think I did best. It would likely be an American folk song, like "In the Pines" or "The Wabash Cannonball." I like those songs, and they aren't especially well known anymore. So, by singing them on national television I would be helping them survive!2. Mark Twain is quoted as saying, "If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first." So when did you last have to 'eat a frog'? Or two? How'd that work out? Mr. Twain is being metaphorical here. By "eat a frog" he seems to mean "do something difficult." I "eat a frog" every day when I start doing work. I usually don't do the hardest thing first. I warm up with something a bit easier. 3. If you were going on safari, what is the number one animal you'd want to see?Tough choice!I've seen some Safari animals at my local zoo, so it's not like it would be my first time seeing a lot of them. I'm gonna say I'll go with whichever one has the cutest babies. 4. January 21st is National Granola Bar Day. I know. Do you like granola bars? Chewy or crunchy? Your favorite flavor? How about regular granola? Let's exhaust this topic in honor of the holiday okay?I don't eat granola bars very often, but when I do I prefer chewy ones. Especially if they have bits of chocolate in them!I think regular granola is ok, but not great.Are granola bars sold in China?5. If only__________________________________________. I could time travel!I'd visit all kinds of fun places that don't exist anymore. Like the Chicago World's Fair, amusement parks on Coney Island (in New York City), or the Ambassador Hotel (in LA, but closed before I was born). I'd also see some of my favorite bands in concert.Of course, I wouldn't want to live very far in the past, since there was no internet, and fewer rights for women. But I would love to be able to visit!6. You can add one item to your bedroom. What will it be? Keep it family friendly please.Some kind of antique, like a grandfather clock or a machine that plays those old wax cylinder records. 7. What is one thing you've enjoyed about winter thus far? If it's not winter in your corner of the globe, what season is it, and what is something you've enjoyed about whatever season it happens to be?We don't get much of a winter here on the California coast. I'd say the best thing was the rain we got. California's suffering from a drought, and although there wasn't enough rain to end it, what rain we did get hopefully helped a little.8. Insert your own random thought here.I feel like these questions involve a lot of American culture, since they were written by an American blogger. I don't know if I always explain everything that needs to be explained. I don't know what my Chinese readers are unfamiliar with. So, if you don't understand something, please ask about it in the comments.Here, again, is the blog where I get these questions:http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/

1. What's your best piece of advice for a newly married couple? I'm asking for a friend.I've never been married, so I really don't know.2. Teresa asks, "What were you doing on December 31st, 1999?" and " Did you or your family make preparations for Y2K?"We were celebrating New Year's Eve! I remember watching the festivities in Times Square. No, I do not think we prepared for Y2K. I didn't even hear about it until years later. From what I've heard, it was said that computers at the time only knew the last two digits of the year. So, they would mistake 2000 for 1900. And for reasons I can't understand (I'm not a software programmer!) that caused some problems. Apparently many computer systems were fixed before it could happen. 3. According to Global Language Monitor, the most used word of 2014 isn't a word. It's the heart emoji. Huh? How can something that's not a word be the most used word, but I digress. What do you think was your most used word in 2014?Since I have no way of knowing for sure, I'll just make something up: Subway. I used the LA subway frequently this summer.4. Speaking of words, it's that time again. Time for Lake Superior University to present a list of words they'd like to see banished (for over-use, mis-use, and general uselessness) in 2015. You can read more about the decision making process here, but this year's top vote getters are- bae (before anyone else), polar vortex, hack, skill set, swag, foodie, curate/curated, friend-raising, enhanced interrogation, cra-cra (as in crazy), takeaway, and -nation (a suffering sports suffix)Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word not on the list you'd like to add?Definitely "cra-cra". I never thought it sounded good.5. January is National Hot Tea Month? Are you a fan? Do you like flavored teas? How do you take your tea? Have a favorite cup or teapot? How many cups of tea do you consume in a given day?I don't drink tea very often, but I like it a lot more than coffee! Especially the kind that is often served in Chinese restaurants here in the US. I haven't really tried any flavored teas. If there is sugar available, I'll put some in, but otherwise I just like it hot. I don't have a favorite cup, since I don't often drink tea. 6. Whatever happened to__________________________________?Whatever happened to "not looking things up"? Whenever anyone around me has a question that can be looked up online, they usually ask me to pull out my phone and look it up. Sometimes I'm glad to, and sometimes I'm not. If we're driving somewhere and I'm enjoying the scenery, it can be annoying to start a search on my web browser. Unless I'm curious about the question too. Then, I'll spend as much time as necessary in finding an answer!7. What is one book on your must-read list this winter?"Pioneer Girl". It's about Laura Ingalls Wilder, an author I've liked since I was a kid. Her books were fictionalized accounts of her own life as a pioneer in the American west. Although she gave an idea of what it was like to live back then, she left out some parts of her life, and changed others. "Pioneer Girl" is a book based on unpublished work of hers. It gives more details about her life. I'm excited to learn new things about one of my favorite authors! 8. Insert your own random thought here.Charlie Hebdo may have published some offensive cartoons, but no one deserved to die because of them.Again, here is the site where I got the questions:http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/

One of my favorite American bloggers answers a series of questions every Wednesday. Sometimes I come up with my own answers while reading hers. I just found out that other bloggers can sign up to answer the questions too! So I will do some here, even though Wednesday is long past. 1. Share a favorite moment from your Christmas holiday celebration.My Grandmother told me that when she was four years old, all she wanted for Christmas was a phonograph and some popular records. I myself have started collecting records this year. To my surprise, one of my presents was a brand new phonograph! It can even convert the music on the record to an mp3. 2. What would you say has been the biggest news event during your life so far?Definitely 9/11. I'm too young to remember the Kennedy assassination, or any other historical event that many Americans find to be memorable. 3. The Pantone Color of the Year for 2015 is Marsala. What say you-like or no like? Would I find this color anywhere in your home or wardrobe? Will you add something in this shade to either?It looks alright, but not great. I don't think it's anywhere in my home or wardrobe, nor do I think I will add anything in that color.4. Would you rather meet your ancestors or your great grandchildren? Explain why.I would much rather meet my ancestors, since I enjoy doing research on them. There have been times when I have hit a dead end, and just cannot find much information on a person, or learn who his or her parents were. If I were able to meet my ancestors, they could answer my questions. I am also interested in History. I would like to be able to ask my ancestors about life in their own times, or any historical events they may have witnessed. 5. Share one life lesson learned in 2014?Someone finally told me how stubborn I can be.6. What was your best or favorite purchase made in 2014?Victor 21245. It's the first record I ever bought. It was made in the 1930s, and has a country singer named Jimmie Rodgers singing "Ben Dewbarry's Final Run," and "In the Jailhouse Now."7. What is one thing you're looking forward to in the new year?More traveling, hopefully!8. Insert your own random thought here."Hodgepodge" basically means, "A disorderly mixture of different things." Here is the blog where the questions come from:http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/

One of the first places I went on my trip to the Great Plains was Dodge City, Kansas. It used to be a cattle town back in the days of the Old West. That means that cowboys would "drive" (herd) cattle into Dodge City. After long months on the trail, the cowboys were more than happy to stop in town and have some fun! Of course, for many of them, "fun" meant drinking and doing disreputable things. So during the time of the cattle drives, it was a rough place. The Boot Hill Museum has a display depicting the back of a Chuck Wagon. It was the wagon where food would be cooked for cowboys when they were out on a trail drive.A building in Dodge's downtown.Some old parts of Dodge City still have brick streets!This TV in the Boot Hill Museum is playing part of "Gunsmoke", a popular show that aired from 1955-1975. It took place in Dodge City during the time of the Old West.Nighttime in an industrial part of Dodge.The Great Plains. It felt strange to not see any mountains!Though some parts of the region are a little more hilly.Part of downtown Oberlin, Kansas. I did not spend much time there, but it seemed to be a typical small town.Grain elevators are a common sight on the plains.The Fort Cody Trading Post is a large souvenir store in North Platte, Nebraska.One of the main things I wanted to see on my trip was Chimney Rock. It was a landmark for the pioneers who crossed the Great Plains in order to settle in the West. I recognized it's distinctive shape from miles away!It was a good way to end another day on the Great Plains!Here is the other place I went this summer:http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/blog-1054476-24770.html

This summer, I spent some time traveling in the American West. Specifically, I went to the Great Plains and the Columbia River. I uploaded some pictures from my travels several months ago, but have forgotten to put them in a blog until now.Portland, Oregon, a very rainy city!Astoria, Oregon, is a town near where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. My Grandfather was born there! The Columbia meets the Pacific at a place called the Columbia Bar, which is dangerous!But ships can still get across it safely!A local forest. It probably looked very similar when the famous explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark came there in 1805, after leading an expedition all the way from Saint Louis. The building on the cliff is called Vista House. It was built in 1918, and is near Stevenson, Oregon.Here are some pictures of the beautiful view from Vista House. Nearby is the scenic Multnomah Falls.Further upriver, the land becomes much more dry.But you can still grow crops nearby. This field is outside the "Tri-Cities" of Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland, in Washington state.A farm in the Palouse area of Washington.

I haven't blogged in a while, so I thought I should at least write something now.These are some Rock and Folk songs by musicians who were popular in America in the 1960s, especially among younger people who were increasingly dissatisfied with how their parents' generation was running the country."Machine Gun" by Jimi Hendrix.A song against the war in Vietnam.I don't think this song in particular was popular, but Hendrix was.http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTkwMzE3ODA4.html"The Times They are a-Changin" by Bob Dylanhttp://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTc0NjUwMzI0.html"For What It's Worth"Inspired by a protest against curfews at clubs in Los Angeleshttp://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7vcon_buffalo-springfield-for-what-it-s-w_music"Bad Moon Rising"I don't know what this song is about, but I like it!http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDMwOTEwNzAw.html

今天我吃火锅。 这是我第三次吃火锅。很好吃的！

The folk song "Red River Valley", is well-known here in the United States. It probably dates from sometime in the late nineteenth century. Here is a recording by famous Country/Western singer Gene Autry:http://www.jukebo.com/gene-autry/music-clip,red-river-valley,xssl38.htmlNow, many American folk singers used to modify existing songs when they played them. Some even used older tunes for their own work.This song, "Can I Sleep In Your Barn Tonight Mister" uses the tune of "Red River Valley"http://www.countryblaze.com/charlie-poole-can-i-sleep-in-your-barn-tonight-mister-video_30d183146.htmlThere is a song that I have liked for years, called "Can I Sleep in Your Arms Tonight Lady". Sorry I couldn't find a video of it to post here. Anyway, upon listening to "Can I Sleep in Your Barn Tonight Mister" I realized that both songs are related. They have some similarities in their lyrics, and both use tunes based on "Red River Valley"!Today, I learned of potential links between two very famous American songs (or at least they are famous here in the U.S.)It all seems to have started with a song called "Oh My Loving Brother" and "When the World's on Fire"Here is a recording by a group called The Carter Family, who were popular in the 1930s:http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xtxjrv_the-carter-family-when-the-world-s-on-fire-remastered-country-music-experience_musicThey then wrote their own song, with a tune based on "When the World's on Fire". It's called "Little Darling, Pal of Mine"http://www.jukebo.com/the-carter-family/music-clip,little-darling-pal-of-mine,xssfr8.htmlIn the 1940s, a singer named Woody Guthrie wrote his own set of lyrics to a tune partly based on one of those songs, and called it "This Land is Your Land". It went on to become popular in the 1960s.http://vimeo.com/50634284Now, this is a bit of a stretch, but when I was listening to "Little Darling, Pal of Mine" this afternoon, the melody of the last line reminded me of a song I have known since I was a kid. It's also pretty famous here in the US. The connections seem fairly tenuous, but some other people think they are there (I checked online to make sure I'm not crazy).http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xttxag_gene-autry-you-are-my-sunshine-remastered-country-music-experience_musicIf you have difficulty accessing any of the websites, please tell me in the comments!

Earlier this week I started using a radio website to listen to China Radio International. In Chinese.I can't understand most of it, but I try to see what I can make out.Sometimes I can understand words or phrases, such as 中国人，今天，美国， 十三小时，and others.I hope it can help me remember the 中文 I am learning. Radio may be an old technology, but it is still fun to listen to! Especially shortwave, since the broadcasts go very far.