DAILY PHOTO: Cubbon Park Central Garden
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“The Debt” by Paul Laurence Dunbar [w/ Audio]
This is the debt I pay
Just for one riotous day,
Years of regret and grief,
Sorrow without relief.
Pay it I will to the end --
Until the grave, my friend,
Gives me a true release --
Gives me the clasp of peace.
Slight was the thing I bought,
Small was the debt I thought,
Poor was the loan at best --
God! but the interest!
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Sundown Underworld [Haiku]
sun hits horizon;
summer ticks a day off,
car speeds into darkness.
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Melting Clocks [Free Verse]
Waking to a world in which
Space & Time misbehave:
Shapes slump,
Even melting into pools,
Oozing to flatness, then
Over the edge and
Into nowhere.
Time moves in riverine fashion:
Rushing in the chokepoints
And lazing in the wide plains.
Though still flowing
Inexorably and unidirectionally.
The illusion tries
To reveal itself,
But who can understand...
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DAILY PHOTO: Malaysian Minarets of Malacca
Monitor [Lyric]
A Monitor Lizard strolls through the park --
A mid-day stroll, not at dusk or after dark.
The walkers and joggers give it wide berth
As it monitors them for all its worth.
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“The Yak” by Hilaire Belloc [w/ Audio]
As a friend to the children commend me the Yak.
You will find it exactly the thing:
It will carry and fetch, you can ride on its back,
Or lead it about with a string.
The Tartar who dwells on the plains of Thibet
(A desolate region of snow)
Has for centuries made it a nursery pet,
And surely the Tartar should know!
Then tell your papa where the Yak can be got,
And if he is awfully rich
He will buy you the creature -- or else he will not.
(I cannot be positive which.)
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BOOKS: “Chinese Grammar Wiki BOOK: Elementary” ed. by John Pasden
Chinese Grammar Wiki BOOK: Elementary by John PasdenMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Publisher Site
Confronted with a vast sea of Chinese grammar texts, this is the series I chose, and I’ve been happy with my decision. This, the beginner level grammar guide, is reasonably priced, logically organized, easy to use, and has all one needs without time-wasting excesses.
The core of the book consists of 135 grammar points (40 “A1” level and 95 “A2” level.) For each point there is a clear but simple explanation of the rule, a formulaic statement of said rule [an easy to find timesaver when reviewing,] a number of examples (with Chinese characters, pinyin, and an English translation) and any cautions to consider (i.e. common mistakes, ways Chinese grammar differs from English, and common exceptions to the rule.) The examples used simple and common words and phrases to drill basic and useful vocabulary.
This book is organized to put bite-sized chunks of learning at hand so that one can do more or less, depending upon one’s schedule.
I’d recommend this book for anyone looking for a basic Chinese Grammar text.
View all my reviews
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DAILY PHOTO: A Bit of India in Malacca
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“Parting at Morning” by Robert Browning [w/ Audio]
Round the cape of a sudden came the sea,
And the sun looked over the mountain's rim:
And straight was a path of gold for him,
And the need of a world of men for me.
Tiger Riding for Beginners 