101 Challenge : Update for February 2012

It’s been a month since I embarked on my 101 Challenge so I thought it was time for a short update on my progress. I took almost two weeks’ break from my challenge whilst my mum was visiting me so my progress has been limited at best.

Learn one new chengyu/kotowaza every week - I’ve only tackled one kotowaza in the past month : 石の上にも三年. This kotowaza is quite relevant to my project as its translation is “perseverance prevails”. If anyone knows how I can use this kotowaza in everyday speech, feel free to let me know.

Read Bettine Vriesekoop’s “Duizend dagen in China” - I’ve read the first couple of chapters so far and am slowly making my way through the rest of the book. Dutch is not my native language so it’ll probably take me a few more weeks to complete this book. Despite my slow progress through the book, I think this is a great way for me to improve my Dutch reading skills and broaden my vocabulary, especially since the book is on a subject of personal interest (the book is about Bettine Vriesekoop’s time as China correspondent for one of the Netherlands’ most renowned national daily newspapers, the NRC Handelsblad).

Read at least 5 Japanese and/or Korean novels in translation - I’ve succeeded in reading one novel thus far, Kyung-Sook Shin’s “Please Look After Mom”. The book has sold over a million copies in South Korea alone so when a fellow blogger brought the book to my attention a few months ago, I added it to my “must read” list. I enjoyed reading this book, which was my first Korean novel in translation, and thought the author did a fantastic job of contrasting the traditional values of the missing mother with the norms and realities of modern-day South Korean society. To be honest, it’s a novel that I find quite hard to relate to given that I have a very good and close relationship with my mother but I was still able to understand the pain that each of the family members feels when they realize what they have lost. All in all, it’s a moving piece and a pertinent reminder of the importance of family even in this digital age.

That’s all for this month. I will continue working my way through that mammoth list of tasks and will post another update of my progress towards the end of March.

East Asia Blog Round-Up : 5/12/2011

Here is this week’s edition of the Eye on East Asia Blog Round-Up :

• Acquiring Korean - The author lists 10 great ideas that can be used when writing a foreign language diary.
• Aeri’s Kitchen - Aeri shares her recipe for tofu jeon (두부 전).
• Carl Gene - Carl posts a list of 221 diseases, disabilities and disorders in Chinese and English.
• Chris in South Korea - Chris debunks some of the myths of life in South Korea.
• Fluent Flix - Alan gives readers 5 good reasons for using videos in your language learning.
• Fuchsia Dunlop - Fuchsia enjoys a Sino-Moroccan feast in London.
• Japan Navigator - Ad reviews Ozu Yasujiro’s 1929 film “Days of Youth”.
• Japan Pulse – Sandra posts a list of Japan’s top 10 buzzwords of 2011.
• Korean Graduate Studies Prep - Matthew reviews Kyung-sook Shin’s novel “Please Look After Mom” (엄마를 부탁해).
• Life on Nanchang Lu - Fiona learns how home-made soy milk (豆浆) is prepared.
• Lingomi - The author interviews Albert Wolfe of Laowai Chinese.
• Living a Dream in China - Sara shares her thoughts on the HSK Level 5 exam.
• Maangchi - Maangchi posts a tasty recipe for spicy whelks with noodles (골뱅이무침).
• Mountain Phoenix Over Tibet - The author takes a journey through modern-day Konkaling in Muli County.
• Rory in Beijing - Rory visits the charming city of Tianjin (I used to live there!).
• Shizuoka Gourmet - Learn how to make traditional Japanese sakura mochi (桜餅) sweets at home.
• Shu Flies - Catherine visits the Story of Dolls (娃娃的故事) exhibition at the Taipei Story House (台北故事館).
• Speaking of China - Jocelyn answers a reader’s question about asking out a Chinese guy via text message.
• Surviving Japan - Ashley posts some tips on how to find Christmas illumination displays in Japan.
• Tsukublog - Avi talks about Japan’s annual end-of-year tradition, the company bonenkai (忘年会) party.
• Wandering Taiwan - Micki and Kristen stay at the Lao Wu Bed & Breakfast (老五民宿) in Nantou County.
• Webs of Significance - YTSL reviews the new Hong Kong drama film “A Simple Life” (桃姐).

That’s all for this week! The next Eye on East Asia Blog Round-up will be posted on Sunday 11th December 2011.

East Asia Blog Round-Up : 27/11/2011

It’s been a year since my last blog round-up! How time flies when you’re not blogging regularly..

Here is this week’s edition of the Eye on East Asia Blog Round-Up :

• Aeri’s Kitchen - Aeri shares a delicious recipe for soybean sprout rice, or kongnamul bap (콩나물밥).
• China Hope Live - Joel talks about the issue of China’s “leftover women”(剩女).
• Contemporary Japanese Literature - Kathryn reviews the novel Schoolgirl (女生徒) by Dazai Osamu.
• Hiroyuki’s Blog - Hiroyuki creates two daikon dishes : daikon gyoza and daikon hasami yaki (大根餃子と大根のはさみ焼き).
• Japan Navigator - Ad reviews Ozu’s classic movie Tokyo Story (東京物語).
• Japan Newbie - Harvey joins his family on a road trip from Osaka to Shirakawagou and Takayama.
• Laowai Chinese - Albert explains the meaning and usage of the internet slang term mù yǒu (木有).
• Mandarin Segments - Greg talks about some of the little discoveries he’s made while reading Chinese.
• Notes from Xi’an - Richard shares some Chinese proverbs and words of wisdom for Chinese learners.
• Sake, Kimono & Tabi - Ichibay indulges in some warmed sake at Okutama Lake.
• Sinoglot - Kellen writes a short post about Tibetan braille.
• Speaking of China – Jocelyn compiles a handy guide for buying gifts for Chinese friends and family.
• The Japanese Food Report - Harris shows you how to make a classic Japanese winter miso soup, tonjiru (豚汁).
• Tsukublog - Avi starts reading through his copy of Useful Trees of Japan : A Colour Guide (カラー版日本有用樹木誌).
• Webs of Significance - YTSL goes birdwatching in Hong Kong.

That’s all for this week. The next blog round-up will be posted on Sunday 4th December 2011.

PS. I will seeking out new blogs to add to the Eye on East Asia blogroll. If you know any blogs that you feel should be added to the blogroll, please let me know.

East Asia Blog Round-Up : 21/11/2010

Here is this week’s edition of the Eye on East Asia Blog Round-Up :

• Aeri’s Kitchen – Aeri shares a mouthwatering recipe for minari sukju namul (미나리숙주나물), a Korean watercress and bean sprout side dish.
• China Hope Live - Joel’s illustrated guide to edible northern Chinese insects (not for the faint-hearted!)
• Contemporary Japanese Literature - Kathryn reviews Otsuichi’s book Summer, Fireworks and My Corpse.
• Japan : Life and Religion - Doug talks about the influential roles of priestesses throughout Japanese history.
• Just Hungry - Maki visits the Obana (尾花) restaurant to try some traditional Edo-style eel.
• Konnichiwa - Bartman posts photos and videos of some of the many taiko performances he has seen during his time in Tokyo.
• Maangchi - Maangchi shares her recipe for a warming ox bone soup, or seolleongtang (설렁탕).
• Speaking of China - Jocelyn posts a list of novels and autobiographies which feature Western women in relationships with Chinese men.
• The China Beat – An excerpt from the first chapter of Karl Gerth’s new book, As China Goes, So Goes the World.
• The View from Over Here - The author visits the Seongeup Folk Village (성읍민속마을) in Jeju.
• Wandering Taiwan - Micki and Kristen visit an incense shop in Lugang (鹿港) to learn more about the methods used to make traditional handmade joss sticks.

That’s all for this week. The next East Asia Blog Round-Up will be posted on Wednesday 24th November 2010.

East Asia Blog Round-Up : 27/10/2010

Here is this week’s mid-week edition of the Eye on East Asia Blog Round-Up :

• Asia Shock - The author reviews Taniguchi Senkichi’s 1947 film Snow Trail (銀嶺の果て).
• China Hope Live - Joel talks about the ways in which your choice of apartment can affect your relationships with Chinese locals.
• Confused Laowai – The Confused Laowai shares his thoughts on the language learning website L-Lingo.
• Danwei - An interview with Chris Taylor, author of Harvest Season, a novel set in south-western China.
• Japan : Life and Religion - Doug gives some pointers on Japanese business etiquette.
• Just Hungry - Maki shares her recipe for tororo soba (とろろ蕎麦), or soba noodles with grated nagaimo.
• Korean Modern Literature in Translation - Recommended books and short stories for those interested in Korean contemporary literature.
• Life on the Tibetan Plateau – The author talks about a recent visit to the earthquake-stricken Yushu Prefecture (玉树) in Qinghai Province.
• New Worlds to Conquer - Anuan’s family say sayonara to their life in Japan as they embark on their next adventure.
• The Japanese Food Report - Harris posts recipes for two delicious miso dressings.
• The Lobster Dance - The author does battle with the Godzilla of Japanese cockroaches.
• The View from Over Here - The author goes hiking on Yongmunsan (용문산).
• Tsukublog - Avi accidentally finds himself on the women-only compartment of the Tsukuba Express.

That’s all for this edition of the East Asia Blog Round-Up. The next edition will be posted on Sunday 31st October 2010.

East Asia Blog Roundup : 11/4/2010

Here is this week’s East Asia blog roundup :

• Aeri’s Kitchen – Aeri reviews a selection of Sempio (샘표) food products, including several varieties of soy sauce, chilli and soy bean pastes, and cooking oils.
• Beijing Haochi – The authors share their own special recipe for jianbing (煎饼), a type of egg crepe which is a popular street food in northern China.
• Blue Lotus – The author cooks up some delicious yakiniku (焼き肉), or “Korean BBQ”, at home.
• China Hope Live - Joel shares some photos and thoughts on the Qingming Festival (清明节), which is also known as Tomb Sweeping Day.
• Daily Onigiri – ROK posts a gallery of photos of the sakura (桜), or cherry blossoms, at Tokyo’s Ueno Park (上野公園).
• Hiroyuki’s Blog – Hiroyuki shares a recipe for maitake takikomi gohan (マイタケの炊き込みご飯), a simple dish made from rice, maitake mushrooms and other vegetables.
• Just Another Day in Japan – Paul posts video links to some of his favourite Pocky (ポッキー) commercials.
• Konnichiwa – Bartman lists his top 43 things to see and do in Tokyo (東京).
• Life in Taiwan – Tony talks about Tainan’s (台南) traditional outdoor tombs and the importance of the Qingming Festival (清明节) in Taiwanese culture.
• Lost on Jeju – The author gives some advice to a reader who is seeking a teaching position in Jeju (제주).
• Maangchi – Maangchi teaches readers how to prepare yukhoe (육회), a popular appetizer made from fresh raw beef.
• Mutant Frog Travelogue – Curzon lists some key facts about naturalization in Japan.
• On My Way to Korea – Matt spends the day visiting some of Seoul’s (서울) historic sites.
• Osaka Insider – The author lists some of the best places to view sakura (桜) in Osaka (大阪).
• Red Cook – Kian shares his recipe for cold tofu with salted duck egg yolks (鹹蛋黃拌豆腐).
• The China Beat – Jeffrey talks about his latest book, China in the 21st Century : What Everyone Needs to Know, and some upcoming book sales and signings.
• Waiguoren Critic of South China – Matthew wonders if the Shenzhen (深圳) lifestyle is ultimately an unhappy one.
• Xinjiang : Far West China – Josh reviews Blaine Kaltman’s book on Han Chinese and Uyghur relations, Under the Heel of the Dragon.
• Zen Kimchi Korean Food Journal - Celebrate the arrival of spring by making some traditional Korean flower pancakes, or hwa jeon (화전).
• 四海为家 – Maria talks about her visit to Zhongdian (中甸), a county which was officially renamed Shangri-La (香格里拉) in 2001, and the impact that tourism has had on this region in Yunnan Province (云南).

That’s all for this week. The next East Asia blog roundup will be on April 18, 2010.

East Asia Blog Roundup : 4/4/2010

Here is this week’s East Asia blog roundup :

• Busan Mike - Mike attends the Busan International Kite Festival, which was held at Busan’s Dadaepo Beach (다대포해수욕장).
• Cantonstinople – Gus takes a look at some practice tests for the morality section of China’s zhongkao (中考) exam.
• Daily Onigiri – ROK posts a gallery of photos taken at the 2010 Tokyo International Anime Fair.
• Danwei - The Danwei staff interview Deborah Fallows, author of the recently-published Dreaming in Chinese.
• David on Formosa – David attends the launch of the Taipei edition of the The Big Issue.
• Haikugirl - Haikugirl visits Zauo (ざうお), a fish speciality restaurant with a difference.
• Just Hungry – Maki talks about tofu (豆腐) and some of the delicious tofu dishes she ate in Kyōto (京都).
• Korean Cuisine - Learn how to make spam kimbap (스팸김밥) at home.
• Roboseyo – Rob does some sightseeing in Taejongdae (태종대) and Haeundae (해운대) in Busan (부산).
• Sweet Persimmon – The author talks about the maru joku (丸卓), a round display shelf commonly seen in Japanese tea rooms.
• The Gaijin Gourmet – Louis shares some tips for preparing sushi rice (もち米).
• The Japanese Food Report - Learn to prepare excellent all-purpose dashi stock (出汁) for your Japanese dishes.
• Wandering Taiwan - Micki and Kristen visit Yingge (鶯歌), a Taiwanese town renowned for its ceramic industry.
• Webs of Significance – YTSL posts a photo essay of a recent hike through Hong Kong’s Aberdeen Country Park (香港仔郊野公園).
• Xinjiang : Far West China – Josh’s short biography of Mansur, an Uyghur doctor in China’s Xinjiang Province (新疆).
• 四海为家 – Maria takes a trek through Tiger Leaping Gorge (虎跳峡).

That’s all for this week. The next blog roundup will be on April 11, 2010.

East Asia Blog Roundup : 7/3/2010

Here is this week’s East Asia blog roundup :

• An Acorn in the Dog’s Food – Paul talks about some of the traditions associated with jeongwol daeboreum (정원대보름), the festival celebrated on the first full moon after Korea’s lunar new year.
• Anna’s Korean Kitchen Diary – Anna shares some tips for storing home-made kimchi (김치).
• Busan Mike – Mike talks about the South Korean health experience following a recent visit to a hospital in Busan (부산).
• China Hope Live – Joel posts a gallery of photos which were taken at the Ditan Park Temple Fair (地坛庙会) in Beijing (北京).
• Daily Onigiri – ROK visits the Onioshidashi Volcanic Park (鬼押出し園) in Gunma Prefecture (群馬県).
• Danwei - Part two of a series of articles on the life and times of Li the soy sauce salesman.
• David on Formosa – David attends the Justice for All (正義無敵音樂會) concert in Pingtung (屏東).
• Goddess Carlie – Carlie lists some of the reasons why she thinks books written for 10 year old kids make for better language learning material than books aimed at younger readers.
• Just Hungry – Maki’s account of a recent visit to the Studio Ghibli Museum (ジブリ美術館) in Mitaka (三鷹), Tokyo (東京).
• Konnichiwa – Bartman posts some photos taken at the kimono show at the MIFA International Exchange Festival in Meguro (目黒), Tokyo (東京).
• Korean Cuisine – The author shares a simple recipe for a vegetarian udon soup (야채우동) dish.
• Maangchi – Maangchi cooks up some dakjuk (닭죽), or chicken and rice porridge, in Costa Rica.
• Okonomiyaki – Laurel spends an afternoon sightseeing in Uji (宇治).
• Shizuoka Gourmet – Dragonlife talks about noren (暖簾), the fabric dividers normally seen hanging in traditional Japanese restaurants and izakayas.
• Somewhere the Sun is Rising – The author talks about nabemono (鍋物), or Japanese hot-pot dishes.
• Speaking of China – Jocelyn lists some of the things that should be considered before making the decision to move to China.
• The Blacksmith Blog - Pete posts an excerpt of Graham Earnshaw’s new book, The Great Walk of China.
• The Gaijin Gourmet – Louis shares his recipe for gyudon to moyashi (牛丼と萌やし), or beef and bean sprouts on a bed of rice.
• The Japanese Food Report – Harris learns how to prepare simmered sardines with umeboshi (梅干).
• Tsukublog – Avi talks about the traditions surrounding Japan’s Girl Festival, or Hinamatsuri (雛祭り).
• Wandering Taiwan - Micki and Kristen take the train down to Shifen (十分) to do some sightseeing at Shifen Old Street (十分老街) and the Shifen waterfall (十分瀑布).

That’s all for this week. The next blog roundup will be on March 14, 2010.