Comments for Newlyweds in Blog http://mattandangelblog.com I'll stick with you...like white on rice. Tue, 17 Apr 2012 01:56:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Cinderella, Cracking Down, Ikea, and LOTS of TV! by Angel http://mattandangelblog.com/2012/03/cinderella-cracking-down-ikea-and-lots-of-tv/comment-page-1/#comment-8366 Angel Tue, 17 Apr 2012 01:56:14 +0000 http://mattandangelblog.com/?p=633#comment-8366 Hi Michael! Nice to hear from you! Into the Woods is a great musical...lots of interesting take-aways. It may be a bit advanced for my students, but hopefully they catch some of the deeper meanings. Nevertheless, it will be a good experiment to see if they can learn to analyze just a little bit the way we need to in Western universities. Their education in China is mostly based on rote memorization, not critical thinking, so any exposure to critical thinking/literature analysis is very eye-opening and challenging for them. It's fun to be part of that process! Yes, I read a summary of the first episode of Cougar Town and thought it sounded too scandalous to watch :) Hope my students aren't being too negatively affected by these less innocent shows, but they are adults, so I don't feel it's good for me to dictate their choices too much. Hence, my American culture day where I can tell them not to follow the bad examples they see in some American TV/movies! Hi Michael! Nice to hear from you! Into the Woods is a great musical…lots of interesting take-aways. It may be a bit advanced for my students, but hopefully they catch some of the deeper meanings. Nevertheless, it will be a good experiment to see if they can learn to analyze just a little bit the way we need to in Western universities. Their education in China is mostly based on rote memorization, not critical thinking, so any exposure to critical thinking/literature analysis is very eye-opening and challenging for them. It’s fun to be part of that process!

Yes, I read a summary of the first episode of Cougar Town and thought it sounded too scandalous to watch :) Hope my students aren’t being too negatively affected by these less innocent shows, but they are adults, so I don’t feel it’s good for me to dictate their choices too much. Hence, my American culture day where I can tell them not to follow the bad examples they see in some American TV/movies!

]]> Comment on Cinderella, Cracking Down, Ikea, and LOTS of TV! by Michael Doran http://mattandangelblog.com/2012/03/cinderella-cracking-down-ikea-and-lots-of-tv/comment-page-1/#comment-8107 Michael Doran Tue, 27 Mar 2012 20:00:53 +0000 http://mattandangelblog.com/?p=633#comment-8107 Angel, I enjoyed this post. Life is sure full of twists and turns. I have not seen INTO THE WOODS so I will put this on my 'must see' list. I was surprised to learn that Chinese boys liked Cinderella. I perceive a certain degree of innocence, but then I look at the shows they are watching and realize this innocence will dissipate rather quickly. Too bad. I can't believe you passed on Cougar Town! Take care and keep up the tough love. Michael Angel,
I enjoyed this post. Life is sure full of twists and turns. I have not seen INTO THE WOODS so I will put this on my ‘must see’ list. I was surprised to learn that Chinese boys liked Cinderella. I perceive a certain degree of innocence, but then I look at the shows they are watching and realize this innocence will dissipate rather quickly. Too bad. I can’t believe you passed on Cougar Town! Take care and keep up the tough love.
Michael

]]> Comment on On Being an Introverted Teacher by Angel http://mattandangelblog.com/2012/02/on-being-an-introverted-teacher/comment-page-1/#comment-7530 Angel Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:20:45 +0000 http://mattandangelblog.com/?p=631#comment-7530 Hi Iris, thank you so much for your prayers :) We are still teaching in China, but we took a vacation over our winter break and traveled to Hong Kong. Now we're back in Tianjin (northern China) where we just started our second semester. We also send out update newsletters (which explain a little more of the basic info about our China teaching experiences, traveling schedule, etc.) You can find back issues of our email newsletters in the <a href="http://mattandangelblog.com/archives/" rel="nofollow">Newsletter Archive</a> page of our blog. Hopefully those clear up any confusion! Hi Iris, thank you so much for your prayers :) We are still teaching in China, but we took a vacation over our winter break and traveled to Hong Kong. Now we’re back in Tianjin (northern China) where we just started our second semester. We also send out update newsletters (which explain a little more of the basic info about our China teaching experiences, traveling schedule, etc.) You can find back issues of our email newsletters in the Newsletter Archive page of our blog. Hopefully those clear up any confusion!

]]> Comment on On Being an Introverted Teacher by Iris Hasty http://mattandangelblog.com/2012/02/on-being-an-introverted-teacher/comment-page-1/#comment-7513 Iris Hasty Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:22:21 +0000 http://mattandangelblog.com/?p=631#comment-7513 are you now teaching in the states? I feel like I missed something...yet when I come to the blog (I get these via emails) I see I have read everything. Please update, I've been praying for you both for what seems like forever. I always look forward to your updates. Thanks! are you now teaching in the states? I feel like I missed something…yet when I come to the blog (I get these via emails) I see I have read everything. Please update, I’ve been praying for you both for what seems like forever. I always look forward to your updates. Thanks!

]]> Comment on Babylon’s Falling: No hit, just a miss by Angel http://mattandangelblog.com/2012/01/babylons-falling-no-hit-just-a-miss/comment-page-1/#comment-7295 Angel Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:56:23 +0000 http://mattandangelblog.com/?p=619#comment-7295 Hi William, yes, I think marketing had a lot to do with my reaction to the book. I was reading it for adult audiences, which is how it was targeted on the Book Sneeze site. I think it definitely hits the mark for a younger audience, as it reminds me of children's or young adult's books. I think for adult books, detail is what makes midrash, historical fiction/Biblical literature work well. For younger audiences, too much detail is overwhelming and is lost on them, so had the book been targeted appropriately, I would have reacted differently as a reader. Hi William, yes, I think marketing had a lot to do with my reaction to the book. I was reading it for adult audiences, which is how it was targeted on the Book Sneeze site. I think it definitely hits the mark for a younger audience, as it reminds me of children’s or young adult’s books. I think for adult books, detail is what makes midrash, historical fiction/Biblical literature work well. For younger audiences, too much detail is overwhelming and is lost on them, so had the book been targeted appropriately, I would have reacted differently as a reader.

]]> Comment on Babylon’s Falling: No hit, just a miss by William Collins http://mattandangelblog.com/2012/01/babylons-falling-no-hit-just-a-miss/comment-page-1/#comment-7146 William Collins Sat, 28 Jan 2012 02:20:19 +0000 http://mattandangelblog.com/?p=619#comment-7146 I appreciated your observations about my novel. I was disappointed Westbow did not market my book for young adults--or high schoolers--the age I was targeting. I never thought of my works as "midrash" but I guess you could throw it in there if you want to. In comparison to other historical fiction most critics put it in middle of the road. In book signings and public appearances to discuss it, yours is the first violent reaction to the work. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, it can only make my other books that much better. I appreciated your observations about my novel. I was disappointed Westbow did not market my book for young adults–or high schoolers–the age I was targeting. I never thought of my works as “midrash” but I guess you could throw it in there if you want to. In comparison to other historical fiction most critics put it in middle of the road. In book signings and public appearances to discuss it, yours is the first violent reaction to the work. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, it can only make my other books that much better.

]]> Comment on Engrish signs by Stephanie http://mattandangelblog.com/2012/01/engrish-signs/comment-page-1/#comment-7096 Stephanie Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:29:53 +0000 http://mattandangelblog.com/?p=597#comment-7096 Hahahaha that's freakin awesome! I've always known Chinese to be very literal...I guess it's a correct assumption. Hahahaha that’s freakin awesome! I’ve always known Chinese to be very literal…I guess it’s a correct assumption.

]]> Comment on Ringing in 2012 by Michael Doran http://mattandangelblog.com/2012/01/ringing-in-2012/comment-page-1/#comment-6870 Michael Doran Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:54:10 +0000 http://mattandangelblog.com/?p=589#comment-6870 Happy New Year , too! I haven't started my blog yet, but have plans to, thanks to your encouragement. I had a few set-backs in 2011 that caused a re-focusing of my attention, but those are almost out of the way so I can concentrate on my writing again. I did have a short essay published in a book entitled, Not Alone: Stories of Living With Depression. Civitas Press published the book. It can be purchased via Amazon or Civitas' website. I was one of about thirty writers who shared a portion of their stories. It was called a community project so there was no compensation. Nevertheless, I am now a published writer. Ha! My next publication better have a more enjoyable topic. I found the book 'depressing'. Really, some people have lived through very terrible ordeals. I am blessed to be where I am emotionally and have learned a bunch from my depression. I hope to help others as a result of my experience: empathy helps far more than sympathy. Too serious...sorry about that. I was amused by the grocery store signage blog! Happy New Year , too!
I haven’t started my blog yet, but have plans to, thanks to your encouragement. I had a few set-backs in 2011 that caused a re-focusing of my attention, but those are almost out of the way so I can concentrate on my writing again. I did have a short essay published in a book entitled, Not Alone: Stories of Living With Depression. Civitas Press published the book. It can be purchased via Amazon or Civitas’ website. I was one of about thirty writers who shared a portion of their stories. It was called a community project so there was no compensation. Nevertheless, I am now a published writer. Ha! My next publication better have a more enjoyable topic. I found the book ‘depressing’. Really, some people have lived through very terrible ordeals. I am blessed to be where I am emotionally and have learned a bunch from my depression. I hope to help others as a result of my experience: empathy helps far more than sympathy. Too serious…sorry about that. I was amused by the grocery store signage blog!

]]> Comment on Engrish signs by Matt http://mattandangelblog.com/2012/01/engrish-signs/comment-page-1/#comment-6863 Matt Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:05:17 +0000 http://mattandangelblog.com/?p=597#comment-6863 I'm not sure, but the price has gone up. All of those rich Chinese people buying up all of the stereotypes. I’m not sure, but the price has gone up. All of those rich Chinese people buying up all of the stereotypes.

]]> Comment on Engrish signs by DK http://mattandangelblog.com/2012/01/engrish-signs/comment-page-1/#comment-6859 DK Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:39:12 +0000 http://mattandangelblog.com/?p=597#comment-6859 How much RMB for a stereotype!? How much RMB for a stereotype!?

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