Blog Roundup - November 29, 2009

• Ben Ross' Blog - Ben talks about the benefits of learning Chinese from TV shows.
• Bruce Humes - Bruce lists some of the best-selling books in China in October 2009.
  
• Kyoto Foodie - The Foodie samples some delicious imo mochi (芋餅), a traditional Japanese candy made from sweet potatoes and pounded sticky rice.
  
• On the Fringe - Globalgal talks about her recent visit to Kashgar (喀什) in China's Xinjiang Province (新疆).
• Send Me to Korea - Hyunwoo shares a recipe for bibim mandu (비빔만두).
• Shizuoka Gourmet -Dragonlife shares a recipe for vegan agedashi tofu (揚げ出し豆腐).
  
• Speaking of China - Jocelyn shares some tips for ideal gifts for Chinese relatives or friends.
• Wandering Taiwan - Micki and Kristen explore the magical world of Taiwanese hand puppetry (布袋戲).

That's all for this week. The next blog roundup will be on December 6, 2009.

Blog Roundup - November 29, 2009

Blog Roundup - November 22, 2009

• Ben Ross' Blog - Ben examines the reasons why proficiency in Mandarin does not necessarily lead to better career opportunities.
  
• Fili's World - Fili talks about the fishing town of Tai O (大澳), Hong Kong.
  
• Fukuoka Dreaming - Learn how to cook sukiyaki (すきやき).
• How to Japonese - Daniel highlights the differences between American and Japanese resumés (履歴書).
• Hungry for Words - Maki talks about himono onna (干物女).
  
• Japan Blog - Maki explains why President Obama's bow to the Japanese Emperor has sparked such controversy.
• Korean As It Is - James explains why he believes listening skills are vital for developing one's proficiency in the Korean language.
  
• Pinyin News - The author reviews Google Translate's new pinyin function.
• Rainbowhill Language Lab - Some helpful tips for JLPT examinees.
• Shizuoka Gourmet - The author talks about tempura (天ぷら) and the various ways it can be served.
  
• Sinosplice - John explains the concept of aspect in Chinese grammar.
• The China Beat - Maura reflects on President Obama's recent visit to the PRC.
• Tsukublog - Avi talks about the origins and traditions associated with Japan's Shichi-Go-San (七五三) festival.
• Wandering Taiwan - Micki and Kristen take a stroll through Tamsui (淡水).
  
• Wichmann Stories - Tina and Mark visit the northeastern city of Harbin (哈尔滨).
• Xinjiang : Far West China - Josh's thoughts on the spread of H1N1 in Xinjiang Province (新疆).

That's all for this week. The next blog roundup will be on November 29, 2009.

Blog Roundup - November 22, 2009

Blog Roundup - October 25, 2009

This week's blog roundup is a little late this week. For that and the lack of updates over the past seven days, I apologise.

• Ask an Expat -The Expat talks about "love sticks" (사랑의 매) and classroom discipline in South Korea.
• Brian in Jeollanam-do - A visit to the Gwangju Kimchi Festival (광주김치문화축제).
  
• China Hope Live - Joel talks about the dark side of a Tianjin bathhouse (大众浴池).
• Haikugirl's Japan - Haikugirl explains the meaning of the Japanese term soushoku danshi or "grass-eating man"(草食男子).
• Just Hungry - Learn more about the various types of miso (味噌) paste.
  
• Rainbowhill Language Lab - Language tips on how to communicate in Japanese even if you don't know a particular word.
  
• Speaking of China - Jocelyn examines the problems faced by China's countryside bachelors and divorcés.
• The China Beat - Maura reviews Rachel DeWoskin's new book, Repeat After Me.
• The Gaijin Gourmet - Learn how to serve up some yummy soba (そば).

That's all for this week. The weekly blog roundup will be posted on Sundays from now on, so the next blog roundup will be on November 1, 2009.

Blog Roundup - October 25, 2009

Blog Roundup - October 17, 2009

• Aeri's Kitchen - Learn how to make the Korean radish side-dish munamul (무나물).
  
• Alive and Kicking! - Celebrating the Thao New Year festival at Sun Moon Lake (日月潭) in Taiwan.
  
• Brian in Jeollanam-do - Brian lists some of the best places to enjoy the autumn foliage (단풍) in Jeollanam-do.
• How to Be Heian Japanese - A quirky article on why you should never make strange bets with your boss.
  
• Kimono Box - Ten medical benefits of nattō (納豆).
• Muza-chan's Gate to Japan - Ema (絵馬) in traditional and modern-day Japanese culture.
• Shizuoka Gourmet - A great recipe for kabayaki-style sea breem.
  
• Sinosplice - John talks about "maternity tourism" in Hong Kong.
• Soy Sauce Queen - The Queen shares her recipe for ankake udon.
  
• Speaking of China - Jocelyn explores the impact of the "Little Emperor" phenomenon in rural China.
• The Japanese Food Report - Improve your knife skills by learning from professional Japanese chefs.
  
• Tokyo Lifer - A short article on sushi etiquette.
• Wandering Taiwan - Exploring the Minnan buildings of Kinmen (金門).

That's all for this week. The next blog roundup will be on October 24, 2009.

Blog Roundup - October 17, 2009

Podcast Lectures - East Asian Thought in Comparative Perspective

I came across an interesting series of podcast lectures via the DIY Scholar blog a few days ago. East Asian Thought in Comparative Perspective is a series of lectures presented by Victor Magagna, an Associate Professor at UC San Diego's Department of Political Science. In it, he explores the ancient roots of East Asia's modern-day social and political systems and he dedicates a lot of time to discussing Confucianism and the other key philosophical models which have helped shape East Asian society and culture over the centuries.

I haven't had the chance to listen to all of the lectures as yet. Each lecture is around 2 to 3 hours long and I've only just reached the halfway point in Lecture 2**. Nevertheless, I can certainly recommend this series of podcasts to anyone who is interested in East Asian culture or is interested in learning more about the way business is conducted in China, Japan and South Korea.

** There is approximately 10 minutes of silence at the start of each podcast, so you will probably need to use the fast-forward button on your MP3 player or iTunes.

Podcast Lectures - East Asian Thought in Comparative Perspective

"The Last Millennium of Chinese History" Lecture Series

A three-part lecture series by Dr. Frederic Wakeman entitled The Last Millennium of Chinese History : Transition from Culture to Nation can be found on Youtube. The lectures focus on the Ming and Qing Dynasties and on the changing nature of Chinese cultural identity over the past thousand years.

I haven't had the chance to watch any of these lectures yet so I cannot vouch for the quality (or content) of the lectures. The videos, which were uploaded by the University of California, Berkeley, can be found below.

Lecture 1 : China's Longue Durée and the Mongolian Occupation



Lecture 2 : Ming Nativism and the Local Turn



Lecture 3 : Qing Culturalism and Manchu Identity

"The Last Millennium of Chinese History" Lecture Series