A big THANK YOU to all those who so kindly sent me a birthday wish.  I feel very blessed by my wife, my family and friends, and my xanga community.  As a result, I feel like I owe it to my xanga friends to be a more faithful blogger. 

As you can tell from my xanga name, I am learning mandarin... very slowly, but surely.  I am your proverbial asian banana -- the guy who looks Chinese and loves Chinese food but who still needs his hand to be held whenever mandarin is spoken. 

A few months back my sister sent me a few pointers to help me with my mandarin.  I'm still debating whether I should try them in public - they sound more like Cantonese.

>1) That's not right ........................ Sum Ting Wong

>2) Are you harboring a fugitive?............. Hu Yu Hai Ding

>3) See me ASAP................................ Kum Hia Nao

>4) Stupid Man ................................ Dum Gai

>5) Small Horse ............................... Tai Ni Po Ni

>6) Did you go to the beach? ................. Wai Yu So Tan

>7) I bumped into a coffee table ............ Ai Bang Mai Ni

>8) I think you need a face lift ............ Chin Tu Fat

>9) It's very dark in here .................. Wao So Dim

>10) I thought you were on a diet ............ Wai Yu Mun Ching

>11) This is a tow away zone ................. No Pah King

>12) Our meeting is scheduled for next week ... Wai Yu Kum Nao

>13) Staying out of sight .................... Lei Ying Lo

>14) He's cleaning his automobile ............ Wa Shing Ka

>15) Your body odor is offensive ............. Yu Stin Ki Pu