BeHappy.Don'tWorry.

I have been M.I.A. (missing in action) lately because I've been sick with the cold and cough again.  I think this year I should really consider getting a flu shot since I've been getting the flu every winter after having D.  There is this Chinese remedy that is very simple to make and tastes really good and is supposed to help cure colds.  For one serving you just need a can of coke, a half inch piece of ginger (crush it once with a meat tenderizer or bottom of a pot) and 2 slices of lemon.  Put everything into the pot and bring to a boil then lower the heat and simmer for 5 mins.  Pour out the liquid and drink it while it's hot.  The drink is sweet, lemony and spicy all mixed together.  You can add more of the ginger and lemon to your taste.  Can you make it with another kind of soft drink?  Well the recipe asks for coke specifically so I'm not sure.  Afterwards your body will feel warm and soothing.  Try it.

大显身手 (simplified) / 大顯身手 (traditional)

Pronunciation: dà xiǎn shēn shǒu

Direct English translation of each word:

大 big; large; huge

显/顯 apparent; illustrious

身 a body

手 a hand

Actual Chinese meaning of whole phrase:

To exhibit one’s skills; to fully display one’s talents

This is used to describe a person who has fully displayed his talents.

In a sentence:

他在這次作文比賽中大显身手，拿了冠军。 

He clearly displayed his talents in this essay contest and won first prize.

大惊小怪 (simplified) / 大驚小怪 (traditional)

Pronunciation: dà jīng xiǎo guài

Direct English translation of each word:

大 big; large; huge

惊/驚 to startle; to be startled; to frighten; to be frightened

小 small; little

怪 strange; odd

Actual Chinese meaning of whole phrase:

A storm in a teacup

This is used to describe someone who makes a big thing out of nothing or someone who is surprised by a usual, common thing.

In a sentence:

它只是一只老鼠, 你不必大惊小怪。

It’s just a mouse so you don’t have to make a big fuss.

大摇大摆 (simplified) / 大搖大擺 (traditional)

Pronunciation: dà yáo dà bǎi

Direct English translation of each word:

大 big; large; huge

摇/搖 to rock

大 big; large; huge

摆/擺 to put; to place; to arrange; to swing; to sway; to wave

Actual Chinese meaning of whole phrase:

Strutting; swaggering; swinging

This is used to describe a person who walks by swaying his body with an air of arrogance.

In a sentence:

他大摇大摆地走了进教室。

He blatantly walked into the classroom.

It's happy Friday again and I like to post happy things on this day (or try to at least).  We had dinner at Mentatsu one night and we got a surprise.  It is a small restaurant but we went late so there wasn't a wait.  I always like restaurants that give my kids plastic cups and their own plastic utensils.  It just tells me they are kid friendly and gives me some relief that they won't be breaking anything if they accidentally dropped their food.  I think all restaurants should do that unless they don't want you to bring kids in that case I probably won't be back.  Well back to Mentatsu we ordered a miso ramen for the kids to share, the hubby got a mabo ramen and I got the tonkatsu bento.  Both the kids and the hubby got their food first.  About 10 mins later my food came and the waiter told me it's free because it took so long.  I thought I heard him wrong so I asked him to repeat it again.  Well what a surprise, a free meal for me and I wasn't even complaining.  Love it!

plastic cups and bowls for the kiddies

miso ramen

mabo ramen

tonkatsu bento box

大发雷霆 (simplified) / 大發雷霆 (traditional)

Pronunciation: dà fā léi ting

Direct English translation of each word:

大 big; large; huge

发/發 to send out

雷 thunder

霆 sudden thunder

Actual Chinese meaning of whole phrase:

To flare up; to fly into a rage; to storm; to foam with rage; to be in a transport of rage

This is used to describe someone’s rage, anger or loud denouncement.

In a sentence:

爸爸為了妹妹逃學的事而大发雷霆。

Father was furious about my sister skipping school.

Ok it's been 4 weeks since I started using retinol on my face.  If you've read my old post here I said after my third use that my skin was fine with it and I would use it every night.  Boy was I wrong!  After applying retinol for 3 consecutive days on the fourth day when I applied it my face burned and it really hurt.  Also there were red patches all over my face.  The pain did go away after a few minutes but it warned me enough to be patient and build my tolerance for it.  After that the next 2 weeks I alternated between retinol and my regular night moisturizer.  After 2 weeks I just used retinol completely.  Sometimes it'll still give me a slight burning sensation but other times it won't and I can't explain why but the pain is very slight.  I would say if you are starting with retinol to use it alternate nights for 2 weeks at least and if your skin is fine then use it every night.

Now how does my face look?  Well I don't really have that many fine lines or wrinkles to begin with but I do notice that my pores are a bit smaller (not completely gone) and my face is overall smoother.  Do I see a huge difference?  Not really but I've only used the product for 4 weeks.  I'll update my progress here at the 12 week mark when according to the product I should see visible results.

大开眼界 (simplified) / 大開眼界 (traditional)

Pronunciation: dà kāi yǎn jiè

Direct English translation of each word:

大 big; large; huge

开/開 to open

眼 an eye

界 boundary

Actual Chinese meaning of whole phrase:

Eye-opening; to widen one’s horizon

This is used to describe to open one’s eyes or to increase one’s knowledge.

In a sentence:

這次旅行令我大開眼界。

This trip was really an eye-opener.

Last weekend we went on a camping trip and I've been totally exhausted.  I needed 2 days to recoup that's why I'm slacking on my posts.  We haven't been on a camping trip for 5 years so we forgot to bring a lot of stuff to make our trip more enjoyable.  It was still fun and the kids didn't really want to leave.  They said it was like staying at a hotel which I think not.  Here is a list of things that I think would've made our camping trip more relaxing and comfortable especially when you're camping with kids (you almost want to haul your whole house).  Of course we brought most items but missed out on a few essential ones.  Actually we almost forgot to bring the main item the tent.  That would have been some camping trip.  When picking out a campsite look for one close to the restroom but not next to it because it'll be noisy and always look for one that's shaded.

1. Tent (CAMPING get it?)
2. Sleeping bags (one for each person)
3. Inflatable beds (come on they are so affordable now)
4. Pump for the beds (pre-charged at home!!)
5. Flash lights with new batteries (unless you remember when you changed them)
6. Battery lantern to be used inside the tent
7. Clothes (long sleeves, short sleeves, all seasons) and bring one extra set of each
8. Extra blankets (especially if you have little ones)
9. Camping chairs
10. Sun umbrella
11. Propane lamp and propane (don’t use regular battery lanterns outside the tent because the light attracts bugs)
12. Tent fan (it can get really hot inside)
13. Toiletries (soap and shampoo, hand sanitizer, toothbrush and toothpaste).  Try to bring unscented stuff because you don’t want bugs swarming all over you.
14. Towels (if you plan on taking a shower)
15. Quarters for the shower (some charge and some are free but be prepared)
16. Insect repellant
17. Sunscreen
18. Water (lots of water!) and drinks
19. Food (usually we barbeque)
20. Food that doesn’t need cooking (bread, cookies, canned meat)
21. Coal
22. Cooler to store food and drinks
23. Tissue and paper towels
24. Utensils (bbq fork, thong, plastic forks, knives, plates, cups)
25. Foil and cooking spray (you never know when these can come in handy)
26. Something to make fire with (matches, lighter)
27. Table cloth and garbage bags
28. Water spritzer (in case it gets hot outdoors)
29. Toys for the kids (bubbles, kite, bicycles, scooters)
30. Lastly anything that can make you feel good, just bring it.

大惑不解 (simplified/traditional)

Pronunciation: dà huò bù jiě

Direct English translation of each word:

大 big; large; huge

惑 to be puzzled; to be bewildered; to be perplexed

不 no; not; negative

解 to escort (prisoners, goods, etc.) from one place to another; to forward; to send someone in custody to; to dispatch

Actual Chinese meaning of whole phrase:

To be bewildered; to be at a loss; to be all at sea; to tie oneself into knots; puzzlement

This is used to describe to be confused or not to understand.

In a sentence:

這個現象非常奇怪,使我大惑不解。

This phenomenon is very strange and puzzling to me.