A 100% Mandarin event – Again another dream. It will likely be renamed “One night in Chinatown” or “Good morning, Chinatown”

131 thoughts on “A 100% Mandarin event – Again another dream. It will likely be renamed “One night in Chinatown” or “Good morning, Chinatown””

1. Wah piang!!

   A mandarin night! Is it just co-incidence that elections are around the corner? I certainly have no need for more mandarins!

   Sorry, me no speakee Mandarin apart from just being able to make myself comprehensible to the China kopi-shop assistant.

   Yes, I am an OCBC… no not the institution which was at one time Big, Strong and Friendly… but a yellow banana or “orang cina bukan cina”.

   I am a true-blue Peranakan and have not found pressing demands for the use of Mandarin until this huge influx of China immigrants in work and even entertainment services into our fair shores.

   Yes, I did even venture to learn the lingo with a current election wannabee. But sheer laziness and lack of discipline wrecked any effort I made.

   Now with SHC forming a Mandarin constituency I must once again take up the challenge, put my shoulder to the wheel and “jia yu”!

2. An all-Mandarin event finally. Ter, you can count on me for the support, not in organising anything (me too lazy) but actively supporting it.

   Unlike the Chinese dialects, Mandarin is beautiful.

   See, “wu ngia bo” (????is literally “got shadow or not?” but strangeky it becomes “true or not?” in Hokien.

   You know, I know that anything without a shadow is ghost. So how “wu ngia bo” means what it is to the Hoks is baffling………….perhaps, some ghosts are not true ghosts, like when Ter drsses up to be one at the Halloween. But he is Teochew.

   “?“ is to “throw away” but when a Cantonese tells you with a wry smile to throw away your butt no matter how dirty and unwashed it has been, you shd know he meant a lot more sinister.

   Angeline, Azahar, Bala, Francis, Mega……..you all wont be left out at a Man-Event. Stand close to me and I will pass you words and phrases to show off how proficient you can be using this efficient language. Trust me, other than “???” and “?”, “sai” (excreta) can be all liquid and excreting it openly is very much a show of love and affection.

   So, dont hp about throwing away the Cantonese.

3. Hi KennethT #1,

   Your comment generates more ideas. There must be plenty of SHCians like yourself and myself. And, wouldn’t it be nice to have an event where the English speaking folks get tested on their spoken Mandarin? May be hilarious, but it can show how challenging it is to tell the stall holder how to make your mee pok the way we like it.

   And TimL #2,

   I am trying to visualise how you would look in front of an audience, in coat and tie, with your partner, and introducing SHC StarAwards winners. Watch Channel 8, 7pm on Sunday.

   Keep the dreams coming.

   Terence Seah

4. Yes it will be a useful function for me.

   All I need is to learn 2 phrases, than I can go China on my own

   ‘How much’ and ‘How many time’.

5. Like Kenneth, me no speaketh Mandarin.

   With the huge influx of these China kopi-tiam assistants, I really have to forgo my chilli and swallow breast meat. No matter how much and hard my good hearted friends try to get me to pronounce correctly the simple sentence of ‘I WANT CHILLI’ It sounded so vulgar coming out of my mouth that I rather forgo it then to receive hard stares or laughter from them. All I want is just a little extra chilli in my mee pok or 1 ton mee. Sigh…….

   Another incident was not wanting chicken breast meat. I had learnt to say in dialect ‘Gua mine heng bak’ . I resorted to pointing to my chest after a few failed attempts trying to tell the China lady of my desire.

   Another pleasant incident, just show my face to this China lady who sells my favourite red wine chicken (standing order). Friend helped this.

   Help

   Agnes

6. TS

   Why ” How many Time ??” (hahaha)

   Karen

7. Terence, i wont go in suit and tie but I’ll appear as a FuManchu. Push thru the conwebs, open a long box and sneak a view of how my apparel will look like.

   Agnes, In future if you ask for chilli, dont ust say LC but also add in the Chinese equivalent for sauce (jiang). Say “jia xie lat ciao jiang, xie xie” i.e. “add some chiili sauce, thanks”. In fact you cd abbreviate it to “lat jiang”, or hot sauce, snd so avoid the hard LC.

   Btw, do you know that if not for a Chinaman, Batman wd hv been Birdman.

   The Americans thot “bird” is generic. It can be changed to suit every call and occasion and wd be more marketable, such as a condor in Return of the Condor Heroes (????), a bat to resuce Gotham City or a macaw in Duel with Mr Bean.

   The Chinaman simply asked “Your hero is a ???”

   The Chinese have made meanings out of numbers. 7788 and One 5 one 10 mean “almost there” and “telling everything”, respectively. Descendants of the Chinese used the numbers to buy 4-Ds.

   And when the Chinese put a tiger next to a horse, the horse wont run away. “?? ” means lackadaisical or a couldnt be bothered attitude.

   Not least, in ancient China, a man had to be at least 12 feet tall to be allowed to marry. Dont ask why; it’s in the term “??”

   Yes and indeed, Mandarin is interesting.

8. Terence,

   ??????????????????????????????????????????’?’??? :)

   Paiseh if Chinese text contains mistakes.

9. Side-tracking………..

   Jassmine, am wondering if you can pen a poem in han yu/putonghua? Have always enjoy your poems.

10. Hahaha!! Tian Soo@4

    Now you’re expecting some Mongolian ladies to turn up at the event so that you can use your Mandarin phrases on them!

11. Karen #6

    I was just boasting. One time and I ‘pengsan’ already.

    But I have to ask how many times so that if she say ‘one time only’ than I ask for Senior Citizen discount.

    In China, Senior Citizen discount are given by everyone at all times. Here in Singapore, Senior Citizen can only get discount between 9am to 5pm.

12. Karen

    Tian Soo is a witty imp. Very difficult to beat him with words. He always have the last say.

    Tian Soo

    I like the senior citizen discount thing. For me, akan datang.

    Cheers
    Carly

13. Terence, bravo for your idea!

    I can understand Mandarin as I watch the Taiwan drama ‘Ai’ every weekday evening. What makes it easier for me to understand the language is the English subtitles lor…:p
    But when it comes to Channel 8 news, I am totally lost! The Mandarin used is so chim ah!!!

    I studied English and Bahasa Melayu in school, flunked horribly in Chinese and I hated that language because of the fierce and ruler hitting teacher. :(

    I really hope to join more SHC events in the months to come.

    Cheers
    Ros

14. Hi Rosalind #13,

    Your feedback comment suddenly raises another possibility for this event. Maybe we have English speaking SHCians see a drama or movie, and then have them translate what they hear. It can be fun. One idea!

    Keep the ideas coming.

    And Tian Soo,

    I am sure a show with Tian Soo in front of a group of sweet Mongolians. Another idea we can work on further, short of a no hands conversation.

    Terence Seah

15. Terence@14

    What you say, ah??

    We watch a show in Engrish and then translate into Mandolin? Or watch a show in Mandolin and then translate into Engrish?

    I once watched a show where there was a guy in the audience who narrated throughout in Mandolin to his non-Engrish-spraaking girlfriend. I felt like punching him in the xxxx!

    I don’t think that this idea would be that fun… unless it is part of a no-hands converssaxtion… with ze sweeet Mongolrrian raddies!

16. Hi Kenneth, and fellow SHCians,

    Maybe if we think harder, we can re-enact your encounter, and make that into a movie. Of course, we can end it with a punch. A segment for the night.

    Some two years ago, I was in Beijing, and after a whole day of work, I thought I would go for a Karaoke to have the evening out. With a few friends, we got out to the lobby area and met an old Chinese guy. He asked us what we wanted to do that evening, and I replied “we like to go to a Karaoke”. He told us about a place which was 15 minutes away, and that we would surely enjoy the night.

    Thinking that we knew Beijing very well, we confidently hopped into his taxi. 15 minutes later, we arrived at a quiet street where the driver parked his car. Crossed the road, and right infront of us was a huge red door, with all the decor of Chinese glory. We got in, and after passing a huge lobby, we were welcomed by a bevy of pretty young girls.

    Excited as always, we each found a company and got into our Karaoke room. Lovely and soft cushions, the most hi-tech and sophisticated sound and video system, a beautifully set table with fruits, napkins and flowers.

    The waiters came in and asked us to place our drinks. We ordered a bottle of whisky and a few beers. The ladies asked us if they can have their drinks; and of course, we merrily said yes. The ladies then went out of the room, I think to the restrooms. Each of the three ladies came back, holding one drink with the left hand, and four drinks between the fingers of the right hand. Everybody set down, and we started to figure out how to manipulate the Karoake system. Finally, we got through, after 10 minutes.

    As the singing started, we began to take a seep of our drinks. The ladies did better; they simply drank each glass in succession; all within 5 minutes. And the guys carried on singing. We were in a bit of a shock, at how fast they could drink.

    Guess what happened next?

    Terence Seah

17. Terence @#16,

    Many things could happen but I am curious what was the damage($) for the night.

    Janie

18. Nothing happened, sex-wise. Why? ‘…..after a whole day of work….’, ‘…..how to manipulate the karaoke system…..’ (What?!), ‘seep’ your drinks (gosh), yada, yada….almost put me to sleep.

    Have a sneaky feeling the drinks they had were chinese tea, kekekekeee, though it might be the real MaCoy. Mainlanders can drink like a fish; extremely high tolerance.

    My guess is you guys got fooked – royally. Share.

19. Terence #16

    Each of the ladies would snuggle up to their respective prey.

    The one who sits next to you whisper softly into your ear “Ni hern schwhy” (Translate to English: ‘You look like a Toad’)

    Than you guys sing louder and drink more, with pride and the girl shouted into your ear ” Ni chang ker hern hau” (Translate: ‘You crock like a Toad’) Than you start to sink even louder and the girl say “Wo yau chi cher saw” (Translate: ‘Give me a break..in the toilet’)

    Back from the toilet, the girls all get very thirsty and ask to buy more drinks. Being loving, handsome and good singers you all say YES. So 5 more drinks for each lady again.

    After a few more rounds of drinks and having rub their bodies on almost all parts your body except one, it is time for the kill. They rest their hands in between your legs and ask ‘Yau chi fang chian mar?’ ( No translation here in case we have young or religious people reading this)

    All you guys say OK quickly and in unison and ask for the bill.

    RMB50,000 and ………….

    The moral of this part of the story is that we should learn Mandarin well, so that when someone calls you Toad you will know it.

20. Hi Terence
    It reminded what Happened to me when I went with some friends to a karaoke lounge at Appollo in Singapore. Similarly we were greeted by China dolls. After sitting for a while with us they went on to other rooms. It was a first time for me. I did not know what to expect until it came to settle the bills. It was a ripoff.
    I could imagine well what happened to you in Beijing

21. Oh no, my Mandarin is bad and if future events and circulars to members are in Chinese, I guess I’ll have to bow out of the Club now. BTW, I just got in only.
    Cheers:-) KY

22. Have been watching CNA since 1 p.m.

    My vote for the best Mandarin speaker has to go to that Teochew yantow who spoke fluently and stylishly, and he oozes confidence.

    Evening traffic for the next 8-9 days will be heavy so do plan your road travels carefully.

    The Mandarin Event contemplated here may also take the form of a debate.

    There will be 2 teams of say 4-5 comprising the same gender each. They shd not be fluent in Mandarin and they cannot use any language or dialect other than Mandarin in the dabate. Points will be deducted for breach. Words/terms which sound like Mandarin e.g. papa, mama will be allowed, and debaters can endear themselves to the audience by using these words freely.

    Alternatively, we can add a member fluent and proficient in Mandarin in each team. He/She can teach his/her team members what/how to say, and be the anchor person.

    The audience will also be given time to participate in grilling the teams, also in Mandarin.

    The motion : Women in SHC are not given enough say. Or Women are too dominant in SHC. Or………..?

    Let there be as much hustlings as hustings.

23. #9 Geraldine,

    side tracking…

    ????????;
    ???????;
    ???????;
    ????????

    Paiseh if cow head doesn’t match horse mouth.

24. Hi Tim,

    Yes, we should consider your suggestion. This is a great feedback system. We dont have to organise a physical meeting for a brainstorm. And, everybody gets to read about it. Yes, we can consider this item.

    Now, I am sure some of you have ideas below the pillow. Feel comfortable to share your comments. We might even make a skit out of it or even a drama.

    Hi Geraldine and Janie,
    We did have an event some time ago. It was called “One night in Shanghai”. I was thnking we can invoke good memories again, if we have a “One night in Beijing”. Haha, it doesn’t have to have dancing. But, I think as a theme, it might be worth considering. That’s why I am inviting a storm; a brain storm.

    Ideas from the discussion on this Post may be used for the themed event. Even, the story of Tian Soo’s Mongolian girls coming down to Beijing might be an idea. Yes, it may be bits and pieces; but if we can put some of these ideas down, maybe it will not be a dream.

    A 100% Mandarin event. Think about it. All ideas will be collated here on this Post.

    I was about to carry on the second part of my Beijing night adventure. Yes, Geraldine and Janie, you are almost there.

    Back to the TV. Get back to you later tonight.

    Terence Seah

25. Hi Tian Soo @ 20,

    When I go to China, I can say “Ni Hao” or sometimes when I am braver, “Ling Shien Shen, Ni Hao”.

    Then I just look stupid and laugh when everyone laughs.
    After dinner, if I am wondering the streets, I can say “Ting pu tong” or “Wah tin pu tong” and quickly skedaddle off.

    It works fine for me as I have not been lost or molested or manhandled, only sometimes shortchanged. This trip maybe can learn some new phrases.

    If SHC has a Speakeh Mandarin Campaign Party. I can come with dark glasses and a sign, “Deaf and Dumb”.

26. ?2 Tim,
    ?????????,??,???????? ??????????

    Cheers.. Dolly

27. ???Dolly, ????????????.

    ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????SHC??????????

    ????????

    “????”???????????????????2-3????????????????“?????”???????????????????????

28. Continuing from Tian Soo’s #19 “RMB50,000 and…….not having enough money to pay up, all the men had to tuo ku before they are allowed to leave. lol!!!

29. TS

    I don u/stand any of those “translated Mandarin .. ??

    Daisy

    Tuo Ku is Terence favourite words la…hahahah

    Terence

    The ladies were all high & Tipsy so they start “performing” for u guys ???????

    karen

30. ???????????????????????????????SHC, ?????????????????

    ??????????????? – ??????

    Cheers.. Dolly

31. ? Jassmine

    ????????????

    ?????????????????

    ????????

    ???

32. You know, Terence, the outcome I reeli, reeli wanted to write might cause my membership, kekekekeee……(not that I give a fook) but was afraid some members might have heart attack; did not want it on my conscience. So considerate, rite? Gag.

    Hopefully your second part of the same nite, yawn, yawn will sexite me. But if it bores me again, I may just write what I intended. So, bite me.

    Am thinking (brainstorming now, wow wee) having participants doing commercials, say, a lubricant (your fav besides used condoms) and he/she/it has to look into the video camera and read the lines they are given or they can write their own for a ten/twenty/whatever-second commercial in putonghua as part of your hardcore nite.

    These ads (any products – labels covered, of course) can be pre-recorded and play on that nite or can be live. You can do it as a competition as in Top 10 Commercials or just a programme. The point is to see if we understand what they are selling in putonghua.

    p/s what do you mean ‘you are almost there’? I’ve climaxed. Geeez……….

33. Terence,
    Take pity on those of us who are not good in Mandarin lah.
    Instead of a 100% mandarin, can it be a 50% English and 50% Mandarin affair please?
    Then at least the non Mandarin speakers will try to participate.

34. Agnes Seow,

    Ha ha ha. I sympathise with you.

    Let me tell you about MY embarrassment. I was in a food court and wanted to purchase a chicken pie.

    I asked the Chinese lady for a “chicken pie” but she looked confused, so, I kindheartedly said “chi”…. but forgot how to say “pie” in Mandarin …..and you can guess what came out of my mouth!

    An old lady standing next to me glared at me and mumbled something in Hokkien. I mumbled something else aqnd beat a hasty retreat, but not after bursting out in laughter.

    So you are not alone Agnes, ha ha ha.

35. ???????????????? ????????????????????????????

    Kwai Yin, I dont think Mandarin will ever replace English as the dominant language here, not least when writing in Chinese is cumbersome and slow as it depends much on hanyu pinyin.

    Still, it’s fun learning Mandarin and it’s easy. The meanings of some Chinese terms/phrases can be easily gussed e.g.

    ???? = dry wood fierce fire, and you know it means your lips are dry and yr heart is pumping.

    ???? = the sky doesnt look pretty, and you know rain (or some inclement weather) threatens if it’s not already raining

    ???? – a good dream hasnt been rounded, and you know your dream wasnt fulfilled.

    But hor, ?3?4 = not 3 not 4 shdnt lead you to guess it’s 2 or 5. Strangely, it means neither here nor there.

    I will be very busy every nite over the next 8 days, starting with Hougang Central 2nite.

    Suicide commandos are out to teach folks how to speak Mandarin, how to make fun of people and situations, and how to cleverly avoid being sued for defamation. Who knows, some might even take the untrodden path and belt out ??? to show they are everybody’s lovers, and ??? wherein you find your dreams…….

    And I have a $50 bet at stake.

36. Hi Mary

    That is hilarious. It always sound funny when recalling the incidents, but not when desperately seeking for the correct word, at that point of time.

    Tim has offered some “safer lines” but I still do not have the courage to try it out. TQ Tim.

    Cheers
    Agnes

37. Hahaha!!

    Terence@16

    I’m afraid that everybody got side-tracked and tangential in the heat of the political hustings!

    I’m still awaiting Part 2 of your experience at the Beijing karaoke… what happened, what happened? Please, please!

    I think everybody’s very keen to know what happened to the 24 to 27 year-old ladies… and to the 42 to 72 year-old guys!

38. Agnes-S, ’twas my pleasure.

    Chicken and prawn spoken in Mandarin may be misunderstood if the correct (of the 4) accentuation isnt said properly.

    So, what we can do is to add the word rou (??to our food orders, such that prawn mee and chicken pie become xia rou mian and ji rou su???- ji rou pie also can- respectively. But doe be wary of crossing the line when one orders bbq pork…….?? can sound like ??.

    Am learning more Mandarin without stepping out of abode.

    Loud hailers mounted on vehicles belonging to all kinds of Ps keep zipping in and out of the neighbourhood.

    Some record & broadcast crisp Mandarin, probably from an expensive hifi set. Some others might hv traded their pants for cheap ones from sungei road. 1 phrase sounded like “??????“ i.e. “please come provoke a laught in us”.

39. Hi Kenneth, Geraldine, Karen, Tim, Robert, Rosalind and Agness,

    Now for the second part of my “One Night in Beijing adventure”.

    The guys started singing, and after the first song, the girls asked us if they could have a second round of drinks. We knew that the drinks were brandy; but as we thought they couldn’t be very expensive; we said “Go ahead”. Again, the girls stood up, all went through the door, and returned to the room with one glass on the left hand and 4 glasses between the index fingers of the right hand.

    We were probably into our third song when the girls returned. Happily, we had a toast with one another. Yes, we had a seep; but again, each of the girls finished the five glasses within 3-5 minutes. We told ourselves that they won’t be able to order any more drinks; so we carried on singing.

    True to our worries, the girls challenged us if they could have another round of drinks; the last round. We then began to get worried; as we had not asked what was the price of each glass of brandy. It was brandy alright.

    What would you do if you were us, and in that situation? Carry on the story in one or two days.

    It’s “One night in Beijing”.

    Terence Seah

40. Hi Terence & all, this is a clasic situation that Beijingers learn from HK. Wanchai.
    Back in the 80’s we used to have FX congress all over the world. One year we had it in HK.
    After all the speeches & product seminars, we were all free & easy for the evening. “We all” refers to other traders from other banks fm S’pore as well.
    So we begin to walk…around Tsim Sha Tsui…ended up in Wanchai. Why Wanchai? good question. That’s the only place where they have big photos of beautifull young girls pasted all over the bars outside. when U peep inside U’ll see topless girls sitting beside other patrons inside the bars.

    So being young bulls ourselves then, all the hot blooded young bulls begin clamouring to go in for a beer.

    All of us ordered a mug of beer each, and suddenly many young “mongolian” girls appeared, asking each of us to buy them a drink too. Ofcourse we oblidged. Then…then I know wht question U wanted to ask…..well U can see but no touch….if U touch…tht wud be another set of prices.

    Those SYT virtually gulp down what look like whiskies…..
    and then the story is the same, after gulping down the drinks , they asked us ” leng chai” to oblidge another & yet another drink….and on & on & on….

    Some of our guys got nervous & suspicious & decided to ask all of us to agree to call it a night.

    Don’t forget at this juncture, we only had 1 beer and it’s not even 20 mins. The waiter brought our bill & most of us nearly fell off our chairs….there were 5 of us & the bill came to 900+ almost a thousand sing equivalent.

    One of our gangho friend protested & try to make a scene. & the argument went on….between the waiter & he….

    Suddenly from a door at the back of the bar walked in 2 very nasty looking big hunk. One of them had such a terribar scar on his face tht just talking to him makes your knees go wobbly…..& imagine just by the way he looked at you with tht fierce eyes & demeanor, he’s going to be very very nasty…

    We had no choice but to settle the beer….each of us paid out almost $200- sing …imagine those days ….1 jug cost less then 10 sing ……so this is the classic legend hahahaha.

41. Terence, I think U guys must be luckier, we stayed last than 1/2 hr & it costs us almost SGD$200-each. Your story seem like U guys were in there almost the whole night…..hahahha

    This was perhaps one of the best anti-climaxes we guys had to endure in our lives……of course in consolation we came back to the hotel & carried on drinking & had a terribly good laugh about it……..hahahahahahaha

42. Terence

    Don “hang” everyone in the air la … just go to the last part of the story la…

    Maybe when she ordered the drink for all the girls in the K’ok and end up with a “big big Big” bill …

    Don play hard to get la… tell us the end of the story asap.

    Karen

43. Terence,

    I kinda agree with Mary #33 to allow some English speaking to encourage participation. How about a translation game. There will be phrases to be read by one member in Mandarin for team-mate to translate to English. It’s all for fun….

    Janie

44. Back?

    People-mountain-people-sea it was but a Mandarin learning experience it wasnt. However, a phrase heard still reverberates.

    “????????” ?How many 5 years do we have ??

    ??????????????? no 3 no 4 ???????????????????????

    “??“ ??????? “??“?????????????????

    ???????????????????????, ????? ?????

45. Hi Terence

    The chabor are street smart. Ni mern ta bor heer blandeee ah,. Wo mern ni er lim teh o diguised as blaandeee ah, that is why can drink 5 glasses with 3 minutes. If whiskie then it is 1/8 whiskie and 7 parts water or soda ha ha ha

    Well guys, pretend to be sooo mabok, act blur , pay up and leave before the girls got another chance to kum pei. Blur is good sometime.

    I witnessed this incident in a pub in the Katong area some time ago. Young man came in alone in his office attaire carrying a attaché case. Apparently he was having a difficult day and wanted to unwind. 1Filipna waitress walked to him, took his order, serve him, she got a drink for herself too. 2 filipina ladies joined in with drinks in their hands. They molly coddled him, he was not responsive and continue to listen to karaoke singers. After a short while, they passed him the bill. He took a look at it, head up and look at the glass in his hand again, I felt soooo sorry for him. All he wanted was to unwind, but he got conned instead.

    Cheers
    Agnes

46. Tell us your story line. If it is in English, I am sure you and your friends can dubb in into 100% Mandarin. It can be as simple as the story which I have just told you. Why is it in a few parts. Like the Taiwanese drama LOVE, we can have our story in two or three parts. If the plot is based on a real life story, I am sure we can have an enjoyable event; even for those who understands little Mandarin.

    So, my story continues. Most of you can probably see through the plot; or some of you may just think we were a bunch of idiots.

    Let me fast forward the drama. We called the bill and the ladies’ drink was USD 200 per glass. We asked to see the drinks menu; and true enough, it was stated as per the bill. Yes, the bouncers turned up when we told them we didn’t have the money. Finally, in short, we paid up, with our credit cards. We were hoping that we could cancel the credit card bill when we returned home.

    After a long huha at the lobby, we left. Along the way to the huge red door, we could see the girls lying down flat on the sofa. What a pitiful way to earn a living.

    So guys and ladies, a simple plot. Do you have a story to tell? And may be as a storyline for this 100% Mandarin event.

    Now, back to the television and the internet TV.

    Terence Seah

47. #31

    ? Geraldine,

    ????????? ?? :)

48. Hahaha!! Terence@46

    Your story is so, sooooo… unexciting…. nothing happened except that you guys had a huge, huge…. bill! And this storyline/plot is repeated over so many times in so many cities of the world: London’s Soho, Paris’s Pigalle, HK’s Wanchai, Bangkok’s Patpong, etc.

    I only understand 7.25% of what was written in Chinese in this discussion… and that includes the punctuation marks!

    So the idea of a Madarin event is not for me… I’d rather take my chances with a beautiful Mongolian temptress who uses sign language… or responds to Tian Soo’s phrases.

    Wo putonghua suo de pu hao!

49. Karen #29

    Chinese language have many years of history, so its meaning is very deep. Men also have many years of history and our ego is very big. All you girls have to do is praise us and we will come to the shallows quite lost. There you can catch, squeeze and extract anything you want.

    Here is another story which illustrates the point.

    I was once in China with a group of golfers having breakfast. One of the golfer had this grin in the face. He obviously had a good night and waiting for someone to ask him. So we ask him “What’s with the silly grin?”

    He said proudly that he has a huge and handsome ????. That got us envious and jealous. So we ask him “Says who?”

    He said the worldly prostitute told him last night before he even gave her the large tip.

    Two of the other golfers laugh out loud and said their whores told them the same thing every time.

    So it seems the whores say the same words in Mandarin but the men get different meanings out of it. Is that a beautiful language or what?

50. Hi Terence

    It is a good suggestion to promote “Mandarin Speaking” event in SHC. A group of us use to speak mandarin in SHC, I am sure there are more of our members who are bi-lingual. May be we can organise an “Translation Event – from English to Chinese”. Pre-prepared phases or probate in english and the participants will translate into Chinese on the spot. Others like market language, coffee shop language can be quite fun also.

    Annie

51. ??????????????????????

    ???????????????????????????????

    ????????? ??????“????”?

    ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

    ???????????????????????????? ??????????????

52. Hi Terence,

    ?????????????????????? so i’d better write it in English:

    Suggested Mandarin-speaking activity: Show and Tell
    Objective: encourage interaction in Mandarin
    Theme: Retro stuff

    Summary of activity:
    Participants bring one or two retro things and tell fellow participants something about their items .. briefly if Mandarin is inadequate. Can code switch. Fellow participants ask questions or add to the info about the retro items or supply the Mandarin words/expressions when the speaker can’t express in Mandarin .. . :)

    Expected outcomes: 1. Participants get opportunity to speak in Mandarin
    2. Less fluent Mandarin speakers learn more Mandarin from fluent Mandarin-speaking participants.

    ok, hope this idea finds favour.

53. ??Jassmine

    ????????????Kekekekee……

    ??????????????????????????????????

54. ?? Geraldine #53

    ????????????????’??’???! ??. ???

55. ? Jassmine

    ??????????????????????????????

56. Geraldine #55

    ???????????…lol!

57. Hi Jassmine, T Soo, GT, Agnes, Kenneth, Karen, Timmy, Caroline, Janie, Rosalind, Robert, Kwai Yin, Charles, Dolly, Henry and Mary,

    From your feedback on a 100% Mandarin event, I summarise your ideas into:

    1. There is support for the event, altho there are request to cater to some English commercials.

    2. Some ideas raised about what the event can have, are good, and we can have them put them into the program. Special thanks to Jassmine for bringing up a specific program.

    3. I am contemplating two theme names. The first is “One night in Beijing” and the other is “One night in Chinatown”. Do you like the theme? If yes, raise your left hand. If not, and you have another suggestion, raise your right hand”.

    4. Sounds like we can have a roudy event, with some singers on stage, acrobats throwing balls into the air, a few fresh steam buns stalls, colourful dresses, roadside stalls with stools, old folks with one leg up, a comedy, maybe a Chinese medicine man selling backache cure, a few stalls selling hair pins and ear diggers and loads of chats.

    How about that? Will you come? Will you take part? And, will you be game. Ahh, before I forget, and some old Chinese men sitting on the roadside, drinking beers with a sweet 80 year old woman.

    So, will you support this theme event? It’s 100% a Mandarin speaking event.

    Terence Seah

58. Hi Terence

    Before we progress to “A Night In Beijing, Chinatown or whatever”…… we can have a simple trial run at our monthly Gathering where :

    1) All name tags will only be written in Chinese (using sticky label).

    2) Only Mandarin will be spoken.

    3) For those who can’t speak Mandarin or very very limited Mandarin, they will be labelled as “Alien, Foreigner or Tourist” (using sticky label or a star for identification). Those who wish to receive such ID must indicate at time of registration. (CM and EO reserves the rights not to issue such ID if the requester is deemed to know enough Mandarin.)

    4) There will be penalty for those who are Mandarin speaking but broke out into English (CM and EO will decide on the kind of penalty).

    How about it?

59. Hi Lily, Dolly,

    Sounds like a suggestion for the monthly gathering. Dolly, I have no objection but I shall leave you to consider.

    Meantime, let’s continue to think about a “One night in Chinatown”.

    Now, who likes to be the juggling acrobat? Any fire-eaters out there, or koyok man?

    I am now in a Au Bon Pain cafe, reading my Bangkok Post, and having two bagels and clam chowder for lunch. Cant wait to get into Singapore to watch “The night market” at 7pm. Just overnight only.

    Gosh, I just get excited again. Hope you are.

    Terence Seah

60. Terence,

    This idea of an Chinese speaking event would be great fun. I always regret that I did not study the Chinese language. Everytime I listen to those who can sing in Chinese I am pretty envious. It seems the songs can bare your soul and so uplifting!

    Years back I took up a job which required me to travel to Java and Sumatra to appoint dealers for engine part. Most speak Indonesian and Chinese. I really have a hard time trying to sell my products. My Malay language was bad so is the chinese language. I just got to give all I got to put a point across including my ‘hands and ‘leg’. So much opportunities are lost, especially trying to communicate with the chinese Medan girls!

    Lily’s idea for a start is good, let’s try it out at the monthly gatherings. For the actual event, I suggest we get a script-writer and have it acted out group by group. At this point we would need a producer, director, actor and actress and produce a film. Maybe, we could make a lot of money from here!

    Now we need to find a venue and fix a date and get the cast. I am sure there will be lot of fun and laughter!

    Dan

61. Lily,
    Of cos, I will support your idea of this event lor.. so u will b EO har? As discussed tonite, find a venue 1st hor, den, we will decide who will get normal labels and who will get Alien/Foreigner labels lor.. hehehe :) Cheers.. Dolly

62. Geraldine/Jasmine,
    ????????????????????????
    Cheers.. Dolly

63. ?? Dolly

    ???????????

64. Terence

    ??????????

    ???‘?????’(One Nite in Chinatown)?????cool!

    ???????? ???????????????????????????? okay????????????????????????

    ??????

65. ?? Dolly,#62

    ????????????????????

    Geraldine, #64

    ??????????! ??’???????’ lol!

66. ??Geraldine??,
    ???, ????????, ?????? – ?????????????????????????. ???????????????,???????, ???

    ??Jasmine,
    ???????????. ????????,???????

    ?????????…. Cheers.. Dolly

67. ?Jassmine

    ??????…………(??????…..kekekekeee. ?????????????????????????????????

    ?Dolly

    ???????????????‘??????’???????????????????????????????????????????????????????

    ???????????……..

68. Hi Jasmine ?? # 52

    I did a cut and paste hahaha

    ??? Geardine #67 ???……

    cheers
    freda

69. I made a trip to a shop near Hougang NTUC this morning to return a product which I had found to be unusable. Then, I sat down to have a nice bowl of beef noodle, after queuing for 30 minutes.

    On my way back, I heard some music, a few dancers, saw some stalls and a huge building, pretty empty. Walking inside the hall, which I found out later to be Hougang Hub, Block 206, I saw a solid stage, plus a huge area, suitable for this 100% Mandarin speaking event.

    Would it not be nice if we have this event here on a Sat or Sunday morning? So, I asked the cab driver when is the lantern, mooncake and mid Autumn festival; and he told me the date is Mon 12 Sep 2011.

    So, assuming we have the event here, on a morning, the dates for this event could be 3, 4 or 10, 11 Sept 2011. Lining up the place with lanterns would be romantic. Jassmine, can you sell steamed BBQ buns? Sam, can you be the balls juggler? Geraldine, can you be inside the lion dance head? Freeda, can you be the public coordinator, so that the public can come and join in the fun?

    Assuming we use the stage for 4 hours, we could have games, singing, some jokes and some surprises. Tim, what can you do? Dolly, would you like to man a roadside yam cha stall, with a few ladies or man?

    Perhaps, you may think we need a lot of singing, every single one of them in Mandarin? A bit on love, the world, evergreens, autumn, fun, duets, songs that evoke friendship, family, girlfriend and boyfriends, really should be danceable. Oops, no social or ballroom dancing; and no line dancing. Pure swinging, shaking, jumping, hugging, Very Chinese, We should be looking out for someone who can coordinate this on stage. You like to raise your hand?

    Calling, good old Ah Nee, can you help us to secure use of this place?

    Annie, can you do a part to make the place look like “One morning in Chinatown?” Tian Soo, pleae help to turn some of our girls into Mongolian girls? Agnes, what about you?

    If you are reading this Post, it would be nice to hear from you, even if you have been quiet all along. Shy, speak to some of the senior SHCians?

    Calling Thomas Loh, please keep the dates free in your diary. So, how about “One morning in Chinatown”? Just one or two weeks before the mid Autumn fest?

    Great, you wont see me around for the next one month.

    Terence Seah

70. Terence #69

    ???????-????. :)

    and i think ‘Good Morning Chinatown’ as a caption is more attractive than ‘One Morning in Chinatown’… 2cts’ worth.

71. Freda #68

    ??! i think better use ‘copy’ instead of ‘cut’…in case need to edit.

    cheers,

72. HAHAHAHAAA Terence, you want me inside the lion dance head? Will your head be in between my legs?………….AS IN while I stand on your shoulders. Gotcha! Kakakakaa.

    Or are you referring to the baby lion? Awww…….soo cute! All furry and poofy.

    Notice you have changed the event to a morning. Hmmmm…..I am not a morning person, so. Also the dates are not right for me. Have a sneaky feeling you are doing this to make sure I can’t be there. Meanie!

73. Hey Jassmine

    Reeli like your ‘Good Morning Chinatown’. Very nice. More than attractive; catchy, too.

    Well, Freda, looks like we better start saying we are 102 to shock and get told how good we look.

74. Oh Jassmine

    Steamed bbq buns are his favourite especially those in the old days where the size is a DD cup or at least a D cup. I know from personal experience. Keeeeee……

75. Geraldine – 102? ??????, ????? ???, ???. ???????????,70?????????? (???)

    Jassmine – ????? ????? , ??????? (?) ??
    ???, ????????EM1, ????????
    ??????. (??? ha?)

    have a great week ahead everyone – ??

76. Hi Terence:

    Regret, might not be able to participate until end of my work contract this year.

    cheers
    freda

77. Terence,

    This is the Kovan Hub 206…the place where Sam huat, Lily, Dolly, Anna Seet, Jassmine Teo & Ann Lim having their Flea Mart last Dec 2010.

    Kovan Hub has been booked by Line dancers on every Sat and aerobic exercise on every Sun morning. And this is an on- going events. So Sat and Sun is out for our event???

    Previously this place was managed by Kovan CC but I understand that the blue shirt !@#$%…..so wef August 2011, the Town Council will be taking over the management of this place.

    I will ask Michael to help when he return from his business trip this Friday. Btw, what is the theme of the event, speaking 100% mandarin??? just speak mandarin only, no dancing, singing….seems a bit boring leh, hehehe

    Ah Nee

78. ????????????

    ????????????????????????????????
    ???

    ??????????????????55????

    55 ????????????? ????????????????

    ?????

    ??????????????????????????#69? ????????????

    ??? ???????????????????????????????????????

    ??????

79. Hi Ah Nee,
    One suggestion is to use the Kovan Hub 206. I tend to like the suggestion to have the theme “Good morning, Chinatown”.

    Hi fellow members,
    Pleae treat the ideas, suggestions, comments and chats, so far, as still under discussion. You get a feel of the event. Come up with your ideas and suggestions too.

    There is no such thing as a dumb suggestion. But, if you keep quiet, no one will get to hear of it.

    Terence Seah

80. Freda #75

    ??.??.

    ??’??’??’??’.???????,?????????.???????(kiasu)??! lol!

81. Hi Terence

    So sorry for the late reply, just return home from an overseas trip. I’m amazed that you could travel all over Asia with only a few days in between each place. As much as I love to travel , it certainly tires me out.

    As for the Mandarin event, I’m gamed for it. I certainly hope that the event will not clash with some of the activities that I have already committed to for the next few months.

    To prepare myself for this event, I will learn a few more Mandarin phrases to “blend” in the crowd.

    I hope more non-speaking Mandarin members especially the Peranakans will attend and put our Mandarin to a test. With the Peranakan accent, it will funny and fun.

    Take care and have a great day.

    Cheers
    Agnes

82. Hi Terence

    In Sydney at the moment. Enjoying Sydney very much. The glorious food and “fine” weather. Cold but bearable.

    I always tremble when its reading time during my second language class during my school days cos the teachers like to pick me to do the reading which is always “out of tune”.

    I am game for the “Speak Mandarin Event” although I know many will not understand my spoken Mandarin.

    Cheers
    Carly

83. ??????????????????????????

    ?????????????????????“?”?????????????????????? Orchard Road ????“??”?

    ??“????”?Telok Kurau????????????????“??”????“??”?“????”??????????????????????

    Upper Serangoon????????????

    Jalan Besar? ????? ???????????????????????????

    Kallang?Katong? ?????????????????????

    Marine Parade? ???????????????????????????

84. Dear Terence & All.

    It’ll be good to try out the next monthly meeting, as an ALL MANDARIN EVENT. Might be eaiser to organise something that is on-going, than to plan a MEGA MANDARIN event.

    In any case, YES, I’m in favour of the Mandarin event. But I would like to see some songs & dancing, perhaps even a Skit or Sketch in Mandarin. This will stir up the creative juice in some of us.

    CHeers, LydiaChin.

85. halo halo ah hiah terence # 69 ,

    mai lah..me ball juggler..how can my hand like butter fingers lei….tell you wat…pls refer to lydia chin #84..

    agree wif wat she say have a skit..i know our ellein thean ,

    have a very good skit..which during de last pyjamas party wen i was de EO ..due 2 lack of time so this skit was KIV…

    tio bo ah ellein thean ah jie…be the skit master..i will help you out lor…

    sam huat huat huat

86. ? Jassmine #80

    ??????, ???3?4 (Copied from Tim), ???????? (??? ha?)
    ???, ????. ????????? ”??”, ????? “?.Liëw” ??? ha?

    ??????????, ??? Jasmine……..

87. Freda #86

    ????????,????????.

    “?.Liëw” ?’??’??

    ????’?’?????? ?’??’?????. ??(??,??)??????.

    ??????????! Paiseh if it isn’t!

88. Good morning Terence,

    Some information is required before Michael can proceed to help to secure this place for the event.

    1) Date and duration (how many hours?)
    2) Headcounts (how many people?)
    3) Floor area (how much space is required?)
    4) Event details / purposes (what kind of gathering, programme, etc …)
    5) Any chairs, tables, equipment needed?

    I suggest you talk or email to Michael for further clarification. He would be glad to accede to your request. Cheers! :)

    Ah Nee

89. Thanks Ah Nee for the lead and the initiative. I shall contact Michael from here.

    For this 100% Mandarin event, I can hear support from most members. For those not so fluent in Mandarin, let the flow find its way.

    I am incline to have the event held before the mid-Autumn festival. The theme will like be “Good morning, Chinatown” or “One night in Chinatown”.

    The next thing we can do is to find the venue. Once that is concluded, we can proceed with the activities planning. So far, no one has suggested a place, so we will consider Hougang Hub 206 if the time and place is available.

    Any violent disagreement or objection?

    Terence Seah

90. ??????????????

    “?3?4” ????????????????????????

    ????????3?4???????????????????7???????

    ”?3?4?????“????????

    “??????”????????????“??“?“??????” ???

    ?????????? ???????????????????????????

91. “Good Morning, Chinatown” or “One night in Chinatown” would ideally be held at a venue like Kovan Hub 206.

    We are currently liaising with the Town Council to see if we can use the place and at the dates suggested. If there is no red tape, we can host the event there, one or two weeks before the mid Autumn festival.

    If we are not able to get this place, we may scale it down and hold the event at a small place.

    Terence Seah

92. Someone email me this and find it interesting.

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93. Hi Ah Nee,

    Thank you for reminding me of this place called “White Tangerine”. Suddenly, it sounds attractive. The Town Council normally charges $600 for the use of the venue, which is rather bare.

    Yes, I am keen if not incline to use the place. Only thing is yours is on the last Friday; but why not. Let’s consider. I am intending to finalise the venue, date and timing asap, so that we can proceed with planning.

    Again, thank you for the thought and suggestion, and see you on the 24 June.

    Terence Seah

94. Re “One night in Chinatown” or “Good morning, Chinatown”, we are pretty confirmed with the comperes.

    It would be nice if everybody wears traditional Chinese clothes, representing different dialect groups. So, if you are a Hakka, start thinking what you are going to wear. And, if you are a Cantonese, there must be lots of possible dress available.

    If you are familiar with Chinese cultures and Chinese wear, please share here, so that you can give others an idea. In fact, some parts of China have traditional tribal wear, with colourful headgear, dresses, shoes, belts and danglings.

    Remember, China borders many countries – India, Myanmar, Russia, … But, for this occasion, we shall use only Mandarin.

    Let’s talk about traditional Chinese wear. Feel free to share wear, even if you have never written on this forum.

    Terence Seah

95. I have some updates on the venue for “Good morning, Chinatown” or “One night in Chinatown”.

    We are discussing with the approving people re the use of Kovan Hub. At the same time, we are also discussing to use the space, in front of the community hall at Kovan too.

    If it makes sense to us, we will go ahead.

    Meantime, if you have ideas or there is some item you wish to perform, relevant to the theme, please do let us know here. Eg a lion dance, a Chinese tea stall, a steam pao shop, a few stalls selling Chinese/midautumn stuffs, a lantern procession, kids games, singing, skits, etc to your dream, please talk about it here.

    thank you.

    Terence Seah

96. Latest update on our 100% Mandarin event. We can now confirm that the event will be held as follows:

    1. Dates – a Sat night, either 3 Sep or 10 Sep 2011, one or two weeks before the mid Autumn festival on Mon 12 Sep 2011.

    2. Subject to their approval, two comperes have been selected; will let you know soon once they have confirmed their availability.

    3. I have Janet Chan to take the lead with all songs, related to this event. She has accepted the role. As a guide, all songs should be in Mandarin, lively, well known, singable, evergreen, romantic, love, inspiring and popular in China, Taiwan and Malaysia. Better still, the songs should be vibrant and related to the mid-Autumn festival.

    4. Food wise, we are likely to have a buffet style, everything traditionally chinese. Keep simple, no western food, no coffee. We will have someone to liaise with the caterer.

    5. The venue has a concrete platform, which will play centrestage the entire event. In front of the stage will be full standing room, good for dancing and joining in the shows on stage.

    Seating space will be way behind, at the back, so as not to block the stage.

    6. I am encouraging a few stalls to be set up, but must be traditionally Chinese eg serving and selling Chinese tea with Youtiao ?? yóu tiáo, maybe stalls with steamed buns, or beancurd milk, etc.

    Sam Goh and helpers have offered to run tea with Youtiao stall. Please come up with your thoughts. All proceeds from these stalls go to the individual groups, as you will have a lot of work and costs.

    7. Now, we can think of a mini lion dance. We can also have a lantern procession, especially for the children of SHC members.

    8. Hi Jassmine, please help to create a romantic peom for this event, and maybe the name of the event in Chinese.

    Most important, everybody should try to wear traditionally Chinese dress and costumes. If you have the slippers to fit, better still. For the ladies, a nice hair pin might just catch the eye of the old China man. For the men, a pig tailed cap with cotton shirt and pants, and with a big wide cloth around the waist might just make you the China man of the year. Tian Soo, will you please take the lead? So, start looking out for these clothes as soon as possible. Two and a half months to go.

    As SilverHairs, we have a long way to go. So, share your ideas. Feel free to talk with the senior SHC members. You can be sure, I shall give you a 99% yes.

    Now that we know this is going to be an evening event, can you help finetune the Theme Event name “One night in Chinatown”. And, if someone can create a song or even a new mix to it, this will be great.

    This will be our show. Your show, enjoy it.

    Terence Seah

97. Hi Terence

    I want to practise making fortune cookies and maybe set up a stall selling them.

    Will have lovey dovey notes in them and try to shape them into crescent moon.

    You think this can be related to the mid-autumn festival?

    Cheers
    Carly

98. Hi Caroline,

    Yes, making and selling fortune cookies probably originated from the Chinese who migrated to the United States. Yes, very ideal. Please start planning ahead.

    Another idea for another SHCian,
    Would you like to sell, what do you call it? Those red paper scrolls with good luck wordings?

    Terence Seah

99. Hi Terence

    Are you looking for the word – couplets ?

100. Lydia,

     Yes, yes, that’s the word. We could have a small stall, to offer translation of our Ang Moh names into Chinese. And, yes, the event will be nice, if you can help with something.

     Terence Seah

101. Hi Terence

     Tks for your confidence in me.

     Can’t dance like Susan,
     Don’t speak Mandarin like Timothy,
     Cannot bake like Caroline,
     Don’t know what I can do.

     Seriously, barring work commitments, let you know nearer to the date where I can contribute. For a start, how about these suggestions to make the event more interesting:

     1. Clamour of Chinatown
     2. Clanging All The Way to Chinatown
     3. Ching Ching, Chong Chong – Chinatown!

     PS – Happy Belated Birthday to a perpetually 45 you. Cheers.

102. ???“????”?????SHC?????“??????”???????????

     ????????100%?????“????”??????????

     ???????????????

103. Hi Terence #96
     The romantic poem is in Chinese, right? My goodness! Such an extreme challenge! Don’t think i can do it.

     As for the English theme in Chinese, i have come up with 3 versions:
     1.????
     2.????
     3.?????

     Paiseh if there are mistakes. i think 100% mandarin speakers will do a better job.

     P.s. Am not sure if i will be free to participate in this event.

104. 1. ???2011??
     2. ?????????
     3?2011?????

105. “????” ??

     ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

     ?????????

     ????
     ????
     ????
     ????
     ????
     ?????

106. Thank you Terence

     OK. Will start planning and probably got to get my children’s help to write the Chinese characters with translations into English.

     Carly

107. Hi Terence #96

     Thanks and honored to be picked by you to lead the mandarin songs. Have in mind selected a few popular evergreen songs related to this mid-Autumn festival:

     ???? – by Janet ????? – by Caroline
     ?????
     ??????
     ???????
     ?????
     ????
     ???? – Duet Song by Tim Liu & Janet

     There are lots of talented singers in SHC and I hope they will contribute to this event by choosing & singing some of the songs above or they can suggest some other related songs of their own which I don’t know of.

     Terence I can only sing and act on my songs but cannot choreograph any background dancing…sori lah…

108. “???? – Duet Song by Tim Liu & Janet”

     Walau eh, Janet-C, you tau apa “??” is in Cantonese and you ask me to be one !

     This is one song I havent sung but do like it. The pitch may be a bit high for me so pls get Terence on standby. This marvellous fella can do any love song, be it Mandarin, Teochew, Manchurian, Pakistani………whatever.

     This song is suitable for a lion dancers to do a Line Dance.

     Abel, where are you? Dan-H, Dave-T, Sam-G – you all too hv the charm and the fangs of a lion.

     Frisna, you can be 1 of the dollies. And of cos, the Dollies (at least 2 in SHC) wont hide themselves.

109. Hi Janet,

     Very nice to see your Avatar image. Thank you for the effort you are going to put in.

     I shall leave it to you to decide, but it would be nice if we encourage group or team singing on stage rather than individuals. Duets are just as good too. This will add the mood and spirit to the evening.

     We look forward to hear you sing. Hope you will enjoy it just as much as the organsing.

     Terence Seah

110. Hai Hai Hai,
     Didn’t realise that this thread existed until I logged-IN…
     Interesting….

111. Yes, this Event shdnt be the showpiece for any individual to sing the day into the nite. It shd be a catch-everyone bonanza, featuring as many talents as SHC has. “Skit-ters”, jugglers, singers, dancers, acrobats, shy giggling damsels throwing the betrothal ball, red lantern whoreshops, fantan/paikow betting stalls……….which will take us back to to the majestic imperial age.

     Btw, Janet-C, your “Hambug Sandwich” song is Mongolian and so we need to be astride horses cantering the savannah. Maybe, Boon L can be your stallion but my filly leh? If no choice, pls find me a mare. Thanks !

112. Hi Terence: Thanks for your idea to have group singing too so more SHC singers who are shy will join in the fun. Will wait for your further instructions as to the type of music this event is providing whether is karaoke style or otherwise…before we plan further on the singing program.

     Hi Tim: Thanks for partnering me in this mongolian love song…is also my 1st time singing this song…agreed pitch is a bit high but we can always adjust ourselves to the right tune with some prior practice. Now I know “??”in cantonese means “Hambug Sandwich” thanks for enlightening me…”find me a mare” you must be kidding kacang puteh lah Tim Siew (in cantonese)…anytime you can get one!

113. Jant-C, it’s a pleasure to partner you in love songs cos we dont fall in love after that.

     Seriously, the lyrics of this Mongolian song are easy to remember – only 6 lines. Chinese singer Chpper Lang sings it huskily but Zhuang Shue Zhong suits me best. Fei Yu Ching kills me outright. Hope you will pick the riht one.

     Cant get me a mare, what abt a donkey? Geding also can.

     Yes, tim siew is on the way to a dinner treat from 1 of you out there now. Wow, she’s a ooolalah !

114. The date for “One night in Chinatown” is now fixed for Saturday, 10 Sep 2011, from 5pm to 1030pm at the stage, in front of the Paya Lebar kovan CC.

     We can now firm up all the planning.

     Terence Seah

115. Hihi

     You mean majority of you are mandarin speaking ? Haha, not for me, though on and off I do speak Mandarin, I still prefer to speak English.

     Enjoy yourself, I will give a pass for this event.

116. Hi Lydia SOH #101

     3. Ching Ching Chong Chong – Chinatown set me laughing reflecting on a past “drama” incident. Picture this, ”One night in Chinatown” many “Ching Chong” Men looking and going around asking “How Much”………

     cheers

117. Yo Freda

     How are you? Ching Ching Chong Chong – Chinatown was chosen specially for those who like Singlish. Like your imagery of these ‘Ching Chong’ men. See you at the walk this Sat, got something to show you.

118. More news on the 100% Mandarin event. Please review the Post.

     1. Oi Cheng would be incharge of registration. More details would be available soon. Entry price not decided yet, but likely those who come in traditional costumes would be given a $1 discount.
     2. Janet Chan would be in charge of the singing on stage. She would have the final say, on acceptance of groups and songs. We should be looking at the schedule on stage soon.
     3. Language used is planned for 100% Mandarin. No decision yet on the use of English, may have to depend on the comperes discretion.
     4. Stalls holders – If you have an idea, please bring it up. You may be given a stall space. Likely, you have to bring your own table, table cloth.
     5. Looking for some one to lead a lantern procession. Raise your hand please.
     6. Tian Soo is recommended to be the godfather. He would choose his own gangsters, and be accompanied by his own Mongolian girls.
     7. Club Manager, Dolly, can I ask you to look at all the recommended names for this theme event. In Chinese, as well as in English.
     8. So, we are on the lookout now for helpers, lion dancers, acrobats, jugglers.
     9. If you like to help, and this is the best way to meet new and more friends, raise your hand to offer assistance.
     10. Do note that this event will last less than 5 hours; and will be a standing, dancing, singing, fun event. Best to keep standing in front of the stage, and dance, sing your evening.

     Finally, if the date is free in your diary, please let us know, so that we can put down your name. All ideas welcome, subject to theme.

     Terence Seah

119. Hi Terence,

     Lydia is very excited about your ‘100% Mandarin’ event and wants to do a drama skit for it since we all just started our drama group & practise 2 July’11.

     The theme will be Mooncake Festival Celebration.

     Its about a family – an old couple with 5 daughters and 2 grand-daughters.
     They are all home to celebrate the occassion with their parents.
     2 Malay neighbours were invited.

     The story unfold as each one has their story to tell.
     The Malay neighbours will get to learn some Chinese.
     There will be a bit of dancing to soothing flute, guzheng & pipa music.

     Together, we have a cast of 12 SHC Drama Group members.
     They are encouraged to do their own script and create their own dance steps –
     but i will fine tune the total play’s performance.

     The Casts are:
     1. Dan
     2. Grace
     3. Lydia
     4. Thomas
     5. Anna
     6. Frisna
     7. Eunice
     8. Janet
     9. Judy
     10. Bee Gek
     11 Hamidah
     12 Sarah.

     Hope the theme of the play is ok as there will be a little Malay & English dialogues for the non-Chinese casts.

     Hope you could let us all know asap so that we wont go ahead with the discussion & rehearsals if our play is not suitable.

     Best Regards,
     pearl.

120. Hi Pearl, Lydia,

     I am indeed very pleased with your initiative. So nice, you are also able to have an all SHC team.

     Yes, please go ahead, the details can come later, especially the total stage time.

     I am very sure this Drama group will be just as excited as the participants.

     Have fun. Terence Seah

121. Hi Terence,

     Appreciate your prompt approval.
     Thanks very much!

     Cheers,
     pearl.

122. Yo……Lydia Soh #117
     Can’t make it today for the walk. Would u be interested to join us at the coming Monthly Gathering on Thursday?

     Hi Lydia Chin #119
     Interesting, doing a drama skit on Mooncake Festival Celebration. Ok have diarise 10 Sept to watch you guys acting it out, to all the casts ??,??

     cheers

123. Good Morning Terence

     Just checking for the date of this hot topic and notice that I’m in. 2 things for me to do now, find excuse to skip the other event on the same night and learn some basic mandarin to converse or else you see me saying nothing at all.

     I hope the other Peranakans will join in. I do not think we will be ostracise for not being able to speak mandarin ya. It will be fun hearing our peranakan accent Chinese and struggling to find words. This is the way to berani berani chakap Mandarin and berlajar. I am sure our friends will help us too.

     Have a great day.

     Cheers
     Agnes

124. Hi Terence,

     Can you pls confirm that the “stage” for this event is that small raised platform stage, outside the main hall, where we regularly have our dance events organised by Ah Nee. The venue is the same place that we had one monthly gatherinng few years back, where we did a dance routine.

     Pearl and I are planning to check out the place, on thursday, before going for the monthly gathering.

     May i have your confirmation, please?

     Thanks.
     Lydia Chin

125. Hi Lydia #124,

     Yes, that’s the correct stage. Please go ahead. Look forward then.

     Terence Seah

126. Hi Terence,

     When will u be back in SG?

     Pearl has sent an email to you, to ask about sound systems, etc. for this event. Did you receive her email?

     Can we have a reply, pls?

     Thnaks! Lydia.

127. ????????????????????????

     ???“?”?????????????????????????????????

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     ????????????? ??????????????????

128. Hi Terence,

     Are u still somewhere out there? You’ve been very silent.

     I had the chance to speak to Tim yesterday, and am wondering what’s the arrangement for this event. What’s the agenda, who’s coming, any sound system, etc… ?

     Sep 10th is not very far off, and I think we should start planning now? Or perhaps you’ve some other plans?

     Appreciate your reply.

     Thanks,
     Lydia (on behalf of the drama team)

129. Yes, Lydia-C. we spoke at EZ4U yesterday while I tarik a fag in btwn songs. You asked what I wrote in Mandarin in the posting above yours.

     It was to buzz Terence that time is catching up on him fast, that this mammoth evet needs a bit more planning as the Kovan stage faces the public.

     You were very concerned that yr drama performance might limp as a standalone. That’s fair and a valid concern.

     Meanwhile, Janet-C has my agreement to put up a duet if there’s time and space for this 3-minute cameo on that Day. We tried the song out yesterday.

     Now, Que Sera Sera begins………….

130. Just being out of town for a week, and I have lost touch with the club. Internet is only good, if there is access. Well, I am back.

     Gosh, we are only 1 month 10 days away from the Mid-Autumn festival. And this is when we will have our “One night in Chinatown”.

     Thank you Tim and Lydia for thinking of me. You know I am never too far away. Tim, thanks for buzzinbg me; and on your item, I shall leave this to Janet Chan. I will coordinate with her in the next few days. I am sure both of you will be giving us an entertaining item.

     Lydia, yes we will have a sound system, which is used by the venue owner. The equipment can be seen every Saturday night.

     For registration, I shall discuss with Oi Cheng this week. I am looking at 50 pax participants. Ideally, everybody should be dressed in colourful traditional Chinese dress.

     I have agreed with the owner for a small menu of $10 per pax. This is the cost per pax. Closing date is 15 Aug or when the first 50 pax is reached.

     Taking into consideration some costs in lighting up the place with lights and lanterns, and maybe a sweet stage decor, all participants after 15 Aug, pay $12 per pax.

     So, let’s start.

     Terence Seah

131. The discussion on a 100% Mandarin event is now closed. The event is now confirmed for Sat 10 Sep 2011. Please refer to the new Post http://silverhairsclub.com/?p=3735.

     If you would like to participate, please register now. Closing date is 15 Aug 2011.
     Strictly for registered SHC members only.

     Terence Seah

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