"An absolutely brilliant and singularly indescribable book, Fish Eyes for Pearls is an extraordinary journey into a woman's life. One of the bravest, most unique and compelling self-examinations I have ever read- I was blown away " -Henry Jaglom The phrase 'fish eyes for pearls' is coined in an ancient book of internal alchemy, prompting the question, in this world veiled in illusion, how does one discern the precious from the common or worthless? And then, how might the ordinary be transformed into something extraordinary? Lead on a mission to gather and liberate ghosts, the artist navigates the thorny and humbling landscape of relationships, society, and the unseen realms. With canvas, words and camera lens, she turns life into art and art into a life.

Offering a textured history of the Chinese in America since their arrival during the California Gold Rush, this work includes letters, speeches, testimonies, oral histories, personal memoirs, poems, essays, and folksongs. It provides an insight into immigration, work, family and social life, and the longstanding fight for equality and inclusion.

Man has been intrigued by the origin of pearls, sensitive to their beauty, and convinced of their medicinal value for at least 5 cent. A mixture of folklore and observation preceded the earliest scientific inquiries. Fishing and trade commenced in S. Asia, between India and Sri Lanka and around the Persian Gulf. In W. and Central Europe, Inner Asia and China, and N. Amer. Freshwater pearls were probably known and treasured before those of marine origin. A refined nomenclature points to a long familiarity with etymologically related words for 'pearl'. Pearls were prominent among the luxury products of world trade and were high among the objectives of expeditions to the eastern and western Tropics. Illustrations.

In this work, a corpus-based stylistic study is used to explore two contemporary Mandarin Chinese translations of Don Quijote - those by Yang Jiang (1978) and Liu Jingsheng (1995).

Idioms (Chengyu) are a type of traditional Chinese idiomatic expression, most of which consist of four characters. Chengyu were widely used in Classical Chinese and are still common in vernacular Chinese writing and in the spoken language today. Chinese idioms are important for IB Chinese for several reasons: Cultural understanding: Chinese idioms are deeply rooted in Chinese culture and history. Learning idioms helps students gain a better understanding of Chinese traditions, values, and ways of thinking. It allows students to appreciate the rich cultural heritage of China. 1 Language proficiency: Idioms are an essential part of the Chinese language and are widely used in both spoken and written forms. Learning idioms helps students improve their vocabulary, comprehension, and overall language proficiency. It also enhances their ability to express ideas creatively and effectively. 2 Reading comprehension: Chinese idioms often appear in Chinese literature, newspapers, and other texts. Familiarity with idioms enables students to comprehend and interpret written materials more accurately. It allows them to grasp the intended meanings, nuances, and figurative expressions in the texts they encounter. 3 Writing skills: Incorporating idioms into written compositions and essays showcases a student's ability to use the Chinese language fluently and expressively. It adds depth and sophistication to their writing, making it more engaging and persuasive. 4 Examinations and assessments: In the IB Chinese curriculum, idioms may be included in reading comprehension exercises, listening tasks, or essay prompts. Being familiar with idioms gives students an advantage in understanding and responding to these assessments effectively. Overall, learning Chinese idioms enhances students' language proficiency, cultural knowledge, and communication skills, all of which are crucial aspects of the IB Chinese curriculum.

Chinese idioms, also known as chéngyǔ (成语) in Chinese, are fixed phrases or expressions consisting of four or more Chinese characters. These idioms often convey a specific meaning and are characterized by their conciseness, vividness, imagery, and imaginative qualities. Chinese idioms hold significant importance for several reasons: Cultural Heritage: Chinese idioms reflect the rich cultural heritage and historical traditions of China. They carry the wisdom, values, and experiences of Chinese civilization, offering insights into Chinese history, literature, philosophy, and folklore. Effective Communication: Idioms are a powerful tool for effective communication. They condense complex ideas into concise phrases, enabling speakers and writers to convey profound meanings or emotions succinctly. Using idioms can enhance the expressiveness and impact of communication. Language Enrichment: Chinese idioms enrich the Chinese language by adding depth, nuance, and color to expressions. They provide alternative ways to express thoughts and emotions, enhancing language fluency and versatility. Cultural Understanding: Learning and understanding Chinese idioms is essential for gaining a deeper understanding of Chinese culture. It allows individuals to grasp the cultural context, historical allusions, and traditional values associated with specific idiomatic expressions. Literary and Artistic Appreciation: Chinese idioms are prevalent in Chinese literature, poetry, calligraphy, and traditional arts. Familiarity with idioms enhances one's appreciation and interpretation of these artistic forms, unlocking layers of meaning and beauty. Symbolic and Metaphorical Language: Idioms often use vivid metaphors and symbolic language, allowing for creative and imaginative expression. They enable writers and speakers to evoke imagery, evoke emotions, and engage the audience on a deeper level. Overall, Chinese idioms play a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage, facilitating effective communication, expanding language proficiency, fostering cultural understanding, and enhancing the appreciation of literature and art. They serve as a bridge connecting the past and present, providing valuable insights into Chinese language, culture, and history.

A red-haired naughty boy Xiao Tao saw that a silly hare had hit its head accidently against a tree trunk and died. He picked up the hare, gave it to his mom so she could make it into a delicious dinner. He then waited near the trunk everyday hoping hares would come continuously and hit their heads against the tree. His dad had gone to town on a trip and had told Xiao Tao to sow seeds in the farmland, but Xiao Tao only concentrated on his plan of catching hares and forgot about the sowing. Half a month later Xiao Tao suddenly remembered his dad's order. He then sowed seeds in a rush. Seedlings grew very slowly because of the delay in time. For fear of dad's rebuke, Xiao Tao quietly got up at midnight to “help” the seedlings grow more quickly by pulling them upward. When Xiao Tao's dad came back home, he saw all of the seedlings lying down in the field with their roots exposed in the air. He knew that Xiao Tao had done this. Dad asked Xiao Tao why he had made this mess, and wanted him to admit his fault. Xiao Tao did not acknowledge his mistake, but instead said that this had been the hares' fault. Lately, no hares had come to hit their heads against the tree trunk, and so he had to wait patiently for them; had it not been for the hares' fault, he would have remembered his task and would not have pulled the seedlings upward, and would not have been criticized by dad. Xiao Tao's dad was so angry that he slapped Xiao Tao's face. Xiao Tao did not cry. Instead, he decided that he would leave home to visit various scenic spots, and make a living wandering from place to place. In his adventurous journey Xiao Tao experienced more than a few strange affairs, met many interesting people and animals and learned a lot about the world. In the end, his trip turned the naughty boy into a good one. ************************ The Chinese language has become a popular subject to study in recent years. However, because it is not an alphabetic language and is quite different from other languages, it is not very easy to learn. Are there any knacks to quicken the learning process? The answer is YES! The key to success lies in learning Chinese idioms. Chinese idioms are not just a play on words; they are the heart and soul of the language. There are roughly one thousand very popular idioms in Chinese, and among them, about half are most frequently in use. Many of them are very vivid and interesting. Learning Chinese idioms can greatly increase readers' interest, and thus raise the speed of Chinese-learning. This story about a boy's journey connects a series of 366 most frequently used Chinese idioms. Through reading and remembering this interesting story, readers will be able to learn Chinese efficiently. An idiom a day kicks the Chinese-learning difficulty away. For understanding Chinese idioms, readers should read THE KEY OF THIS BOOK first and then use the notes that were inserted into the story. This book may function as a combination of a storybook and a textbook, with the story in the main body and the text in the notes. Readers can enjoy the story while they learn Chinese idioms at the same time and on the same page. Many books in Chinese have characters in only one form, either the simplified form or the standardized form (i.e. the traditional form or the original complex form), but this book has both forms. Many books in Chinese have only one kind of phonetic notation, which is the Chinese phonetic alphabet, or Chinese Pinying notation (mandarin pronunciations with four tones), but this book has both Chinese mandarin pronunciations with four tones and English pronunciations. For readers' convenience, the author has summarized all idioms mentioned in the story and placed them at the end of this book. For