EASY-TO-READ MANDARIN CHINESE
JUN.15,2023 | $8.24
The Mimir Magazine
参观下水道
在中国，不用现金也可以活下去！
你喜欢蓝色的食物吗？
A Tour of the Sewer | 11
How to Survive in China Without Cash! | 20
Do you like Blue Food? | 31
Editor's Note The Mimir Magazine is known for covering a wide range of interesting topics, from lessons learned through history to famous Chinese cuisine. The latest issue is no different, with running themes of tradition and progress throughout each article. Most traditions arise for a good reason, which is one thing to consider while reading “Why Are School Buses Yellow and Black?” Tradition is also the topic in the article titled “Qu Yuan and the Dragon Boat Festival,” which explains the history and practices surrounding this celebrated holiday. And of course, be sure to read the latest food articles covering wellestablished Chinese recipes! Traditions are important, but not all traditions are equally beneficial. While there is a time and place for old practices, modern progress demands critical thinking and ingenuity. “A Tour of the Sewer” highlights the importance of adaptation, as tradition is antithetical to innovation. The article details Tokyo’s impressive sewer system, which is far beyond anything you’d see in other countries like the United States. And speaking of the United States, you might be surprised to read about the negative experiences a Chinese student faced in “Memories of Studying in the United States,” which highlights why not all traditions are necessarily good ones. When it comes to tradition versus progress, not everything is black and white. There is room for both in this world, and finding the proper balance is key. We at The Mimir Magazine hope this is a message that resonates with you. Remember these themes while you read, and leave a comment if a particular topic sparked your analysis of an old tradition or modern innovation! Kyle McHenry English Editor for TMW Vol.08 Jun.15, 2023 TMM | 01
t e e M itors d
E r u O
Kyle McHenry is an American author born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, just beside the Olympic National Park. He has published numerous titles in multiple genres, notably his bestselling books for children and nonfiction science books as M.C. Henry. He has also published multiple sports guides for snowboarders under the pen name Kyle Ashton. Kyle McHenry is an avid snow sports enthusiast, has a beloved pet bunny named Moose, and is currently working to finish his first horror novel. You can follow/contact him through his social media @mchenrybooks on TikTok and Instagram.
hello everyone, I am Teacher Alice. After getting the Bachelor degree in Chinese Language and Literature from university, I have been engaged in the front-line work of Chinese language teaching and related research for many years. In 2020, I started studying for a master's degree in Teaching Chinese as a foreign Language to Children in Spain and then continued to work as a Chinese teacher after returning to China. During all these years in my teaching career, I have taught various courses and thousands of students from all over the world. I’m very interested in the local customs and cultures of different countries, and be able to complete teaching tasks excellently. With the humorous and rigorous teaching style, I’m deeply trusted and quite popular among students. TMM | 02
CONTENT TRENDS How to Survive in China Without Cash!
20
在中国，不用现金也可以活下去！ My Memories of Studying in America
35
我的美国留学记忆 FOOD IS EVERYTHING
怎么做好清蒸鱼？ Hangzhou Snacks: Congbaohui 葱包烩 How to Make Steamed Fish?
25 16
ASIAN CULTURE
屈原的故事
Qu Yuan and the Dragon Boat Festival A Tour of the Sewer
参观下水道
06 11
LIFE & SCIENCE
？
Why Are School Buses Yellow and Black
为什么校车是黄色和黑色的？ Do you like Blue Food?
43
31
你喜欢蓝色的食物吗？ Click here to listen to audio recordings of this issue on YouTube
TMM | 03
I DON'T WANT TO TELL YOU THAT I'M LEARNING CHINESE BECAUSE I WANT TO DESIGN CHINESE TATTOOS.
THIS IS REALLY COOL! http://www.themimir.com TMM | 04
friends 莉莉
艾米 Amy is a high school exchange student from the U.S. She likes traveling and is curious about ancient cultures. She thinks Dada is very knowledgeable.
Lily is a student in the same high school as Amy. Her mom is Chinese and her Dad is from Ireland. Like her mom, Lily enjoys reading and cooking.
达达
凯文
Dada is a high school straight-A student from China. He loves science, the universe, and everything about aliens.
Kevin is an exchange student from Australia. He likes sports and cars. He thinks Amy is the cutest girl ever.
TMM | 05
LAISFI EA N & C SC U ILETNUCREE
QU YUAN AND THE DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL INTERMEDIATE LEVEL MIN 5
TMM | 06
ASIAN CULTURE
C
hina has important traditional festivals each year, one of which is the
Dragon Boat Festival. While it is a time for celebration, not many people
understand the origins of this festival. Over 2,300 years ago, there were many small countries in China. Chu State was one such country, full of patriotic Chinese people including a man called Qu Yuan. He was a poet, a friend to everyone who knew him, and supported the emperor to help make the Chu Kingdom a better place. But all was not well in the Chu Kingdom, and one day the emperor was replaced. The Chu State began to change, and not for the better. Turmoil and conflict arose as the new emperor was influenced by those close to him, and eventually Qu Yuan and the Chu State became a target of surrounding countries. On May 5th of the lunar calendar, Chu was defeated and the state’s power began to break down. When Qu Yuan heard the news, he jumped into the Luo River in an act of despair. The people who heard of Qu Yuan’s death worried that his body would be eaten, so to prevent this they would wrap rice with bamboo leaves and offer them to the fish or shrimp living in the river. This day would eventually become known as the Dragon Boat Festival, where people can feast on dumplings, row in the river, and thank the creatures of the river with a small snack. Editor
TMM | 07
：Kyle McHenry
ASIAN CULTURE
。在农历 [1] 的五月五日这一 天，楚国被打败了，马上就要 消失了。屈原很难过，他跳进 汨罗江[2]里死了。
屈原的故事
楚国。楚国有一个很爱国的人 叫屈原。他一直在帮助当时的 皇帝，让楚国变得更好。他平 Q1：屈原是哪个国家的人？ 时也会帮助很多人，而且他还 Q2：为了纪念屈原，端午节这一 天中国人要吃的传统食物是什么？ 会写诗。大家都知道他是个好 人，所以都很喜欢他，也都很 喜欢他写的诗。 在中国，每年都有四个很重要 的传统节日，其中一个就是端 午节。 在2300多年以前，中国有很多 小国家。其中有一个小国家叫
人们知道屈原死了以后，都非 常伤心，所以就去汨罗江边纪 念他。人们担心江里的鱼和虾 会吃他的身体，就把米用竹叶 包好，扔到江里给鱼和虾吃。 还有很多人经常在江里划船， 人们觉得这样鱼和虾就不敢吃 后来，楚国换了皇帝。很多给 屈原的身体了。用竹叶包好的 新皇帝工作的人不喜欢屈原， 米就是“粽子”。 告诉皇帝说屈原是个坏人。新 后来，每年的农历五月初五就 皇帝相信了他们，也觉得屈原 成了端午节。每年的这一天， 不好，所以就让屈原去了很远 人们都会包粽子吃，也会去河 的地方工作。 里划船。大家一起用这样的方 慢慢地，楚国变得没有以前好 法纪念屈原。 了，别的小国家也开始打楚国 作者：抹茶公主
[1] [2]
农历：Is China's current modern calendar, according to the cycle of the moon to make the calendar. 汨罗江：A river that flows mainly through Hunan province in China. TMM | 08