118 replies to this topic

[Mok]

Wow! That is indeed a long journey, Senor!

Welcome to our forum, and I'm sure we'll find much to learn along the way.

Mok

[Tang Scholar]

Research for my current novel........I got sucked in. ^__~

Your message is cryptic. What's that novel project?

[Tang Scholar]

Wow! That is indeed a long journey, Senor!

Welcome to our forum, and I'm sure we'll find much to learn along the way.

Mok

Thank you for that welcome. I read your profile. Very interesting. I have another Singaporean friend, but I think he has not found the forum yet.
How is it that you are named Defender of the Eastern Plains? Which plains are those? It makes me imagine you like
Tang Scholar

[Liu]

Bienvenida a CHF !

(Pls have a look to the forum in foreign languages)

Liu

[Suren911]

What got me into Chinese history and culture? It's because I'm Mongol Chinese and I pretty much think it's flipping awesome. Everytime I meet a Chinese person, I smile at them and shake their hands and say, "You're Chinese? Good choice. "

EDIT: JK haha. I got into it mainly because I wanted to study more about the Eastern Mongol empire along with Qing dynasty.

Edited by Suren911, 22 October 2007 - 09:28 PM.

[kaiselin]

Well, what got me into Chinese History? Actually, my history is very simple. When I was in school in July this year, I got obessed with a Chinese television show Qing Gong Feng Yun (The Great Qing Dynasty) and became very obsessed with the Qing Dynasty. So, I started reading history materials and books and well, I just became obsessed with it in a week's time!. Then, I came across a book about the Qin Dynasty in the library and well, it talked mainly about Qin Shi huangdi and I found the book very interesting. This inspired my research on the Qin Dynasty. Now, I am currently researching on the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, as well as the Han Dynasty, all thanks to the television show Chu Han Jiao Xiong (The Conqueror's Story)! My friends call me a history maniac, saying that I know more than I should, judging by my age! Well, that's what I am, anyway, being really obsessed with China's glorious history!

It is funny some times how exposure to a new thing grabs you so much. I have always thought it was a good thing to look at your basic interests and skills when young and looking into your future career, but never a good idea to be afraid to change your mind if you discover something that intrigues you more.
I am glad you found a subject you are enjoying. Don't listen to your friends, they just don't understand your interests.
It can do no harm in learning as much as you can. And you now have found a place where you will find friends that share your interests.

Edited by kaiselin, 11 November 2007 - 10:59 AM.

[kaiselin]

Yes, you are right Kaiselin. Coming to CHF has certainly plunged me into enjoyment!

Me too.

[Suijen]

Born again Chinese. Plus, my dad inspired me about the PLA and modern China.

[Ricky]

I started getting into Chinese Culture when I was reading a few novels online, and when I eventually bought the Romance of the three kingdoms with Lo Kuan-Chung. That was a while ago though. Still viewing some of the basics of it, little hard. But it was mainly reading some stories around China.

[ScholarOfHistory]

In the second grade I got a copy of Romance of the Three Kingdoms. From there I enjoyed the series so I went on to look into it. From there I read the novel. I coined it 70% fact, now I know its more 30-20% fact. From there well... I read everything I could on the era. Then I got into the warring states and the age of fragmentation because it both preceded and followed the era. I however do not like Wang. Sorry I just don't consider Xia in my workload. Then from there I already had a fascination with world war 2. I got into Japan and I read into their occupation of Taiwan. Which later lead to the Qing Dynasty and the Nationalists. Mao was great, its just I don't like how Chinese history ended with Qing's destruction. Now the Ming I got into just because I am also into the Age of Imperialism in Europe. So when I read the Ming was more powerful than any of the other European nations in Naval power I read into Zheng He's Treasure fleet. Then I read how the great ships were burnt to the ground. I never liked that... Now for the Yuan Dynasty and the Song it came about very simply because I loved reading About Genghis/Chinggis Khan. It only came a natural following. And then Zhou and Shang seemed more mystical then fact to me. The only thing that we can tell about them is the Warring States came about it. That and artifacts. Now for the era of Three Emperors and five Kings. How does this fit into mythology. I like this era by the fact that I know little to nothing about it. and it seems like the mystical aura of mystery. I guess that's how it started. Now I just stay within my forte of Sanguo. Currently reading ZZTJ and A Dream of Red Mansions.

[Draka]

American Caucasian with no known Oriental roots. Got interested in history at a very early age - and intriqued by the big empty spots in our taught history. This is in the late 50's and 60's - very Euro-centric leaving over half the world not covered. Joined the US Army and was stationed in Taiwan (ROC) back when we still had troops there. Ended up with a Chinese wife, adopted daughter and a great interest in Chinese history. Also contributing was the fact I am a wargamer, and became VERY interested in the Han Dynasty and the military thereof, and recreating that army on the wargames table. The Ch'in, Han and Warring States periods are still my favorite periods.

As an aside, I grew up with Wade-Giles and am still finding pinyan confusing as all hell.

Old fart/grognard/older than dirt ....

[General_Zhaoyun]

This is in the late 50's and 60's - very Euro-centric leaving over half the world not covered. Joined the US Army and was stationed in Taiwan (ROC) back when we still had troops there.

Wow.. you must have lots of experience and much to tell about the history of Taiwan (ROC) back in the 1950s and 1960s. The last batch of US army stationed in Taiwan left during 1979, is that right?

Were you familiar with the 1958 Artillery war on Kimmen [Quemoy] (known as 823 Artillery war], when CCP attempted to shell the island of Kimmen to pieces? But KMT retaliated with air-attack. US supplied Taiwan with aircraft armed with the latest air-to-air missile.

[Draka]

Was stationed there from '72-'76. Kinmen and Amoy still had artillery duels going on with the mainland then. Rumor was we shelled them on odd days, them us on even ...
Best thing ever happened to those troops was Teresa Teng's visit. (My favorite singer of all time)

Watched at CCK Airbase as the survivers from the Vietnam debacle landed on their way to the States. Never got over the feeling that we betrayed them.

Yeah, idiot Carter abrogated the Defense Treaty and pulled us out just before Reagan could get in and make it permanent. I was stationed in Germany at the time, and was majorly pissed that my wife and I couldn't get re-assigned back home. Incidently, that was the first election I ever voted in - and I have been stauchly Republican ever since!