peppercorn

Does anyone know any blog and/or photo hosting sites that China hasn't blocked yet?

It would help if someone in China could answer (and test) because they've been rather active in blocking lately, and Wikipedia gives conflicting information.

I am going to Yunnan with a female friend in early February or late January, since our abroad programs don't start until Feb 16. Where would you recommend going?

I know Spring Festival is a silly time to travel, but both of us need to travel before our programs, not after.

I spent a month in Kunming over the summer, and I have acquaintances in the city. However, they may not be there at the time since it's Spring Festival. Still, I feel most comfortable traveling in Yunnan province.

I've been to Dali and Lijiang, and her program is on minorities so she's going there later, so I hope to travel in the south.

Xi Shuang Ban Na sounds cool but touristy. Do you have any not-too-touristy recommendations? I am pretty good at Mandarin, and she speaks some too.

Transportation recommendations would be nice too.

Thanks!

Next spring I will be studying abroad in Beijing while my boyfriend will be studying in Paris. I will get a local Beijing cell phone, since Chinese plans are pay-as-you-go. My boyfriend will either get a local French phone, or unlock his US phone.

Is there any plan that we can get that allows France-China texting? I suppose a "200-a-month for 20 bucks" deal would be entirely out of the question.

Or does that depend entirely on what phone companies we sign up with? Or is it impossible because they won't be the same one?

Thanks.

I lost the cup to my Cuisinart rice cooker (model CRC-400), and since it is not a standard measuring cup I have no idea what volume of rice to put in.

Can someone who has a Cuisinart rice cooker measure in normal "cups" or "tablespoons" the volume of that silly little special cup?

Thanks!

How would you translate the words Vinni Puh uses to describe his songs to English as best (and poetically) as possible?

кричалки, вопилки, сопилки, шумелки, пыхтелки

video, if you've never seen it (!!):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuBzKV6XgvA

I'm a biology major, but I love flute so I'm splitting a 1 hour recital with my music-major friend.

Is this a decent program for me? Is it varied enough, and still relatively challenging-sounding?

La plus que lente - Debussy

Sonate for Flute and Piano - Hindenmith (all 4 movements)

Waltz - from the Suite by Godard

We're also playing the Vivaldi Concerto for Two Flutes in C major.

The other flutist is playing: Hue Fantasie, a Telemann Fantasia, and a Lilie Boulanger piece.

Should I add a piece? And if so, what would you suggest? I just performed the Mozart Concerto in G last semester, so I don't want to do a Mozart piece this time.