INPUT ARTICLE: Article: The phrase "wǒ ài nǐ" (我爱你) is the most literal way to say "I love you" in Chinese. This is considered an expression of extremely strong emotion and is never used casually.  Use this phrase to express a lifelong love for someone in a more formal situation or serious occasion. For example, you might say this to your new spouse at your wedding, or on an anniversary. The phrase "wǒ ài nǐ" (我爱你) is not just romantic. It can also be used to express love between family members. However, as with romantic partners, it wouldn't be used off-handedly in a casual setting. A Chinese person would probably look at you strangely if you said "wǒ ài nǐ" (我爱你) to them — especially someone you just started dating or have a crush on. A literal translation of the phrase "wǒ xǐ huān nǐ" (我喜欢你) would be "I like you," but it is actually the most common way to say "I love you" in Mandarin Chinese. This phrase is also used in more casual situations where "wǒ ài nǐ" (我爱你) would be considered out of place. For example, you might say it to your romantic partner before the two of you go your separate ways. Texting is very popular in China and a text short-hand has emerged to express your feelings for someone using numbers rather than the words themselves (either in Chinese or in English). The numbers are used in place of Chinese characters because the word for the number in Chinese is pronounced roughly the same as the character itself. Some romantic Chinese text message abbreviations include:  520 (wǔ èr líng) stands for "wǒ ài nǐ" (I love you) 770 (qī qī líng) stands for "qīn qīn nǐ" (kiss you) 880 (bā bā líng) stands for "bào bào nǐ" (hug you) 530 (wǔ sān líng) stands for "wǒ xiǎng nǐ" (miss you). This phrase can also be interpreted to mean that you're thinking about the person. While it's not Chinese, many Chinese speakers will switch to English when they want to tell someone they love them. Primarily, they do this because the phrase "wǒ ài nǐ" (我爱你) is considered far too strong or too serious. If you're just saying "I love you" in a casual moment, such as when getting off the phone, it would probably be more appropriate to say it in English than to say it in Chinese.

SUMMARY: Say "wǒ ài nǐ" (我爱你) to literally say "I love you" to someone. Go with "wǒ xǐ huān nǐ" (我喜欢你) to express romantic feelings. Use numbers to say "I love you" in a text message. Try simply saying "I love you" in English.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Soapstone's texture resembles a dry bar of soap and is extremely malleable.  It will easily form a shape with little force.  Soapstone is so soft that you can carve it with harder rocks you find in your backyard; you can even use your fingernail to carve it.  It also comes in many colors like grey, green, and black.  Use soapstone if you are making a small sculpture that won't be easily damaged if you accidentally scratch or nudge it. You can find soapstone and other soft rocks at a local stone carving supplies stores.  For example, in California there is a store called "Stone Sculptors Supplies" that sells soft stones for carving.  Alternately, you can acquire your stones from a stone yard.  Know, however, that these stones are typically used for construction purposes (building counter tops, for example) and may be harder than artistically provided stones.  Know that some soapstone contains asbestos, which can cause lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma if inhaled. Alabaster comes in a wide range of colors and is available from many suppliers.  Alabaster is best if you want a colorful, sturdy sculpture. It can come in variety of colors like white, grey, beige, orange, yellows, reds, and translucent. Although alabaster is generally harder than soapstone, it still carves easily.  It is the ideal choice for new sculptors since it will still retain its shape without requiring specialized tools or strenuous effort. An alternative to alabaster is limestone, which carves easily and regularly but is not available in a wide range of colors (typical limestone comes in different shades of grey).  Also, limestone can be difficult to sculpt if you get the wrong piece.  Limestone is slightly harder and doesn't polish as well as alabaster. Carving these stones requires specialized tools like electric grinders and hammers.  Granite and marble are usually sculpted in large quantities since they are most optimal for statues and other large items that require durability. Working with large slabs of hard stones requires very strenuous effort.  Even experienced carvers can spend up to 80 hours working on a relatively simple piece. Carving is a subtractive process, not an additive one.  Unlike adding more paint to a portrait, carving involves taking away stone to create the piece's shape.  Limit your stone size to something you will finish in a relatively short time.  This is especially important if you are trying your hand at sculpting for the first time and are unsure of whether you will enjoy the process. The suggested size of stone blocks for sculpting is 15-25 lbs.  Blocks that are smaller than 15 lbs will break if carved with a hammer and chisel.  Any larger, and completing your sculpture will take much longer than you desire. If you intend on using soapstone to sculpt a heart-shaped pendant, then you can most likely work with a block well under 15 lbs.  Just remember that you will most likely have to use other, less accurate tools like harder rocks or a file to shape it.  You will also have fewer chances to correct any mistakes you accidentally make during the carving process. Since you're working with natural materials, it won't be unusual to experience structural flaws.  Finding a stone with few flaws will reduce the likelihood that your stone will break when carving.  Cracks and fissures are sometimes easiest to see when the stone is wet.  Use a spray bottle or sprinkle water over your stone.  If you find any cracks, try to follow it to see where it ends.  A crack that goes all the way around a stone is in danger of breaking during the carving process.  Tap larger stone blocks with a hammer or the back of a chisel.  If the block makes a "ringing" sound, there is a higher chance that your stone is solid in the area you are hitting it.  If it gives off a dead "thud" and no ring, chances are there is a crack that is absorbing the energy of the tap. Ask an experienced carver or a store employee to help you find a sturdy stone to work with.  If you are a beginner and do not have experience judging the integrity of a stone, acquire your stone from a stone carving supplier instead of a stone yard.

SUMMARY:
Choose soapstone if you are a beginner and have few tools for carving. Buy alabaster for the best combination of durability and malleability. Avoid very hard stones like granite and marble. Pick a slab of stone that is much larger than your intended sculpture. Inspect your stone for cracks and fissures.