Blogs from Changping, Beijing, China, Asia

This year we had Sunday as our day off. We tried to get around the city and see the sites as much as possible on that day and get chores done during the rest of the week. During some holidays, we also took some day trips. Sundays and holidays are not good days to have off, we quickly found out as those are the days everyone in and out of Beijing has off (millions of people). As a result subways, attractions and restaurants are quite busy. We kept at it though and got around to see a lot of cool places. This weekend, for example, we took 2 day trips. On Saturday, 8 of us headed to the Yunshui Caves on Shanfang mountain. We took the subway + bus there and it was about a 3.5 ... read more

Here is the first in a series of us describing the different level classes we have in the evenings & on the weekend at our English Training school. On Tuesday and Friday evenings from 6-8 PM, I teach K level classes to 4 to 6 year olds at Dotkids. I have two classes of about 12 students that meet for 1 hour twice a week. During these classes, we use the Super Teddy curriculum as well as other supplementary materials and activities. Super Teddy focuses on 6-8 new nouns within a theme, along with 2 songs, a story and some phrases within that theme. We spend 1 week on each of these units. For example, Super Teddy Book 5, Unit 5 reviews the old words (table, chair, door, wall & window) and introduces new words (TV, ... read more

Happy Holidays everyone! We are thinking of you and wishing you the best! Holidays are (as with everything) similar and different here in China. The following are descriptions of familiar holidays and how we experienced them. Next post, I'll describe Chinese holidays. Halloween: We began preparing for Halloween at the beginning of October. It is a big deal at our English school as well as the International Kindergarten where we teach in the morning. Students learn about costumes, trick or treating, many of the symbols and some of the history for the older classes. Our school decorated the classrooms with Halloween cut outs, lights, garland and more. The week of Halloween our classes focused on Halloween by dressing up, telling scary stories, watching movies, playing games and trick or treating. After classes, our school had a ... read more

Since before we left, friends and family have asked "How is the air quality in Beijing?" We read blogs, articles and looked at weather reports to find out. In fact, prior to leaving, we sent an email to the principal of our school asking about the air quality and whether or not we should bring an air purifier with us. She said "No, don't worry about it. The weather in Beijing is great!" A little suspicious, but overwhelmed with all kinds of other details, we skipped the purifier and left Brattleboro for Beijing. Basically, the air quality is terrible, though not every day. We have been lucky to have several very sunny and clear days while we have been here and like anywhere, when you have those, you can appreciate the gray days for the quiet ... read more

It is funny how we are always looking for the familiar, something to relate to what we already know. Being here in China though we are surrounded by many differences, we are also enveloped by the familiar, the similar. These range from stores and brands (H&M, MacDonald's, the ubiquitous Coca Cola, Converse) to plants (black eyed susans in the rural fields, squash growing in our apartment complex) and even people (wow, that guy is just like Scott!). It is challenging to find sweets but Kendall has been lucky enough to find Snickers bars for 3 RMB (50 cents). We hear there was a Home Depot but it closed because labor and most materials are so cheap no one wants to Do-It-Yourself. Here are some pictures from China that you may find familiar.... read more