It is the time of year at the moment when flowers spring forth and the weather improves. Spring and autumn are the two best seasons in Beijing as the weather is warm, but does not have the sweltering heat of summer, nor the freezing cold of winter. It is also the time when cherry blossom …
Category: Beijing
Looking for inspiration
Friday, 8th March, was International Women’s Day. This is a day where we celebrate the achievements of women, whilst also remembering the struggles that they still face. It just so happened (I suspect not accidentally) that Marvel Studio’s new superhero film, Captain Marvel, was released on the same day. The film is about a female superhero …
And then there were two…
I had a message recently from the liaison teacher at the university where I work. Given that the semester had finished already, it was a little strange (although last year she messaged me when I was at the airport, ready to depart on my winter travels, to ask if I could cover for another teacher …
The ‘Wild Wall’
Last week, I was invited to visit the Great Wall. I have been before, once, to Badaling, one of the most touristy parts of the wall just outside Beijing. This time, the invitation was to visit the 'wild wall', where tourists do not, often, visit. The invite came from my Chinese colleague who sorts out …
It’s Christmas!
Christmas is not really celebrated here. In my final class of the semester, with my second-year students, I did a lesson all about Christmas. We sang ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’. It was nice to get into the holiday spirit, even if it is not a holiday they celebrate. There are …
I finally did it!
I finally did it! Now I have joined the gym. An ex-colleague had asked me about whether I knew of any gyms in the area, and a former student of mine had mentioned one which was about 10 to 15 minutes away from the main entrance of the university. It is also 24 hours and …
I finally took the leap
I finally took the leap. I did it. No, not join the gym, I still have to do that. Rather, I signed up for another Chinese class during the week. This one will be on Tuesday evenings, 17:00-19:00. I will do it online – from my room at university. I work on a Tuesday until …
