beijing-kids.com - Beijing's essential expat family resource

Virual Reality Turns into a Grim Reality

beijingkids — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:22:03 +0800

In a recent article, the Guardian reveals that a South Korean couple left their daughter to starve to death while gaming online. Addicted to Internet games, the couple spent most of their time on a role-playing game called Prius Online, in which they raised a virtual daughter. After spending a reported 12 hours at a Seoul Internet café, they returned to find their newborn daughter dead. An autopsy confirmed the infant’s cause of death to be malnourishment.

Sophisticated Sauces: Sichuan-inspired pasta

beijingkids — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:00:24 +0800

On a recent trip to Chongqing, I had one of the best bowls of noodles I've had in my life. The restaurant, if it could be called that, was across the street from the White House nightclub - a place once notorious for its mobsters and their hangers-on. It was, as most winter days are in Chongqing, a foggy one. And cold. And rainy. The clouds descended about the city and soaked everything in a weighted dampness. The noodle joint was the size of three closets, and at the entrance sat a table full of bowls: soy sauce, garlic, ginger, green onions, sesame oil, vinegar, chilli oil, pork fat, salt, sugar, MSG, pepper and ground Sichuan pepper, as well as pots of rich, heavenly smelling meat sauce and chunks of beef. A cauldron bubbled away on the stove,
beckoning as steam rose up in magical
puffs every time someone opened its lid.

Say Hello to Beijing's Smallest

beijingkids — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:55:35 +0800

Gianna Marie Ashford
American/Chinese. Born to Sabrina Chen and Jerry Ashford on Dec 1 at Amcare Women and Children's Hospital.

The Olympic Green

beijingkids — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 13:07:00 +0800

With winter's gloom lifting, the Olympic "Green" may be a bit of a misnomer. But despite the lackluster color, this massive 1,135 hectare landscape is as lively as ever. Following the success of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the attractions set within the Green continue to draw crowds. Bundle up the troops, pack a picnic and journey north along the historic north-south central axis of Beijing, passing temples, parks, stadiums, chocolate villages and museums on your way. Don't forget to pack a camera as there are plenty of interesting sculptures, signs, and statues for the kids to pose with.

Stars on Skates

beijingkids — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:26:00 +0800

Ice skating can be scary for first-timers, and a few falls are to be expected. However, Sports Beijing coach Mark Simon advises beginners not to lose hope: "Be patient, don't get discouraged the first time you fall down, and get some coaching." He also offers three basic pointers: "Bend your knees, lean slightly forward and keep your head up." Follow this sage advice and get your skating stars-to-be off to a good start by signing up for classes. Try Shunyi's Ice Zone or Solana's All Star Champion Skating Club for a range of private and group lessons for beginners as young as 3. With some protective gear and the right training, your kids will be skating, twirling and shredding the ice in no time.