October, 2009
Articles from prior issues of beijingkids can be found by checking out the archive links below for the month and year you are interested in.
Moms Around Town
Guo Yu Hong
Where are you from?
Anhui province.
How old is your daughter?
14 months.
Where do you like to take your daughter?
We like The Village because the atmosphere is nice.
Where do you like to go shopping?
I like Yashow, because it’s cheap, and I like their casual clothes.
Favorite brand?
Adidas, because it’s comfortable to wear, and it looks good.
What do you do?
I’m a stay-at-home mom.
What will you miss about summer?
I’ll miss the rain, because it’s so nice and relaxing.
The Circuit
The Circuit is a chance to sneak a peek at what’s been happening on the family and school scene.
I Want to be an Actor
Sam Voutas spent his high school years in Beijing before moving back to his native Australia to study acting at the prestigious Victorian College of the Arts. He is now a Beijing-based actor, writer and director. He wrote and starred in his own comedy series on CCTV, and recently played a reporter in the box-office hit City of Life and Death (also known as Nanjing! Nanjing!). Voutas took time out of pre-production for his own feature-length script to speak with the Year 11 drama students at the International BISS School of Beijing.
Mei Lan’s Mulan: Rewriting Chinese fairytales and myths
It's rare that someone gets the chance to write their own versions of fairy tales, but that's exactly the project Mei Lan Frame completed in 2007. Frame, who has taught students in Japan, Hawaii and Beijing, has always had a fascination with myths and tales. The writer, who is half-Chinese, moved to Beijing in 2003 and was an ESL specialist teacher at the Western Academy of Beijing. While on a Fulbright fellowship in India in 2007, she edited and contributed to two books, Chinese Fairytales and Chinese Myths, a project that allowed her to learn more about Chinese culture and be part of the long tradition of evolving stories.
Life after Exams: What happens when high school ends?
Another summer of exam results have come and gone, and for a select few of Beijing's international student body it’s time to swap the comforts of school for the challenges of college. But is university always the right choice? What about going straight into the work force, or getting life experience during a gap year? And are exam results really the be all and end all? beijingkids looks to the future with students from St Paul American School.
Effie Harker, US, 17, has lived in Beijing for seven months
Beijing Buzz
Two-for-one at The Spa
beijingkids readers can enjoy two-for-one treatments at The Spa in the Hilton Beijing Wangfujing, daily between 10am-3pm. Simply bring a copy of the October issue of this magazine, or present this ad to receive your free spa treatment. Valid Oct 1-31, 2009. For details and conditions, call 5812 8888 ext 8560. Hilton Beijing Wangfujing, 8 Wangfujing East St, Dongcheng, Beijing.
Pumpkin Carving at the Hilton
On Nov 1, from noon to 3pm, carve pumpkins, win prizes and get goodies for trick-or-treating! Included Fizztastic Champagne Brunch. RMB 368+15% (kids under 12 half price, under 6 eat for free). For reservations, call Hilton Beijing Wangfujing at 5812 8888 ext 8411 or e-mail wangfujing@hilton.com
Life after Exams
Another summer of exam results have come and gone, and for a select few of Beijing’s international student body it’s time to swap the comforts of school for the challenges of college. But is university always the right choice? What about going straight into the work force, or getting life experience during a gap year? And are exam results really the be all and end all? beijingkids looks to the future with students from St Paul American School.
School Days: High School Curriculum Guide
International Baccalaureate
International Baccalaureate (IB) has three programs - the Diploma Programme (IBDP) builds on the skills offered in the first two programs.
Students must study three subjects at Higher Level and three at Standard Level; successfully complete a 4,000-word original research essay; be involved in Creativity, Action and Service; and successfully complete a Theory of Knowledge course.
Family Travels
Trekking in Thailand
The Travellers: Jens and Cordula Von Greunigen with their daughters Hanna (4) and Luise (14 months).
The Destination: Koh Samui, Thailand
The Plan: The Von Gruenigens wanted a relaxing seaside holiday with a dash of excitement, so they chose Thailand because of its pristine beaches and delicious food. While in Koh Samui, they stayed at the Thai House Beach Resort, approximately 30 minutes from Koh Samui airport. At the resort, they swam in the children’s pool and lounged in the Jacuzzi, but the Von Greunigens made sure they spent plenty of time away from their hotel. With a taste for adventure, they packed in elephant trekking, road trips around the island in their rental jeep, and plenty of beachside fun.
Top 5: Places to Get Your Cake Fix
21Cake
These cute cubist creations use only fresh New Zealand cream, Swiss chocolate and American hazelnuts in their search for confection perfection. Go retro with the Black Forest, or try the Nut Job, which is filled with rich choc-hazelnut goodness. If a birthday is on the way, forget slaving in the kitchen and get a giant birthday cake delivered (RMB 168 for 15x15cm). Delivery only; order five hours in advance.
Mon-Fri 7am-8pm, Sat-Sun 8am-6pm. Rm 1002, Bldg 9, Jianwai Soho, 39 Dongsanhuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang District (400 650 2121, order@21cake.com) www.21cake.com
廿一客, 朝阳区东三环中路39号建外Soho9号楼1002室
Pampering for a Power Mom
Carolyn Wu Kurtzig, the director of Communications Asia Pacific at Motorola, would normally never have the time for a full makeover, but the American is currently on maternity leave after giving birth to her son Benjamin two months ago (she also has a 2-year-old daughter, Sophia, who attends 3e International). Kurtzig, who has almost fully returned to her pre-pregnancy weight, credits her fitness to a regimen of chasing after her toddler, yoga at Yoga Yard and Alona Pilates Studio. Although the kids still keep her busy, she was able to indulge in a morning at Eric Paris Salon at the Kerry Centre, where the low-maintenance mom was treated to a haircut, blow-dry and makeup application.
Fast Food: Bak Kut Teh (肉骨茶)
A Chinese soup for the soul
"This recipe is easy to cook and easy to find the ingredients, plus it’s packed with nutrition." - Farouq Abdullah, head chef of Atrium at the Gloria Plaza Hotel Beijing
Top 5: Restaurants with Playrooms
Fizztastic Champagne Brunch at the Hilton Beijing Wangfujing
The Hilton Wangfujing recently unveiled their Sunday Fizztastic
Champagne Brunch. It features a Kidz Paradise playroom where your little ones can watch cartoons and movies, doodle in activity books and play with toys in a supervised area. There’s also a kids’ buffet serving mini burgers, chicken wings, hot dogs, mini pizzas, as well as popcorn and cotton candy stations. RMB 368 per adult (with a 15% service charge, includes free flow of champagne and beverages), children ages 6-12 get 50% off, kids under 6 eat free. Sun 11.30am-3pm. Penta dining area, 5/F, Hilton Beijing Wangfujing, 8 Wangfujing Dong Dajie, Dongcheng District. (5812 8888 ext. 8411)
The Big Envelope
Applying for university can be an incredibly daunting task. beijingkids asked experts from four international schools in Beijing to discuss how a student can optimize the chances of being admitted to his or her dream school. From picking a university and making the grades, to coping with setbacks and standing out, read on to ease your worried mind. To meet six college applicants in Beijing, see our Feature article "The International Edge".
Dining: Good Eats
Date Night: Dali Courtyard 大理
The light, fragrant flavors of China's southwest are a wonderful complement to Dali Courtyard’s picture-perfect hutong garden. More so than at other Yunnan restaurants in the capital, the food here plays on the geographical and cultural proximity the province shares with Southeast Asia. Liberal use of fresh mint, lime leaves and sour flavors are characteristics more often associated with the cuisines of Thailand and Laos, and make a pleasant change from the stronger, oilier cooking favored by Beijingers. No menu means you'll pay for a changing line-up of around six to eight dishes per visit (from RMB 100 per person), but regional specialties like stir-fried pine mushrooms and delicious pan-fried goat’s cheese make regular appearances. The wine list carries local and European bottles starting from RMB 149, and friendly, unhurried service sets a relaxed pace to the meal. Alfresco diners can be warmed up by outdoor heaters if the autumn evenings demand it, but several of the inside rooms also open out onto the central courtyard.
Daily 10am-9.30pm. 67 Xiaojingchang Hutong, Gulou Dongdajie, Dongcheng District (8404 1430) 东城区鼓楼东大街小经厂胡同67号
The International Edge
Where to Begin?
It sounds simple, but the first thing students should do is pinpoint their strengths. Shyam Iyer, a senior at Yew Chung International School who wants to study chemical engineering at MIT, has always been fascinated with machinery and figuring out how things work. “I wanted to see how the things we learn in the classroom are applied in everyday life,” he says. International School of Beijing student Amanda McGuire has also been very clear about where her strengths lie. “I love social studies – my curriculum is always packed with those kind of subjects.” Though she’s still mulling over which major will fit her best, McGuire is aiming for something in the field of political science or marketing and communications, which will utilize her natural abilities.
Self-knowledge separates the great students from the good students, and is one of the most desirable traits an applicant can have. Know what you’re good at, or what you love and make steps towards developing your skills in that area. Your dedication will show when the time comes to deliver those all-important applications.
Say Hello to Beijing’s Smallest
Ethan Shenzhe Auyeung
American. Born to Emily and Shan O-Yuan on May 25 at Beijing United Family Hospital.
Time Stands Still
I’ve been here more than two years now, so you’d think, wouldn’t you, that I’d have everything pretty much figured out. By now I should be able to find what I need, get where I want to go, and even understand why turn-right-on-red trumps drive straight-through-green. You’d think. But you’d be wrong. Take, for example, the case of the broken watch. Pay close attention here, because this story actually starts almost two years ago.
For the Boys
Asian
teenage boys – they just might be one of the least represented demographics in English-language children’s literature. And this is on top of the disheartening fact that boys in general read less than girls. Yet, if you’re a teacher or parent in Beijing, that demographic makes up a pretty big proportion of your daily life – possibly even a majority.
Fortunately for you and your children, although such books are few and far between, there do exist a few recently published and high-quality reads that the handsome, dark-haired young man in your life might find just a little more relevant than the typical fare put out by Western publishers. Here are five recommended reads for a teenage audience, all starring Asian males grappling with issues that at times may feel particular to their race and gender, yet remain relevant to teenagers everywhere.
Baba Bonding
Chenjiang Yang is a busy father of one. When he’s not managing Haru Teppanyaki & Sushi Bar, he tries to fit in as much time as he can with his son Xinting (four months old). Yang thinks most fathers find it difficult to spend quality time with their little ones. He certainly feels the pressure when juggling work and home, confessing: “I just don’t have enough time.” Despite his busy schedule, Yang makes sure he spends a little time alone with his son every week.
The Truth About Getting Old(er)
It’s been a while since I wrote my last college confidential, and if I’m completely honest, I wasn’t sure if I would ever write one again. Depressing maybe, but also wholly logical for three very good reasons. First, over the past two years my life and Beijing have been steadily going their separate ways. My family has just relocated back to the UK after a formidable five-year stint in the capital, and without a family to visit or the money to fund it, my trips to Beijing are set to become increasingly less frequent. Second, and more importantly, in approximately eight months I will no longer be a university student. Gulp. But the third and final reason requires a little more explanation.
Pre-conception Nutrition
Nutrition plays such a significant role in building a new life that women planning on parenthood should start considering nutrition well before pregnancy begins.
Re-entry Shocks
Thanks to the wonders of the webcam, I did not have to go without seeing my wife and son for the two months I spent working in the UK this summer. While part of me bemoaned the fact that “it’s not the same thing,” another side of me couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of dread at my terrible two-and-a-third-year-old on the computer screen before me. Never still, always noisy, often naughty, each week my son seemed to become more monstrous. He lacked a firm fatherly hand, his mother warned me. Or, I wondered, was he always like this? Perhaps I had just fallen out of the daddying rhythm.
