As a parent, finding meaningful activities to bond with my daughter over has always been a priority. So, when Camilla Kongshavn posted about the beautiful Easter Magic e-book that she and her 4-year-old daughter created together, I had to make a day of it with my little girl. It felt like discovering a treasure trove of imagination waiting to be unlocked. Little did we know that diving into its pages would lead us on an unforgettable journey of creativity, laughter, and heartfelt moments.

From the moment we opened the e-storybook, we were captivated by its vibrant illustrations and engaging storyline. I had every intention of explaining the idea behind the book to my daughter since this was the first time we did anything like this together, but she jumped right into it before I even had a chance.

Together, my daughter and I embarked on an adventure where we became the authors of our tale, inspired by the enchanting world of Camilla, the bunnies and their woodland creatures, all paired beautifully to relaxing Celtic tunes.

Sitting side by side, we let our imaginations run wild. With each page, we added our unique touches, infusing the story with bits of our personalities and shared experiences. It was a collaborative process that not only sparked our creativity but also strengthened our bond as parent and child.

As we delved deeper into the story, I watched my daughter’s eyes light up with excitement and wonder. She eagerly contributed her ideas, coming up with things and pointing out images on the pages that I never would have noticed. Her imagination soared as she breathed life into the characters we created together. In those moments, I saw her confidence grow as she realized the power of her imagination and the joy of storytelling.

But our journey with Camilla’s Easter Magic e-book wasn’t just about crafting a narrative; it was about cherishing the precious moments we shared. From spontaneous bursts of laughter to quiet moments of reflection, each word we wrote and each illustration we drew became a testament to our love and connection.

The book was a catalyst for unforgettable, cherished memories. It brought us closer together, sparking our imagination and igniting our love for storytelling. And for that, I will be forever grateful.

So, to all the parents out there looking for a way to connect with their children, I highly recommend diving into the world of Camilla’s Easter Magic e-storybook. Who knows what magical adventures await you?

To get yourself an e-copy of the book, add Camilla on WeChat by scanning the QR code below. Each order is RMB 99, and the proceeds all go toward helping Camilla’s dream of one day owning her own bakery in Beijing come true.

“Camilla is a force of kindness and creativity in Beijing. For years we have seen her raise her daughter and grow her business, while also being available around-the-clock to lend both her time and talents to everyone in need in the most open manner. She’s one of the humblest humanitarians I know, and definitely the best baker — this campaign is a genius way that only she could come up with, to let us finally support her in both roles,” shares Erin Crocetti.

Camilla has given her heart and time to countless causes in Beijing to help others during their hour of need. And when the opportunity arises for us to be able to give back to a pillar of our community all while purchasing a genuinely well-thought-out product in return, what other reason do you need?

Images: Camilla Kongshaven

What was the last book you read and instantly fell in love with? Let us know! To submit your book review, get in touch with Mina Yan at minayan@beijing-kids.com

The Inner Game Of Tennis

Justin Lau
Grade 9 student at the Western Academy Of Beijing

I read this book mainly because I admire a high school basketball player, Jared McCain. I have seen this book numerous times; in his documentary “Believe,” he talks about how “The Inner Game Of Tennis” changed his way of study, basketball, and pathological form of thought. In my experience, this book instructed me how to control my mind and trust myself too (explained later on); it altered my lifestyle as well, I started to wake up early and concentrate on my academics, and I excelled sufficiently at my sports as well. So, in this article, I will introduce the book, the author, the central theme or idea, and how to use techniques in the book in our daily life.

The groundbreaking book “The Inner Game of Tennis” by W. Timothy Gallwey examines the mental game of tennis and how it impacts our performance on the court. The 1972 book is now recognized as a classic choice for a book relating to sports psychology and required reading for athletes of all levels.

The author, a former tennis player and coach, introduces the concept of the “inner game,” which refers to the mental and emotional variables that might affect our performance in any activity. While most of us concentrate on the technical elements of the game, such as our strokes and footwork, he contends that our mental state ultimately determines our success.

Gallwey stresses the significance of remaining present and concentrating on the task instead of becoming distracted by outside elements like the score or the opponent’s style of play. He also emphasizes the importance of following our instincts and allowing our bodies to flow naturally rather than overanalyzing or trying to micromanage every action.

The notion of “Self 1” and “Self 2” is one of the book’s core ideas. Self 2 represents our unconscious mind, capable of carrying out activities effortlessly and without self-doubt, whereas Self 1 represents our conscious mind, which is frequently critical and judgemental. Gallwey contends that the secret to raising our game is to tame the crucial voice of Self 1 and let Self 2’s innate skills take control, so it is best to trust your Self two to take control when you are executing something, for instance, when I shoot a basketball and miss, I would consider a lot of the problem why, and that would strongly affect my self two as now I am letting Self 1 be in control, which the more I let Self 1 take control, the stiffer my shot got. However, when I trusted Self 2 left my mind blank, my shots were swishes.

Gallwey offers practical activities and methods throughout the book to assist readers in raising their mental game. For instance, he advises mindfulness and meditation to calm the mind and maintain attention on the present. Mindfulness and meditation practices are something that Jared McCain also does. He wakes up at five and does meditation combined with yoga; he claims that this clams his mind and calms his soul. He also suggests visualization exercises to boost confidence and lessen worry, in which players picture themselves performing at their peak.

The book’s accessibility is one of its advantages. Gallwey makes his arguments clear and easy to understand by using straightforward language and relevant examples from everyday life. The skills he outlines may be applied to any activity or area of life where mental attention and emotional control are crucial. He says, not just tennis.

So, after talking about these techniques shown in the book, let’s talk about how to employ those techniques in our daily life to improve ourselves:

1: Practice mindfulness: One of the book’s main ideas is the significance of being present and focused in the moment. You may hone this talent and use it daily by engaging in mindfulness meditation and other mindfulness exercises.

2: Become conscious of your thoughts: The book stresses the significance of doing this to learn to silence the critical voice of Self 1. Recognize any negative or self-critical thoughts as they arise, then let them go without passing judgment.

3: The book encourages readers to trust the abilities of Self 2, the unconscious mind, which is in charge of impulsive, unforced motion. You must develop the ability to let go of conscious control to allow your body to move naturally.

4: Increase awareness: The book emphasizes the need to be aware of one’s environment and oneself. Focus on becoming more conscious of your surroundings and your body’s physical sensations, such as breathing and posture.

5: Let go of self-judgment: According to the book, self-criticism and judgment might hinder performance. Practice letting go of criticism of yourself and concentrating on the present moment.

6: The book urges readers to set specific, achievable goals and to emphasize the journey toward achieving those goals more than the outcome. This aids in keeping your drive and focus on your routine duties.

7: Make use of visualization to your advantage to improve performance. Focus on your satisfying feeling when you complete tasks or achieve goals.

Despite its antiquity, “The Inner Game of Tennis” is still instructive and relevant today. Its lessons on the power of the mind and the need for mental training are just as applicable to modern sports now as they were in the 1970s. A new sports psychology and mental training industry has emerged due to the book’s enormous impact.

In conclusion, “The Inner Game of Tennis” is a timeless work that imparts enlightening knowledge on the mind-body dynamics of tennis and other topics. Although the book focuses on tennis, its ideas, and strategies may be applied to any activity, making it a valuable tool for anybody wishing to do better in any area of their lives. I wholeheartedly endorse “The Inner Game of Tennis” to anyone interested in sports psychology, self-improvement, or aiming to improve themselves. This book should be read by every coach, athlete, and everyone interested in personal growth. If we learn to tame our critical voice and have faith in our inherent abilities, we will all lead more affluent and fulfilling lives.

My name is Justin Lau and I am currently a student at the Western Academy of Beijing, my hobbies are Weiqi Chess, Basketball, poetry, and writing, I am interested to learn the subjects of philosophy and economics.

Images: Justin Lau, Pexels

A Fudan University graduate, Edgar Choi is a well-known name in the expat community and, for the past few years, has been the number one person foreigners turn to when facing legal issues. This Hong Kong-born lawyer/legal advisor/author has been helping expats in China with corporate and labor law cases, and even doing pro bono work by offering free legal advice during the pandemic. He’s also been running the “Law in a Minute” WeChat group, where people are encouraged to ask questions and present their legal problems.

Choi has written four Chinese law books on economic, corporate, financial and intellectual property law, however a series of articles on the Chinese labor law was what really got the ball rolling – thousands of foreigners in China reached out to him asking for help and advice.

Choi explains: “There were hundreds of new subscribers and my WeChat was exploding with friend requests. Everybody was in the middle of trouble due to employers not paying their salaries. Every minute that I was awake, I was answering questions pro bono. My dearest mom was worried about me as I was on the phone all the time and awake until 3am, but I wanted to do what I could to help the poor souls!”

Choi has published a new book, Business Law in a Minute, in which he uses interesting stories from real life cases with a goal to, in his words, “guide you through know-hows of self-protecting.” According to Choi, by learning law one protects oneself from verbal, mental and physical harm. He tells us: “Most people don’t even know what rights they have in China, or they know a bit of law from their home country and find out that the rules are exactly the opposite here. I have seen many expats get into trouble for not knowing the law because they didn’t even know what they were doing was illegal!”

The majority of his clients are teachers who are being or have been blackmailed, extorted and threatened by their employers. “Teachers were easy pickings for bullies because they did not know the law, were kind, loving and patient people who put kids in the first place, and did not even speak Chinese.” Explains Choi. ”Employers knew how difficult it was for them to find a good lawyer who spoke English fluently to defend their rights, and preyed on this to strip away their legal rights.” Choi says that some of his clients had tried to find local attorneys to represent them, but were unsuccessful mainly due to the language barrier and the special laws for foreigners.

According to Edgar, it’s very difficult for people to understand the Chinese legal system because China adopts numerous rules and interpretations of local policies, some of which are too rare to find. That’s one of the reasons he decided to write this book – to make Chinese law more fun by using interesting cases and their outcomes.

Even though most of his cases have teachers as main characters, Choi has also dealt with unethical landlords who refused to return deposits for no reason, trading companies or factories that refused to send goods even when the full amount was paid or when the goods sent were damaged, and other kinds of contract disputes between foreign and Chinese companies. If you’re interested in finding out if you should get paid during COVID shutdowns, if you’re entitled to sick or maternity leave, how to sue a seller, how not to get scammed, or when you get your pension, among other issues, and if you would like to learn about legal challenges other foreigners have been facing, Edgar’s new book should definitely be an interesting read. It can be purchased for RMB 108 and includes free legal consultation. If you’re in need of legal help, you can contact Edgar by adding his WeChat: edgarwlchoi

Photos: Edgar Choi, Pexels

About a year ago we interviewed Eugenia Chu, mom and children’s book author on her book “Brandon Goes to Beijing”. The book immediately caught our attention because of its relatable storyline about her son Brandon’s adventures visiting their family in Beijing. About a year later, Chu has completed another book in the Brandon series – “Brandon Goes to Hong Kong”.

Chu started writing children’s books after her son Brandon was born. She noticed a lack of modern Chinese children’s stories in English that Asian American kids can relate to so she created her own. “Most of the books I found were either straight translations with Chinese on one side and English on the other or were ABC/123 type instructional books with no storyline.”, Chu tells Jingkids. She created the stories for her son and after sending a few to her sisters who also had kids around the same age, she realized they were really popular with kids.

“Several things make it different from other children’s books. First of all, it’s not fully bilingual. It’s not a book written in English with a Chinese translation. It’s a story in English with some Chinese language (simplified characters and Pinyin pronunciation) interwoven throughout so that it gives children a taste of the Chinese language and culture without it feeling like a lesson or being confusing. It’s not overwhelming so as to turn kids off who are just learning Chinese. And kids not learning Chinese at all can also enjoy the book. “The amount of Chinese is just enough to engage the readers and to teach them a little (or reinforce Chinese they already know) without them even realizing it.”, says Chu. “Second, unlike most children’s books which teach history and culture, this one is written as an adventure with a little fantasy. The learning is snuck in here and there so kids are learning while solving a mystery. It’s not pages upon pages of lessons – which can become boring. After all, this is supposed to be a fun read and not homework! Third, this book encourages kids to think for themselves and to reach their own conclusions based on logic and research. Brandon thinks he sees a dragon, but is that possible? Almost everyone tells him no, but he researches and uses logic (and heart) to decide for himself. Finally, the book has the reader draw his or her own conclusions. The reader follows Brandon on his adventures and the story shares Brandon’s research and experiences, but never conclusively tells the reader whether dragons are real. What do you believe?”

As a Chinese American who grew up in California, I can concur with Chu. I’ve never found a single children’s book that wasn’t either about traditional myths or completely unreliable stories about how a good kid needs to wash grandpa’s feet in a water basin every night. So a modern-day story about a young boy’s adventures in my favorite cities going to places that actually exist is both refreshing and relatable.

“I was blown away by the feedback I received! Not only did I win an award from Readers’ Favorite, but the reviews I received were amazing! I was expecting that most of my sales and reviews would be from Chinese American parents like me, but they were from people of all nationalities and backgrounds. I even received glowing reviews from places as far away as the UK, India, and Australia! Several homeschooling moms also purchased and shared the book, so I’ve been thrilled with the reach. They liked that their kiddos learned about Beijing’s history, landmarks, and a little Chinese in a fun, non-textbook way. And their kids loved the mysterious panda”, says Chu.

The Brandon series is a fun way for kids to improve their Chinese vocabulary and learn the culture at the same time.

For Beijing’s aspiring young writers, Chu has some advice. “Join writer groups on Facebook, Instagram, and other online communities. Writers are amazingly supportive of other writers and you can learn a lot from them and join in fun collaborations. I wish I had done this before I started publishing! Also, if you haven’t already, set up a website, Facebook page, and Goodreads account. When you’re ready, set up an author page with Amazon. Finally, just keep writing! Never stop writing! Good luck to all the aspiring writers out there!”

For a limited time, Chu has agreed to let us offer our readers a free digital copy of “Brandon Goes to Hong Kong”. Click here to download your copy, available from Mar 16 – 19. To purchase a hardcopy, go to amazon.com .

www.amazon.com/Brandon-Goes-Hong-Kong-Xi%C4%81ngg%C7%8Eng/dp/173348082X

KEEP READING: Meet the Author of Brandon Goes to Beijing – a Children’s Book That’s Breaking Cultural Barriers

Images: Courtesy of Eugenia Chu, unsplash

There have been all kinds of ‘sip’ and do something artistic and trendy offerings throughout 2018. From crafting to painting, there was something for everyone to pair with a glass of Shiraz or Chardonnay, however one cannot compete with the classic partnership of a good book and good wine.

Book club, Reading Between the Wines clearly have their priorities on point for 2019 and are starting as they mean to go on with their first meet of the new year taking place at the very fitting, Alan’s Wine & Restaurant in Sanlitun SOHO. If you’ve been enjoying the TV series, Orange is The New Black, inspired by the book of the same name then this first club meet of the year is for you.

Author Piper Kerman brought us colorful, flawed and inspired characters that have been brought to life for the small screen on Netflix. The book that inspired the networks take on her modern prison narrative is the subject of Reading Between the Wines’ first 2019 event. Reading the entire novel is not a requirement for your attendance and you will enjoy a host of other awesome treats on the night, including book and series-based trivia, Jeopardy and other fun games along with interesting book discussion. While you’re at it have fun making friends with fellow bookworms of the Jing and have a go at swapping some of your favorite reads for new ones.

Join in and delve into some fiction and bookish fun!

Adults. RMB 50. 6pm.  Alan’s Wine & Restaurant. Sanlitun SOHO 1-103, Chaoyang District. (13051333917/WeChat: kaylaBrown242) 埃伦葡萄酒西餐厅 北京市朝阳区工人体育场北路8号三里屯SOHO中心1号办公商业楼1层1103-1号.

Photos: Courtesy of Pixabay

Did you know we have a family events WeChat group? Join two hundred other internationally-minded families for the latest information on what’s going on in Beijing. Send an email to editor@beijing-kids.com with your WeChat id or add KippWhittaker or anp3rd on WeChat. Please note that readers should confirm with each organizer if events are canceled or scheduled as planned.

Workshops and Coffee Mornings

INN Sanlitun Coffee Morning, Aug 15
All ages. Come join the International Newcomer’s Network (INN) for monthly Sanlitun coffee morning. It’s a great venue for making new friends, catching up with old ones, finding out what’s going on in “INN” Beijing, asking questions, or just enjoying a great cup of coffee or tea. Free. 10am-noon. The Bookworm. Building 4, Nan Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District.

Prenatal Breastfeeding Education, Aug 18
Adults. In this three-hour session, attendees will get to know more about topics about breast changes in pregnancy, as well as the biology of breastfeeding, positioning, latch, hunger cues, “signs” that the baby is getting enough, maternal nutrition, expressing, and getting support. The discussion will also include handling family pressure, discreet nursing in public, and other related topics. The activity is facilitated by Neha, a certified lactation education counselor (UCSD) and an experienced mother. The activity is open to 6 people only. RMB 200. 9.30am-12.30pm. 606 Tower 3, Central Park CBD, Beijing. For more information on how to register, scan the QR code below.

Breathwork @ Shang Space, various dates in Aug
Adults. The Mind Body Project presents Breathwork with three programs: (1) Breath Basics, or the three techniques to calm and cool; (2) Extreme Breath, or the three techniques for adventure sports; and (3) Mindfulness for Active Entrepreneurs, to learn more about how the concepts of challenge, mental strength, and resilience connect to one another. RMB 200 per day of program (RMB 150 advance). Breath Basics: Aug 17, 7-9pm; Extreme Breath: Aug 24, 7-9pm; Mindfulness for Active Entrepreneurs: Sep 3, 4-7pm. No. 20 Xinyuanli West, Chaoyang District (North Sanlitun, directly west of International SOS). The Mind Body.

Arrival Survival, Aug 28
All ages. Come and join the International Newcomer’s Network (INN) for a fun and informative morning with guest speakers discussing ways to survive and thrive in Beijing. Some topics covered include safety in the city and counterfeit money, the stress of settling into life in Beijing, water and air purification systems, health insurance, WeChat Pay, and financial planning. Afterwards, indulge in a lunch bunch in a nearby restaurant and enjoy delicious traditional Chinese cuisine. Foreign passport holders only. RMB 75. Capital Mansion Athletic Club. Capital Mansion, 6 Xinyuan Nan Road, Chaoyang 100004. 北京市朝阳区新源南路6号，京城大厦50层100004.

Art

Artist in Residency 2.0: Connect & Transform, until Aug 31
All ages. Chuang Tzu once wrote about “the usefulness of the useless,” a philosophy that guides Cui Fenghua’s brush, her explorations and her attempts to understand the world. A native of Shandong Province, Cui has been Four Seasons’ Artist in Residency since October 2016. During her time with the residency program, Ms. Cui has mingled with guests in the Executive Lounge, where her studio is located, and worked alongside the service staff at Opus Bar and MIO, transforming her experiences and connections into art for her latest 2017 Spring/Summer Collection. Five percent of the 2017 Spring/Summer Collection profits will go to the charitable organization Educating Girls of Rural China (EGRC). Follow the hotel WeChat (FSH_Beijing), reply “Artist in Residency” and discover the 2017 Spring/Summer Collection. 9am-6pm.

Rembrandt and His Time: Masterpieces from The Leiden Collection, until Sep 3 (except Mondays)
All ages. As part of its mission to stimulate a wider appreciation and understanding of seventeenth-century Dutch art, the Leiden Collection’s first international traveling exhibition will bring a group of about seventy works to the National Museum of China, Beijing from Jun 17 to Sep 3. The Leiden Collection exhibition makes history by presenting the largest assemblage of Dutch Golden Age paintings ever to visit China. It will include 11 paintings by Rembrandt — the greatest number of works by the master in private hands — as well as Vermeer’s Young Woman Seated at a Virginal, the first painting by the celebrated artist to travel to Beijing. National Art Museum of China (NAMOC).

The Divine Michelangelo at the Bird’s Nest Cultural Centre, until Sep 30
In cooperation with Italy’s Buonarroti Museum, the Bird’s Nest Cultural Centre is displaying over a hundred works by famed Renaissance artist Michelangelo, including sculptures, paintings, sketches and other masterpieces by the sculptor of David and the Sistine Chapel painter. For more information or to buy tickets, click here. RMB 80, RMB 40 for students, RMB 160 for a family pass. 10am-9pm. Beijing National Stadium (Bird’s Nest).

Events for the Competitive

Youth Photography Contest: Truth or Dare
Ages 14-19. Truth or Dare: Reveal a Truth or Capture a Daring Image. Enter this photography contest to win a mentorship with Mark Leong, Sharron Lovell, or Wu Hao. For submission details visit: https://www.beijingyouthlit.com/contest

Hold Vertical Run 2017, Aug 26
Adults. Don’t get left behind during this year’s race to the top, taking place at the China World Summit Wing, Beijing on August 26. This is the fifth time that the Vertical World Circuit has hosted their official race at the tallest building in Beijing. The elite winners of the event will take home a total of USD 5,000, while the fastest amateur male and female climbers will have a chance to win a free round-trip ticket to Europe supported by Qatar Airways. Click/tap here for more info on signing up. China World Summit Wing, Beijing. No.1 Jianguomenwai Avenue.

Outdoor Events

Picnic Out for the Center, Aug 26
All ages. Join the LGBT Center for this special Dining Out for the Center event. Spend your Saturday afternoon outside, lay under the shade of the big trees lined up at our special and fabulous venue and just not think of anything. Cloud watching, anyone? Bring along your friends. The more, the merrier. Open to all – LGBT, allies, families, co-workers, etc. There will be a fun a super slide challenge. See how fast you can go! Play some games and win prizes! Food and drink vendors will be on hand to serve you as needed. Click here for sign-up information. RMB 20 for entry. 2-6pm.

Gubeikou Great Wall Loop Hike, Aug 26
Ages 5+. On this hike we’ll head out to a beautiful section of the Great Wall that is further outside the city than the crowded main tourist sites, and much quieter. You’ll have a chance to hike along an unrestored section of the Great Wall that grants magnificent views of the Great Wall stretching beyond the horizon in the east and west. As we follow the wall, we’ll pass through restored and unrestored sections, as well as taking a nice detour through pines on a hillside trail. Sign up here. RMB 450 (RMB 405 for members). 8am-5.30pm. Beijing Hikers (WeChat ID: BeijingHikers).

Cruising the Yangtze River, until Sep 30
All ages. The epic Yangtze River Cruise takes you on a spectacular journey along the longest river in China. This is the perfect tour for those who want to relax on a luxury ship while also seeing some of the nature’s beautiful along the river. Rich in history, the Yangtze River and its surrounds present many opportunities for side trips to various cultural relics, as well as the monumental Three Gorges Dam. Travel agent and guide services are available in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and German. For more information, visit the website or email book@thechinaguide.com.

Fun for Kids

R3 Discovery Book Tasting, Aug 14-18
Ages 5-12. R3 Discovery presents a unique and exciting “Book Tasting” event where kids get the chance to learn about 5 literary genres. Each day, a different genre is explored including fiction, nonfiction, folktale, drama, and poetry. RMB 188 per 1.5 hours (including all activities). 3.30-5pm. R3 Discovery. (WeChat ID: R3Discovery, Chinese: 185 1133 4363, English: 151 0160 5808, r3discovery@sina.com). SOHO Shangdu, No.8 Dongdajiao Rd, West Tower, 4F, Rm 1435.

Little Toys Orchestra – children/family performance from France, Aug 23-Sep 10
Ages 2-6. Two musicians will joyfully lead this unusual orchestra. Their luggage is filled with toys and various unusual instruments such as a pink pig, a green pig, a witch, a guitar, a toy-piano, a mandolin, dog toys… all sorts of funny bits and pieces necessary to a sound like a fantasyland. This concert takes the audience on a journey through a musical parade. Make way for an imaginary world! 4-6.30pm. From RMB 180. Ticketing hotline: 134 6654 2185. Tong Production. (WeChat ID: tongtiyan, www.tongproduction.com)

Shows

Creative Humor Physical Theatre – Papirus, Aug 23-27
All ages. This warm and touching play tells the story of a piece of magical paper. Papirus is dedicated to all those who never stop dreaming. In the middle of nowhere, a tired man walks alone, and his only companions are a large suitcase and a big piece of paper. In the middle of nowhere, a woman, weakened, looks for a place to sleep. Soon, each of them will discover the presence of the other. Without any words, through gestures, shapes and painting, these two foreigners speak and establish a game full of curiosity, generosity and hope where sharing becomes a way of communication. This is a show about the magic that comes when we allow ourselves to communicate with the heart. For more information or to buy tickets, click here. Ticket prices: RMB 160-280. National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) 国家大剧院. 2 Chang’an Jie Xicheng District 西城区 西长安街2.

Epic Horse Show “Troy”, until Aug 27 (except Mondays)
All ages. Hundreds of millions of investment, more than 100 horses, thousands of tons of sand, thousands of miles, 8 times IMAX projection visual shock, and 27,000 square meters of super realistic landscape to present a precious 80 minutes of performance for the Chinese audience .This summer, the epic Horse Show “Troy”   premieres at Beijing Bird’s Nest! The story is based on for thousands of years. RMB 180/ 380/ 580/ 880/ 1280/ 18,880/ 38,880. 7.30pm. Contact Lucy (WeChat ID: lucy18600208126, 186 0020 8126). Beijing National Stadium (Bird’s Nest).

Festivals, Markets, and Charity Events

Sports Beijing’s Annual Festival of Sport, Aug 26
All ages. Sports Beijing’s annual Festival of Sports event will be held at the ISB Dome on Aug 26 from 10am to 3pm. New and returning members are welcome to join this fun FREE event. This event gives you a chance to register your kids for sports that are offered during the Fall 2017 season. Parents will have the chance to speak to some of the coaches, management, and partners while the kids participate in different sports inside the dome. Free. 10am-3pm. International School of Beijing (ISB). 10 Anhua Jie, Shunyi District 顺义区安华街10号.

Roundabout Book Fair at BSB Shunyi 2017, Aug 26-30
All ages. This is probably the biggest Roundabout Book Fair every year held at The British School of Beijing (BSB) Shunyi! Thousands of gently used books for the whole family in many languages & genres. Paperbacks from RMB 10, Hardbacks from RMB 20, Kid’s books from RMB 1. Pick up some late summer & holiday reading at this fair. Every single RMB you pay will directly help a child in need. Aug 26: 10am-3pm (open to the public); Aug 27: 12-3pm (BSB families); Aug 28-30: 3.30-5pm (open to public daily). Roundabout. (WeChat ID: Roundabout666, www.roundaboutchina.com). The British School of Beijing (BSB) Shunyi. South Side, No. 9 An Hua Street, Shunyi District. 北京市顺义区天竺开发区安华街9号南院. (8047 3588, brenda.leung@britishschool.org.cn)

CK Treasure Trove, Sep 3
All ages. CK Treasure Trove’s first market will take place on Sunday September 3rd at Tech Temple in Sanlitun (behind Q Mex in Courtyard 4). Merchants sell treasures from all around the world, including Siberia, Morocco, France, Ghana, India – and of course China! Come by and find something unique to brighten your day! Tech Temple Sanlitun. 12-6pm.

99 Days of Giving, Sep 7-9
All ages. Roundabout’s annual Days of Giving are coming up soon from 7th-9th September. Support the cause and give love & hope to more children in need. This is your chance to help make a massive impact to the lives of those under-served in our world. This year, along with the medical care, Roundabout will be supporting education initiatives that will give so many children the chance of a bright future. Click here for more information. Roundabout

Dining

Thai Food Festival, until Aug 20
All ages. The Ritz-Carlton, Beijing collaborates with Thai Embassy to invite Guest Chef Nueng from Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Thailand, to showcase authentic Thai flavors highlighting especially his most popular 10 dishes at Aroma, which are also recognized by CNN. For reservations, call 5908 8161. Lunch: RMB 368 net per person, including soft drink, coffee and tea; Dinner: RMB 448 net per person, including chilled juice, soft drink, coffee and tea; Brunch: Starts from RMB 618 net per person, including red and white wine, draft beer, chilled juice, soft drink, coffee and tea. Aroma. Lobby Level, The Ritz-Carlton, Beijing.

Hutong Pizza Tour, Aug 20
All ages. Do you and your family love pizza? Then this family-friendly experience might be just for you!  Beijing Experience is organizing a hutong tour around Dongsi area, which will end with a visit to Buona Pizza, a hidden pizzeria in the hutong. The pizzeria is cozy, friendly, and 100 percent trustworthy, perfect for a family dinner. Sounds fun? Book through WeChat: 13071139166. RMB 99 (adults), free for kids, pizza included. 5pm. Chaoyangmen, line 6, exit G.

Fresh Eats for a Cool Summer, until Aug 31
All ages. Savor vegetables straight from the garden in every bite of Head Chef Li Qiang’s carefully-crafted seasonal summer menu at Cai Yi Xuan. From the refreshing deep-fried Red Horsehead with Shredded Mango with Sour Chili Dressing to the delectable Poached Sliced Australian Wagyu Beef with Bitter Gourd in Consommé, Chef Li’s culinary expertise is on display in dishes that will tantalize your taste buds. For more information or to make a reservation, contact Cai Yi Xuan at 5695 8520. 11.30am-10.30pm. Cai Yi Xuan. 2/F, Four Seasons Hotel, 48 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区亮马桥路48号北京四季酒店2层.

Summer New Menu at ZHEN Chinese Restaurant, until Aug 31
All ages. Syrup of Plum with Mint and Fruits, Rice Glue Ball and Lily in Frozen Rice Wine Soup, Deep-Fried Prawn Ball with Mango Yoghourt Sauce and more. For reservations, call 22-24626888-6022. From RMB 58. Wanda Vista Tianjin 486 Bahao Road, Da Zhi Gu, Hedong District, Tianjin 300170.

Savor the Ocean with New Seafood Delicacies at Feast, until Aug 31
All ages. Feast (Food by EAST), the award-winning all-day dining destination at EAST, Beijing is pleased to present its all-new Surf & Turf semi-buffet dinner and weekend semi-buffet brunch to celebrate the summer season. Available from July 28, the semi-buffet will offer more of an extensive selection of fresh seafood, premium beef and other irresistible delicacies that will leave guests feeling spoiled for choice, including freshly shucked imported oysters，Boston lobsters, mussels, snow crab legs and much more. The Surf & Turf semi-buffet dinner is available every Friday to Sunday, 5.30-10pm, priced at RMB 388 per person. The weekend semi-buffet brunch is available every Saturday and Sunday, 11.30am till 3pm, priced at RMB 388 per person. For reservations, call 8414 9820. Feast (Food by East). EAST, Beijing, 22 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区酒仙桥路22号.

Sunday Brunch at the Lobby, until Oct 1
All ages. The Lobby at The Peninsula Beijing invites families to share memorable culinary experiences at the new Sunday Brunch Buffet. The sumptuous weekend feast combines international “Farm-to-Table” buffet and a la carte cuisines with a hint of Mediterranean inspiration. Diners also have access to freshly imported seafood, an extensive selection of homemade cold cuts, and premium cheeses from around the world. The Lobby.

Summer Camps

Picasso Workshop with Atelier, Aug 14-18
Ages 5-12.  Discover the protean oeuvre of Pablo Picasso, a universally famous artist who painted, sculpted, and drew for more than 70 years. Explore the birth of cubism, the blue and pink period, the paintings that marked Art History, and the portraits of his beloved ones through painting, sculpture, drawing, linocut, and pottery. This summer camp is a journey through almost one Century of Art History. RMB 1,800 per week. 10am-noon (ages 5-8); 1.30-4pm (ages 9+). Atelier Art School. (WeChat ID: atelier_apas, 6416 1614, www.atelier.cn.com). Room 10L, Building 7 (middle entrance),  Julong Garden No.68, Xinzhong Street Chaoyang district. 北京市东城区新中街68号聚龙花园7号楼10L室.

Summer Camp with Flips & Kicks Plus and Kerry Sports, various dates in Aug
Ages 4-12. Due to the positive response regarding previous summer camps, Flips & Kicks Plus and Kerry Sports will host additional ones. The upcoming camp will take place from Aug 14 to 18. Registration is required. RMB 3,200-4,500. 9am–2.30pm. For more information or booking please contact the Kerry center (8565 2460, hbkc@thekerryhotels.com)  Guang Hua Lu no. 1. 光华路一号

Sea Touring Kayak Training Summer Camp, various dates in Aug
Ages 8-18. Beijing Warren Kayak Club is organizing the first kayak summer camp in Beijing history. The purpose of the camp is to teach ACA (American Canoe Association) sea touring kayak level 1 and level 2 lessons. Students will learn and master long distance paddling, practice rescue drills, and learn about kayak trips. At the end, the students’ learning will be assessed, and their skill levels will be certified by ACA. English is the main language of the kayak summer camp, but the instructors are more or less able to communicate in Chinese. Dates: Aug 14-18 and 21-25. (WeChat ID: Kayaking_China, 151 0166 2018, boston5678@qq.com).

Parkour Camp by Imagine, various dates in Aug
Ages 7-16. Develop exciting parkour skills by leaping into foam pits, jumping on trampolines, balancing on a slack line, climbing on a bouldering wall, and so much more! Parkour is a great way to build foundation skills for all other freestyle action sports. Dates: Aug 14-18, 21-25. RMB 700 per day including transport. Imagine. (5739 4933, info@imagine-china.com )

Survival Camp by Imagine, various dates in Aug
Ages 7-14. This camp teaches kids the essentials of survival in the wilderness: making fires, building rafts, crossing rivers, making traps and tools, cooking, building shelters and more! Survival Camp takes you to the great outdoors to learn what nature has to offer. Dates: Aug 14-18 and 21-25. RMB 750 per day. Imagine. (5739 4933, info@imagine-china.com)

Photos: martinquijandria, tookapic, luvmybry, StartupStockPhotos via Pixabay; other photos courtesy of the organizers

More stories by this author here.

Sandra Greenwell
A clever pictorial extravaganza about summer holidays for all ages
“Never break the rules. Especially if you don’t understand them.” Strange and mysterious things can happen, as discovered by a young boy and his brother one summer! This is the lesson we learn from Rules of Summer by Shaun Tan.  Sandra Greenwell, Head of Libraries at Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) has chosen a story about a young boy and his brother who recount their previous summer through the rules they invented. These are not just any rules, Greenwell tells us; they are filled with mystery, wonder, humor, and magic.

“As a young child summer was always associated with holidays, family, friends, the beach, BBQs and so on. It was a time when my friends and I would invent new adventures and games and, like the two children in the story, have our own rules for play. But unlike in the story, our rules were mundane – we never had rules that threatened punishment by mean, oversized, hooked beaked creatures if we ate ‘the last olive’ or invited a nasty tornado for stepping on a snail! Throughout the book, the little brother follows his older sibling, trying his best to keep up and understand the rules that he makes up.

“The opening line of the story, ‘This is what I learnt last summer,’ unlocks the rules. It is obvious that the older boy is there to protect his younger brother from the imagined danger associated with breaking the rules. Like being stalked by giant scary red rabbits and alien monsters. The rules are just one liners, mostly starting with ‘Never’ and a few with ‘Always’  ̵ the consequences are shown in Tan’s amazing paintings, which reflect the imagination of the young boy as he tries to understand them. It is this combination that makes this book a winner and allows all ages to make the connections and interpretations.

“Tan’s richly coloured and highly textured paintings aptly capture the setting and fun and fear shared by the brothers. There is so much detail to be found in them and they allow the reader plenty of room to reflect and come to their own conclusions.”

James Honey
A source of inspiration on the merits of imagination, creativity and individuality
A few years ago, James Honey, Primary Year 4 teacher at YCIS, stumbled across a fantastic book that reminded him of a time when every day was spent in search of adventure and excitement.  The book, titled Weslandia and authored by Paul Fleischman, tells the story of Wesley, a boy who is far from popular at school and spends most of his time being bullied for being different to the other children.  Instead of eating junk food, playing football, and having the trendiest haircut, Wesley prefers to follow his own path and generally spends most of his time in the library, reading up on many different subjects, until one day he has an amazing idea.

“His summer project will be to start his own civilization,” Honey says. “ Now, of course, Wesley hasn’t taken this lightly, and through his reading he knows that every great civilization in history had its own staple food crop.  So this is where he begins, turning over a plot of land in his garden until one night the wind blows in a collection of seeds that will become the basis of Wesley’s civilization.

“Over time Wesley finds that these plants, which he can’t find in any book, provide him with everything he needs to live a happy life.  Soon, Wesley finds that his civilization quickly thrives in the summer sunshine and before long other people start to take notice.

“I absolutely loved this book, and my class enjoyed it too.  In a world where children seem to spend the majority of their time glued to one screen or another, it shows us that adventure and possibility are everywhere in the world, even if we only venture as far as our own gardens.”

This article originally appeared on page 38 of the 2016 June-July Issue of beijingkids magazine. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

A new picture book by a Beijing author explores mindfulness in a way that parents and children can share together.

Dalida Turkovic discovered mindfulness at a low point in her life, when a friend advised she should see a therapist. “Don’t send me to anyone who’s going to ask me to talk about my parents!” was her response. Instead, she was introduced to Al Chambers, who helped her use mindfulness practices to transform her life. Dalida is now an executive and wellness coach who has founded the Beijing Mindfulness Centre. We talked to her about Mindfulness for Beginners.

What inspired you to write the book?
After each coaching session I had with my coach and mentor Ann-Marie McKelvey I took time to draw the experience and share with her as a form of a diary. At times I drew every day, sometimes only once a week but eventually I started to share the drawing with my friends and the response was often the encouragement to continue to draw as the sketches triggered their own understanding of the practice.

A year ago one of my friends suggested that it would be good to share my work with my clients and general public. In June 2015 I also read an article about a seven year mindfulness project implemented in 756 schools in the UK. I was inspired by that initiative and the desire to create something was getting stronger and stronger.

Finally, one day in August, my coach challenged me to write and draw a book in five days. The challenge was intriguing; I accepted it and finally managed to draw the first draft in three days. The whole process of drawing, editing, finding a publisher and confirming the final version took six months.

Who is the book aimed at?
I intended to write it for children at first and now I hear the grownups saying that it is too difficult for them. I don’t think so… The difficult part could be to explain what these concepts mean if children start asking questions. From that perspective the book is intended for any person who is interested in beginning their mindful journey, as well as those who are trapped in conceptualization of mindfulness (understanding from their mind but not feeling in their bodies) – it is a book for beginners as well as those who have the beginner’s mind – curiosity about the practice of mindfulness.

Why a picture book?
I realized that the more I tried to explain how I was experiencing mindful practice the more I was stuck in my mind. As the main objective of my personal practice was to connect with my body and emotions, I used my body to explain the experience of mindful practice. This is how the drawings came to life.

Why is mindfulness important for children?
Children observe who we are and what we do. We pass our own anxieties and concerns to them. The education system requires for children to produce right answers and to aim for excellence. Parents and general environment also project these messages, and soon we teach our children to stop playing and being curious, happy and carefree. We teach them responsibility and perfection instead.

Playfulness, creativity, curiosity, optimism, gratitude and self-awareness are major components of mindfulness. Through positive psychology research we can see the proof that these traits directly correlate to improved health and boosted immune system, better relationships, a general sense of happiness and success as well as expanded neuroplasticity. By practicing mindfulness we generate chemicals in our brain that are necessary for us to handle stress and difficulties in our lives.

Imagine a generation of children that is calm, positive, creative, and able to handle adversities with self-awareness and capacity to express themselves in an authentic way. I believe that we would have better leadership, less wars, more sustainable solutions for the environment, and a creative way of building sustainable communities. For this we need to invest time in our own skills so we can guide children to navigate through ego, without letting go of the traits that are the key components of happiness and success.

Mindfulness for Beginners is available at the Beijing Mindfulness Center, or via Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com.au/Mindfulness-Beginners-Dalida-Turkovic-ebook/dp/B01C5XOPDM/

Photo: Andrew Killeen

Although, I have had my eye on the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) bi-weekly meetings for at least a year, it wasn’t until I saw the topic of the meeting: “Think Your Way to a Better Marriage”, hosted by life coach, Carnisa Berry, that I finally made up my mind to register and attend.

Carnisa Berry is a charismatic speaker who doesn’t mind sharing humorous anecdotes from her nineteen years of marriage.  She shares laughable moments from her honeymoon years—how she criticized the way her husband folded shorts because she strongly believed she knew better; or how she expected him to fill up her tank because that’s what husbands do.  Berry describes the relatable challenges in her marriage and shares tried-and-tested tips that worked for her and her husband in layman terms without the professional jargon we often get with consultants and experts.

Even if you aren’t familiar with the Bible, you can still appreciate the message in the words Berry has chosen, such as the following:

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. (NIV: James 4:1-3)

Berry’s central message is not necessarily in prayer, but in turning our attention within and identifying the cracks in our being for what they are: the root and cause of the troubles that strain our relationships.  Berry reminds us that positivity alone will not deliver us a better marriage, nor will our race for happiness–both are merely results of a nobler goal: wholeness.  In other words, to think our way to a better marriage begins with thinking our way to a better, more wholesome version of ourselves.

Easier said than done, right? Berry wants us to understand what the six basic human needs are, and then identify which are most important to us: (1) significance, (2) safety & security, (3) love & connections, (4) variety, (5) growth, and (6) contribution.  She describes the first three as most common, stating that if your partner feels insignificant, he will start a fight for the attention; if your partner feels insecure, he will do everything wrong to see how long before you’ve had enough of him; and if your partner feels unloved or disconnected, he will tease you and irritate you for a chance to reconnect.

Since most of us have different needs and priorities, we often neglect to recognize the real cause of another’s disgruntlement. Understanding others is difficult, and we cannot expect our partners to read our minds (or our hearts), so the only remedy is to fully understand ourselves so that we may clearly communicate to our partners what we want and need from them. As stated in the quote, you cannot have what you do not ask for.  If you do ask, and yet you don’t receive, it could be because your reasons were wrong, or perhaps your tone was off.  To improve in both identifying problems and communicating them to our partners, Berry recommends reading Gary Chapman’s “The Five Love Languages“, or at the very least, taking the free love language test to determine what you and your partner’s love languages are.

In addition to knowing and improving ourselves, Berry cautions to recognize that expectations ruin marriages.  She reminds us that some expectations are so deeply ingrained from childhood, or from media and culture, that we don’t realize they’re unnecessary.   As such, we should discuss expectations prior to marrying and during marriage if new ones should be discovered.  We should question where our expectation comes from, and whether we need to hold on to them, or if it’s something we had internalized and merely assumed as natural.  Are our expectations even achievable? Are we being reasonable and realistic? While Berry reminds us that expectations are demands that should be reworded into expressed needs to create opportunities for satisfaction, I believe it is also important to apply such introspection to the expectations we might have of ourselves in the marriage roles we’ve adopted (e.g. what do we expect in a wife?)

A close friend of High-Expectations is Comparison.  Berry tells us straight up: there is no such thing as a perfect marriage. There are no perfect husbands or wives–anyone we perceive as perfect is faking it or hiding something, so we ought to stop comparing what we have to what others have. Instead, let’s compare our relationship to a previous check point, and build a vision of a better marriage together.

Berry advises to have an annual review to discuss what we would like our upcoming year to look like in order to ensure we are headed in the same direction. As marriage takes hard work, we must be intentional about nourishing it by scheduling weekly date nights and conversations for a chance to bond, voice grievances, and reconnect with each other. After all, a strong healthy marriage sets the atmosphere for our family lives and provides our children with a good sense of security.

On April 30, Carnisa Berry will be joint-hosting a wellness retreat, A Journey to Wholeness, with yoga instructor, Hannah Northcott, in Shunyi. You can purchase her book, Think Your Way to a Better Marriage on Amazon.

MOPS is a faith-based community group for moms of preschool aged children, hosting international (English language) meetings twice a month, a bilingual English-Chinese group meeting once a month, and Chinese group meetings once a month.  The meetings often have speakers give talks/presentations or host workshops, followed by a discussion session in small groups, and often end with arts and crafts.  MOPS events have childcare available with RSVP and a small fee (RMB 20).

Photo: Courtesy of Carnisa Berry