Three years ago, we first met Scottish author Janice Stewart-Yates and her lovable literary pugs in Peking Pugs. Now, the wait is over: Toby and Princess are back with thrilling new adventures! We caught up with Janice to discuss her latest release, Beijing Bonanza and what inspires these charming canine tales set in Beijing.

Check out our first interview with Janice here.

What brings you to China?

I came to China 16 years ago, having previously worked in Valencia and Paris. Like many people, I arrived in Beijing with the idea of staying for two years. The inevitable happened: I fell in love with Beijing and instantly felt very much at home here. Even after being in the city for a few weeks, many people got the impression I had lived here for years. I have always worked in education, with over twenty years of experience as a Montessori educator, peace education workshop facilitator, and mentor. I have also worked in leadership roles as chief community liaison and head of wellness and welfare. I have recently started working in an IB school where I continue to grow as an educator and be charmed by this vibrant city.

Where did your idea for this book come from?

The idea for the book came from many people saying, “You should write a travel book about Beijing with the pugs.” I was inspired to create a book to encourage people to visit Beijing in its glory. I wanted it to be interesting for people living in Beijing and to inspire them to take their children to various places in the city. It is also perfect for people traveling to China to know that there are amazing things to do with children or pugs all year round in Beijing.

 Who is this book perfect for?

This book is ideal for anyone living in Beijing or planning to visit. It is also suitable for anyone who wants to teach their children about various things to do in this amazing capital. It speaks to children and adults alike on some level. It’s been wonderful to see children and adults shout out enthusiastically during school visits. It’s definitely a book for everyone interested in or connected to Beijing or who wants to connect with such a vibrant city. Many people have reached out to share with me how they have enjoyed connecting with the book through personal experiences. They’ve also told me that they’ve been inspired to visit a place in a different season after reading the book.

How did you select the places mentioned in the book? Are these the real Toby and Princess’ favorite places to go?

Despite what the book says, Toby and Princess are definitely in the autumn of their lives, and Toby, sadly, has a hip problem and can no longer walk. He is happy to hang out on my lap, preferably with a lovely blanket around him, because he is a bit of a lush. Princess loves walking around Chaoyang Park and the Maizidian area.

What was your favorite book growing up as a child?

My favorite book as a child growing up was Each Peach, Pear Plum by Janet and Alan Ahlberg. I loved this book because the illustration at the beginning looks precisely like the farm where I would spend my weekends growing up. I felt an immediate connection to the illustrations. If you’re not familiar with the illustration and the little clues on each page, the detail is still magical today. When I got pregnant with my daughter, this was one of the first books I bought for her because I wanted her to experience the magic of Each Peach, Pear Plum. I loved sharing that story with her as a little girl; even though she’s grown into a bigger girl now, it’s been fun to continue sharing this storybook, and that reflects very well on Beijing Bonanza. I feel the same magic and familiarity in the children I’ve been sharing Beijing Bonanza with. They can see the places they live, and things that they’ve done with their families and friends, and they also have that special connection with the book, which gives them some importance and meaning of their existence and what they’re doing just the same as I had with each plant is a little girl.

Where can parents find a copy?

The books are available worldwide on Amazon, as well as at Barnes and Noble, Walmart, and Costco. I’m also working on a partnership with some gift shops in Beijing. If you are in China in the coming months, it will become available on Dangdang and JD. In the meantime, if you’re in China and would like a copy, I’ve got some copies delivered that I can sign and share.

What was the best part about working on this book? How did you select the places mentioned in the book?

What I loved about creating a story was that I got to reflect on everything I like doing in Beijing. The only tricky part was narrowing it down. I drew four squares and marked the four seasons, and thought about what I love to do each season. I genuinely love Beijing all year long – true story: I even love winter! I also adore my pugs; they’ve been the most excellent companions in Beijing.

Additionally, working with Dilia, who is also an old Beijing resident. Our project was made easier with Dilia’s knowledge of the city and our shared love for the Chinese capital, which is a very important element. I particularly loved her painting for the Chinese New Year. You have to know Chinese culture to paint all those details of the hutong house, the fireworks, hongbaos, and the clementine trees.

I’ve been extremely fortunate with both of my books: Peking Pugs, working with Natasha Vota, and Beijing Bonanza, with Dilia. When we are collaborating, they see what I see, or they see more than I can imagine because whatever they do is 100 times better than I could ever have envisioned. It has been wonderful working with Natasha and Dilia.

What’s your advice for parents when it comes to getting their kids to fall in love with reading?

Getting your children to read is partly about being a reader yourself. As adults, we often want children to do as we say, not as we do. As my daughter has grown older, especially during holidays and travel, we always take a few books to enjoy at the airport, in restaurants, or poolside. We always make time to read and then share what we’re reading. It’s essential for parents to show love and joy when reading with their children; this sets the tone [and shows]that books are fun and a great place to get lost and become engaged. As a teacher, I love celebrating authors’ work in my class, and I love it when students go home and buy the same series they’ve read in class. One of my favorite children’s authors is Gerald McDermott; his folklore series, which spans the world, is magical. They help us connect with other cultures and traditions. Books can do this, as they are living dreams and can ignite corners of our imagination that we can revisit time and time again.

Images: Janice Stewart-Yates

The winter break will be arriving soon, and as plans are being made, hobbies and tasks to keep us grounded are also vital amidst all the fun and chaos. With that being said, reading is definitely one of those things that some people overlook in their lives but which plays an important role in shaping our identity and belief systems. With that said, here are five books/series you can indulge in during this winter break.

Dune

Dune has officially become my favorite fiction series. Science fiction was never something I thought I would be interested in, but after I started reading it, I found out that Dune was so much more than simply a story with highs and lows – it was Frank Herbert’s way of telling the world his perceptions, concepts, and philosophies of life. For example (I don’t know if this will be counted as a spoiler, but I will tell you guys anyway), throughout the first novel, there were constant references to the philosophy that “all predictions and affairs of the future are based upon the patterns of affairs of the past.” This may seem cliché and somewhat cringe, but when the novel is being read and details of each character are being analyzed with depth, this concept of how the future is developed will become more and more vivid. That is also why Dune is number one on this list – it is both entertaining and educational. The entire series is quite lengthy (frankly, I have only finished half of the first novel), but as you read, you can clearly see that the author has put a lot of effort into shaping each character and the plot of the story. There are aspects of the world that at first we may not grasp comprehensively, but through the story, character motives, perspectives, and inner thoughts are all revealed (the book is written in third person omniscient). This series is definitely worthy to read and comprehend deeply during the holidays.

Educated

This book is quite a famous one and is a great one to read and taste thoroughly. The book is an autobiography of Tara Westover and is a journey of how education and affairs that happened throughout her life changed her perspectives and opinions on the world. There is one quote that perhaps summarizes her relationship with her family and how her experiences changed her: “You can love someone and still choose to say goodbye to them” as well as “You can miss someone every day and still be glad that they are not in your life.” These two quotes are both ones from the book and show us how complicated our relationships with others can be, but also how our perspectives and actions have to shift with the world around us. Valuable life lessons, relationships with family, and the exploration of the world around us are all topics and plots that are covered throughout. So, why not give it a go?

The Giver

The Giver is a book that is similar to Dune – it teaches us about society through a fictional setting. The main character, Jonas, is the “outsider” of his community, and he perceives things so much differently than the others around him. He faces difficulties throughout the novel on choices he has to make about his life and the burdens that arise along with the life that is set before him. As he experiences life and learns the lessons his community and thoughts teach him, he realizes that life is about how one values one’s own existence and how meaning is given to life and should not be manipulated by rules and the unjust norms of society. When Jonas was being taught and guided by his mentor (I will keep that a secret for now because I feel like I already have told you guys enough secrets about these books), his perceptions of the world open up, and he starts to embrace the indifference of his community towards life and still find a way to live life in the way he imagined. This book would definitely be very healing for people who feel lost in their lives and want to find a way to soothe themselves during hardships.

Little Women

Oh yes, the classic Little Women. Perhaps you have even watched the movie but have not read the book. The story revolves around the theme of gender roles and how the sisters overcome gender stereotypes in their time of living. Even though these gender stereotypes may not be as distinct and existent in modern society, this concept of the hierarchy of genders still exists, and learning that through a story can be so much more moving and empowering than simply reading a book on social justice. The drastic differences in the sisters’ personalities also show the vibrance and livelihood life should be – everyone is the way they are naturally and others are there only to guide and support them to be on the right path. The affairs of the story are based on the context of the American Civil War in the 1860s, so there is also some historical educational value to the book as well.

The Land of Stories

The Land of Stories is not as famous as the previous books, but it definitely doesn’t lack entertainment and fun. The story revolves around two siblings who magically fall into the Land of Stories and navigates their adventures there. Each story is connected with the other ones in some way, and it is interesting to see how these two teenagers grow throughout the time of their adventures and how the world of realism and supernatural forces contrast. Similar to Dune, this is a series and is perhaps one of those books that would distract you from working due to its captivating words and plots.

Images: Taobao, Pexels

Get ready to expand your home library!

I love Roundabout book fairs. It’s like going treasure hunting, because you never know what great title you’ll discover deep in the dusty stacks.

This weekend, Roundabout will be holding a bookfair at International School of Beijing (ISB) that’s open to the whole community. About 10,000 recently donated books in English, Chinese, German, and French will be up for sale – some for as little as RMB 1.

Bring the family and find some new reads for you and your little bookworms while also making a difference in the lives of children supported by Roundabout.

Paperbacks from RMB 10
Hardcovers from RMB 20
Kid´s Books from RMB 1

Roundabout book fairs are made possible by donations from the community and the hard-working volunteers who sort, price, and set up the events. Thank you guys for putting in your time and hard work to make our community a warmer place!

If you’d like to know more about Roundabout and how you can volunteer, add them on WeChat by scanning the QR code below.

Date: Sat, Jun 8, from 10-4pm
Where: International School of Beijing
10 An Hua Street, Shunyi District
顺义区安华街10号
Price: Free

Images: Courtesy of Roundabout

In my house, we LOVE getting new books! So, whenever Roundabout announces an upcoming book fair, my stomach flutters with excitement. What cool new discoveries will I find and, where are my giant blue IKEA bags!? I’m going to need ’em for all the great books and more that I know I’m going to find there.

The next Roundabout book fair is coming up this Saturday at The British School of Beijing, Shunyi, and it’s open to the whole community.

The books are donated by the BSB community and everyone is invited to come browse, read, catch up with friends, and have some quality family fun at Chatterbox Cafe. There will be quality second-hand books on sale for all interests and ages with a large assortment of languages and genres. All proceeds will go to a Roundabout mission project.

All books at Roundabout book fairs are donated. Thanks to all the volunteers for sorting and pricing the books.

It’s also a great opportunity to teach your kids how to declutter. Bring your unwanted books with you on the day to donate if you would like to help and make room on your bookshelf for all the new books that you’re sure to bring home.

All the proceeds from this Saturday’s book fair will be going to help Hao Ran and Tongtong’s bone marrow transplants.

Can’t make it to the book fair this Saturday or maybe you’re just curious about what books you’ll find? Check out the Roundabout mini program.

The books are organized by categories, and then you can start browsing. The books available on Roundabout’s WeChat mini program are different than those in the store. The Roundabout team has taken the time to photograph each book so you know what you’re getting. They’ve also taken the time to put only the top quality books online, so when you get them they’re almost as good as new. For parents looking for kids’ books, you can rest assured and shop knowing that you’re not going to be getting a book with missing pages when your kuaidi arrives.

And remember, money spent at the book fair this weekend and on the Roundabout mini program always goes towards a good cause, so get those fingers clicking and shop away!

Images: Roundabout, Mina Yan, British School of Beijing Shunyi

Parenting is filled with joys, challenges, and countless life-lesson moments. For new parents, it can feel like jumping off a cliff, head first, without any protective gear. However, reading the right books can provide valuable insights and guidance and help you navigate the new chapter in your life.

Check out these five highly recommended parenting books. To order, scan the QR code that’ll take you directly to a seller on Taobao.

The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson

This book offers a profound understanding of how a child’s brain develops and how parents can help nurture it. It provides practical strategies for dealing with tantrums, emotions, and building healthy relationships. By learning about the brain’s functions and how to connect with a child on a neurological level, parents can better handle various situations and promote their child’s emotional and cognitive growth.

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish

Effective communication is the cornerstone of good parenting. This classic book equips parents with the skills to have meaningful conversations with their children. It teaches techniques such as active listening, using empathetic language, and giving choices instead of commands. With these tools, parents can avoid power struggles and build stronger bonds with their kids.

There’s also a version called How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen that’s got more specific examples for kids ages 2-7.

The Wonder Weeks by Frans X. Plooij and Hetty van de Rijt

New parents often wonder about the sudden changes in their baby’s behavior and mood. The Wonder Weeks explains the predictable leaps in a baby’s mental development. It details the approximate ages when these leaps occur and the accompanying changes in behavior. Understanding these patterns helps parents to be more patient and responsive during these transitional periods.

Parenting from the Inside Out by Daniel J. Siegel and Mary Hartzell

This book emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in parenting. It shows how a parent’s own past experiences and emotional baggage can impact their parenting style. By reflecting on their own upbringing and emotional history, parents can make conscious choices to break negative cycles and provide a more nurturing and loving environment for their children.

Baby 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Baby’s First Year by Ari Brown and Denise Fields

As the name suggests, this book is a comprehensive guide for the first year of a baby’s life. It covers everything from breastfeeding and sleep training to common health issues and developmental milestones. It is like a handy encyclopedia that new parents can refer to whenever they have questions or concerns about their baby’s well-being.

Images: Taobao, Pexels

Despite the famously fickle nature of the film industry, Joshua Linder, a Floridian cinematographer and lighting technician, has managed to position himself as a specialist in the field. Even more impressively, he has been doing so as a foreigner in Beijing, where he has been living for the past 12 years.

Linder (or ProfessaJ, as he has named his production house) has worn many hats in the business – working for TV stations and on documentaries and films. He is also the Marketing Director for China for the lighting company Creamsource, which has sourced lights for blockbuster hits such as Mission Impossible, Batman, and Dune, which were filmed overseas. As part of his role, Linder promotes these lights to filmmakers around China.

Surprisingly, he has never had a formal education in film – he simply followed his passion, often making videos with friends and even asking his teachers if he could submit his work in video format. After working as a writer and producer for a news station, he realized he wanted to create his own work. When he first started out, he didn’t really have the budget — he taught himself to work a camera by asking others for tips, just for the price of a cup of coffee.

Now, in his free time, he continues to produce and shoot short films, as well as organizing screenings of these creations (and others) via his Beijing Indie Short Film screenings, which he has run once or twice a year for the past eight years.

The mission of his festival is to give short films the attention they deserve. He began with smaller screenings, and slowly, through WeChat channels, friends of the filmmakers, and word of mouth, they became more visible in the community. Now, once or twice a year, his screenings promote films made by people from all walks of life, be they university students, high schoolers, expats, or locals.

His only requirements: the films must be related to Beijing, and must include both Chinese and English subtitles.

Linder says that his favorite part of these events is the opportunity to meet and learn from other filmmakers. Guess what, you can too! The festival is free!

To make it in the film industry, Linder says you must be passionate and multifaceted, and be able to find a way to make money in your own way. He also says that, despite popular belief, you don’t have to be a director – there are many ways to contribute!

A big question everyone always has when it comes to independent filmmaking is whether expensive equipment is important.

Linder says: yes – but don’t sweat it if you can’t afford equipment now – just use your phone and make cool things with friends.

Although you can tell a story with virtually anything, he admits that equipment makes a massive difference. He sees that often, high production value is more appreciated than even a quality story. As a consequence, production value is often what determines whether something is considered big-screen worthy. To improve film quality on a budget, he recommends renting higher-end equipment instead of buying it.

When asked if he had any advice for aspiring filmmakers, Linder had this to say:

• Tell a story you’re passionate about.
• Work with people you trust and enjoy working with, as you will spend long hours with them.
• Learn to take constructive criticism.
• Don’t worry if your first films aren’t critically acclaimed.
• Find your voice.
• Collaborate, you don’t need to do everything yourself.
• Build connections, reach out to students, friends, anyone who has access to things that can help enhance your story.
  • Effective ways to build connections are to show up to festivals and events, have a good attitude, and know yourself and your skills.
• If you can’t afford equipment, use your phone and make cool things with friends.
• Practice using key software.
• If you aren’t proficient in storyboarding, use tools like AI to help.

He even suggests just making ‘cool edits’ using stock photos.

Filmmaking is a tough industry, and much of it is about making connections and honing your skills. Linder has managed to achieve this, and has created a space where others with a passion for film can do so too.

Do you have something to submit? Follow along and keep in touch with the next short film fest occurring this fall below:

Instagram: Film Fest – @bjisff
Websites: Film Fest – https://beijingtrends.com/

You can view Linder’s work on his Instagram accounts:
Production Company – @professajproductions
Photo Studio – @professajstudio

Images: Joshua Linder

Welcome back to Roundabout! Everyone’s favorite charity store is as busy as ever, with book fairs and jewelry sales happening this month. A recent visit to their store has found their shelves fully loaded with books, clothing and childrens’ sporting goods, so if you’re in the market for great quality gently used goods, now’s the time to pick up a bargain.

Roundabout events this June:

Jewelry Sale: Tuesday, Jun 13 to Sunday, Jun 18

Book Fair at Keystone Academy: Saturday 24^th, 10 AM to 3 PM.

If you’re looking for affordable English books, just pop by or place an order on Roundabout’s handy WeChat mini-program. The selection in the store and on the mini-program is vast — the mini-app alone has over 1,000 children’s books listed. The inventory is cross-checked regularly, so the titles listed are always available.

To access the mini program, can scan this QR code:

Roundabout’s books are high quality and there is a great range of genres. You can find children’s books (organized by age), cookbooks, travel books, educational books, and of course, fiction novels. Larger hard-cover books range from around ¥60 to ¥70, while smaller and soft-cover books are generally around ¥30, with some going as low as ¥15. As the end of the school year nears, be watchful for a new wave of books that people choose to leave behind.

New and expecting parents might also be interested to know that Roundabout has a large range of English-language parenting books!

Beyond the books, there are high-quality clothes that can be the key ingredient to brightening up your wardrobe. There’s even a rack filled with clothes that are priced at a rock-bottom ¥10 each.

If your child has started to pick up hobbies such as skating or biking, there are a ton of gently used knee pads and helmets, all at great prices.

If you haven’t been to Roundabout, it’s time to visit again — their collection changes every day, and there’s almost nothing they don’t have. With their friendly staff and passionate volunteers, you are destined to find something you’ll love.

Have anything to donate? Feel free to drop it in the containers in front of the store. Or, if you’ve got a lot, and you live nearby (Shunyi, northeastern Chaoyang), you can message them via WeChat and organize a driver to come pick up your donations.

Roundabout 
Address: Cathay View Plaza, No. 2 Xiangjiang Beilu, Chaoyang District
Hours: Monday through Sunday, 9am to 5pm
To inquire about pick-ups: 137 1805 3814 or WeChatID: roundabout_donation
To inquire about volunteering: 185 1044 9951(WeChat)

Images: Kristina K, Roundabout

“Wow! These are second-hand books!? They look brand new!” my ayi gasped as I opened my kuaidi from Roundabout.

Most families are familiar with what Roudabout does, but if you’re like me, you tend to forget that they’re more than their warehouse-sized physical store. They’ve also got a WeChat Mini-Program that makes online shopping easy and convenient.

On there you’ll find pre-loved things organized by categories. For me, I use it for the books.

Scan the QR code below to browse Roundabout’s extensive selection of books online.

They’re organized by categories and then you can start browsing. The books available on their WeChat Mini-Program are different than those in the store. The Roundabout team has taken the time to photograph each book so you know what you’re getting. They’ve also taken the time to put only the top quality books online, so when you get them they’re almost as good as new. For parents looking for kids’ books, you can rest assured and shop knowing that you’re not going to be getting a book with missing pages when your kuaidi arrives.

And remember, money spent at Roundabout always goes towards a good cause, so get those fingers clicking and shop away!

Images: Roundabout, Mina Yan

The life of an expat trailing spouse is amazing and frustrating at the same time. It can take you to the most amazing places around the world, where you’ll get to see things and meet people that others back home have only seen on TV. But at times it can also be frustrating enough to make you want to rip out your hair. Sometimes the problem is not understanding the local language, other times it could be the sheer loneliness of not knowing anyone. But whether it’s the good times or bad, you can’t deny that expat life is full of adventures.

We at jingkids had the privilege of working with Pearl Kasujja-Van de Velde during her time in Beijing. The Uganda native has lived all over the world, and we’re so excited to share that she and her longtime friend Julie Epenu-Robert have put their adventures into a book.

From Journeys to Words: Wobbly Tales of Expat Lives tells the tales of these expat wives that many of us can relate to, with a sense of humor that resonates through Pearl and Julie’s unique way with words.

Meet the authors

Pearl Kasujja-Van de Velde:
I was born in Uganda, in a large family of ten. In my teen years and early 20s, I dabbled in modeling before I met my husband and we started our wandering expat existence. Together, we have two daughters. I have a degree in international relations and I’m involved in several social projects.

Julie Epenu-Robert:
I was born and raised in Uganda until 2004 when my then-boyfriend (now husband) whisked me into a nomadic existence abroad. Ever since, I have called seven countries “Home.” I am currently an islander living in the Comoro Islands with my husband and our two children. I have an MBA and I own and run a handmade business.

How did you two meet and where did the idea for the book come from?

Pearl:
When I set off on the trailing path, I often got a barrage of questions from friends and family about the places we were relocating to – messages that I couldn’t individually answer because of

1. the sheer magnitude of things I have to absorb when we move to a new place, and
2. I have way too many friends and family! (I’m not going to WhatsApp over 200 people back and forth…)

So, I reasoned, what better way to avoid the thousands of messages and emails about every one of my travel/ relocation experiences, than to put it all in a book that everyone can read and enjoy. And further still, why not include tales from others who have had similar experiences to mine. Variety is the spice condiment of life, right? So, in came my dear friend Julie, whose expat journey is very identical to mine, albeit in different locations.

Julie:
Pearl and I met in Kampala about 22 years ago when we both joined Uganda’s first modeling agency – Ziper Models. A year or so after we met, we both coincidentally met our future husbands, and – again, coincidentally – we both started this expat journey at exactly the same time. Pearl was moving to Zambia with her man and I was moving to Zimbabwe with mine.

Is there one chapter that’s your absolute favorite?

Pearl:
All chapters have taken me back to some fond memories (as well as some memories I’d rather forget) so it’s difficult to choose one. However, I loved remembering the people we met along the way (Chapter 6).

Julie:
Every chapter in the book is special, but the one that really stands out for me is the sixth chapter, which talks about the friendships we’ve created along this journey and how they have positively impacted us.

What’s the most unbelievable expat life experience that you’d like to share with our readers?

Pearl:
There’s not one particular experience for me that stands out. All the collective cultural experiences we’ve experienced have been incredibly rewarding, from trying to grasp the esoteric Chinese language and navigating the incredibly rich Chinese culture, to trying to understand how the currency black market works in Beirut, Lebanon. All these life experiences have left me feeling incredibly lucky to be living this nomadic expat life.

Julie:
That would be Zimbabwe, the country that turned us into instant trillionaires! We were welcomed by hyper-inflation and an economy surviving by a thread that saw us carry bags, suitcases, and wheelbarrows of money – just enough to buy a few basic groceries like bread, sugar, and milk (if there was any available).

What are the best and worst things about being an expat?

Pearl:
The best thing is the people we meet. The worst is the complete disorientation and feeling of not belonging anywhere – after a while, we don’t know where “Home” is. That’s been an unyielding challenge for me. I have learned to “occupy” my days with small writing and consultancy projects, as well as taking short courses – on top of being a full-time mum.

The whole expat experience is wonderful, sometimes frustrating and stressful, but also exciting!

Julie:
While I appreciate the opportunity to travel, discover and immerse myself in new cultures and meet interesting people across the globe, not having a stable career path can be a challenge, especially as an expat spouse.
Quitting a promising career in my hometown to follow love changed my professional trajectory even though it was all worth it because we have grown as a family in more ways than you can imagine.

I eventually learned to embrace these constant changes with several “projects” to fill my days. Apart from being a mum, I have furthered my studies, done volunteer work, and I have started a small handmade business called AFRODASH as well as an organic skincare range called MELLOWSKIN.

Is there a country that you wish you could return to and live in all over again?

Pearl:
China (and no, I’m not saying this because this is a Chinese magazine). When we moved to China, the first few months were difficult because I was completely lost in translation (Mandarin is like brain surgery – gosh). After a year or so of living in Beijing, my Mandarin became pretty “ok” and I began to really enjoy this giant [metropolis]. Here, I met incredible people, saw mind-blowing development and tech advancement, traveled to some of the most beautiful cities and villages in the world, and tasted some of the best dishes.
I’d also happily return and live in China JUST for Taobao (if you know, you know – haha)!

Julie:
I have never really had the urge to return to any of the countries we have lived in. I guess this nomadic lifestyle teaches you to want to discover new places every time.

Obviously, all the countries we’ve lived in have their special qualities, but if I really had to choose, it would be Madagascar. I am fond of Madagascar not only for its warm and friendly people, its array of biodiversity, and natural beauty, but [also]for their skilled craftsmanship. In fact, it was over there that I developed a passion for handmade art.

It’s the place where I was the most involved with community service and friends, and we were able to travel numerous times within the island for local tourism and discovered amazing places.

Why should people be excited for your book?

Pearl & Julie:
The book is a good read for people who are struggling to find their place after relocating to an unknown country. It reveals the dynamics of life as an expat and showcases our personal experiences as expat spouses as well as our children in a third-world culture. It unveils our struggles, successes and failures while we navigate our way in strange countries and cultures, create new relationships, and the work it takes to keep a family together despite the constant changes. We see our struggles through humor and also throw in some inspirational outlooks on expat life that many could relate to.

To get your hands on a copy of the book, scan the QR code below to buy it on Amazon.

Images: Pearl Kasujja-Van de Velde, Pexels