I heard about WeChat three hours after arriving in Beijing. I thought, “This is an unnecessary app. I have WhatsApp, I don’t need WeChat.” Boy, was I wrong! We all need WeChat; my life has been so much easier since I got it, and I wish the rest of the world would get WeChat too. I have made many, many friends through WeChat. I have had many questions answered, many shopping experiences, and also great services at home. Here I’ll share some of my favorite WeChat contacts. Do you have any great WeChat contacts? Let us know! Find part one here, part two here, part three here, and part four here.

Pollution Masks

Jeff is your go-to man for AQblue masks. This mask is colorful and comes in handy kids’ sizes. It’s an effective way of staying safe in the Beijing pollution. That’s something we have not seen much of in the last few weeks, but just in case I always have my pink mommy and me masks in my purse for me and my toddler. Find out more here or add Jeff on WeChat: jdb186

Tennis Classes

Need to up your ball game, or do your kids want to learn tennis? This lady is a pro, teaching Beijing how to make that grand slam. I have seen her teaching kids as young as five, so get your child ready to be the next Venus or Serena. Add her on WeChat: kate9596

Clean Air

Living in Beijing and getting rid of all your air purifiers? It’s possible if you install the CleanFlow positive pressure system. This machine can replace ten Xiaomi air purifiers while taking up no more space than four, and will keep your home pollution-free. Charlie can take care of all your water and air issues: from equipment, testing, monitoring, and leakage, to sealing and mold issues. Find out more here or add on WeChat: ct385617

Vegan food

Going vegan does not have to be boring, you can still eat cream cheese and baked goods. This lady lives in the kitchen so we all can eat healthy and vegan. I am quite surprised at what she can make with nuts. Kangsu Kitchen delights your vegan belly with products like cashew gouda, beet sunflower seed burgers, and much more. Add on WeChat: DSonnek-Bouchard

Shared Harvest

Shared Harvest is a farm that brings weekly vegetable boxes to your door. Each week they send you a list of the veggies they have on offer, and you pick what you like. You pay RMB 3000 to open an account, and each week they will take off what you spend till you get to zero. Add on  WeChat: wxid_y9wkwgbke7g322

Wine

Beijing is filled with wine it seems, but this wine service is special. Signature Wine is a monthly subscription club. They find high quality wine, and provide information and tasting notes for each bottle. All this delivered to your door in a pretty box – what more does a parent need? Find out more here or add Mike on WeChat: MikeSig

Photos: Pixabay and courtesy of vendors

Adam Malarski is a tennis coach with 16 years’ experience. Malarski has worked in the US, Greece, UK, and now Beijing. Hailing from Poland, he has lived in Beijing for six years.

What organization or company do you work for?
I am a freelance tennis coach, having previously worked as a coach with Beijing’s GS Academy and Rising Stars Academy. I coach both kids and adults, at all levels.

What made you become interested in coaching?
Teaching runs in my family. I like sharing my skills, and what I know, with others. That’s what teaching is all about…sharing.

What coaching qualifications do you have?
I have a Master’s Degree in Physical Education and I also have a PTR (Professional Tennis Registry) certificate.

What was your favorite sport to play when you were a student?
Besides tennis I loved playing volleyball.

How would you describe your coaching style?
I have a holistic approach to coaching, meaning that I look at my student as a whole. I don’t only teach how to hit the ball with the racket, but mentor the player to become fitter, more confident as a person, and competitive within fair play rules!

What do you find most rewarding about coaching?
The progress a player makes. It can be as small as improvement during a lesson or as big as winning a match or a tournament.

And most challenging…?
Not being able to guarantee a player when he/she will play at a level that they would be happy with. It’s so individual and unpredictable. But the good thing is that every player has what I call a "break-through lesson", in which he/she reaches a level previously unimaginable. Once that occurs they become a believer in what we are trying to achieve. When the player starts believing, everything is possible.

Coaching rates
From RMB 400/private lesson, RMB 200/person group lesson (>3 people).

Contact Details
You can contact Malarski on 186 0041 0890, WeChat adamtennispro or email adam_malarski@hotmail.com

beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent Sally Wilson moved to Beijing in 2010 from the UK with her husband and son. Her daughter was born here in 2011 and both her kids keep her happily busy. In her spare time, Sally loves to stroll through Beijing’s hutongs and parks. She is a (most of the time) keen runner and loves reading: books, magazines, news, and celeb websites – anything really. Sally is also a bit of a foodie and loves trying out new restaurants.

Photos: courtesy of Adam Malarski

This Sunday is Mother’s Day and what better way to treat her than with a sumptuous brunch, followed by a classical music concert. If you’re in need of ideas for a Birthday party, one that’s full of adventure, a pirate party is what you need. There’s guaranteed pirate fun, with sailing and rafting challenges, and the hunt for buried treasure. We’re all conscious of what we eat. In Beijing especially, we are always looking for healthier, organic, and more natural products. The SunHe Community Food Fair includes a range of vendors selling everything from granola to organic wine. Be a hero and give blood this month. It doesn’t take long to donate blood, and it could help save a life. If tennis is your thing, and you’re looking to improve your game or to take up the sport, Ace Tennis Club provides group and personal coaching.

Mother’s Day Brunch
Enjoy a sumptuous international Sunday Brunch, May 10 at Hilton Beijing Capital Airport with fresh seafood, roast beef, and specialties from around the world. The pâtissier will tempt you with a great selection of home-made desserts, in the relaxing 360° restaurant. Children will be entertained at one of Shunyi’s best supervised play areas, allowing you to relax. From RMB 368/person + 15% service charge, with children half price. For more information or to make a booking, call 6450 4788.

Mother’s Day Concert
"A Love Tribute for Mother’s Day" is presented by Camerata Music, featuring violinist Xiang Gao, and pianist Matthew Brower. The program includes music by Mozart, Dvorak, Beethoven, Piazzolla, and more. The concert takes place in the International School of Beijing (ISB) Theater on Sunday May 10, 4-5.30pm. Tickets RMB 200, 300, 350. Tickets can be purchased from Yosemite Villa Clubhouse front desk and ISB PTA Store. Ticket Hotline 8041 7588/158 1158 5010.

Pirate Party
Imagine pirate party is a Birthday party that takes kids on a treasure hunt journey involving maps, sailing boats, water bomb battles, rafts, and of course a buried treasure chest. Suitable for kids aged 7-16 years. The party can be adapted to suit older or younger groups. Book any time, between May and the end of October, but book early to ensure availability. The ideal number of kids is 8, but larger or smaller groups will be considered. RMB 3,000 for the whole party, including two sailing instructors, international pirate host, boat hire, park entrance, maps, cannonballs, eye-patches, and treasure. Extras include a pirate-themed birthday cake RMB 350, themed plates, cup, balloons, and napkins RMB 250, extra two hours of activities including rafts and paddle-boards RMB 1,000. Olympic Rowing Lake 19 Baima Lu, Shunyi 顺义区白马路19号. For more information, contact (183 1112 3237, watersports@imagine-china.com)

Community Food Fair
The SunHe Central Community Food Fair takes place every Sunday from 10am-1pm. Stalls selling produce including granola, free-range eggs, organic vegetables and fruits, fresh bread, and natural honey and yogurt. You’ll also find cheese, organic wines, and rice wine. They are always looking for new products and vendors. Food Fair, 3 ShunHuang Lu, Sunhe Township, Chaoyang District (inside Chuang Yi Yuan next to Beidong Flower Market) 北京市朝阳区孙河乡顺黄路3号"甲1号创意园"内（近北东花卉市场）

Blood Drive
A community blood drive is being organized by Beijing United Family Hospital and Clinics (BJU), Boy Scouts Troop 943, and Tongzhou Blood Center. On Saturday, May 16 from 10am-4pm, on-site at ISB PTA Spring Fair. Walk-ins are welcome or to reserve a time slot, email jenifer.sullivan@ufh.com.cn. Registration requires passport / id number.

Ace Tennis Club
Get out, get fit, and have fun, with Ace Tennis Club at Beijing Riviera Country Club. Providing group classes and private lessons, catered to your level of experience and your needs. Private lesson packages include 10 classes RMB 2,400, 20 classes RMB 4,200, or 35 classes RMB 6,800. Your first class is free. For more information call 158 1015 5060 / 5249 5667.

beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent Sally Wilson moved to Beijing in 2010 from the UK with her husband and son. Her daughter was born here in 2011 and both her kids keep her happily busy. In her spare time, Sally loves to stroll through Beijing’s hutongs and parks. She is a (most of the time) keen runner and loves reading: books, magazines, news, and celeb websites – anything really. Sally is also a bit of a foodie and loves trying out new restaurants.

Photos: Lima Pix, Aaron Concannon (Flickr), courtesy of Imagine

Two names associated with a healthy lifestyle, recently retired tennis star Li Na and Shanghai-based restaurant chain Element Fresh, are serving up a new spring/summer menu called the Element Fresh & Li Na Vitality Series.

“I am more than an athlete, with many roles to play. I love the challenges, the diversity of my life and I love fresh food, the source of vitality!” Li said of her new turn in the kitchen.

The first three entrees in this series are: Blue Cheese, Chicken and Apple Salad (an American-style chopped salad featuring grilled chicken breast, blue cheese, California raisins, apple, crispy bacon, chopped lettuce, and honey-mustard dressing); Warm Spinach Salad and Salmon Fillet (flash sautéed fresh spinach, carrots, edamame, green lentils, and yellow bell peppers with seared salmon, finished with grilled cucumber flowers and lemon-tarragon dressing); and Fire and Ice Tuna (spicy ahi tuna grilled medium rare, ice greens with cucumber, jicama, and wasabi vinaigrette, and kombu potato salad with shiso and sesame).

Li, who is expecting her first child this summer, is also touting two fresh shakes: the Red Dragon (a combination of orange and red dragon fruit); and the Avocado-Coconut Smoothie (fresh avocado, coconut milk, bananas, spinach).

Wait, avocado, coconut milk, and spinach?

We stopped by Element Fresh in Tai Koo Li Thursday night to taste that last item. The mix of coconut and avocado made it probably the creamiest smoothie we’ve ever had. While the green color speaks of avocado and spinach, the taste is all coconut. It’s a pretty nice addition for the warm-weather menu.

The Element Fresh & Li Na Vitality Series menu items are incorporated into the Element Fresh Spring/Summer 2015 menu, look for the distinctive red logo to try them.

This post first appeared on thebeijinger.com on April 3, 2015.

Photos courtesy of Element Fresh

There are just over 100 copies left of ISB teacher Jim Fidler’s wonderful coffee table book, Looking In. Full of photos from his travels around china, the book makes for a wonderful gift and raises money for charity. On the subject of books, Roundabout is in need of volunteer book sorters. They have a huge quantity of books donated by the local community that need to be sorted into different genres and languages ahead of their book fairs. Still undecided about which summer camp is best for your kids this break? The Bridge School is hosting a two-week camp that runs throughout the summer, focusing on Chinese, fun activities, and tennis. DDs Market has opened up another store in Shunyi – a very welcome addition to Riverville Square.

Looking In by Jim Fidler
If you’re looking for a gift or would like a reminder of your time here, International School of Beijing teacher Jim Fidler has published a beautiful book called Looking In. Over the past 13 years, Fidler has traveled China with his camera. Capturing the country, its people, and landscapes, he shows how Beijing in particular has changed dramatically in a short space of time.

Originally from Tasmania, Fidler has been teaching at ISB since 2000. He reignited a long-standing interest in photography in his role as middle school yearbook coordinator. Mainly self-taught, Looking In is his first attempt at published material. For a minimum donation of RMB 200, you can own a copy of his wonderful book. All proceeds will go to the Holt Ping An Medical Foster Home to pay for orphans’ cleft lip and palate surgery. So far the book has raised over RMB 100,000.

To get your copy, contact Fidler at 136 7134 6941 or jfidler@isb.bj.edu.cn.

Book Sorters Needed at Roundabout
Looking for a relaxing way to spend those summer mornings? Come join the team of book lovers that has raised over RMB 200,000 for charity in the last five months alone. Roundabout’s warehouse currently has over seven crates of unsorted books, which need to be categorized into fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, and different languages.

All ages are welcome. In particular, Roundabout needs people with language skills (including Chinese, German, and Dutch). Books are sorted most Tuesday and Thursday mornings. To get involved, email Book Room Manager Michael Durgin (madurgin@gmail.com). 

Chinese and Tennis Camp with Bridge School
The Bridge School is hosting a two-week summer camp at both Beijing Riviera and Capital Paradise. This is an opportunity for your children to study Chinese language and culture, and play tennis every day. Kids will learn Chinese with Bridge School teachers by playing games and other fun activities. There will be 20 hours of Chinese over the two-week camp.

The tennis program aims to develop their playing skills, their attention skills, and teamwork. Indoor and outdoor activities include singing, crafts, science experiments, model making, learning magic, kung fu, dancing, and swimming.

Lunch is provided, as well as a bus service. The camp runs throughout the summer break from June 23-August 22, and is suitable for ages 5-12.

• Beijing Riviera Camp: Vivian Gao (8430 8068, riviera@bridgeschoolchina.com, Vgao66@sina.com)
• Capital Paradise Camp: Evelyn Yan (8046 1707, capitalparadise@bridgeschoolchina.com) www.bridgeschoolchina.com

DDs Market New Opening
The popular Cathay View Plaza supermarket DDs Market has opened a new store at Riverville Square between Angry Burger and Maan Coffee. Shunyi residents living in the Tianzhu area can now enjoy easy access to DDs range of fresh vegetables and fruits, meats and fish, dairy products, bakery goods, store cupboard items, and alcoholic beverages. Stocking both local and imported goods, DDs offers a great range of quality foods. They also do local delivery for free.

beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent Sally Wilson moved to Beijing in 2010 from the UK with her husband and son. Her daughter was born here in 2011 and both her kids keep her happily busy. In her spare time, Sally loves to stroll through Beijing’s hutongs and parks. She is a (most of the time) keen runner and loves reading: books, magazines, news, and celeb websites – anything really. Sally is also a bit of a foodie and loves trying out new restaurants.

Photos: Courtesy of Jim Fidler, Bridge School, Eunice (Flickr)

Break out those dusty rackets, it’s tennis time at Dulwich! Tomorrow Tuesday, April 22 is the last day to sign up for junior tennis classes at Dulwich College Beijing. Seven sessions will be held weekly starting Friday, April 25 and will take place at Dulwich’s Riviera Main Campus (RCM) in the Sports Field. On high pollution days, classes will be held in the gym hall ensuring minimum interruption for young players. Click here to view a map and location. See event details below.

Register by: April 22 at Dulwich College Riviera Main Campus or Legend Campus Sports Club
Start date: Friday April 25
Ages: Girls and boys 4-7 years old
Time and day: Fridays 15.40-16.40
Venue: RMC Sports Field/Gym Hall
Dates:April 25, May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, June 6 (seven sessions)
Fee: RMB 910
Questions? email: dcp@dulwich-beijing.cn

The arrival of spring’s warmer weather also marks outdoor sporting season in Beijing. Since it’s never too early to start doing your homework, check our first roundup of summer camps for our list of outdoor sports being offered this summer.

Not to be left out, the ClubFootball spring program is another outdoor sports option for kids four and half to 16. Weekend courses are run all over the city including ISB, Chaoyant Park, BSB (Sanlitun and Shunyi Campus, Olympic Forest Park and Wangjing.)  Though courses officially kicked off last weekend, classes are still open for sign up which includes one free tester class.

Contact: 5130 6893/4/5/6 or email coaching@wanguoqunxing.com

Photo courtesy of Pocketwiley (Flickr)

When speaking exclusively to both beijingkids and theBeijinger last year, Li Na said that she was ready to win and indeed she was. Twice denied her favorite Grand Slam, women’s world number 4 finally lifted the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup on January 25 saying, "finally I got him, her, finally got her. Last two times were very close."

She beat Dominika Cibulkova from Slovakia 7-6 (3), 6-0 and later congratulated her opponent for a good game and wished the 20th seed the best of luck in her future games. Li Na becomes the oldest woman to win the Australian Grand slam at the age of 31 (she turns 32 next month) in the Open era.

Aside from being widely popular at Melbourne park, she is best know for her post- match interviews and she did not disappoint her fans during her first victory speech. Li Na had a list of people to thank starting off with her agent Max, "for making her rich."

Then her physiotherapist who she has worked with for four years without incurring major injuries till last year’s final. She did admit that that fall was her fault but thanked him by saying, "you are doing a good job."

Seven months ago, Li Na had considered leaving the sport she came to love but was talked out of it by her coach, Carlos Rodriguez who she also acknowledged in her speech for his cool demeanor and believing in her according to ESPN.com

"When he was coaching me he always say believe in yourself. He always believed in me, I never believed in myself. That was my problem."

Li Na after huggin her opponent and fighting back tears ran to shake hands with her coach on the sidelines wearing a big grin.

She finished off with her husband Shan Jiang, former coach and constant traveling companion saying, "so thanks for him give up everything just traveling with me to be my hitting partner, fix drinks, fix the racket. So thanks a lot, you are a nice guy." She had to wait for the laughter to die down at the Rod Laver Crowd to continue,"Also you are so lucky, find me."

Watch her shortened speech here on the official Australian Open Website. 

We have not seen the last of Li Na as she vows to be back at her favorite major next year to win again.

Read our blog to find out about Li Na’s biography and thoughts on the ‘tiger’ parenting style.

Photo courtesy of Sunday world

Chinese sporting royalty Li Na may now be reveling in her position as Asia’s most successful tennis player, but it took 15 years for her to begin enjoying the sport, she revealed yesterday.

Speaking exclusively to beijingkids on a visit to the International School of Beijing (ISB), Li admitted that tennis was “not my choice” and that her pursuit of sporting success was “for my family.”

The world’s third-ranked player went on to question the “tough” training methods used in the Chinese coaching system during her youth. While a strict sporting upbringing may be responsible for her unprecedented achievements, she advocated a softer approach to the youth game.

"When I was young the coach was tough. She was very nice, but the way she trained was tough,” she explained. “Right now [China] has many tennis academies that bring in a lot of Western culture [and]learn a lot from the West.

“Children have a good time when they’re starting their tennis because if you’re doing well, the coach gives you some positive [encouragement]. For us it was always negative which made me a little bit sad when I was growing up.”

With the trajectory of her early career directed by the wishes of her late father, Li’s newly-translated autobiography My Life also details the unrelenting criticism of her coach Yu Liqiao, who instilled a seemingly pervasive sense of self-doubt. While she now believes tennis to be “an amazing sport”, the star’s successes have not convinced her of the benefits of the “tiger” parent approach.

"Everyone’s different and if one day I’m a mom then for sure I’ll let my children choose [what]they prefer. When I grew up I hated that feeling so I don’t want to give that back to my children.

“The champion is not the winner,” she told us. “You need to be for yourself. It’s not like when I was young and [I had to] follow what my family said."

Quietly fearsome on court, the softly-spoken and unassuming Grand Slam winner was also keen to underplay her importance to the game in China.

“People always say ‘oh Li Na, Li Na’ but you know in China there are 5 million Li Nas. So which one do you want to be?” she said.

After speaking with beijingkids and meeting with young players at ISB’s pollution-free tennis dome, Li addressed around 400 members of the school community in a Q&A with three aspiring young student journalists. She spoke about the support she offers to seven Shunyi orphans and urged the school’s young tennis players to build a positive and communicative relationship with their coaches.

My Life was published December 1 by Viking, a Penguin Group imprint.

beijingkids was granted an exclusive interview with Li Na alongside sister publication The Beijinger. Read her views on the state of Chinese tennis and the upcoming Australian Open here.

Do you worry about how fiercely your kids compete against each other when they play sports and other games? Back off, because you might just have a future champion on your hands.

At least, that’s the conclusion an article published July 8 on Slate draws about how sibling rivalry drove Andy Murray to become a professional tennis player and, on Sunday, Britain’s first men’s singles Wimbledon champion in 77 years.

The full article (excerpted from a long-form essay tracing Murray’s career from childhood) is here, but this passage gives you an idea of how the tennis champ’s early years are depicted:

"The Murray household and that of his grandmother were the scenes of hard-fought games from a young age. Swingball – a tennis game played with a ball attached to a pole by a cord – was the acme of sophistication in comparison to the rudimentary elements of catching and throwing that formed the basis of much of their childhood activity. The games always involved scoring. Someone had to win, someone had to lose."

Are your kids competitive? Do you encourage it, or are you concerned it goes too far? Any tips for dealing with sibling rivalry? Let us know in the comments.

Photo from Wikimedia Commons