living in beijing
Passing the Test
Well I finally passed my written test for my Chinese Driver License! Â It took me 4 tries! Â (89, 87, 89 and finally 97) Â I’ve written about the process previously. Â But an update is due. First the things first a bit more about resources that finally enabled me to pass. Â Here’s a set of delicious bookmarks … Continue reading
BCIS – Spring in the City
BCIS held their 6th annual Spring in the City event this past weekend. Â A celebratory festival with food and games that raised funds for the Library Project. Â Great food and great weather (if a tad windy). I took a few photos while chasing the kids around the venue.
Tips for the Forbidden City
I’ve visited the Forbidden City over a half dozen times in the course of my visits and sojourn in Beijing. Here are a few ideas to make your visit more enjoyable. Start your visit by going to JinShan Park on the northern side of the Forbidden City.  You can hike up to the top of the man made hill … Continue reading
Experience China Week
Last week the 1st graders at BCIS had ECW, “Experience China week”. Each day they toured different sites in Beijing. They learned things about Chinese culture, they ate yummy food and even went on a rickshaw ride. Besides it being a week to explore the city, it was also a week to teach some independence … Continue reading
Camping at the Great Wall
ad•vent•ure an exciting or very unusual experience a bold, usually risky undertaking; hazardous action of uncertain outcome We’ve been in Beijing for three months and while I been lucky enough to get out for a couple of hikes (1, 2)  on the Great Wall I hadn’t been camping for around 6 months, the longest time … Continue reading
Lama Temple day
Today Kiah, our friend Pooja and I went to lunch near the Lama Temple and then we spent the afternoon walking around the Temple. Pooja and Ankit are visiting this week from Seattle. Mark and Ankit work together at Amazon and are good friends. Pooja is Ankit’s fiance’ and we met her about 2 yrs … Continue reading
Hot Pot Heaven
One of my favorite things to eat in Taiwan was Hot Pot. When I got back from Taiwan the first time I was disappointed that there were no Hot Pot places in Logan,Utah. After Mark and I went to Taiwan we learned how to make it ourselves and even found the dipping sauce that they … Continue reading
Sometimes a little comfort food is all you need
Some friends that are visiting from the states brought Miles a bunch of Annie’s Mac N’ cheese(his favorite brand). When he got home from school today he wanted me to make a box up. He had his friend Cole over and they were hungry, as usual. I think they brought about 8 boxes and three … Continue reading
Carnival of the Animals
The elementary school at Beijing City International School (BCIS) had a show on Friday called the Carnival of the Animals. Each grade dressed in costume as different animals and preformed a song or a dance. Â The costumes were very elaborate and I am sure were all hand sewn somewhere here in Beijing. Â There was everything … Continue reading
Scene’s around Gong Yuan Da Dao (Park Avenue)
Kiah and I went to a little Cafe in our apartment complex yesterday and had lunch. I took photo’s but they didn’t work out, too blurry. We did get some shots though around our apartment and I thought I’d share them with you. We ate at Jamaica-blue, which serves salads, sandwiches, soups, treats and coffee. … Continue reading