Archive for the ‘Life’ Category

Chinese Hospitality

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

This post was first published on October 6, 2007, on my web development blog.

After 4 months of blogging, I had my first enforced break and have been away from my computer for 5 days. I didn’t really miss it much – a few pangs now and then, some minor guilt about people expecting replies to comments, but mostly I just really enjoyed being with my family.

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Buses In China With Metal Seats

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

This is a photo I took when I first lived in China in 2002, in the southern province of Guangdong: a bus with metal seats (more…)

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Countdown Timer On Traffic Lights

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

This is a photo I took when I first lived in China in 2002, in the southern province of Guangdong: a countdown timer on the traffic lights (more…)

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KTV – Karaoke In China

Thursday, February 5th, 2009

I recently read a post about Video Karaoke on RT’s Living in the Philippines blog, outlining the history of karaoke, which is very popular in the Philippines. Karaoke is also extremely popular in China, so I felt moved to write about Karaoke in China. (more…)

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Chunyun And Spring Festival 2009

Wednesday, January 21st, 2009

Spring Festival (Chunjie) is upon us again: January 25 is New Year’s Eve, with the following day the first in the Chinese year of the Ox. There’ll be fireworks, firecrackers, reunion dinners, visits to family and friend, lucky money, the New Year’s Eve TV gala, etc. It’s a great time of year.

But what really fascinates me is Chunyun, the time around Spring Festival when everyone travels home to their hometown. It’s the largest movement of people in the world. (more…)

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Christmas In China

Wednesday, December 24th, 2008

I’ve spent Christmas in China three times: 2002 in Zhaoqing, Guangdong and 2006 and 2007 in Langfang, Hebei. That doesn’t make me an expert on the topic by any means, but as the festive season arrives, I feel moved to share some of the insights I’ve picked up about Christmas in China.

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The Cost Of Living In China

Tuesday, November 18th, 2008

Recently, I was browsing a forum topic on the cost of living in China. I’ve been meaning to write about this for a while, so I thought I’d take the opportunity to respond to question posed on the forum.

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China’s Dragon Boat Festival Holiday

Wednesday, July 16th, 2008
Dragon Boat Racing Image Source: Dragon Boat Racing by Mr WabuLicense

This is another post I wrote a little while ago and haven’t posted until now.

China’s Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu) occurs on 5th May on the Lunar calendar. This year, that equates to 8th June.

As the name of the Festival indicates, it’s famous for Dragon Boat racing! People also eat zongzi (glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves) and drink baijiu (Chinese wine) during this holiday. (more…)

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Mistress Day – Valentine’s Day In China

Sunday, February 17th, 2008

Valentines Day Rose
Image Source: Red roseLicense

I’ve never been a big fan of Valentine’s Day and not just because I couldn’t find anyone to share it with! I’ve always seen it as a fabricated ‘commercial’ celebration – more about making money than about lovers.

Living here in China, I should be able to escape such Western customs, right? Wrong! Valentine’s Day is big here in China, especially amongst the youngsters, who seem to soak up anything Western. (more…)

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Spring Festival Time – Happy New Year!

Wednesday, February 6th, 2008

fireworks
Image Source: Blackpool Fireworks 2006 (China)License

Spring Festival, or Chunjie as it is called here, has begun! Tonight is Chinese New Year’s Eve. I thought I’d write a little bit about what happens in China during the Spring Festival. (more…)

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