May 6, 2008
Interestingly, you can learn Chinese (Mandarin) at your own home. This sounds like an advertisement but I do think this is the best alternative for those who would want to self study Chinese. I found this site before, when I wanted to practice aside from our usual text books. I wasn’t really paying much attention to my teachers in BLCU because I have this tendency to deviate from my own thoughts (I think I have a slight Attention Deficit Disorder) so I push myself to learn online.
It quite fun actually to learn in Chinese Pod. It has audio voiceover which you can choose if you’re not sure how to pronouce Pinyin. Plus there are also levels if you want to accelerate the lessons. Likewise, it’s fun to know the basics. Now they only have 1 week trial but before they had a month. I used two of my emails to access the lessons unfortunately, I’m still not the diligent student even if I’m my own teacher. Argh. Got to waste another opportunity to practice.
Posted in , 
No Comments »
April 27, 2008
A student like me with an adventurous heart and a big appetite (on certain a season like Winter!) had gone up and down in this lovable district called Wudaokou. It was my home away from home for a while with friends that shared memories with me at that time. We skipped from restaurant to restaurant, trying out things until we find the best around town.
I recall having a hard time returning for one-last-taste/visit during February when we were about to leave. I wanted to immortalize the experiences and when I come back, surely I would be nostalgic.
Here are the places I love:
1. Milk tea station- Though I forgot the name of the booth, I remember it’s along the front part of Hua Qing Jia Yuan. It’s located along the store strips. It’s not comparable to the powered ones, this one tastes sooo much better!
2. Cafe Bro - It’s also along the store strips, right beside the Mcdonald’s. I like their pastas and also their crepe cake is to die for.
3. Lion King KTV- If you just want to sing the night away, this is the perfect place because of it’s wide array of song choices (English songs too!).
4. Korean restaurants - there are quite a lot. We love Sarangbang, Fushion, the “Kimchi rice” restaurant we didn’t get the name. I never get tired of eating there.
5. Tous Le Jour- It’s French for “everyday”. You would see this just below the Lion King KTV building. It’s actually a Korean company so I guess that why a lot of Koreans hang out there. I love their Cream Baguette. Seriously addicting! They also serve cakes, pastries.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in , , 5 Comments »
April 9, 2008
I’m not actually familiar with
Papa John’s Pizza at first. I thought it’s just another pizza store. As I research, I saw that it’s actually a franchise from the
United States orginating from Indiana.
I discovered this in Beijing from a friend who recommended it for its variety of flavor. But what I remembered most is the pizza crust. I’m very particular with pizza crust, I often throw this part away if it’s too thick or starchy. We ordered this one for our friend’s surprise party that time. It’s a must to reheat this though when it becomes cold.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in , , No Comments »
April 7, 2008
I saw the Frozen Grand Central
which facinated me so much. Imagine people suddenly stopping and you feel like there might be something wrong! Cool right??
And last April Fool in Beijing, they also orchestrated the same thing! The location in Beijing was Jianwai Soho on April Fool’s Day..perfect way to celebrate the day!
You can watch the Beijing version here
I saw the article from TBJ Blog with really nice photos! Enjoy!
Posted in No Comments »
April 5, 2008
Quan Ju De equates to PEKING DUCK in Beijing. The brand had survived 100 years already in China and still going strong. With branches sprouting everywhere in Beijing and also supermarket brands (pre-packed Peking duck), you can say Quan Ju De had become a household brand for most Chinese.
I remember my friend told me the name of this restaurant, I had a hard time remembering how to pronounce it. I think I asked him more than thrice when we were still in Beijing. And finally after eating there, my tongue became accustomed to the name.
Do you have the feeling that when it’s quite famous already, it will lose its luster and might be overrated afterall? Well, in this case, it isn’t like that. I honestly think that this is the best Peking Duck from all the ones I’ve tried. Succulently tasty, the duck’s skin is shiny and fatty for my taste. I prefer this than Da Dong’s dry crispy skin. I want oily! Price is reasonable for me. Probably around 40rmb per person for ala carte but now, I heard Beijing’s food prices have gone up!
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Restaurants 1 Comment »
April 3, 2008
I’m not really keen with Olympics when I was younger. I just know that the whole concept of Olympic games came from Greeks. I’m more facinated with history than sports and I know this Olympics 2008 in Beijing is history in the making. Starting with much controversy, first with Steven Spielberg pulling out from as artistic advisor for the Beijing Olympics and also the recent protest for Tibet’s freedom from China’s hold. Also the longest Olympics torch relay ever!
The much anticipated torch relay started last March 24, 2008 and it will last 130 days. It will be passed in the five continients featuring important people, cultural heritage, sceneries to emphasize the theme of the Olympics which is “One World One Dream”.
The Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay will traverse the longest distance, cover the greatest area and include the largest number of people, according to plans released tonight during a grand ceremony held in the China Millennium Monument in Beijing by BOCOG, the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of XXIX Olympiad.-Source: China Daily
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in 1 Comment »
March 17, 2008
Xijiao Hotel is one of the hotels near Haidian district. Walking distance from BLCU, you can opt to stay here if you want to walk around Wudaokou for a short while. This hotel is quite convenient and clean but not that great. It’s probably a three-four star hotel if I remember correctly. There’s a bowling place right beside the hotel and also swimming pool area inside. On the third floor of the activity buiding of Xijiao Hotel, there’s a store selling DVD’s which is cheap plus you can check if it’s working.
Though this is not the cheapest around the area, I feel that this one is quite value for money (for the quality of room facilities).
Here’s the address and phone number: not sure if it is updated though
Add: No.18 Wangzhuang Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China
P.C: 100083
Tel: 86-10 62322288
Fax: 86-10 62311142
E-mail:Public@xijiao-hotel.com.cn
You can also reserve through here:
Posted in , , 7 Comments »
