Wednesday 23 December 2009

What you want to know about Sexy Beijing's Sexy Christmas


In this Sexy Beijing video from December 2006 Su Fei tries to find out about the Christmas spirit that seems to invade China's capital every year. What do Chinese people think about Christmas? What do they know about Christian customs and what do they know about Jewish Hanukkah?

Although China is a communist country and Christmas is an official working day, Beijing is decorated with Christmas trees and full of Santa Clauses like any other capital in the world these days. Flower markets in Chaoyang district have been selling natural Christmas trees and Advent wreath with four candles. The sales person often not knowing the meaning are smart enough to know the foreigners' demand. Christmas seems like a fun holiday - as it should be - and as Chinese people do like most Western things they also "copy" Christmas - at least the decorative and fun part like getting together and exchanging gifts.

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 HAPPY Holiday to all of you !

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Tuesday 17 November 2009

Boutique Hotel in Sanlitun : The Opposite House


The newly created Swire Hotels group, owned by Hong Kong-based Swire Properties, opened its first hotel "The Opposite House" in Beijing in summer 2008.


lobby of the Opposite House


exterior of the Opposite House in Sanlitun, Beijing

The hotel with its green glass exterior and minimalistic interior offers 99 suites starting at 1850 CNY per night (minimum stay 2 nights).


all rooms feature wooden floors and are very bright


the bathrooms feature bath tube and double sinks made of oak wood




the only traditional Chinese accessory is a wooden chest used as coffee table or storage

 
a room (studio 95) with a balcony

Designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, the hotel is part of Swire's first integrated commercial project in China, a giant new shopping, lifestyle and dining development, called The Village, at Sanlitun in Beijing.  So if you wonder why all the old houses had to vanish, for what and why all these glass cubes look alike, then you know: it is all part of an integrated project by this Hong-Kong based company.


from right to left : the (South) Village, addidas store, Yashow market

If you have been in Sanlitun lately and have any dining or shopping experience in the Opposite House's neighbourhood, let me know what you think.


map and contact, click to enlarge

photo source: the opposite house

Sunday 25 October 2009

Beijing City Guide by Design*Sponge

Maybe you already know design*sponge, a daily website dedicated to home and product design run by writer Grace Bonney. This extremely successful blog also has a growing collection of city guides, that are compiled with the help of readers. Design*Sponge city guide to Beijing is quiet a complete list of things to do & see in this fast changing city.

Like many others which are planning a trip to Beijing the authors of this city guide came across my blog. They liked the "great beijing home/decor shopping list from beijing notebook" and included a link to this blog.
Thanks for the mention !




I can recommend to check out this new online city guide as it is compiled just recently, in August 2009 and includes all the new stuff - and the old stuff that has not vanished.

Friday 23 October 2009

This Saturday in Beijing : Urban Carpets by Instant Hutong


click on flyer (including map) to enlarge

Stefano Avesani from instant hutong send me an email to post about their event on this Saturday in Beijing. Thanks, I love to announce it here on my blog.  -   If I would still be in Beijing I would definately go. I love the atmosphere of the neighbourhood in hutongs, the small aleys in old Beijing ! And the photos of the previous exhibitions of Urban Carpets look so interesting.

Here the details :

URBAN CARPET 8x5 · 都市地毯8x5

四 4th one day-only exhibition

2009年10月25日, 11am – 6pm

NEIGHBOURHOOD COURTYARD - 社区庭院
no.17 Cao Chang Tou Tiao, Xian Yu Kou Di Qu, Chong Wen District

北京市崇文区鲜鱼口地区草厂头条17号

完美地体现了源于近几年北京郊区在不知所措地迅速变化中的矛盾。房地产政策的目的是鲜鱼口社区原住民的再次回归。对城市的传统性的描述都不适合鲜鱼口,当前是特别有趣的城乡结合。城镇的空间和自然的空间,农村的习惯和现代设备的结合,细微地体现于北京的都市中心。

Xian Yu Kou district perfectly embodies the contradictions stemming from the rapid transformations which overwhelmed Beijing neighbourhoods in the past few years. The target of real estate policies has been partially abandoned and the spaces have recently been re-occupied by the former inhabitants. None of the traditional city descriptions can suit Xian Yu Kou, which is, nowadays, a surprising and totally fascinating combination of city and countryside, urban spaces and natural ones, rural habits blended in with contemporary facilities. This micro phenomenon is taking place at the very centre of the large metropolis of Beijing.

Works by·艺术家 :

MARCELLA CAMPA & STEFANO AVESANI - http://www.instanthutong.com/



photo via instanthutong

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I would love to hear from anyone who went their, please leave a comment.

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Monday 19 October 2009

Learning the meaning of Chinese Characters


I (wǒ), the hand that is holding a weapon


When learning Chinese characters you will be tought that Chinese characters are divided in six categories (六書 liùshū or "Six Writings").

To one of the six categories belong the characters that are created by two or more pictographics to a  "joined meaning" (會意 huì yì ).


example:

木 [木] mù  = 1 tree
林 [林] lín =  2 x trees = forest


Here some more "joined meanings" or so called "ideogrammic compounds" :

 亻 man leaning at a  木 tree resting  休 xiū

日 sun and 月 moon  =  bright 明 míng

 女 woman with a  子 child   =  good   好 hǎo

 力 strength working on a  田 ricefield  =   male  男 nán

豕 pig under a 宀 roof  =  family, home  家 jiā

 手 hand  holding a  戈 weapon   = I   我


Isn't this interesting how the Chinese sign for "I" (我 wǒ) was composed (above picture) ?

I am "The hand that is holding a weapon" !

This results from really rough times. If you cannot defend yourself, you cannot exist !

Actually, my latest Chinese teacher told me that the sign 我 (, engl.:  I ) is a combination of the sign for "corn" (or grain) and the sign for "weapon" (here: lance).  The corn is to feed yourself and the weapon is to defend yourself.

I could not verify if corn (禾 hé) is meant here for the first sign or if it is rather the hand  手. If there is a Chinese expert among my readers, please feel free to comment about that post!


Check out this link - it will show a new Chinese characters any minute :


 
I added the link to my blogroll, so anytime you visit you can learn some Chinese.
.

Thursday 15 October 2009

10 Simple Actions to contribute for a better Planet

Today is Blog Action Day and I am participating because our planet is in danger. Every human being that is able to think should be aware about how much our planet is threatened by climate change, global warming and shortness of resources, to name some environmental problems which again cause social unbalance that can result in poverty, terror and war. It is a very complex subject. Our children and grandchildren will face tough times.

But where to start and who to start ?
Today, blog action day is focusing on the environmental problem "climate change".
Please take a minute and read the following what you could do today and maybe next week and more and more often :

10 simple actions to contribute for a better Planet :

1) Replace regular light bulbs with an energy saving light bulbs

2) Move your radiator down 1-2 degrees in winter (and the aircon up 1-2 degrees in summer) - (editors remark: If you are already are allowed to heat in Beijing...)

3) Use less hot water (it costs energy to heat water)

4) Air dry your clothes instead of using a dryer as often as possible

5) Only run your dishwasher when there’s a full load and use the energy-saving setting

6) Unplug electronics from the wall when you’re not using them (even when turned off, cell phone chargers and televisions use energy. The energy used to keep display clocks lit and memory chips working may account for 5 % of total domestic energy consumption !)

7) Plant a tree - or think twice before cutting down a tree ! (a single tree will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. Shade provided by trees can also reduce your air conditioning bill by 10 to 15%.)

8) Buy locally grown food (transportation is polluting and consumes energy) - and buy fresh food instead of frozen (frozen food uses 10 times more energy to produce).

9) Eat less meat !!! (The production of 1 kg of beef consumes about 13,000 liter of water !!! And methane is the second most significant greenhouse gas and cows are one of the greatest methane emitters. Their grassy diet and multiple stomachs cause them to produce methane, which they exhale with every breath.)

10) Drive less ! Walk, bike, do carpooling or use public transportation !

(source: Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth)

Today I will buy fresh food at the farmer's market, eat no meet and use public transportation ! (It so easy! Every little effort of each human being counts !)

What is your contribution or tip ?!

Follow these links for more information about saving the planet (who is thinking, what to do and how to contribute) :

Club of Rome
Global Marshall Plan
An inconvenience truth

Blog Action Day: Climate Change 'co2' ideas


Climate Change 'co2' ideas
Originally uploaded by net_efekt

Yes ! It has consequences !

Dont' drive !
Ride your BICYCLE in Beijing today !

Friday 2 October 2009

60 Years People Republic of China



Happy 60th birthday to PR China and its people !

Yesterday, the world could see the big party and parades on Tiananmen Square.
The Chinese government is good in well organizing big public parties and knows how to ensure good weather!



A hillarious parade of good looking tall Chinese female soldiers (above is a training photo by Reuters)

The media including internet provides tons of information and comments about this birthday and China in general.

I decided to provide the following links on this occasion  :

Ai Weiwei,  contemporary Chinese artist, blogs another kind of birthday speech for his motherland about 60 years of shame and ignorance.

At the moment Ai Weiwei stays in Munich (Germany) where he got operated because of an injury that he claims happened during beiing beaten up by Chinese police. But the main reason is the upcoming opening of his exposition "So sorry" on October 12, 2009 at the Haus der Kunst in Munich.

Don't miss Ai Weiwei's article on Times Magazine reflecting on the subject. 





(Images : Reuters)


Thursday 2 July 2009

Beijing Boutique Hotel: The Emperor

The Emperor Hotel is one of the few boutique hotels located right in the heart of Old Beijing. It is located close to the Eastern walls of the Forbidden City. Therefore, from the roof top of the hotel, from the gym & spa and the Yin Bar, you have fantastic views! Wangfujing Road, the pedestrian international shopping street with some other luxe hotels and Tiananmen Square are in walking distance.


Stylish rooms combining traditional culture and modern fashion. Complimentary 24h butler service for all rooms, flatscreen TV, Wireless Internet access, free minibar (?!) ...


The Emperor Suite - located on the South West corner of the hotel offers an exclusive private view on the Forbidden City - about 3999,00 CNY.


The gym & spa on the roof top with views over old Beijing, outdoor wading pool, hot tub and massage rooms.


The Yin Bar with views over the Forbidden City - you can rent the place for special occasion! - the photo was taken in June 2008, when we thought about hosting our farwell party here.


While looking up The Emperor on the www for actual pictures, I found often these two wrong information:
1) The Emperor Hotel is not the first Design Hotel in Beijing. It only opened in summer 2008, long after the Hotel Kapok which is another hipp boutique hotel in the neighbourhood of Old Beijing.
2) The Emperor Hotel is not located inside the Forbidden City


The Emperor
ADDRESS:
33 Qihelou Street
Dongcheng District
100006 Beijing, PR CHINA

ACCOMMODATION:
55 rooms including 9 suites

PRICE RANGE:
about 75 Euro (Superior Room) to 400 Euro (Emperor Suite)

ARCHITECTURE / INTERIOR DESIGN:
Graft Label


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You might also like my post about Hip Hotels in China
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Tuesday 16 June 2009

Obscenely cheap LH airfare from China to Europe



Only on Wednesday and Thursday, June 17 and 18, you can book special online fares with Lufthansa from China to selected 8 destinations in Europe for as low as CNY2,880*.
*Excluding taxes and surcharges.

Isn't this unfair to the people in Europe who want to travel to China and have to pay double of that price with the same airline?

I am not willing to travel with any other airline, I suffer from fear of flying.
Have you read about my experience with Air China?

On the Street ... in Dashanzi, Beijing


Visiting Dashanzi art district with a broken leg ... photo by Beijing Notebook 2007

Monday 15 June 2009

Urban Carpets by Instant Hutong


urban carpets - 8 pieces 180x180 cm - embroidery on canvas

This serie of 8 carpets by Instant Hutong are representing different maps of hutong areas in Beijing with a size of approximately one square kilometre and a population of 30000. Each of them has been isolated and presented as autonomous town within the big city. They are embroidered by hand with the same technique of the propaganda slogans on large fabrics used by the communist party during the seventies. The carpets have been filled with white wire wool insertions.



All along year 2009 the urban carpets will be shown to the Hutong dwellers inside the courtyards and on the public lanes in order to share the project with people and bring it back to the city districts it was inspired from.





The people behind Instant Hutong are the Italian artists Marcella Campa and Stefano Avesani. They are focusing on the urban growth of Chinese cities and their transformation since 2003. In June 2005 they won the international Archiprix prize in Glasgow with a project for the Hutongs in Beijing. In October 2005 they moved to China and started working on the Instant Hutong art project and on a parallel research on contemporary Chinese urban habitat. After studying and working in China and Europe, they established their own architectural practice in Beijing.

(photos and text by Instant Hutong and their portfolio on Behance Network)

On the Street....at 798, Beijing


A big scary bag in Dashanzi (photo 2007).

Wednesday 27 May 2009

Rock Climbing in Ritan Park


Ritan Park is not only one of the most beautiful parks in the heart of Beijing, it offers also adventure in the middle of the city:

Outdoor Touchstone Rock Climbing!

This is the best place for beginners and advanced climbers to go outdoor rock climbing in Beijing. There is a Touchstone Climbing Club called Dianshi that you might want to join for a little fee.

Open: from about end of January to the mid of November, 10am-9:30pm
Ritan Park, near Northeast gate
phone: 138-0105-2361

More info via related links:
China, Asia, Climbing and Fixed Gear Bikes by Ines Brunn
Rock Climbing.com about Ritan Park
cityweekend on rock climbing in Beijing

Make sure to have good equipment !

And this is a good time to introduce you to my new sponsor: Climbing Gear

I am glad to have sponsors - it is not only motivating - it is also a little reward for my time spent on this blog.
Thanks for visiting my sponsor(s) and your reader support.

Photo by Ines Brunn

Tuesday 19 May 2009

better get a .com domain name for China readers ?

Ah, this is really a mess!

Why again?!

I get emails that people even cannot access there blogger accounts anymore to continue blogging, not to speak of all the readers in China that cannot read the blogs anymore ...

I checked my country statistic and it is true: no more hits from mainland China!

Not only the editor and readers, also the sponsors are not amused !

I think it was never that bad since I started blogging. It means even the little tricks to go around the Great Firewall of China do not work anymore!

I also own the domain name BeijingNotebook.com
So far I deemed it not necessary to use it. I was afraid of loosing all comments and get a set-back in the google ranking (which is 4 out of 10 so far).

If the situation is still the same next week, I will set a pointer (have to find out how?!) to allow the use of the '.com' domain name that will then redirect to my blogspot address. Any hints from experts? The best way to do this?
Thanks !
Xie Xie !

Monday 18 May 2009

Made in Beijing: 0813 beach + spa wear

0813 is a beach wear label which was created in Beijing in 2008 by two German fashion designers.

The label's clothing and accessories offer unique combinations inspired by the beach, spa and pool side.

It is offering relaxed easy pieces without missing the right bit of glamour:

Linen dresses and flower printed scarfs, yoga outfits, sleeveless dresses in terry cotton and big beach bags, ....







... hooded jumpers in terry cotton to snuggle up for kids, ...

... fine knitted tops with harem pants, ...

... effortless chic with embroidered tunic blouse, beach towels, wrapped beach skirt... long neck holder dress combined with chunky, silver pendants, pearls and stones, hand knitted hats, trendy handbags...

The two creative ladies, Karin Schneider is a clothing engineer and works all over Asia as quality manager and Ira Walendy is a fashion designer based in Beijing, target with their products the hotel business and its fashion boutiques. The brochure says: supporting your companies corporate identity we will provide you with sophisticated high quality and accessories customized to your requirements.

When you live or stay in Beijing you might choose to contact Ira at ira0813(at)live(dot)com to have a look at the bags or bikini wraps and all the other clothing. Ira also hosts cashmere parties at her home in Lanebridge where you can order custom made sweaters or jackets in your favorite colours, style and size.

Saturday 9 May 2009

A Little Beijing: an anusual guide for unusual travellers


If a visitor to Beijing is walking through its amazing old hutongs (alleys) he might want to buy a postcard of the impressions he had to write home about. Then he or she will look around and realize that there are no decent postcards available (so far) in this (still slightly) communist country. And if it happens that this accidental traveller is a photographer and graphic designer, she might later come up with a creative idea.

Linzy Q., the accidental traveller, is a talented photographer and professional graphic designer based in Singapore. Also she is a passionated postcard writer and likes to discover places by walking, egg. Beijing. So she came up with this simple but beautiful idea of an unusual postcard guide for 7 Beijing walking tours. She made the pictures and styled the cards, published it in Singapore and won a design award. She even blogs about her project that has a modest name: A Little Beijing.


The idea is that the visitor just grabs about 10 postcards per tour and per day that guide him/her to touristic sights along non-touristic hidden gems or vice-versa. The Little Beijing project becomes interactive when users give feed-back on the blog or prove that the postcards have arrived.


The more pictures I see the more I want to own one Little Beijing postcard set myself. You do not necessarily need to write postcards, buy Chinese stamps and send them home (hoping that the postmen don’t like them too much…). You could keep them as souvenirs or stick them into your scratch book.

So far the Little Beijing guide is only available in a few bookstores in Hong Kong and Singapore or online via a little Beijing.

I recommended Linzy to get in contact with shops in Nanluogu Xiang Hutong (near the Drum Tower) in Beijing. They sell unique Beijing souvenirs beside their own branded products. Also the Beijing Bookworm in Sanlitun would be an excellent selling point for this visionary guide. I would guess that the expat crowd will jump on it what makes the perfect gift for birthdays, newcomers, visitors and farewell parties.

A big thanks to Lara Dunston from cooltravelguide who gave me the hint and posted about it here.

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Interview with Linzy Q, the maker of A Little Beijing (via mail) :

BN: Linzy, how did you come up with the tours? Did you walked them by yourself, did you ask friends?

Linzy: I came up with a 7 day guide of places that I’ve been to or stumbled upon that i think is interesting. Back then, I was constantly surprised by new findings. While heading to a place, I’ll find something else along the way.

BN: How many tours do you suggest? Do they have names?

Linzy: Each day is differentiated by a different colour so easier for navigation on the main map. each card is numbered, with the name of the place. egg. 3.07 (http://alittlebeijing.blogspot.com/2008/03/to-ilsy.html) would be the 7th card of day 3, with "Nightlife by the lake" being the title. there are also cards like 6.02 where it's a record of my feelings for a place rather than just a proper write-up introduction.

I see this whole guide as a documentation of my Beijing and by passing this guide on to others, it would become theirs. When they write their thoughts over and send it out, the whole project becomes interactive.


BN: Who is your target group? Chinese and foreigners?

Linzy: adventurous travellers who are looking for more beyond the basic touristy attractions.

BN: Where did you realize your idea? Where is it printed? Singapore?

Linzy: yup, everything was done back here in Singapore.

BN: Are you a graphic designer? Photographer?

Linzy: I'm a graphic designer and photography is my way of remembering things/people/places/events.

BN: Do you collect postcards from where you travel?

Linzy: I do!!! I have this habit of collecting postcards and sending them back to family and friends when I’m travelling.

BN: You plan this for other cities?

Linzy: yup, definitely.

Thanks for the interview and all the best for your project and the ones to come!

(Photo Source: Linzy Q)

Friday 8 May 2009

Directory of 61+ Women English-language China Bloggers

Today I received some traffic from a blog that I have not heard or read about yet: CNReviews.

So, I followed the link and discovered that the two guys behind that blog, Kai lives in Shanghai and Elliott in Silicon Valley, have compiled with some support from others a quiet complete list of female bloggers who write in and about China in English language.

Some blogs are well-know to me. And among those are a few I had no idea that they have female editors! Very interesting list. Thanks for the effort and thanks for including Beijing Notebook!

If you are or know a female blogger in China you can add your/her blog to the list by leaving a comment on the CNR blog.

Monday 16 March 2009

The Chinese Way


China had tried to dissuade Christie's from auctioning the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) bronze rabbit and rat heads sculptures that were part of the art collection of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé. China argued that these sculptures, which were looted from the Summer Palace by Anglo-French allied forces during the Second Opium War in 1860, belong to China.

But the Chinese objection was rejected by the French court. However, Pierre Bergé offered to give back the sculptures to China when China frees Tibet ...

As everybody knows by now: The two relics were auctioned on February 25 for 14 mio. Euro (almost 20 mio USD) EACH (!) to an anonymous telephone bidder in Christie's sale of the collection in Paris.

And, surprise, surprise, the winning bidder is a Chinese man, Mr.Cai Minchao, who has no intention paying for the treasures looted from Beijing.

I thought it is a fun story to demonstrate the Chinese way of making business or politics. Smart and tricky. Beware!

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Related Post: What you need to know when doing business with Chinese

Tuesday 10 March 2009

About Blogging in and about Beijing - featured in that's bj

Recently I was contacted by Craig McIntosh, a writer for That's Beijing magazine, for an interview about girls (and ladies) blogging in China.

The result, a mix of all the answers he had received, can be read in the latest March issue.

My complete answers - more detailed than published - about blogging in and about Beijing can be read here:

* When did you start writing your blog on Beijing and what made you start?

My first post on Beijing Notebook was on December 4, 2006.

I love to be creative and I love to write. But how can you become a freelance contributor when you don’t have studied journalism…. and have no references? So I started my blog, my personal writing playground. Beijing has so much to offer, that I always had several posts on my mind. And my blog posts became my references. Half year later I started to contribute as a freelance writer to That’s Beijing Home (later urbane) and That’s Beijing kids (now Beijing kids). Now, international magazines contact me for articles.


* Is Beijing a good source of inspiration for things to write about? If so, what things in particular?

Of course ! Especially when you come from outside China you see things with different eyes and discover so many exotic places, people and stories almost every day! And when you are blogging you especially pay attention to your surrounding. Even small things you got used to might be interesting to read for someone who has never been in China. Of course you might need to tell a funny frame story around and upload a good photo to make it interesting for readers.

* What's the response been to your blog since you started writing about Beijing/China? Any feedback?

First I was shy and did not tell anybody about my blog. But when working on a post and not getting any reaction in return sooner or later it is not satisfying. You need to do a bit of net-working like in real life to kick your blog off. Now feed backs keep me going. I get them through comments or direct emails. Also to be nominated for a travel blog award – may it be an important award or not – is always encouraging. And when companies start to ask to advertise on your blog it is a sign to be on the right way.

From my statistics I can see that I had record amounts of visitors to my blog before and during the Olympics. People still ask for hip accommodation, shopping tips (mainly antique furniture or design replicas) and sight seeing tours. Or simply: 'Are the lakes still frozen? Is there still snow?'


* Why do you think there has been a rise in the number of women writing blogs in Beijing/China/the world?

My guess: maybe more women are blogging because more girls then boys tent to write diaries? Women like to share information no matter what nationality – and when you look into special subjects like interior design blogs, most of the bloggers are women.

* What does your blog mean to you?

1) It helps me to file information, stories and pictures about Beijing. Instead of having all in different booklets, files or at flickr etc. it is all there, for me, for my friends, for Beijing visitors.

2) I love to be creative. And when I do not paint, I write a post. Maybe one day, I will write a book.

3) I enjoy the blog world. I can help people with trip planning and I can meet fellow bloggers or magazine editors.


* Who is your favourite blogger?

While in Beijing my daily read was Danwei. They translate selected articles from Chinese newspapers, post job offers in the media business and publish fun videos. This blog was featured in China Daily and that’s how I discovered them – a team of American and Chinese bloggers.

* Where are the best blogs?

Good blogs are everywhere. You can find them on the blog roll of your favourite blog or even in the print media in an article of your interest.

New blogs get started daily in blog land. And also good blogs might stop running due to personal issues (e.g. new job, sick child, lack of time, moving away etc.)

***

My insights learned by blogging:

In general, when you criticize something or even a company in the Internet, I think, you should be very careful because it can be read world wide and it might stay in the World Wide Web forever. And also it can hit back to you when you don’t have researched a post enough. Your readers won’t come back if you are not credible.

Also the readers don’t come back if you don’t post regularly. Best is to post about 3 times a week. Then you can attract regular readers. If I do not post anything new, you loose your readers. This is the pressure you might feel as a serious blogger.

On the other hand, if your blog gets nominated for an award or is mentioned in the press, the ranking is improving, you feel kind of obliged to continue.

That’s why I can’t stop blogging on Beijing Notebook although I have moved. This blog is still fun and Beijing is still on my mind. And I plan to visit soon again!

My proposal for the PR Department of the Chinese Government:

As the Chinese government wants to spend millions of yuan for image advertising abroad to make Western media to write positive about a better China, its PR Department should think of sponsoring bloggers who enjoy China and share their experiences. I would not mind to get an invitation to Beijing to write a story about some special subjects! (Contact: writing.suzie(at)yahoo(dot)com)

links:
www.thats-bj.com
www.that's bj.com - media - www world women web

Thursday 26 February 2009

Greenpeace China campaign starts with concert in Beijing



Today, I received this email (below) and would like to support the Greenpeace China campaign by publishing this post because we have 10 months to convince world governments, including Beijing, that they need to make a strong plan to stop climate change at a key UN meeting in Copenhagen in December.

The kick-off concert in Beijing is this Saturday, Feb. 28 at 8pm at the Mao Livehouse, 111 Gulou Dongdajie.

Hi Suzie,

I’m dropping you a line because I came across your blog and really liked it, and I wondered if you would help publicise my event in Beijing ?

It is a huge event going on in Beijing this Saturday night in support of Greenpeace China .

I’ve attached a document containing information on all the acts playing, and here are two news stories in Chinese and English with information about what the show is about and how to get 20% entry off:

Greenpeace China Climate Concert
Chinese Version: Greenpeace China Climate Concert

If you could help publicise this, it would be much appreciated
Kind regards,

Natan Doron
Greenpeace China

Tuesday 24 February 2009

Sexy Beijing: Migrant workers interviewed by Su Fei



Sexy Beijing TV is back !
Su Fei interviews Beijing's migrant workers about their relationship issues. The first part seems to be shot in Sanlitun.

Migrant workers life is tough. It is so different from what Westerners are used to, but also from what are most Chinese living in Beijing are used to. Migrant workers often are separated from their families. Only once a year they can afford to go back home. Most of the time they are not paid on a monthly base, only when the work is finished. They have no money to go out, or at least not enough to invite a woman for a date. Migrant workers sleep all together in containers, about 8 guys in a room (according to the interview). There is no room for dreams. They need to feed themselves first before wanting for some more. No wonder that good cooking quality is more important then good looks when one guy was asked about his choice of a woman!

When I cycled through Beijing I shyly took some pictures from some same shy migrant workers. Sanlitun was probably the place in Beijing where the poor and the rich world met most awkwardly.

Friday 6 February 2009

urbane magazine: another one bites the dust


gone !
... for now
I hope they will be back. urbane (former That's Beijing Home) was my favorite magazine in Beijing, together with The Beijinger (former That's Beijing).

Read the full story from Michael Wester, general manager of True Run Media/Immersion Media:
http://www.thebeijinger.com/blog/2008/11/28/Au-Revoir-Urbane-for-now

The picture shows the cover of the December 2008 issue, the last issue of urbane.

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Click on the label urbane magazine and / or read (below) my articles for 'urbane China'.

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