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.)

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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

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

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.

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'.

About the Year of the Ox and its Babies

Happy New Year of the Ox !

2009, the Year of the Earth OX started January 26, 2009 and ends on February 13, 2010.


What to expect from the YEAR 2009:

This OX year will bring stability and growth where patience and diligence pays off.

This is a year of Harvest (EARTH ox) - when we reap what we have sown. Take care of business this year, do not let things slide.

The SIGN of the Ox in general:

The Ox is thought to be the sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work. The Ox is a power sign, like the Rat, Snake, Dragon, Tiger, and Monkey. It is the 2nd sign in the Chinese Zodiac of 12 animals.

Attributes of PEOPLE born in the year of the OX:

People born in the sign of the OX are said to be stable, strong, dutiful, reliable, tenacious, practical, industrious, determined, honest, loyal, sincere, persevering and down to earth and tolerant. They can sometimes be lonely but they form firm bonds with home and family. The OX people cherish their private lives and are not usually very adventurous. They know the way to succeed is by a slow, steady, sustained effort. OX people are great traditionalists, they like the familiar.

However there are a few negative traits associated with the character of the ox that also is reflected through the people born in the OX years. Attributes like being materialistic, narrow minded, stubborn, with low public relations skills and also very far from being emotional are generally associated with people born in this year.

What to expect from BABIES to be born this year:

This child will NOT be a cry baby. It is unusually tough and can endure hardship. A rugged individualist, it tends to begin speaking late and would rather settle arguments with its fists. Stubborn and unyielding, it can turn the house upside down when he puts his mind to it. She or he is not the fussy type but will be adamant about the few concessions she/he demands. One of them will be privacy.

She/he won't resent discipline and in fact will welcome your fixing a schedule for her/him. The ox baby may insist on having its meals served at the same time each day but it will not be particular about food. It thrives on regularity; knowing where everything is and what is expected of him will give him a sense of security. A girl born under this sign will go for order and neatness at home.

The Ox youngster enjoys taking charge when mother or teacher is away and is stern and unsympathetic to offenders. She/he can and usually will give you an unbiased opinion, as he/she is not easily influenced or taken in by flattery. Instead of bribing or begging her/him to do something unpleasant, it will be more effective to simply tell them, "It is an order!" It is not argumentative by nature but you must gain its respect before it will obey you.

The ox child relishes teaching younger children and will show remarkable patience and perseverance in waiting for what it wants. Being the strong, silent type, it may not readily reveal his feelings. It can be deeply hurt and no one may even suspect it, because the Ox child is a very private person. Although it may put up a blunt, strong-willed and loyal front, the Ox is terribly naive about the realities of life. It needs to be protected in this respect and it will rely heavily on moral support from its parents, teachers and family.

At school, the ox child may be an exemplary student as he is not one to lock horns with the authorities. His serious and no-nonsense outlook on life makes him avoid joking or clowning around. He should be encouraged to express his emotions and develop his sense of humor.

Above all, he will be reliable and responsible. He will win the respect of his elders as well as his peers. The Ox child will be an outstanding example of both an excellent leader and follower and perform his duties well.

Source: http://www.theholidayspot.com/chinese_new_year/more_zodiacs/ox.htm


FAMOUS People Born in The Year of the Ox:

Johann Sebastian Bach, Shirley Bassey, Kate Beckinsale, Napoleon Bonaparte, Charlie Chaplin, George Clooney, Bill Cosby, Oscar De La Hoya, Walt Disney, Moctesuma Esparza, Jane Fonda, Clark Gable, Jorge Garcia, Nomar Garciaparra, Richard Gere, Whoopi Goldberg, George Frideric Handel, Adolf Hitler, Dustin Hoffman, Anthony Hopkins, Rock Hudson, Saddam Hussein, Keira Knightley, Kate Moss, Eddie Murphy, Paul Newman, Jack Nicholson, Richard Nixon, Barack Obama, Pablo Picasso, Princess Diana, Robert Redford, Meg Ryan, Peter Sellers, Bruce Springsteen, Meryl Streep, Margaret Thatcher, Vincent Van Gogh and Sigourney Weaver are some of the well known people who were born in the Year of the Ox.

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It was fun to collect these sort of info / horoscopes from the web. My sources and more to be found here:
http://www.123chinesenewyear.com/new-year-of-ox/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_zodiac
http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/2009.htm
http://www.theholidayspot.com/chinese_new_year/more_zodiacs/ox.htm