Weekend Update: Nan Luo Gu Xiang ( 南锣鼓巷）

I'VE BEEN HERE FOR A WEEK! and 3 days haha.

I've survived the first week of training and have about 4 more days of training then the kids arrive on Sunday! Since we had the weekend off, I decided to meet up with mohos! Songqiao is in Beijing so we met up around her hood--Nan luo gu xiang! Saturday decided to pour so it was nice because it wasn't as crowded because people are scared of rain here! Like huddle at the train station exit to wait for the rain to stop. An '08 moho was in Beijing too so we all went to eat at a Japanese place where we had to wait for 6 other tables to leave before we could be seated. While waiting, we went next door to Irresistible Cafe where we met the cutest puppy and cats! We ordered our drinks, chatted then finally got the call to go to the restaurant.

The place was called Suzuki Kitchen--I ordered the set meal of pork cutlet curry while Songqiao had the beef hotpot which was banging!

After food, we went to Songqiao's place and she lives conveniently in the hutongs! So jealous she has roof access around that area, I'd never leave the house if that was the case. She had some errands to run so I passed out for a nap haha

Nap-time passed and we headed towards Galaxy SoHo where the 2nd Craft Beer Festival was happening. We really wanted the taco there but by the time we arrived they were closing but we scored some last min free tacos! (It would have cost 40 rmb) After some tacos, we headed toward the beers and of course more food.

 

 

After a taster of beers and food, we headed to San Li Tun'r for some Mexican Food at Cantina Agave.

CPR/First Aid Training as well as visiting the Dandelion School for migrant children

Where do I even begin?!

The day before we started our journey early in the morning to the main subway station Liang ma qiao to take different subways to the outskirts of Beijing to take a bus to an even further location to walk to the school--Dandelion School.

The dandelion school is not a very interesting concept but the social implementation of the school itself. This is a middle school for migrant children. This is the ONLY school (as of right now) recognized by the Beijing government as an official migrant school. It's also a NGO school whose mission is to give a chance to these children and give them a nurturing environment to be who they want to be.

The migrant issue in China has been a big issue especially since it's such an influx population as each year passes on. The government also has discriminatory laws against migrants which makes the gap between the 'natives' and 'immigrants' bigger in the eyes of the government. 

Being at the school and having the opportunity to see and interact with these children makes me believe in so much more can happen if we just believe. If we just believe in an ultimate goal or idea, things can happen. The school had such a vibrant aura around the community and it just brings a warm feeling to your heart. They had a great open space as a school, a community and family. It was a great honor to be able to be part of something like that...We will be back at the school again when our scholars (our group of kids) arrive and spend a weekend at the school interacting with these children.

 

The mural at the school the kids painted! 

We tend to forget how good we have it because we never really escape the thing we call our life. We are too busy with our heads in our ass ( for lack of a better word) to even realize that are those who are less fortunate than ourselves, who can't even complain or even have an opportunity to complain because they are too busy trying to better themselves and live whatever life they can.



Check out the school's website if you want to learn more:

http://www.dandelionschool.org/a/ENGLISH/list_85_1.html


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On a different note....Today I had CPR and First Aid Training all day at Beijing United Hospital around my living quarters. It was such a long day, but I can finally say I can sorta, kinda, give CPR if needed! Sounds so convincing right? lol

 

I know how to tie an arm sling! 

  

certified until 2015!  

Back to Beijing once again!

I am thoroughly exhausted right now... I just came back from a staff retreat camping weekend at Huang hua cheng section of the Great Wall (also known as 水长城 Shui chang cheng).


It was a great experience and bonding session since we just started working together and will be together for the summer. We left Saturday morning early to take the shuttle up to the Great Wall. Once we made our way to the entrance, we hiked up to the camping site with our backpacks filled with food, supplies and tents.
This was my first time actually camping--like woods, bugs and pitching tent status! It was very exciting to learn about that and do all the outdoorsy things that came along with that...

We decided to wake up early to catch the sunrise today, but sadly due to the mountains we weren't able to watch the actual sunrise. It just kept getting brighter and brighter. While people went back to sleep, I decided to take that time to walk around the area and take photos. I climbed onto sections of the wall that said 'no climbing' but there was no one around so I did it. It was worth it because it was gorgeous!
Having that serenity around you just allows you to be so content with where you are in life. It also makes you wonder about the structure that was built so long ago and yet it still stands somewhat intact. All the effort, blood and sweat to build each and every brick.

I didn't climb all the way to the top where the towers were because 1. I'm scared of heights and also 2. I still respect part of the sign lol Even though I didn't go all the way, I definitely pushed my comfort zone and attempted the climb half way. The satisfaction of getting the view all to myself was worth it enough.


After the morning climb/stroll, went back to sleep for another hour before waking up to make pancakes with the rest of the team while it decided to rain. We had a tarp thankfully set-up last night so we weren't soaked when it poured around us.

After breakfast, we had to get ready to head back down to return to our retrospective homes. It feels so good to shower again! No lie, I am so sore right now from the hike, climbing, walking, and backpacking portion of the trip... I sound like a wimp lol

I have tomorrow off, so I hope to take that chance to sleep in and explore the city again. Wish me luck! I really hope I don't get lost because that would suck.

Leaving..again to Asia!

Been a while since I've update this blog...about 7 months or so from my South East Asia tour (Thailand/Singapore/Malaysia).

After working a day job (receptionist gig) for half a year, it is time to leave the city again and head East towards China this time around. It has been about 3 or so years since I've been back to Beijing! Last time I was there, I was still in college!!

I'm really excited and nervous to join the J! team in Beijing as a Summer Program Facilitator and meet the great group of kids joining us this summer!

Hopefully I can by-pass the great firewall of China and update this blog when I have free time!

--off to get my visa and pack my summer life away!