What’s Up Everyone?
From a relaxing seven days during Chinese New Year to a stressful seven straight days of working, I was so looking forward for the weekend to relax and unwind. Why do the Chinese government like to torture their employees by working on a weekend and seven days straight? I must be getting older if I can’t make myself work without a break for at least a whole week.
In any case, between my last post to this post, I might as well note down what’s been happening with me as a way of releasing tension.
It’s “Glee” time!
After reading my sister’s post about this new TV series in the US, I decided to download all thirteen episodes during the Chinese New Year holiday. The story setting is in a typical American high school with cheerleaders and football players as part of the popular group. A young, Spanish teacher decided to relieve his high school days by revamping the almost gone high school glee club.
Claudine’s Major Expenses in 2009
When my brother blogged about his major purchases in 2009, I was thinking of writing one but instead of purchases a mixed of purchase and expense. I’m already dreading the final total as I know I spent a big chunk of my savings. My travelling alone is like my combined annual food, rent and miscellaneous expense.
So.. let’s see who’s the culprit last year and maybe I’d learn how to minimize it this year. As they say, if you don’t try to learn where your money went, you wouldn’t know how to save and budget.
1. Canon Ixus 970is (USD 406 or RMB 2780)
As I was getting sick and tired of my Olympus digital camera which drains battery faster than it can shoot, I wanted to buy my very own Canon digital camera. My cousins and friends have used this brand for quite some time and were quite satisfied with the shots they’ve taken and the camera itself.
At first, I was contemplating of purchasing a SLR but I don’t know how to operate one. The only one I know how to operate is my friend’s Nikon D50. I hate SLRs because it’s big and bulky and not friendly to put in your pocket. I would admit though the picture quality is much better than a point and shoot.
Another reason why I want to purchase a new digital camera is I’m going on my first ever trip to my ancestral hometown in China. So, with the help of the web and my friends, I visited several reputable shops in Beijing to find my perfect camera. I was able to buy one at Carrefour for a discounted price as it was near Chinese New Year.
Decisions.. Decisions..
It’s already February and I have yet to sit down and make my new year’s resolution list. Well.. I can always say it’s my Chinese New Year’s resolution list.. 
In any case, I need to think about what to learn to improve myself this year. Should it be geared towards my career, life, or a new hobby? Maybe you could help me decide as I can’t decide from several things I’m currently considering.
Chinese Language
Having lived in China for 6-1/2 years, one might say that I should be fluent with the language. However, this is not the case as I cannot even watch a movie or speak to a person on the phone.
Learning by myself is out of question as I don’t have the patience to do so. I thrive in competition that I learn more in a classroom setting than real life. If ever I want to push through with this goal. I need to set aside at least two hours, three times a week to achieve this goal. Cost for this class would roughly be RMB 2000 every month. I would love to take an exam and get a certificate saying what level I’m already in.
Claudine in 2009
2009 is just another chapter of my book called life and I’d like to share with you what happened throughout the year. It may not be as exciting as what others have but I thank God for everything that happened.
January – Family
I started the year with a bad bout of cold and cough. I remember trying to barely keep myself awake to toast the new year. Good thing though, I spent it with my second family here in Beijing, the Camposagrado’s. I met the Camposagrado family through Marco and bowling. They’re a loving family who keep me grounded here in this mad world that I’m living.
This month also brought me to my ancestral home of Fujian. It’s my first visit and I didn’t know what to expect. As my family was never that into the Chinese New Year tradition, I don’t really know what to expect. One thing I know is to be equipped with lots of red envelope. It was quite a different Chinese New Year for me. My direct relatives were warm, accommodating and attentive. They were too attentive that I can’t seem to go around the place by myself. I feel like a kid who’s out in the big world for the first time. One thing I’m sure, I don’t want to go back there unless I’m staying at a hotel and no worries of somebody looking over my shoulder.
February – Love
I was in love or I thought I were. Every year at work, I saw my colleagues get flowers during Valentines Day. If your boyfriend gives you one rose, it means “You’re the Only ONE”. If he gives you three roses, it means “He Loves You”. However, if he gives you ninety-nine roses, it means “He loves you forever”. Well.. Valentines came and gone but I didn’t receive any rose nor went out to any date. I’m a romantic but somehow the person that I was going out with wasn’t romantic at all. Hmm.. maybe I’m setting my standards too high.
Merry Christmas!
To all my wonderful readers, friends, family and relatives, thanks for all your support and patronage with my blog. I know I’ve been lazy with posting but I’ll try to be more active in the coming year.
I hope you guys are all ok. It’s work as usual here in windy Beijing!
Winter is here!
Well.. it seems like winter is here to stay. We already had our first snowfall last 1 November 2009 and the weather bureau is forecasting snow again on Tuesday. Cool! I’ve never experienced two snowfall in a month. I hope it would be as pretty as the first one. Then I’ll post more photos. Downside though, the heating’s not working full time yet. I mean, the bathroom and kitchen’s heaters are already working but our bedrooms our freezing. I’m glad my boss lent me her portable heater to warm my bedroom.
So, how does one keep themselves warm in this cold winter night? Here are some tips to ward of the cold.
1. Dress smart and warmly.
- When you ask the old people, they will say you better cover your head, neck, hands and feet as they’re the ones more susceptible to cold and will really make you feel cold.
- Wear cotton clothes as they’re not only good for warm weather but also for cold weather
- Wear thermal underwear and make sure that it’s long enough to cover the necessary places.
- Wear woolen socks. Good for sleeping.
- Don’t wear jeans as they absorb water and don’t wear rubber shoes with aerosoles.