Memoirs of Beijing

Five more days to go and it’s Christmas!  One of the most important holidays for me but somehow I don’t feel like it’s Christmas.  When everyone is looking forward to it.  For me, it means more work.  My bosses are away on a holiday but they’ve piled a list of things for me to do.  Oh well.. 

Christmas came early for me as my brother and sister-in-law came for a visit.  We went to Datong and some of the Beijing sites.  Of course!  It’s freezing but that’s winter.  Hehehe!  I’m hoping for a white Christmas but it’s not going to happen.  My friend from the Philippine Embassy even jokingly said that maybe they should write to the Chinese government and respectfully asked for snow on Christmas eve.  Hehehe..

Our building had a Christmas tree lighting ceremony but it flopped big time as they only served mulled wine which majority of the people we gave it to didn’t like. 

Christmas lights are already out in most building but the spirit of Christmas isn’t there.  Christmas made me miss home with all the light and Christmas carols.  It made me miss my family even without a lavish feast but just being together and greeting each other “Merry Christmas”. 

It’s been quite some time since our family as a whole celebrated Christmas.  Last time it happened was in 2006, the month my brother married.  This would also be the first Christmas that Lola Meling won’t be joining us.  (Miss you lola!)

Well.. I better stop this rambling… but to everyone.  I hope you have a better Christmas than I do!

Photo ain’t mine.  got it in the web!

November 11 is dubbed as Singles Day in China.  I’ve been here in China for 6 years but I’ve never experienced this day before or maybe I’m not just aware of it.  My colleague received a Chinese message from the telecom company advertising all the events that’s connected to this day.

Apparently they all moved the events in the weekend as nobody usually goes out in the cold and in the middle of the week.  Well.. being single is good and bad.  Good in the sense that you don’t have to answer to anyone except yourself and you can do whatever you want within reason.  Bad in the sense that there are times wherein you feel lonely.

So, what’s significant with Singles Day?  I don’t really know.  I just know it’s one of the numerous working holidays that China has.  :)  

Happy Singles Day everyone!  Oh yeah!  Happy Veteran’s Day as well in the US.

On my previous blog, I’ve written ten things I hate about China.  Just like in any thing we shouldn’t just look at the bad in things but the good as well.  As such, here are things I love about China.

1.  Low Utility Fees - the government control the utility fees and for the past 3 years I’ve been in Beijing, I spend roughly 50 rmb for Electricity each month.  Water fee is also minimal and we don’t have any restrictions on how much you use.  I know I know.. I should conserve water which I do.

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Having lived here for almost 5 years. You get used to all the quirks and cultural differences that the Chinese have. However, there are still things which you cannot stand and here are the top ten things I hate about China.

1. Smoking - I’m a non-smoker and I can’t stand people smoke around me. In China, people don’t care if you hate smoking or not. I hope I don’t get diseases related to second-hand smoking.

2. Spitting - You walk around the city and every few meters or so, you’ll see saliva. It’s even gross to see it freeze on the floor when it’s winter. It’s not just spitting that’s so gross but the sound they make before they spit. Eww.. gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. BTW.. there’s a fine of RMB 50 IF they catch you spitting. That’s a major IF.

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