Last days in Beijing

It's hard to believe that we're wrapping up our time here in Beijing. Will finished school and I had my last day of work here just last week. While Will is still pretty hard at work doing dissertation stuff we're both getting to enjoy some more leisure time (I guess me a bit more!) and trying to see all of our favorite spots, markets and of course friends.

My colleagues threw a little going away party for my last day of work. We went to a Japanese restaurant and ate food, drank beer and played the video game, Wii. I had to give a little speech on why I'm leaving and what I'll miss most about the office. Of course I said the people. I will miss many of my colleagues here - they made my days interesting! After my speech there was kind of a Q&A/roast session and one colleague (actually my cube mate) said that she knew she would like me because the first day of work she told me that she liked my eyes - she said they were so big and more beautiful than her own. She said she wanted eyes like mine. I told her that hers were more beautiful and that I liked hers better. After that I guess we bonded and I had a friend. I had more interesting conversations after that day with my colleagues, some work-related of course, but the more interesting ones about life in the U.S. and in China. I think I'll look back at my work experience here very fondly and smile when I think of the laughs I shared with my colleagues.













Once work ended I became an official tourist once again in Beijing! I've been shopping at all our favorite markets and practicing my bartering skills. I've also taken a few cooking classes so you will all be able to enjoy my Chinese cooking soon!

I learned how to make longevity noodles. It's very hard actually. Our teacher made it look very easy but he has been practicing for years. We also went to a dinner at our friend's new cooking school where I got to practice my dumpling making skills. Again, the Chinese chefs make it look very easy but I think getting them to look nice is very hard!























Other than working and playing we're getting ready for our trip and are starting to pack up our apartment. I can't believe how quickly the time has flown by. I think it was Noreen who emailed me that experiences like this at first seem like they will last so long, too long almost, and then at the end it's like they went by too quick. I think that's very true.

Will's Family in Beijing!

How the time has flown by! Our final guests in Beijing - Will's parents and cousin Eva - came for a visit in the beginning of June. It was a lot of fun showing them around Beijing and sharing some of our favorite spots. They also traveled to Xian to see the terracotta warriors, and then spent the rest of their time soaking up all the sights and sounds of Beijing. Here are some pictures from their trip!











shopping at Panjiayuan market










eating Yunnan food at one of our favorite courtyard restaurants











Climbing the Great Wall at Mutianyu











we also discovered a great neighborhood filled with tons and tons of shops selling all the tea you could ever imagine! we learned how to drink and appreciate the fine qualities and benefits of Chinese tea.

Mike's Guest Post!

Melissa and I arrived in Beijing on Monday, May 12. We flew through Toronto, where we discovered the difference between Americans and Canadians--they call a Bloody Mary a "Caesar." Air Canada's TVs with movie choices at each seat made the 13-hour flight bearable, and before we knew it, we were in China. After we landed, Jen informed us that Beijing had just experienced an earthquake. She had thought she was having a dizzy spell in her office, on the upper floor of a high rise, when someone yelled earthquake. We would soon learn that the earthquake was far more significant south of Beijing. Chinese media covered the quake extensively, and we followed the news on nytimes.com.

The main purpose of our trip was to see Jen and Will, with the added bonus of seeing China. Seeing Jen and Will was wonderful. We were impressed by how well they have made their way in Beijing. Will's Chinese is amazing, and Jen's ability to maneuver without knowing the language is equally amazing. That said, she knows more than just a few words and is able to communicate just enough with cab drivers, waitresses, and merchants. Watching Jen barter for souvenir silk bathrobes, t-shirts, or miniature buddhas was one of the highlights of the trip.

Beijing has everything you would want in a city to visit, or to live in for a year. There is always a new street to discover, a new bar to go to, another sight to see. Melissa and I explored the Forbidden City, and later sat at a nearby rooftop bar with Jen and Will, having drinks overlooking the Forbidden City's rooftops at night.

Jen joined Melissa and I for an incredible 4-hour hike along the Great Wall. Imagine hiking through some of the most beautiful mountains you've ever seen, combined with passing through guard houses that evoke childhood fantasies about exploring castles, with the fact that you are walking on a centuries-old wall built to keep the Mongols out--that's hiking the Great Wall.

From the Peking Duck and Dumplings to Guinness at an Irish Pub, and from seeing the Temple of Heaven to seeing the Olympic stadium, we had a great time. Best of all, we loved seeing Jen and Will, where they live, and how well they have done in Beijing.

A little dose of home

I know it’s been quite some time since my last post – but who has time to write when you have all your favorite people visiting? We have been busy enjoying time with our guests, including my Mom and Mark, Ryan, and most recently Mike and Melissa. And Will’s parents arrive in Beijing tonight – so look for some more pictures from their trip soon!

I worry sometimes that I’ll forget all the little moments of this year, at times it certainly feels surreal. Having our friends and fam here has made it seem even more real – we were able to make some great stories – Cheng-deh!, and even more vivid memories - the hike from Jinshanling to Simatai , the tobogan run down from Mutianyu...and of course get a few laughs in along the way. For people to get a chance to see our little corner of the world here in Beijing has been wonderful – from the everyday life, the challenges and the benefits of being a foreigner, and of course the amazing sights.

It’s been so special to share our lives here but even more special to just get a chance to hang out with the people we miss so much! And while we wish of course everyone could make a visit over here, now you’ll have the chance to hear even more great stories and perspectives on life in Beijing and traveling in China!

So here are a few highlights and pics from our visitors!

Mom & Mark

When my Mom and Mark were here I was lucky to take a few days off – we saw the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall and enjoyed many yummy dinners ranging from pizza at our local expat hangout, to amazing Peking duck. Mom and Mark then went on to Xian to see the terracotta warriors, then to Shanghai and Hong Kong! Of course they liked Beijing the best!

Great Wall at Mutianyu

Ming Tombs

enjoying a beer at The Tree

And then Ryan visited!

When Ryan was visiting we made an overnight trip to Chengde, which should be just about a 2 hour drive North from Beijing. As we learned, if you take the bus it’s about 5. Chengde was great – but it was the laughs with Ryan and Will that made it. I learned a few lessons on that trip including to add a little time cushion to bus rides in China (and perhaps bring a cushion in case you need to sit on the floor), avoid the boiling tripe if you can, always bring an umbrella, and sometimes if you go running through the rain you’ll find an amazing, massive Buddha at the end making it all worthwhile:)

Behai Park in Beijing

Ryan and Will building at the Great Wall at

And then to Chengde!

The Mountain Resort

Puning temple

I also learned that Will has a unique sense of hiking attire….yes…this is the man I am going to marry!

And then Mike and Melissa arrived!

Here are a few pics - but Mike wrote his own post for their visit - check it out below!

hike from Jinshanling to Simatai

drinks at Face Bar

and Tsingdao at the Rickshaw!

Recharge in Malaysia!

We just got back from a little "springbreak" getaway to Malaysia - it was just what we needed - fresh air, sunshine, and most of all a little R&R....

Before heading to our tropical getaway of Kota Kinabalu, we made a pit stop in Kuala Lumpur. First I have to say the airport is definitely one of the nicest I've ever been in. We stayed in the airport hotel and felt like we were in the rainforest....not your sterile, cookie-cutter layover.

In KL we enjoyed the diverse scenes, people and cuisine - including roti canai (see the chef making this and me enjoying it below), as well as rendang curry and teh tarik, which is like a sweet chai tea (the tea is made frothy using a special pouring technique from a hand held high into a container held in a hand below.)

This is a picture of a spice market we stumbled upon.

We toured around KL and saw the famous Petronas Towers and the old railway station. We also went to a beautiful orchid garden. Everything was so lush and green!

Then it was on to Kota Kinabalu! KK is the capital of Sabah, located on the island of Borneo. KK is famous for its beautiful beaches, Mount Kinabalu, and good diving. We mostly enjoyed the beautiful beaches and the amazing views!

Here's a picture of me in our hotel room - you can tell that I hated it:)

Here's the view from our room, just amazing!

We enjoyed our evenings watching the sunset....

We also went to a local market where Will got his coconut milk fix...and we chatted with some of the vendors and checked out some of their specialities.

Here's a picture of us in the lobby of our resort....

enjoying dinner.....

Here is our last sunset in Malaysia from the airport!

Western Mass Does Beijing

Five friends from a little town in Western Mass, spread in different cities across the U.S...across the world...end up in Beijing, China for a little vacation....who would of thought?

If someone were to ask us at Anne T. Dunphy, oh say 10-15 years ago, do you think you'll ever climb the Great Wall of China, visit the Forbidden City, stroll around Beijing, China with the same girls you play at recess with....eventually went to prom with, graduated with, grew up during college with...hmm, what would we have answered? The world certainly seemed a lot bigger then, or maybe it was smaller. In any case - we may be older, we may live in far away places, but some things never change...we are Western Mass girls at heart and when we get together, in whatever city, we can't help but have fun...

Here are a few pics...enjoy!

...Checking out the Lama Temple

About to enjoy some Peking duck!











A little good fortune










More yummy dinners and laughs....

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

We enjoyed a pint of Guinness tonight at our local Irish pub in celebration of St. Patrick's Day! May the 'luck of the Irish' be with you today -- and may you enjoy a few pints of Guinness as well!