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Harlem Globetrotters at Hua Xin Hospital

28 Apr

Volunteering as Magic Hospital’s Playtime Coordinator has proved to be a truly rewarding experience time and time again.  Yesterday’s Playtime visit to Hua Xin Hospital with the Harlem Globetrotters was no exception.  In fact, it was utterly unforgettable!

I am so thankful to the Harlem Globetrotters for partnering with our organization to bring ear to ear grins to the faces of these sick little ones.  While I was familiar with their basketball skills, I had no idea just how amazing they would be with the children.  It was a blessing to watch, and I am just grateful to have played a small part.

Spinning the ball like a B-ball superstar! What better way to prep for his upcoming heart surgery?

Measuring in at 7 Feet 8 Inches, "Tiny" as they call him towers over everyone. He is certainly someone to look up to!

On behalf of Magic Hospital, I would like to thank the Harlem Globetrotters and the wonderful staff at Hua Xin Hospital for making this magical day possible!

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NYC BOUND!

6 Apr

Cue the music because — We are COMING TO AMERICA!  The city that never sleeps to be specific.  Farewell Beijing (well…for 10 days or so).

I am so excited to SEE, EAT, BUY or DO the following:

1. Blue Sky (sans loads of smog)

2. Cafe Habana Corn

3. Visiting with old friends & family

4. Pink Berry (there is just something a little funky about Chinese frozen yoghurt…Although, I can’t put my finger on it)

5. Buy smalls and mediums (trying to fit my non-chinese caboose usually involves buying XL over here)

6.  Easter Brunch in a land that celebrates the true meaning of Easter!  (That would be our risen Lord, not bottomless bubbly – although there is no harm in that.)

7.  Magnolia Cupcakes, any legitimate NY cheesecake, and Crumbs Black & White cookies  (a pretty even tie…and the reason that I may have to buy XLs after all)

8.  Chop’t salads

9.  Window shopping (the concept really doesn’t exist over here – unless you consider getting mobbed every 5 seconds with relentless offers such as, “Hey lady, I give you good price!” to be the same as cruising in Nolita or up Madison Ave).  Personally – I do not.  Although…don’t get me wrong, I do love to bargain at the markets…but you just can’t beat strolling the city streets in the fresh spring air.

10. Happy Hour at the Carlyle – Bemelmans Bar to be exact. Our special spot!

11. Duane Reade…I am allotting at least a 2-hour window to peruse their glorious shelves.  The Easter candy and card aisles alone will keep me entertained for quite a while.

12. Weekend get-away to the Hampton’s – it will still be chilly…but seeing the ocean and snuggling by the fire with my husband is a MUST!

13.  Being on the same time zone with my mom and the twins

14.  Uncensored news (although I must admit, I have enjoyed not being bombarded with campaign nonsense!)

15.  Zero calorie, orange flavored vitamin water (it’s the small things in life…)

16. Toothpaste that doesn’t taste like lavender

17.  High speed internet

18.  MAGAZINES!!!!

19.  Yankees game!

20.  Vintage Shopping (though the Chinese have a far older and more intricate history than the USA…they have nothing on our vintage fashion)

AND…too many other wonderful things to mention!

My big Beijing blues – they are melting away….
I’m gonna make a brand new start of it  – in old New York
If I can make it there – I’ll make it anywhere
It’s up to you – New York…New York!

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Ice Fishing???

24 Feb

Only in China can you find two men “ice fishing”, on a Wednesday afternoon in below freezing temperatures from a shallow, trash-filled stream in the middle of Beijing.  With cold fingers and a red nose, I watched them for quite some time.  Unfortunately – but not surprising at all…there was no catch of the day!  Love the dedication, Zhong Guo Nan Ren!

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Only in China: JAMMED!

21 Feb

While it was certainly not the first “JAM” I have spotted in China, it was one of the more intense.  It is also Reason Number 486:  Why I will not be driving a motor bike anytime soon.  Reasons 1 through 485….I am a terrible driver.  Period.

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A Portrait of China – REVEALED!

5 Feb

For some reason this post never actually POSTED! Sorry for the delay…

The one thing that I have not seen in almost 2 1/2 years of living in China is…

 Chinese People Making Out!

Congratulations!  Over 47% of you got it right!

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A Portrait of China

16 Jan

I recently saw this painting in a restaurant here in Beijing.  Of all the chaos happening in this picture, can you guess which item or action I haven’t seen yet with my own two eyes???

Answer coming soon….

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China Daily – Are you kidding me?

29 Dec

In every issue of China Daily (the English paper here in Red China) there is a column entitled Language Tips.  I typically find it quite useful.  For example in the Better Chinese section of the column today, I learned how to say, “Don’t speak ill of others” (don’t we all need this reminder from time to time) and “Think before you speak.”   I think we can all agree that these are common helpful phrases.

It was actually today’s Better English section that threw me for a loop. It is seriously one of the oddest passages that I have read since moving to China (and that is saying a lot!).  I mean – of all of the buzzwords they could select…they picked this one.   Plus, they described it in such a Debby Downer way.   There is no doubt in my mind that there has been a rise in educated and talented women who choose to live life as they please – but is this really how it needed to be explained to non-native English speakers?

Excerpt from today’s China Daily (12.29.11)

LANGUAGE TIPS:  BETTER ENGLISH

Freemale

A freemale is a woman who opts for a single life, valuing friendships rather than pursuing extended romantic relationships.  Some freemales also choose to live childfree, choosing not to have children for a variety of reasons, while others decide to become single mothers.

There are a variety of reasons to choose to live as a single woman, including a desire for an unencumbered lifestyle, the rising divorce rate and an inclination for asexuality.  The freemale demographic is very intriguing from a real estate perspective.  Single women are putting pressure on housing markets to provide homes that are comfortable for single women living alone.

 

I mean is there truly “an inclination for asexuality”.  I find this hilarious.  Please send me your thoughts…

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My MTV Style Bit Moment

13 Oct

I briefly mentioned that I was interviewed by MTV China in my write-up about the 125 years of Bvlgari celebration at the National Museum of  China. Here is the finished clip that recently aired.  My part is split into 2 sections.  That said, we (Brett is in it too!) don’t show up until minute 3 – so for my non-chinese speaking readers…you may want to skip ahead (although the jewelry shown in the first 3 minutes is stunning!)

I have to tell you that the funniest thing about the interview was that the MTV producer on site told me how brave I was for revealing my age.  What?  When did it become brave to say you are 30?  I thought it was supposed to be the new 18 or something…

And by the way – since it taped, I turned 31 – and I am loving it!

Check out the link and let me know what you think!

MTV China Bvlgari Style Bit – A Blonde in Beijing Interview

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Only in China

22 Sep

The only way in which my words can possibly complement the images below is by merely explaining verbatim the situation that is occurring in each one.  Not to suggest that you can’t see what it going on in the photos with your own eyes…but even after witnessing these actions with mine, I had a hard time believing it.

Picture This:  Bumper to bumper traffic across 12 lanes in pouring rain on the streets of downtown Beijing.  This makes the work of a New York City garbage man look like a cake walk.

Picture this:  A metal ladder balancing on a plastic bucket turned upside down, resting against live power lines.  Seriously.  You can’t make this up.  Also, look closely…no hard hats or any sort of protective gear.  Where is OSHA when you need them?

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Obsession: Traveling Make-Up Station

21 Sep

I picked this up last week here in Beijing at a local market.  I am now obsessed!  Every girl should have a traveling make-up station!

By the way…if any of you in the States are interested, these are MUCH cheaper over here.  I am happy to pick one up for you!  Seriously – email me if you would like to order one.  morganbhutch@hotmail.com

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