Category Archives: diary

Goodbye Liumangshu

Posted on 07/02/2011 by haonowshaokao

This time last year, when we were living in the hutongs in the centre, we bought a hamster. It was more interesting than a goldfish and less responsibility than a dog. We thought about getting two, but the cage would’ve … Continue reading →

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Spring Festival 2011

Posted on 05/02/2011 by haonowshaokao

Spring Festival was ok. I suppose it’s difficult to get excited about a festival that’s not part of your culture, but nobody here seemed to be getting that excited either. It’s a strange time in the life of a family … Continue reading →

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Live from The PLA Hospital

Posted on 31/01/2011 by haonowshaokao

As a result of recent technological developments, I am writing this blog entry in the obstetrics and gynaecology ward of The People’s Liberation Army 263 Hospital, Tongzhou. No, the baby’s not coming out today, we’re just here for the now-weekly … Continue reading →

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Winter in Beijing

Posted on 27/01/2011 by haonowshaokao

Nobody moves to Beijing for the weather. Spring brings sandstorms, summer is unbearably hot, autumn is just about ok, but winter is the worst of all – Arctic temperatures, Siberian winds, the streets covered in grey compacted snow and black … Continue reading →

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More videos

Posted on 19/01/2011 by haonowshaokao

While I still have a functioning VPN I can upload a few more videos to Dailymotion, and you people living in The West can see them! Great news. So, here’s “Tram Across Hong Kong Island in 3 Minutes 20 Seconds” … Continue reading →

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Christmas in China

Posted on 31/12/2010 by haonowshaokao

Another Christmas in China then – my 4th, it seems. Can it really be that many? Yes, looks like it. The first one was in Zhuhai, all the teachers had a party together. Then the second was in Beijing – … Continue reading →

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Number one

Posted on 19/12/2010 by haonowshaokao

By way of an explanation for forrins – the number one single is a kind of cultural touchstone in the UK in a way that it doesn’t seem to be in other countries, and having the Christmas number one used … Continue reading →

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A page from ‘English for Hotel Workers’

Posted on 16/12/2010 by haonowshaokao

I’ll start to write things on here again in a week or so when I finally get a break. Most likely I’ll write about the things which are currently keeping my busy. And other things. In the meantime here’s a … Continue reading →

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Cold is Coming

Posted on 23/11/2010 by haonowshaokao

There was celebration all round in Beijing last week, as the city’s central heating system was finally turned on. No more three layers to bed, thank christ. Celebrations proved to be a little premature in our flat, as the landlord … Continue reading →

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Pop Music In China

Posted on 18/11/2010 by haonowshaokao

I was walking through Wangfujing subway station the other day when I saw a poster advertising a concert by one of the most popular western bands in China. No, it’s not U2, Coldplay, Radiohead or the Kings Of Leon – … Continue reading →

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