True Life: I'm in China

Stories of life after grad school in China.

[chinajess]

28 Expectations for my 28th Year

As we get older, it is sometimes easier to focus on age instead of the fact that we have built up so much wisdom and ways we want to improve our lives every day.  My 28th birthday was this past September 20th, 2017 and I still can’t believe it!

As I look back on my 27 years, three of them living in China, I realized that I have accomplished so much but somehow it doesn’t seem like enough.   I believe living somewhere where I’m not comfortable has helped me to do this and I am excited to see what changes I’ll have within the year.

I want this post to not represent a to-do list or a blueprint of how I want to live my life in my 28th year, but a list of things I’d like to be mindful of within the year and in my life.

1.       Don’t compare myself to others.

2.       Do a little, which is better than doing nothing at all.

3.       Think Positively. Even in the worst situations.

4.       I can’t live life through your phone.  Get off Instagram and get out and experience stuff.

5.       Don’t take things personally. It’s not that serious.

6.       Read even more! Even about subject I don’t know about.

7.       Get out of my routine once in a while.  

8.       Get the courage to talk someone I wouldn’t normally talk to.

9.       Save more money!!! Think about what I’m passionate about and invest in it. But, also don’t be cheap.

10.   Write more.

11.   Explore more of China.  Take more weekends trips within the PRC.

12.   Eat healthier.

13.   Be consistent and focused in my training (BJJ, MMA, lifting, etc.),  write down what I learned in training, and compete more. That’s how i’ll learn

14. Listen to my body when it says its tired or hurt

15.  Travel more! Spend more money on experiences and not things!

16.   Buy better quality clothes. Aka no more Forever 21.

17.   Be open to everyone and treat everyone with respect.

18.   Love myself more.

19.   Be focused! In conversation, in work, in everything…

20.   Take more meaningful pictures. Ones that represent the moment instead of living through my phone.  (refer to #4)

21.   Learn languages better.  Don’t be shy about practicing with people who speak the language

22.   Take responsibility when things don’t go as planned. Don’t place blame on others.

23.   Be more organized. Make a conscious effort.  

24.   Be smarter about my friendships.  Not everyone is my friend.

25.   Don’t give every man attention who gives it to me.  I can feel people’s energies and know who’s worth it and who’s not.

26.   Be more serious about dating. Respect myself enough to know that my time is valuable and you know who is at your level (refer to #25)

27.   Don’t be afraid to let men pay for something for you.  They’re taking you out because they like you.  Just say thanks.

28.   When people hurt me, tell them about it.  If they’re my true friend, they’ll say sorry and won’t do again. If they brush it off, they don’t really need to be in my life. No one is allowed to tell you how I should feel

This may seem like a lot of things to keep up with but I’m determined I can do a little bit every time.  I know that these small things will help me see more changes going into my 29th year!

[blkgurlwhtgi]

Fun and BJJ Games at Warzone BJJ’s New HongKou Location

When you’re persistent about your goals, you’d be surprised about how fast you can achieve them.  This is the case for my friends Saulo, Kemal, and Patrick, proud owners of Shanghai’s Warzone BJJ, the place I’ve been training while living in Shanghai.  They recently just opened their second location in Hongkou district, equipped with more mat space, weights, more punching bags, and a lot more!

According to Kemal, Warzone started as a little gym in Jing an district with just a few guys who had a passion for jiu-jitsu. It has grown into a large family of MMA enthusiast, boxers, self-defense peeps, and jiu-jitsu bros. 

This past Saturday (8/19/2017), Warzone had an in-house competition in order to celebrate their new opening.  

The event started off with the white belt men having their gi competition, which was super intense to watch.  The men in our gym are always training hard and slightly trying to kill each other.

 Despite just going there to watch and not participate, a couple of girls and myself were thrown in to compete all together including one purple belt, myself a blue belt, and all white belts.  Of course, Dorothy one of our female purple belts won. It was actually quite fun rolling all together and there is truly a sisterhood bond between the Warzone ladies.

(That beer was amazing after rolling.  I swear I wasn’t trying to drink!)

Then the no-gi competition commenced, which was the most intense competition.  I need to get my competitive spirit up because the way these guys were competing, it seemed like they were fighting for their lives, money or both. 

  The event had a few sponsors including Michelob Ultra beer (Even after I said I wasn’t drinking, I had one cup right after I was done with my fight).  I’m really excited to be able to call Warzone gym my BJJ home in Shanghai and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for this growing gym!

[zenpencils]

James Rhodes - Is that not worth exploring?

[hanneflute-deactivated20190107]

This made me cry a little. The number of people who tell me they used to play the flute but that they weren’t ‘talented’ enough or they gave it up to, you know, do life… This is just so beautiful.

[chinajess]

This is so important

[chinajess]

Discussions with Chinese Friends: The Shooting In Orlando

The news of the tragedy in Orlando has made its way to the East and Chinese and Foreigners alike have been talking about it.  As I found out the news that the shooter had a “Muslim name”，My heart dropped for my Muslim brothers and sisters who aleady face periscution from the meat sack of a GOP nominee ( I refuse to say his name) and his gang of Islamophobic followers.  As I am reading the information about the tragic events, my chinese coworker takes a peak at my screen and proceeds to tell me that muslims are always causing problems like this for the US.  Of course, I am filled with a bit of anger but I want to ask his perspective.  I asked him if why he thought this and if he actually knew or had been friends with any person who practiced Islam.  He retorted no but that the religion teaches violence and that no other religion has these problems...

*pausing because I was incredibly angry*

I proceeded to tell that every religion has radical sectors and then he says Buddists don’t.  I then pull up  information about the Radical Buddists in Myanmar who kill Muslims minding their own business just because.  So after a bunch of back and forths, he proceeds to telll me that only muslims are terrorists... at this point I bring up the fact that yesterday (6/12/16) a Chinese man, so far not connected to any “terriorist groups” attempted to set off a bomb in the Pudong airport.  Then walked into our morning meeting.   

I still have to do the reading myself but according to my collegues who have lived in China for many years, Islamophobia in China has been alive and well.  This is seen in the persecutions of Chinese muslims who have lived in China peacefully...

This is mostly a venting session about my disscusion today, but this shooting has brought out so many social issues in one event: homophobia, gun control, islamophobia, terrorism, etc, etc.  Between all this, my morning discussion, and the hate I’ve seen all over social media, it makes me really sad for the world we live in today.  I’m sure many people feel the same. But I think this is event is more of a calling that we need to ban together with our similarities, not differences and stand on one platform to make changes for the better.

[blkgurlwhtgi]

Trouble in a Non-Paradise: No Weight Loss and Exercise in China

Some of you probably know I’ve been living in China for the past year and 8 months.  I’ve gone from my very active lifestyle to a quite sedentary one.  I attribute this to a number of things.

1) Work-Life Imbalance

I’ve gone from having a car and driving everywhere to taking the subway most places.  Although my commute is only 40 mins each way including walking (compared to the people who have to commute up to 2 hours every day. I shouldn’t be complaining)  my work hours are a lot longer.  After that, my day doesn’t stop at just work.  I usually have chinese class after work and by the time I get out the gym is closed.  I feel like I barely spend enough time in my house.  Also, because I stay up late trying to finish my own things, I end up waking up late and going right to work.

2) Late Gym Hours

  As opposed to the US where gyms open at the crack of dawn and close late (and let’s not forget about the amazing wonder that is 24 hour gyms) most gyms in China open late, sometimes as late as 10:30 which is when of course many people are at work. Most gyms try to appeal to the younger adults/millenial market but because of their late hours only “nai-nais, ayis, shu-shus, and ye-yes (aka older folk) get to the gym during opening hours.  This sucks for me as a person who actually would wake up and adjust my schedule to be able to work out early in the morning at 6 or 7. But as a lonely foreigner in the great sea that is the general chinese public, that ain’t never gonna happen.   

3) Expensive Ass Gyms

    In the US, we have the luxury of gyms that fit your budget and your lifestyle. Struggle bus? $10 a month Planet Fitness or a 19.99 a month Retro Fitness.  Fancy pants? Get your butt to Equinox.  Fitness has become a necessary part of life for most people and the abundance of gyms shows this.  In China, working out at a fancy gym is seen as somewhat of luxury and the fitness market is just starting to catch up with western markets.  This is shown in the high prices of gyms, especially in Shanghai.  A low price, low quality gym might cost you $20 a month, but be prepared to get staph from touching a weight.  Don’t feel like catching staph? You might be able to get a gym membership for $50-$100 a month.  Some of you might be thinking $50 isn’t that expensive for a gym. But, when you’re living on a tighter budget, it definitely is.  Plus, there is no charge monthly system.  You pay all the money at once or you don’t work out. Sometimes that’s not really feasible.  I did get lucky and got a nice gym membership for about $25 a month which includes a pool.  But also I feel I paid a lot of money for very few hours of working on and very little classes. At least I’m on the way to getting back on track.

4) Pollution and Running/Working Out Outside

For the frugal fitness enthusiast that is intensely motivated to workout outside, going for a run, using a tree as a pull-up bar, getting some fresh air is never a problem.  In China, that pollution will get you.  There are ways to get around the highest levels of pollution by doing your workout late at night. But that doesn’t mean the pollution isn’t there.  I went for a run a couple of months ago, ( I wasn’t completely out of shape because I was Zumbaing once in a while) and when I was running, it felt like the air was squeezing my lungs.  It was awful.  There has also been times when I was in school and teaching Zumba outside where I felt like I was dying because of the high pollution.

5) Pure Laziness

  When fitness was incorporated into my daily life, it was hard for me to avoid working out.  Plus I felt extra motivated by everything I did so I made an extra effort to do little thing outside of my daily schedule.  Now that I don’t teach Zumba as often and going to BJJ is a rare occurrence because of scheduling, it takes me more effort to deviate from my day to day to go to the gym.  I’m make an extra effort, but I’m not as motivated.  

I’m working to get back to where I was when I was in the US. It will just take one step at a time.

[chinajess]

Here’s a little bit on the struggle of weight loss in China featuring the workout edition

[chinajess]

My second video! This one’s all about how I met my current boyfriend, Ted! The courting process was quite... interesting.  (via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoALeXpMfoI) 

[chinajess]

I’ve decided to make a video blog on youtube about my own personal experience in dating in China as well as dating and relationship culture while living abroad in china.  Here’s the first video!

[allaboutchinese]

108 Chinese New Year Greeting Phrases and Sentences!

by All about Chinese

Happy Chinese New Year everyone! Today I gather some interesting phrases and sentences that are heard during the Chinese New Year. And of course you can use them to greet your family, your friends, your boss or even your teacher! Let’s see!

Phrases 1. 恭贺新年。 Gōnghè xīnnián. A Happy New Year to you.

2. 生意兴隆 Shēngyì xīnglóng Business flourishes

3. 恭喜发财 Gōng xǐ fā cái Congratulations and Prosperity

4. 万事如意 Wànshì rúyì Everything goes well

5. 恭贺新禧 Gōng hè xīn xǐ Good luck in the year ahead!

6. 新年快乐 Xīn nián kuài lè Happy New Year

7. 和气生财 Héqì shēngcái Harmony brings wealth

8. 心想事成 Xīn xiǎng shì chéng May all your wishes come true

9. 财源广进 Cáiyuán guǎng jìn Money and treasures will be plentiful

10. 岁岁平安 Suì suì píng’ān Peace all year round

11. 升官发财 Shēngguān fācái Promoting to a higher position

12. 招财进宝 Zhāo cái jìn bǎo Treasures fill the home

13. 马到成功 Mǎdàochénggōng Wishing you every success

14. 年年有馀 Nián nián yǒu yú Wishing you prosperity every year.

15. 祝贺佳节。 Zhùhè jiājié. With the compliments of the season.

Sentences 16. 给你特别的祝福，愿新年带给你无边的幸福、如意。 Gěi nǐ tèbié de zhùfú, yuàn xīnnián dài gěi nǐ wúbiān de xìngfú, rúyì. A cheery New Year hold lots of happiness for you!

17. 愿女儿的新年祝福带给你快乐。 Yuàn nǚ’ér de xīnnián zhùfú dài gěi nǐ kuàilè. A New Year greeting to cheer you from your daughters.

18. 新年的祝福，平日的希冀，愿你心境祥和、充满爱意，愿你的世界全是美满，愿你一切称心如意，快乐无比。 Xīnnián de zhùfú, píngrì de xījì, yuàn nǐ xīnjìng xiánghé, chōngmǎn ài yì, yuàn nǐ de shìjiè quán shì měimǎn, yuàn nǐ yīqiè chènxīn rúyì, kuàilè wúbǐ. At New Year and always, may peace and love fill your heart, beauty fill your world, and contentment and joy fill your days.

19. 恭贺新禧，祝身体健康、事业发达。 Gōnghèxīnxǐ, zhù shēntǐ jiànkāng, shìyè fādá. Allow me to congratulate you on the arrival of the New Year and to extend to you all my best wishes for your perfect health and lasting prosperity.

20. 恭贺新禧，万事如意。 Gōnghèxīnxǐ, wànshìrúyì. Best wishes for the holidays and happiness throughout the New Year. 21. 恭祝健康、幸运，新年快乐。 Gōngzhù jiànkāng, xìngyùn, xīnnián kuàilè. Good health, good luck and much happiness throughout the year. 22. 祝来年好运，并取得更大的成就。 Zhù láinián hǎoyùn, bìng qǔdé gèng dà de chéngjiù. Good luck and great success in the coming New Year.

23. 祝好运、健康、佳肴伴你度过一个快乐新年。 Zhù hǎoyùn, jiànkāng, jiāyáo bàn nǐ dùguò yī gè kuàilè xīnnián. Good luck, good health, good cheer and pass an happy New Year. 24. 愿你所有的新年想都成真！ Yuàn nǐ suǒyǒu de xīnnián xiǎng dōu chéng zhēn! Hope all your New Year dreams come true!

25. 祝你享尽新年佳节的快乐和新年的礼品。 Zhù nǐ xiǎng jǐn xīnnián jiājié de kuàilè he xīnnián de lǐpǐn. Hope you enjoy the happiness of New Year and all the trimmings.

26. 给你我无尽的新的祝福，让它们成为我们永恒友谊的新的纪念。 Gěi nǐ wǒ wújìn de xīn de zhùfú, ràng tāmen chéngwéi wǒmen yǒnghéng yǒuyì de xīn de jìniàn. I give you endless brand-new good wishes. Please accept them as a new remembrance of our lasting friendship. 27. 谨祝新年快乐幸福，大吉大利。 Jǐn zhù xīnnián kuàilè xìngfú, dàjídàlì. I hope you have a most happy and prosperous New Year. 28. 祝财运亨通！ I want to wish you longevity and health! Zhù cáiyùn hēngtōng!

29. 以我所有的爱心与真诚祝你及全家圣诞快乐。 I wish you a happy New Year. All affection and best wishes to you and yours. Yǐ wǒ suǒyǒu de àixīn yǔ zhēnchéng zhù nǐ jí quánjiā shèngdàn kuàilè.

30. 在这特殊的日子，向你致以新年的祝福，希望不久我们能相聚在一起。 Zài zhè tèshū de rìzi, xiàng nǐ zhì yǐ xīnnián de zhùfú, xīwàng bùjiǔ wǒmen néng xiāngjù zài yīqǐ. I would like to wish you a joyous New Year and express my hope for your happiness and good future.

31. 在这欢乐的时节给你我最真的祝福和亲切的思念，愿你今年的新年比往年更璀璨。 Zài zhè huānlè de shíjié gěi nǐ wǒ zuì zhēn de zhùfú hé qīnqiè de sīniàn, yuàn nǐ jīnnián de xīnnián bǐ wǎngnián gèng cuǐcàn. In the season of joy I present my sincere wishes and kind thoughts. May the kind of New Year outshine all the rest.

32. 愿一切最美好的祝福都能用这张贺卡表达，真诚地祝你幸福、快乐、成功！ Yuàn yīqiè zuì mẹ̌ihǎo de zhùfú dōu néng yòng zhè zhāng hèkǎ biǎodá, zhēnchéng dì zhù nǐ xìngfú, kuàilè, chénggōng! May everything beautiful and best be condensed into this card. I sincerely wish you happiness, cheerfulness and success. 33. 愿新春美景与欢乐常伴随你！ Yuàn xīnchūn měijǐng yǔ huānlè cháng bànsuí nǐ! May the beauty and joy of New Year remain with you throughout the New Year!

34. 愿明亮喜庆的新年烛光温暖一年中的每个日日夜夜，祝你欢欢喜喜度新年！ Yuàn míngliàng xǐqìng de xīnnián zhúguāng wēnnuǎn yī nián zhōng de měi gè rì rì yè yè, zhù nǐ huan huānxǐ xǐ dù xīnnián! May the bright and festive glow of New Year candle warm the days all the year through. Hoping you will have a wonderful time enjoying New Year that is happy in every way.

35. 愿新年为你带来快乐，友爱和宁静。 Yuàn xīnnián wèi nǐ dàilái kuàilè, yǒu’ài hé níngjìng. May the coming New Year bring you joy, love and peace.

36. 愿新年的烛光带给你祥和与喜悦，祝你新年充满爱。 Yuàn xīnnián de zhúguāng dài gěi nǐ xiánghé yǔ xǐyuè, zhù nǐ xīnnián chōngmǎn ài. May the glow of New Year candle fill your heart with peace and pleasure and make your New Year bright. Have a love filled New Year!

37. 愿快乐幸福永伴你左右。 Yuàn kuàilè xìngfú yǒng bàn nǐ zuǒyòu. May the joy and happiness around you today and always.

38. 愿新年的快乐一年四季常在。 Yuàn xīnnián de kuàilè yī nián sìjì cháng zài. May the joy of New Year be with you throughout the year.

39. 愿新年不仅是你欢笑的时刻，更是你欣喜的日子。祝福你。 Yuàn xīnnián bùjǐn shì nǐ huānxiào de shíkè, gèng shì nǐ xīnxǐ de rìzi. Zhùfú nǐ. May the New Year be a time of laughter and real enjoyment for you. Best wishes.

40. 祝新年快乐，并愿你幸福吉祥，前程似锦。 Zhù xīnnián kuàilè, bìng yuàn nǐ xìngfú jíxiáng, qiánchéng sì jǐn. May the New Year bring many good things and rich blessings to you and all those you love!

41. 愿节日的愉快伴你一生。 Yuàn jiérì de yúkuài bàn nǐ yī̠shēng. May the season’s joy fill you all the year round.

42. 祝吉星高照！ Zhù jíxīng gāo zhào! May you come into a good fortune!

43. 愿你度过最美好的新年！ Yuàn nǐ dùguò zuì měihǎo de xīnnián! May you have the best New Year ever.

44. 愿你的新年充满温馨，祥和，与亲人团聚的快乐，祝乐陶陶，新年乐无限。 Yuàn nǐ de xīnnián chōngmǎn wēnxīn, xiánghé, yǔ qīnrén tuánjù de kuàilè, zhù lè táotáo, xīnnián lè wúxiàn. May your New Year be filled with special moment, warmth, peace and happiness, the joy of covered ones near, and wishing you all the joys of Christmas and a year of happiness.

45. 让温馨的祝愿、幸福的思念和友好的祝福，在新年来到你身边，伴你左右。 Ràng wēnxīn de zhùyuàn, xìngfú de sīniàn hé yǒuhǎo de zhùfú, zài xīnnián lái dào nǐ shēnbiān, bàn nǐ zuǒyòu. Much joy to you in the up coming year. May the warmest wishes, happy thoughts and friendly greetings come at New Year and stay with you all the year through.

46. 新年来临，祝新年快乐，愿你时时刻刻幸福欢乐！ Xīnnián láilín, zhù xīnnián kuàilè, yuàn nǐ shí shíkè kè xìngfú huānlè! New Year time is here. I hope you have a wonderful New Year. May every day hold happy hours for you.

47. 致新年贺忱与最美好的祝福！ Zhì xīnnián hè chén yǔ zuì měihǎo de zhùfú! New Year’s greetings and best wishes!

48. 新年是这样美好的时光：炉火熊熊，花儿芬芳，醇酒飘香，殷殷祝福，美好回忆，恩爱日新。即便没有一切，只要有爱便足矣。 Xīnnián shì zhèyàng měihǎo de shíguāng: Lú huǒ xióngxióng, huā er fēnfāng, chúnjiǔ piāo xiāng, yīnyīn zhùfú, měihǎo huíyì, ēn’ài rì xīn. Jíbiàn méiyǒu yīqiè, zhǐyào yǒu ài biàn zú yǐ. New Year should be a time of banked-up fines, the scent of flowers and wine, good talk, good memories and loyalties renewed. But if all else is lacking - love will do.

49. 在此新年之际，我同夫人向你及你的家人致以节日的问候，并祝你们新年快乐、事业有成、家庭幸福。 Zài cǐ xīnnián zhī jì, wǒ tóng fūrén xiàng nǐ jí nǐ de jiārén zhì yǐ jiérì de wènhòu, bìng zhù nǐmen xīnnián kuàilè, shìyè yǒu chéng, jiātíng xìngfú. On the occasion of the New Year, may my wife and I extend to you and yours our warmest greetings, wishing you a happy New Year, your career greater success and your family happiness.

50. 祝你今后获得更大成就。 Zhù nǐ jīnhòu huòdé gèng dà chéngjiù. On this special day I send you New Years greetings and hope that some day soon we shall be together.

51. 请接受我节日的祝贺。 Qǐng jiēshòu wǒ jiérì de zhùhè. Please accept my season’s greetings. 52. 请接受我诚挚的新年祝福，顺祝身体健康。 Qǐng jiēshòu wǒ chéngzhì de xīnnián zhùfú, shùn zhù shēntǐ jiànkāng. Please accept my sincere wishes for the New Year and I hope you will continue to enjoy good health. 53. 请接受我们对你及你全家的美好祝福，祝你们新年快乐。 Qǐng jiēshòu wǒmen duì nǐ jí nǐ quánjiā de mẹ̌ihǎo zhùfú, zhù nǐmen xīnnián kuàilè. Please accept our wishes for you and yours for a happy New Year. 54. 祝老师新年充满平安和爱。 Zhù lǎoshī xīnnián chōngmǎn píng’ān hé ài. Peace and love for you at New Year from all your students.

55. 愿新年带给你和你所爱的人许多美好的事物和无尽的祝福！ Yuàn xīnnián dài gěi nǐ hé nǐ suǒ ài de rén xǔduō měihǎo de shìwù hé wújìn de zhùfú! Rich blessings for health and longevity is my special wish for you in the coming year.

56. 祝福您，新年快乐。 Zhùfú nín, xīnnián kuàilè. Season’s greetings and best wishes for the New Year. 57. 献上节日的问候与祝福,愿你拥有一个充满生机和欢乐的新年。 Xiànshàng jiérì de wènhòu yǔ zhùfú, yuàn nǐ yǒngyǒu yīgè chōngmǎn shēngjī hé huānlè de xīnnián. Season’s greetings and sincere wishes for a bright and happy New Year!

58. 愿你健康长寿！ Yuàn nǐ jiànkāng chángshòu! Take good care of yourself in the year ahead.

59. 国家繁荣，人民祥和 。 Guójiā fánróng, rénmín xiánghé. The country flourishes and people live in peace.

60. 恭祝新年吉祥，幸福和欢乐与你同在。 Gōng zhù xīnnián jíxiáng, xìngfú hé huānlè yǔ nǐ tóng zài. To wish you joy at this holy season. Wishing every happiness will always be with you.

61. 衷心祝福来年快乐、幸运！ Zhōngxīn zhùfú láinián kuàilè, xìngyùn! Warm greetings and best wishes for happiness and good luck in the coming year.

62. 传统佳节之际，献上殷殷祝福，祝新年万事如意！ Chuántǒng jiājié zhī jì, xiànshàng yīnyīn zhùfú, zhù xīnnián wànshì rúyì! Warm hearted wishes for a happy New Year filled with all your favorite things.

63. 祝节日快乐，新年幸福。 Zhù jiérì kuàilè, xīnnián xìngfú. Wishing you happiness during the holidays and throughout the New Year. 64. 祝你新的一年快乐幸福 。 Zhù nǐ xīn de yī nián kuàilè xìngfú. Wish you happiness and prosperity in the coming year! 65. 事业成功，家庭美满。 Shìyè chénggōng, jiātíng měimǎn. Wish you success in your career and happiness of your family! 66. 愿你的新年光彩夺目，愿你的新年灿烂辉煌！佳节快乐！ Yuàn nǐ de xīnnián guāngcǎi duómù, yuàn nǐ de xīnnián cànlàn huīhuáng! Jiājié kuàilè! Wishing you a sparkling New Year and bright happy New Year! May the season bring much pleasure to you.

67. 愿你拥有新年所有美好的祝福。 Yuàn nǐ yǒngyǒu xīnnián suǒyǒu měihǎo de zhùfú. Wishing you all the blessings of a beautiful New Year season.

68. 祝节日幸福如意。 Zhù jiérì xìngfú rúyì. Wishing you all the happiness of the holiday season.

69. 祝新年快乐，并致以良好的祝福。 Zhù xīnnián kuàilè, bìng zhì yǐ liánghǎo de zhùfú. With best wishes for a happy New Year!

70. 致以最良好的祝福，愿你新年快乐幸福。 Zhì yǐ zuì liánghǎo de zhùfú, yuàn nǐ xīnnián kuàilè xìngfú. With very best wishes for your happiness in the New Year.

For Family 71. 您的侄儿祝您新年快乐。 Nín de zhí er zhù nín xīnnián kuàilè. A New Year wish from your nephew.

72. 愿女儿的祝福带给您欢乐。 Yuàn nǚ’ér de zhùfú dài gěi nín huānlè. A New Year greeting to cheer you from your daughter.

73. . 您的孙子，寄上一张特别的卡片。 Nín de sūnzi, jì shàng yī zhāng tèbié de kǎpiàn. A special card from your grandson.

74. 祝世界上最好的父母节日快乐！ Zhù shìjiè shàng zuì hǎo de fùmǔ jiérì kuàilè! Happy New Year to the world’s best parents!

75. 愿你过个最愉快的节日。 Yuàn nǐguò gè zuì yúkuài de jiérì. May you have the best season ever.

76. 爸爸妈妈：值此佳节，感谢您们所给予的一切。 Bàba māmā: Zhí cǐ jiājié, gǎnxiè nínmen suǒ jǐyǔ de yīqiè. Mom and Dad: Thank you for everything this holiday season!

77. 在这佳节里，没有比家更好的地方了。 Zài zhè jiājié lǐ, méiyǒu bǐ jiā gèng hǎo dì dìfāngle. There’s no place like home for the holidays.

78. 佳节，我想念你们。 Jiājié, wǒ xiǎngniàn nǐmen. Thinking of you at New Year’s time.

79. 献给爷爷奶奶：新年快乐！ Xiàn gěi yéye nǎinai: Xīnnián kuàilè! To Grandpa and Grandma happy New Year!

80. 祝我最亲爱的父母节日愉快！ Zhù wǒ zuì qīn’ài de fùmǔ jiérì yúkuài! Season’s greetings to my dearest parents! 81. 寄上无限的思念和最美好的祝愿，你们的女儿。 Jì shàng wúxiàn de sīniàn hé zuì měihǎo de zhùyuàn, nǐmen de nǚ’ér. Warmest thoughts and best wishes from your daughter.

For Friends 82. 希望新年祝福给你带来欢乐，我的好朋友。 Xīwàng xīnnián zhùfú gěi nǐ dài lái huānlè, wǒ de hǎo péngyǒu. A New Year greeting to cheer you, my good friend.

83. 愿你在未来的一年里，吉星高照。 Yuàn nǐ zài wèilái de yī nián lǐ, jíxīng gāo zhào. Best of luck in the year to come.

84. 祝我的挚友新年快乐。 Zhù wǒ de zhìyǒu xīnnián kuàilè. Happy New Year, my best friend.

85. 希望我们能一起过春节。 Xīwàng wǒmen néng yīqǐguò chūnjié. I hope we can spend the holidays together.

86. 愿快乐随时与您同在——如同我们与您寸步不离。 Yuàn kuàilè suíshí yǔ nín tóng zài——rútóng wǒmen yǔ nín cùnbù bùlí. May happiness follow you everywhere …just like we do.

87. 祝福你及你所爱的人新的一年中万事如意。 Zhùfú nǐ jí nǐ suǒ ài de rén xīn de yī nián zhōng wànshì rúyì. May its blessings lead into a wonderful year for you and all whom you hold dear.

88. 祝你在节日和新的一年中享有无限的快乐。 Zhù nǐ zài jiérì hé xīn de yī nián zhōng xiǎngyǒu wúxiàn de kuàilè. To wish you special joy at the holidays and all year.

89. 发挥你的热情，让理想变为现实。 Fāhuī nǐ de rèqíng, ràng lǐxiǎng biàn wèi xiànshí. Take your passion and make it come true.

90. 献上最美好的祝愿。 Xiànshàng zuì měihǎo de zhùyuàn. Wish all the best wishes for you.

91. 新的一年，向你献上最诚挚的祝福。 Xīn de yī nián, xiàng nǐ xiànshàng zuì chéngzhì de zhùfú. Wish many good wishes for the holidays and the coming year.

For Boss, Teachers 92. 祝您新年快乐，您的全体学生敬上。 Zhù nín xīnnián kuàilè, nín de quántǐ xuéshēng jìng shàng. A happy New Year from all of your students.

93. 献上最诚挚的祝福，祝您新年愉快。 Xiànshàng zuì chéngzhì de zhùfú, zhù nín xīnnián yúkuài. Best wishes for a wonderful New Year.

94. 祝福您及您的家人。 Zhùfú nín jí nín de jiārén. Best wishes for you and your family.

95. 我们销售部全体人员祝您新年快乐！ Wǒmen xiāoshòu bù quántǐ rényuán zhù nín xīnnián kuàilè! From all of us in sales: Happy New Year!

96. 我期待着新年过后，再上您的课。 Wǒ qídàizhuó xīnnián guòhòu, zài shàng nín de kè. I look forward to your class after the New Year.

97. 我们不能在一起过春节真是太遗憾了。 Wǒmen bùnéng zài yīqǐguò chūnjié zhēnshi tài yíhànle. It’s really a shame we can’t be together at that moment.

98 愿您幸福快乐，直到永远永远！ Yuàn nín xìngfú kuàilè, zhídào yǒngyuǎn yǒngyuǎn. May happiness follow you wherever you go!

99 愿您在新的一年充满快乐。 Yuàn nín zài xīn de yī nián chōngmǎn kuàilè. Much joy to you in the upcoming year.

100. 新年是喜庆的日子——因为不用上课。 Xīnnián shì xǐqìng de rìzi——yīn wéi bùyòng shàngkè. New Year is a time for gladness and rejoicing …because there is no class.

101. 感谢您没有留假期作业。 Gǎnxiè nín méiyǒu liú jiàqī zuòyè. Thank you for not as signing homework this holiday season.

102. 感谢您为我们所做的一切。 Gǎnxiè nín wèi wǒmen suǒ zuò de yīqiè. Thank you for all you have done for us.

103. 值此佳节，谨对您的辛勤栽培表示感谢。 Zhí cǐ jiājié, jǐn duì nín de xīnqín zāipéi biǎoshì gǎnxiè. Thank you for your hard work and patience on this holiday season.

104. 我们向您献上新年的祝福。 Wǒmen xiàng nín xiànshàng xīnnián de zhùfú. We offer New Year blessings to you.

105. 假期里，我们不会忘记您的。 Jiàqī lǐ, wǒmen bù huì wàngjì nín de. We won’t forget you this holiday season.

106. 万事如意，合家平安。 Wànshì rúyì, héjiā píng’ān. Wishing you and yours a happy happy New Year.

107 祝福您及全家新年快乐。 Zhùfú nín jí quánjiā xīnnián kuàilè. Wishing you and your family a very happy New Year.

108 全体职员祝您及家人新年快乐。 Your entire staff wishes you and yours a most happy New Year. Quántǐ zhíyuán zhù nín jí jiārén xīnnián kuàilè.

Bonus Chinese Customs Vocabularies: 1. 过年 Guònián Guo-nian; have the Spring Festival

2. 对联 Duìlián Poetic couplet: two successive rhyming lines in poetry

3. 春联 Chūnlián Spring Festival couplets

4. 剪纸 Jiǎnzhǐ Paper-cuts

5. 年画 Niánhuà New Year paintings

6. 买年货 Mǎi niánhuò Special purchases for the Spring Festival ; do Spring Festival shopping

7. 敬酒 Jìngjiǔ Propose a toast

8. 灯笼 灯笼 Dēnglóng Lantern: a portable light

9. 烟花 Yānhuā Fireworks

10. 爆竹 Bàozhú firecrackers (People scare off evil spirits and ghosts with the loud pop.)

11. 红包 Hóngbāo red packets (cash wrapped up in red paper, symbolize fortune and wealth in the coming　year.)

12. 舞狮 Wǔ shī lion dance (The lion is believed to be able to dispel evil and bring good luck.)

13. 舞龙 Wǔ lóng dragon dance (to expect good weather and good harvests)

14. 戏曲 Xìqǔ traditional opera

15. 杂耍 Záshuǎ variety show; vaudeville

16. 灯谜 Dēngmí riddles written on lanterns

17. 灯会 Dēnghuì exhibit of lanterns

18. 拜年 Bàinián Pay New Year’s call; give New Year’s greetings; New Year’s visit

Thanks for reading! Hope you all 春节快乐!

[chinajess]

In China, this week it is Chinese New Year!  Here are some common phrases you will hear around!

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11 Reasons The United States is the Weirdest Place on Earth

As American, this is hilarious! I just want to point out that WE'RE NOT THE ONLY ONES WHO DON'T USE THE METRIC SYSTEM!  Celsius is a different story...

Check out the link!

http://bit.ly/18Jdjxq 

[chinajess]

#TipsfromHult  Post 1

Here are some fun and random tips from some of the Hult community:

Red lights are always red lights for pedestrians but a green light can mean you're getting run over.

Be careful when going from cold to warm up environments with your camera because the humidity caused from moving from cold to hot can ruin the inside.           -Alvaro V., in hangzhou, while we all froze on the photography club trip

While crossing the street, look out for everything: cars, scooters, pedestrians, dogs, bicycles, etc. Look both ways even on a one way street.                                        -Maribel G.

Book your tickets from a return trip when you arrive to your destination via train so you don't end up sitting on the floor.                                                                  -Everyone, sitting on floor returning from Hangzhou to Shanghai

Everyone buys masks but no one wears them. Sometimes people just use them just to cover up bad acne. But the air is still bad so, you should probably wear them.

Be prepared to freeze in the transition from warm to cold. Classrooms are either way to hot or way to cold. Your room at the res will be worse.

Don't worry about finding the exit in the metro. The crowd will push you out.        -Mathilde M.

Cairo is meant for sleeping. Don't you dare turn on the lights.                                 -Mathilde and angry nappers in Cairo

Green light on a taxi doesn't mean it's available... Especially during rush hour and bad weather. Get an Uber or be prepared to push in the metro.

When Chinese people want to take pictures of or with you, charge 10 yuan. I'd be rich by now if I did that...                                                                                       -Maribel 

Keep an eye for more tips!

[chinajess]

This is Shanghai Life

The Hult Campuses across the world participated in the Hult Global Challenge! This is just a taste of what Shanghai is like! Hope you enjoy!

Shout out to Alexis LeFranc, Shaina Denny, and everyone who contributed to the video!

(I'm featured a couple of times in the video! Check out the Zumba class ;) )

[chinajess]

Weekend Away: Hangzhou

Some of the students from the Photography Club went away this past weekend to Hangzhou! The trip took us to a Tea Plantation town where "Chinese Hipsters" had an eating contest and partied in the mountain, to West Lake in the snow, and various other locations!

[chinajess]

Crazy Eats: Weirdest Foods in China.

When coming to a foreign country, you’re ultimately going to come into contact with local foods. Some of these unique foods in China have brought a new experience to some of the Hult community. Here are some of them:

Chicken Feet

For immersion (we’ll talk about this later), one of the students took the Dean’s challenge and ate chicken feet. Her consensus: Guangzhou chicken feet are much better than Shanghai chicken feet.

Stinky Tofu

Sometimes you’re walking on the streets and a stench that smells like you just stepped in poop mixed with old saliva hits your nose. That same smell makes some Chinese people excited for the “delicacy” that is stinky tofu. I remember walking with my Chinese friend and her telling me how delicious the tofu is. I’m still wondering how people get passed the smell. I haven’t met anyone not Chinese who has been brave enough to try it.

Packaged Chicken Wings

At home, some of my favorite snacks to get at the convenience store are chips, cookies, nuts, etc. On visits to the local convenience store you can find these but you can also cooked chicken wings in vacuumed sealed packaging. They kind of look pickled almost. I wonder if blue cheese tastes good with them…

Dog Meat, Scorpions, and Snakes

Wangfujing in Beijing is famous for its unusual delicacies that many all over the world have taken pictures of but only a few brave souls have tried. One student happened to be one of the brave ones and tried dog meat, scorpions, and snakes on her travels. The consensus on the bites: the snake meat was very gummy and uncomfortable to swallow, scorpion was fried and crunchy, and the dog meat was not bad, like your normal everyday meat. 

Pig Head/ Face

Sometimes when you decide to go to the wet market and want fresh meat you can run into the random pig head or the occasional pig face. It makes you wonder how do you cook it and how exactly do you eat it.

These are just a few of the many strange delicacies in China. I’m honestly not the bravest when it comes to trying food so I’m glad I’ve met some more adventurous people to tell me about it. What are some of the weirdest things you’ve tried on your travels?

[chinajess]

True Life: I'm writing stories about life at Hult

Hi people of the world! My name is Jess D and I’m currently a Global Ambassador at Hult International Business School in Shanghai! This blog is dedicated to the shared experiences of my Hult classmates and I. I want to create a real account of what goes on here. I enjoy my time at Hult Shanghai and the learning really happens outside the classroom! Hope you enjoy!