Author Archives: herschelian

About herschelian

Recently moved to Beijing from London - its all new to me! Trying to learn Chinese, and what makes this city tick.

Cock-a-doodle-doo!

Posted on May 17, 2013

This week some friends and  I went on a jaunt to a town called Jingbian which is in the north east of Shaanxi Province.  It was a fascinating trip for lots of reasons two of which were ‘firsts’ for me.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Jeepers creepers…where’d ya get them peepers?

Posted on May 3, 2013

In early spring each year thousands of young hopefuls apply for places at China’s drama colleges.  Here in Beijing there are two particularly prestigious institutions, the Central Academy of Drama, and Beijing Film Academy.  Competition for a place is extremely … Continue reading →

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Anchun dan 鹌鹑蛋 – Quails’ eggs are delicious

Posted on April 28, 2013

Until I came to live in China I could count the number of times I’d encountered Quails’ eggs on one hand. Now I seem to buy and cook them regularly.  I recall that the first time I had them was … Continue reading →

Posted in Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Farewell Iron Lady – 送别 铁娘子 – sòng bié tiě niáng zǐ

Posted on April 17, 2013

I have been watching TV reports and reading with interest all the brickbats and bouquets being thrown at Margaret Thatcher the former British Prime Minister who died last week. She was a formidable woman of strong principles who had a … Continue reading →

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Hi-tech hotel life

Posted on April 15, 2013

We’re down in Shanghai for a few days as my DH has some business to attend to, and I thought I’d tag along, get out of the Beijing air, and have a mini-break.  It has been great, the weather is … Continue reading →

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A lesson on domestic violence

Posted on April 5, 2013

As my loyal readers may know, I am trying to learn Mandarin whilst living here in China.  I don’t want to blow my own trumpet, but I think I am making steady progress.  Every week I have two or three … Continue reading →

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Self-motivation to study: the Butterfly effect

Posted on March 27, 2013

Sometimes I wonder what the hell I’m doing,  living in China and trying to learn Mandarin in my 60s.  The set task for the day may be a piece of comprehension that try as I might I just can’t comprehend.  … Continue reading →

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A nursery rhyme from China – with apologies to Mother Goose

Posted on March 24, 2013

These little piggies went to market – These little piggies stayed at home – These little piggies were tattooed Whilst these little piggies went diving Some little piggies were roasted But these little piggies floated down the Huangpu River and … Continue reading →

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Yunnanese Roast Beef & Mint Salad

Posted on March 16, 2013

This dish is very different from the kind of food people in the west usually associate with Chinese cooking, and yet it is a traditional favourite in the south of China. For some reason in British cooking we never associate … Continue reading →

Posted in Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Resting In Peace or Pieces?

Posted on March 10, 2013

The powers-that-be in Venezuela have decided to have their late president Hugo Chavez  embalmed so that his body can remain on display “for all eternity”.  His corpse joins a select club of embalmees (I think I just made that word … Continue reading →

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