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Health & Fitness

Get Ready, Get Set...

Preparing to move to Beijing both exciting and frustrating.

Preparing to move to Beijing is both exciting and frustrating. For example, when we were submitting paperwork to get our work permits we sent our university transcripts. This was not correct and would not be accepted. The Chinese government needed our actual diploma certificate. Since it has been many years since earning my bachelors (I did have my master's certificate), I had no idea where this document was located or if I even ever had this document. Our first major feat, then, was to get our respective universities to reprint copies of this within about 48 hours. Guess what? It can be done with effort, driving, fees and a can-do attitude.

The reading list grows. Some current favorites are Wild Swans by Jung Chang and Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin. Both of these books are full of history and living in China during the cultural revolution, and offer very personal accounts that make them fun and relatively easy reads. A more contemporary read is Big in China by Alan Paul. He covers a bit of history and a ton of cultural insights of both China and living the expat life. Paul writes from his 3.5 years living in Beijing with his wife and three children, and brings in his love of music. He started a blues band while in Beijing called Woodie Alan. I listened to the CD while I read the book (all on my new iPad!).

I have also discovered quite a few good language learning apps. Right now I am using IStart Chinese. It allows me to hear, read and even practice writing Chinese characters. I am also going to include a link to a fun show called "Sexy Beijing" - I discovered it on YouTube one day. It is a spoof from Sex and the City, and offers humor and great cultural insights. www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvtWAXoZjTc

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We depart at the end of July. My next blog will be on how to get a passport in one day and a "z" visa for China. 

Tartan High School teachers Daniel and Sheryl Krengel will be leaving Oakdale to teach in Beijing for two years.

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