KYDS Adventures Part 3!

Daisy Sun February 21, 2014

Kelly just came back from a week in Taipei in time to spend Valentine's weekend with me :) We started off at Sanlitun's Apothecary and then to Janes & Hooch for some drinks afterwards.

Here are photos from the morning after, and the start of our recovery from Moka Bros! DELICIOUS Salmon crepe filled with spinach and a poached egg & a curried chicken breast toasted sandwich were just what we needed ;) Sorry about the quality of the first couple, but you get the idea.

“It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn’t use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like “What about lunch?”

— ― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Love,
Daze

Happy Chinese New Year! 行年快乐！马年快乐！

Daisy Sun February 17, 2014

Chinese New Year started on Jan 31st this year! The Spring Festival lasts for 15 days, all of which you get the chance to see fireworks go off in front of your windows, and all over the streets. Walking the empty streets seemed like a good idea, until it quickly became a battleground littered with land mines.

This was my first year not celebrating with family, and what they say is true--distance makes the heart grow fonder. My time away has given me the opportunity to feel the tighter bond with everyone at home, and the little things become not so little anymore. Moments & gestures seem to magnify with distance, along with the feelings (OH MAN, SO MUCH CHEESE, I KNOW.. I KNOW..)

Anyway, my flat mate, Malcolm and I made an attempt to check out the Chinese New Year Temple Fair at Ditang near Lama Temple. We ended up getting lost in the swarm at the temple, and spent the afternoon at Lama Temple instead. No matter how crowded a temple is, that peaceful feeling always seems to find a way to those welcoming.

The 15th day of the festival landed on Valentine's day as well as Sesame Soup Ball Day（元宵节）Yuan Xiao Jie. The Chinese love the circular objects, signifying togetherness and infinite prosperity, happiness, and wealth--hence, the sticky sesame soup balls. Anyway, Happy Valentine's Day everyone & don't forget to eat those Sesame Soup Balls :)

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

— ― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Love,
Daisy

A Trip Down Produce Lane

Daisy Sun February 5, 2014

马年快乐！Happy Horse Year Everyone! My friends Chi and Lingling had a great idea to check out one of Beijing's largest wholesale produce markets called 新发地 (Xin Fa Di) located in the south second ring of Beijing. What better time to go than during the week long Spring Festival Holiday with a huge portion of the 20 mil+ people cleared out for the week? I have never, nor will I probably ever encounter so much fruit ever again in my life.

I've always considered myself to be more of a visual person, so I guess I should have taken a look inside before agreeing to purchasing the massive carton of apples. When I finally looked inside I was surprised to see around 70 apples... which turned out to be great gifts for CNY ;)

The salespeople were all incredibly friendly--insisting that they arrange their goods for the best possible photos. A few were confused with why someone would want to take photos of almonds... and dates... and walnuts, but seemed to believe me when I insisted it was just for fun ;) Here are some shots from the trip!

"You don't want me to smile, because I would shatter your camera lens."

“It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn’t use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like “What about lunch?”

— ― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Love,
Daze

年会 ! (Company Holiday Party)

Daisy Sun February 1, 2014

Hi Everyone!

This time last year, I packed up and moved to Beijing from Seattle to work for a Educational Technology start-up called Qooco. I was lucky to have made it just in time a few days after my arrival for my first 年会 (nian hui), an annal gathering and celebration before the Chinese New Year. I remember understanding only about a quarter of the event, but regardless had a wonderful time with the high spirits of the team.

This year, my friend Ashton and I co-hosted our annual party at the Grace Hotel, a beautiful Art Deco Boutique Hotel in Beijing's 798 Art District. The team was kind enough to give me the English portion of the program ;) even though I am constantly working on my Chinese! The night was filled with chatter, laughter, birthday celebrations, great food, and of course some speeches ;) I cannot express how fortunate and grateful I am to have had the chance to work with such wonderful people. Here are some shots from the event!

L-A-D-I-E-S M-A-N  ASHTON — L-A-D-I-E-S M-A-N ASHTON

Kensen (Head of Education Dept) & Myself!

“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.”

— ― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Love,
Daze

KYDS Adventures Pt. Deux

Daisy Sun January 31, 2014

Hi All,

I'm going to start calling Kelly & Myself KYDS for short (Kelly Yen + Daisy Sun) This isn't a cool thing, it's just...easier and maybe kind of cute :)

Chinese New Years is in a couple days, which means most all the migrant workers and many local Beijingers have cleared out for the week long holiday. We took the chance to explore one of the more crowded markets called Panjiayuan. Panjiayuan is known for being the craft/beads/flea-market. Other common names include the Dirt Market or Antique Market, even though most of the goods here are reproduced "antiques." Either way, this made for a full-framed afternoon on a solid winter day. KY and I were left with colds the next day, after we lost our toes and noses to the unforgiving winter day. Regardless, we got our fix for beads and other miscellaneous items with our eyes.