What's in store for you in 2013 at ASIC?

Around this time of year, many across the world will sit down with their pens, note pads, laptops, iPads and what not to compile a list of the things they would like to accomplish in the following year. I usually don't write this, because I rarely achieve 40% of what I wrote at the beginning of the year. Also, like most, I forget about this list by the second week of January! What I like to write however are weekly and monthly goals, because I like to take on a task few at a time, making sure to give myself a reasonable time frame to complete them. Setting monthly goals also helps break seemingly large tasks into smaller chunks.  

However, for 2013, i'm trying something new and fresh. I've decided to write out a set of goals for myself, breaking them down into monthly goals. And at the end of each month, i'll check off the ones I accomplished for that month and reward myself financially based on how many tasks I cross off the list for that particular month.

                                               Me squished in the Train on my way to work

So what are some of my goals that are related to AfroSista in China (ASIC)?
Well, not a lot really. But you can look forward to these...

1) Get a NEW layout! I've been meaning to pretty up my blog for months now, but unfortunately i'm technically challenged, and so I've resorted to staying with this basic layout. However, my plan for January will be to have a really cool layout before the end of the month. And i'm going to do this all by myself!

2) Post at least once, preferably twice a week, meaning I should have at least 75 postings for 2013. Though I no longer live in China, I still have so much to blog about and i'll keep doing that until I run out stuff to talk about ;) And then may be the blog will get a new name like AfroSista in [Insert Country]

Morning Rush hour at Si Hui Subway station, a Terminal Station

3) Feature some of my favorite readers and bloggers

4) Have a more fun and interactive blog :)

I have lots of these!

5) Include basic Chinese in my post, with translations of course!

6) Oh, and one more thing, post more of my photos in China. Also in January, i'll have a slide show running on this blog and also open a fotki or some sort of  photo uploading/sharing website. Pictures do speak louder than words!

These guys were "privileged" to have me in their brief but unwanted photo shoot

What are some of your goals for 2013? And for you bloggers out there. what are some of the things we should look forward to on your blog for 2013?

Happy New Year and Thanks for an Awesome Year!

*Source*

As the year comes to an end and we prepare to enter a new one, i'd like to pause and take the time to thank each and every single one of you. From the frequent to occasional and even the one-time readers who have taken the time to read my posts, leave comments and even took the extra step to send me a personal email.

Through this blog, I have improved my knowledge on the world atlas, since I've had to check where certain cities or countries are located on the map each time I get a visitor from such countries. I look forward to receiving visitors and readers from countries on the Pacific, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and many more. 

Thank you again for being a part of Curious Kinks and now AfroSista in China.

I wish you and your family a great 2013, I hope it's filled with many joy, good health and wealth.

I look forward to reading your comments in 2013!

 

Merry Christmas Everyone!

In light of the season, I'd like to wish all my readers and followers a Merry Christmas. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday.

Around this time last year, I managed to snap some photos around Beijing since that was my first and last Christmas in the city. I was actually quite surprised at the amount of lights, trees and other Christmas decors that were intricately displayed on buildings, streets and public squares. 

Here are some of the pics I snapped around this time last year with a brief description of each photo. 

Enjoy!

Two Santa clauses at Xidan (a large shopping district in Beijing) handing out a "wish/luck" card to write a wish on.

After writing on the card, you tie it anywhere on the Christmas tree. Writing on a piece of paper and hanging it on some sort of object is a popular practice in China, as they are very superstitious.

Toy Story? at Sanlitun, an International Shopping District

Christmas Tree at Sanlitun

 Still at Sanlitun

These Lights changes colors!

Xidan subway station on Christmas Eve

Xidan Shopping District

Christmas lights on the 3rd ring road 

A Christmas present one of my students gave me. By the way, it's an apple. An apple? you might ask. Well, the Chinese word for apple "ping guo" sounds like "ping an ye" which means peaceful night or what we call Christmas Eve. And so people will give each other an apple wrapped in beautiful wrapping papers. You'll also find street vendors, supermarkets and little shops selling them around Christmas Eve. Don't worry if this doesn't make sense because I still don't understand how an apple relates to Christmas eve.  

To see how Xidan looks like at night, you can visit this site.

Jeeze, I need to get back to actually writing more on this site! I still have a lot to write about, and in case you're wondering, I haven't forgotten about the Facts vs. Myth series.

Anyway, I hope the season brings you lots of joy and warmth. Have a safe Christmas!