Andy Peñafuerte III

Subway Sunday: The "Grim" Gate on Lines 2/4, Located Just Near a Church

by Andy PenafuerteLocal Stories August 20, 2017No Comments

In today’s Subway Sunday, we travel to Xuānwǔmén (宣武门), one of Beijing’s ancient imperial gates southwest of the Forbidden City. Today, Xuanwumen is a transfer station for both Line 2 (the Second Ring Road loop) and Line 4 (Daxing Line). Its namesake, Xuānwǔmén or literally the “Gate of Military Proclamation” was informally referred to as the …

When I Grow Up: Seismologist Tells Huijia Students That Earth Science Rocks

by Andy PenafuerteLocal Stories August 16, 2017No Comments

The study of earthquakes is called seismology, and if you’ll forgive the pun, it rocks! While we may not feel it, the ground where we stand is constantly moving, albeit very slowly. When such movements cause breaks in the earth (“faults”), they can produce damaging earthquakes and also alter landscapes. Seismologist Marie-Luce Chevalier from the …

Mandarin Monday: Looking for Common Household Items? Here Are Their Chinese Names

by Andy PenafuerteLocal Stories, Mandarin Monday August 14, 2017No Comments

It’s true that living in a country where English is not the primary language is difficult. But that shouldn’t scare away newcomers in Beijing as staying here can be a learning experience. New expats, and even those who’ve been here for quite a time, mostly find it hard to find common household items in stores …

Ball Pits and Indoor Play Areas for Kids Might Not Be as Clean as You Think

by Andy PenafuerteLocal Stories August 11, 2017No Comments

Throw, shoot, dive! Ball pits and indoor play areas might be a haven for our kids, especially now that the smog days (in Beijing) are coming back again. But these seemingly safe places have more little fellows lurking somewhere: germs and other microbes. What’s more, toys and balls in these indoor centers are not always sanitized, …

Empowering Tools: How Technology Can Help Both Kids with Special Needs and Their Parents

by Andy PenafuerteLocal Stories August 11, 2017No Comments

Children with disabilities, according to UNICEF, are among “the most marginalized and excluded groups in society,” often regarded as “inferior,” which puts them at risk of discrimination and being misunderstood. Global estimates put at least 93 million children worldwide with some form of disability, and that they are likely to have lesser access to medical …

Innovative Education for the 21st Century: The Challenges in Learning Amid a Rapidly Changing World

by Andy PenafuerteLocal Stories August 9, 2017No Comments

We’re only in the second decade of the 21st century but the changes happening in many fields worldwide have been swift and steady. Think of health; we’ve taken many great strides in producing life-saving medicines. Think of technology, and there have been rapid developments in computing, robotics, and the internet. Think of any other industry …

Beijing Subway Sunday: Line 10's Station Where Horses Used to Bathe

by Andy PenafuerteLocal Stories August 6, 2017No Comments

I am always amazed by how extensive Beijing’s subway network is. As of this moment, we have 19 lines, 345 stations (70 are above ground) and 574km of track in operation, and in the coming years, we will see more lines opening. Despite being notoriously crowded (and sometimes smelly), we can’t deny that Beijing’s subway is the most …

Beijing Bucket List: Indulging in the Flavors of Yunnan Cuisine

by Andy PenafuerteLocal Stories, The Bucket List August 4, 2017No Comments

This time of the year is perfect for savoring Yunnan cuisine, known for its mushroom dishes as well as its fusion of several Chinese tastes. It’s not surprising as the province is located in China’s southwest where the country’s Han Chinese culture meets with the tropical flavors of Southeastern Asian countries like Vietnam, Laos, and Burma. …

Rio Olympian Captivates Young Competitors at an International Gymnastics Tournament in Beijing

by Andy PenafuerteLocal Stories August 2, 2017No Comments

Rhythmic gymnastics is always one of the most popular sporting events at any Olympic Games. But it takes years of stretching and countless hours of practice for the gymnasts to perfect certain maneuvers. For young kids, getting their progress recognized is an achievement which inspires them to improve at their craft.

Mandarin Monday: Cool Down by Using These Summer-Related Words

by Andy PenafuerteLocal Stories, Mandarin Monday July 31, 2017No Comments

It’s undeniably hot and what better respite is there than to stay under a shade and listen to summer anthems. Of course, life isn’t always like that and we still need to endure the scorching July sun to do our daily activities. Here are some cool words and phrases you can use to beat the heat.