3 Important lessons that every Beijinger learns sooner or later

Sorry it has been so long since my last post. Not only did my computer break, but since I live off campus it is difficult to borrow anyone’s computer. While going through the process of trying to buy a new computer with my limited funds I did learn some valuable lessons :

A vending machine library randomly situated in the heart of Sanlitun, a chic party and shopping district

1    1. Buy anything you need off of JD.com.

I ordered my new computer---- unfortunately not my beloved Apple because they are insanely expensive here---from JD.com. Guess when it came, just take a wild guess… IT CAME THE NEXT DAY. Let me say it again so it really sinks in: the sun went down, then it came up again and my computer arrived!!!! In less than 24 hours I was able to hold my precious new computer in my hands.

2.  Buy clothes and items  by your favorite brands in your home country.

It is true that life is cheap here: food, bus tickets, and items that you bargain for are definitely inexpensive, but famous stores like H&M, Forever 21, Apple, are more expensive than in the US. The main  places to buy cheap clothes are at bargaining markets like the Golden Towers and the website Tabao.com, a site EVERYONE uses for anything and everything. The only problem with this site is that sometimes the clothing sizes are off. So if you need to learn anything from me, it is that you are better off bringing everything you own from home to China, unless of course you are a bargaining master, then have at it!

3. Pray that your Apple products do not  break.

I LOVE Apple products. Since high school I have had various Macs and since graduating college I have fallen in love with the iPhone. Unfortunately, although Apple is expensive in the US, it is even more expensive in China. Hence, I went from having an iPhone and a Mac in the States to an Android and a PC here in Beijing. C’est la vie, right?

As these lessons show, while living in a different country, it takes time to get the hang of things. Although it was annoying to not have my convenient go-to, computer repair guy, and to have to make do with a cheaper PC, living in Beijing is worth it. The food, the people, and the Beijing life is such an adventure that everything else seems trivial. Here are some pictures of Beijing life:

This delicious feast made walking around a park during class for a couple hours in the freezing cold almost pleasurable.

So...this fox boot apparently is a thing

Home sweet home, gotta love rush hour!

I really did try to eat my Thanksgiving feast with chopsticks... I ate about 5 bites before giving up.