The Free Radicals: February 2014

I remember when we used to ride bicycles everywhere
Even in the winter time, we would still ride around everywhere
I can remember when we used to ride bicycles everywhere
Even in the winter time, we would still ride around everywhere
-Chad Vangaalen

Last October, I had mentally prepared myself for another tortuous Beijing winter complete with rain, snow, wind, smog, bone-chilling cold, frozen toes, and 5 to 6 months of gray skies. However, this past winter— compared to last year, anyway—has been pretty mild, and surprisingly pleasant. Don’t misunderstand me—it’s still cold, but the amount of days with blue, sunny skies seems to outnumber the smoggy ones. The blue skies may be the result of the wind carrying the smog all the way to California (or so my mother tells me). Sorry California!

Nevertheless, our anticipation for snow grew keener and keener as the days grew colder and colder.
Then finally…it snowed! Last Friday, the frigid skies graced Beijing with a generous dusting of white froth, concealing the everyday grime and filth and luring gleeful children outside for snowball fights.

Snow or no snow, we still have things to do and places to be. So on our trusty bicycles we go—this means wearing a lot of necessary clothing. Warm hat—necessary. Double lined woven gloves –necessary. Thick scarf—necessary. Long underwear—necessary. Big, poofy down coat—necessary. Styling your hair—unnecessary. Everyone has hat head here (except birdMAN). Wearing all those clothes makes me feel like a giant stuffed animal. A giant stuffed animal on a bike in the snow. But I am not cold.

Chinese Word of the Blog: 填充动物玩具Tiánchōng dòngwù wánjù (literally: stuffed animal toy)

English Translation: Stuffed Animal

Sample Sentence:

我好像一个很大的填充动物玩具因为我穿太多的衣服。

Wǒ hǎoxiàng yīgè hěn dà de tiánchōng dòngwù wánjù yīnwèi wǒ chuān tài duō de yīfú.

I wear so many clothes that I am like a giant stuffed animal.