Fix Your Life 2015: Now is the Time to Do All Those Things You Said You'd Do Last Year
The conveniences and small services available in other cities sometimes appear elusive in Beijing. Here are some suggestions for services that may help to get some leftover items crossed off of your 2014 to-do list, and get a solid start on 2015.
Mend Your Coat
Your correspondent had a durable winter coat that would have been facing the end of its useful life, except that while outside looked like Savile Row, the lining smacked of Skid Row. It was Pride Laundry to the rescue. They replaced the lining and cleaned the coat, and actually now it looks better than new. They also do basic alterations and repairs, including sewing buttons and the odd cuff or hem. Start looking better in 2015 without losing a calorie.
Pride Laundry, G/F, Forte International Apartments, 235 Chaoyang Beilu, Chaoyang District (8571 5058)
北京朝阳 区朝阳北路235号.
Eat Organic, at Home
Eating healthy has never been simpler, with fresh, organic produce delivered right to your door. Tootoo Organic Farm offers an English interface and home delivery on organic fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, eggs, and even products like coffee and wine. Discounts apply on larger orders. Why worry about food safety when a solution even easier than buying it yourself is available?
Order from Tootoo Organic Farm here.
Quit Smoking
It’s one of the most popular new year’s resolutions, and most difficult to achieve. But you can do it, even in smoky Beijing. There are a couple of options. Formal quit smoking programs are available from healthcare providers in Beijing. Such programs usually include a step-by-step approach that may also involve a nicotine patch or gum, supervision with a counselor to help you hit your goals along the way, and some follow-up to ensure continued success.
International SOS Beijing Clinic, Suite 105, Wing 1, Kunsha Building, 16 Xinyuanli, Chaoyang District (6462 9112)
北 京市朝阳区新源里16号琨莎中心1座105室
The other option is to step back from cigarette smoking and move to something less harmful and somewhat more socially acceptable, the inhalation of vapors, or “vaping.” Some non-smokers enjoy vaping for the flavor, but many use it as a way to ease off proper lighting up on their way to being nicotine free. It’s not risk-free, but it’s better than something referred to as “cancer sticks.”
Cyovape, 105 Gulou Dong Dajie, Dongcheng District (158 1138 3777)
东城区鼓楼东大街105号
Take the HSK
Shenme? If the letters HSK don’t ring any bells, they’re worth learning. They stand for Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, very literally “Chinese Level Examination,” the TOEFL of Chinese. It’s a standardized test designed to measure fluency in written Chinese, through both reading and writing of short essays. Expect that someday, probably before long, companies and Chinese educational institutions will want to see it on job applications. HSK-1 is basic, real fluency is measured by the HSK-6. If nothing else, studying for the test will make ordering in a restaurant easier.
Live the Language, Suite 2910 Building C, Sunshine 100, Guanghua St. 2, Chaoyang District (5100 1269)
朝 阳区光华路2号阳光100 －C 座房间号码2910
Mind Your Manners
Let 2015 be the year that you become lady or a gentleman, or just your company’s go-to person to toast a joint venture partner. Sara Jane Ho, Beijing’s “Miss Manners,” can fix your chronic faux pas and teach you to interact socially on a new level. More than just learning which fork or chopsticks to use, Ho’s Institute Sarita (see our article here) training concentrates on the finer points of projecting confidence, and dressing for success. Courses are an investment – tuition for some is in the thousands of RMB – but consider it an investment in yourself and your future.
Institute Sarita, Unit #5131-1, Building 5, Sanlitun SOHO, 8 Gongti North Road, Chaoyang District (8590 0835)
北京市 朝阳区工体北路8号三里屯SOHO 5号楼商铺5131-1
Whiten Your Smile
People with white teeth earn an average 13 percent more than those who don’t. Of course we made that statistic up just now, but white teeth are a beauty standard both in China and elsewhere. Cosmetic dentistry is now widely available in Beijing and affordable. A simple tooth whitening (which goes beyond the normal cleaning) can be had at most major dental clinics, and other adjustments, including orthodontic work are now similarly ubiquitous. Shop around, whitening can be done at some locations in the RMB 1,000-1,500 range.
EverCare Perfect Cosmetic Dentistry Center, Zhongyuan Xingfu Mansion, 3 Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang District (6538 0098)
北京朝阳区东三环北路3号幸福大厦A首层
More stories by this author here.
Email: stevenschwankert@thebeijinger.com
Twitter: @greatwriteshark
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