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We launched e-learning at the International School of Beijing in early February and here are the top five drama lessons that kids loved. 1. Drop a Pin on Your Life |
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Here are a few project samples from ISB student blogs.
Option 1: Meme-Mories
Neo, grade 8
Alex, grade 8
Option 2: Drama Exercise Videos
Bella and Sophia, grade 7
Option 3: Student Vlogs: A Day in the Life of Quarantine
Arissa, grade 7
Marissa, grade 7
Julia, grade 8
Option 4: Movement
Yoga Flow : Vicky, grade 7
Student-choreographed Dance
Angel, grade 8
Rachel, grade 7
Option 5: Student-written monologues
Patrick, grade 7
Bella, grade 7
Feel free to use these ideas for your next drama class.
Please share in the comments below how you either plan to use these exercises or how they worked in you classroom.
Option 1: Meme-Mories
Neo, grade 8
Alex, grade 8
Option 2: Drama Exercise Videos
Bella and Sophia, grade 7
Option 3: Student Vlogs: A Day in the Life of Quarantine
Arissa, grade 7
Marissa, grade 7
Julia, grade 8
Option 4: Movement
Yoga Flow : Vicky, grade 7
Student-choreographed Dance
Angel, grade 8
Rachel, grade 7
Option 5: Student-written monologues
Patrick, grade 7
Bella, grade 7
Feel free to use these ideas for your next drama class.
Please share in the comments below how you either plan to use these exercises or how they worked in you classroom.
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Waiting is hard. Nobody likes to wait. People pay for first class airline tickets and express passes for Disneyland just so they don't have too.
Living in Beijing during COVID-19 feels like a season of waiting.
An invitation to give up control because we don't know a lot of things.
We don't know when the coronavirus outbreak will end.
We don't know when the cases of infections and deaths will stop.
We don't know when school will re-open.
We don't even know if this will affect our summer plans.
We don't know when countries will re-open their borders for travelers from China or when airlines will resume normal operation.
We don't know when we will get a sense of normalcy again but we hope that this - empty streets, ghost towns, having to wear masks everywhere, home quarantines, blocked off neighborhoods, temperature checks, fear & anxiety, and worse, xenophobia will end.
We don't know how this will play out after it's over...
These are just some of the things that we do not know but there are things that I do know, as well.
I know that Love is a powerful force and amidst this uncertainty, if I connect with the Spirit, an energy or frequency beyond myself - God - that I feel peace.
Words from ancient scripture, like Psalm 91 suddenly takes on a personal meaning and takes root in my soul.
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord,
“He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield
and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks
in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
Words, promises and reassurances like these shift the mental chaos to clarity.
I also know that being with my family at our home is a good place to be, right now. Balancing e-learning for my classes and homeschooling our kids through this platform ain't easy. Being home has given us access to space, resources and toys that we need to keep a sense of routine. Plus, Ayi is back.
Of course it wouldn't be too bad either to be at the white powdery shores of Boracay sipping fresh mango shakes while working remotely but the girl's passports are at the Canadian embassy being renewed. For three weeks.
There's a bigger hand keeping us here and I will just embrace it rather than fight it.
Human connection is needed, as well. I'm thankful for a community of women and families who have stayed here, with us. We "meet" either through once a week play dates, an occasional "eat out" or through China's most popular social media platform - we chat.
We have a chat group for everything and a couple of my favorites are the "21 Day Fitness community" where women have committed to 21 days to fight the virus by pursuing their health and fitness goals and "the Never-ending pajama party" - where a group of my close Beijing friends hang-out and have virtual wine parties and share counter arguments to some of the false news that we've been receiving about this...it helps that one of our friends work at the World Health Organization so we can access factual information.
Humans need each other. The short two hour dinner - sitting in an empty restaurant about a meter away from each other - with Kim and Rebecca was great and the daily walks that Steve and I have after our e-learning office hours is a routine that I look forward too...every day.
I also know that this will only be a season. No matter how long.
Just like the winter where trees seem barren and dead, something is happening inside; unseen processes are at work that is getting ready for re-birth.
I feel this.
I know this.
So that even if waiting is hard; I will surrender to it trusting that Love will work things out for the good...and spring will come again.
Looking for strategies to capture student interest and community support to join an ISTA festival?
Show the video below - created by students for students - in your drama classes or in a school assembly to pump up interest for ISTA.
Show the video below - created by students for students - in your drama classes or in a school assembly to pump up interest for ISTA.
This infographic below produced by the International Schools Theater Association shares practical things that teachers have done to build and maintain participation in ISTA festivals throughout the years.
Check-out the list and see which strategies may work wonders for your community.
Check-out the list and see which strategies may work wonders for your community.
Students from the International School of Beijing share about ISTA
“To me, ISTA is a second home. A once in a lifetime opportunity to connect, to learn, and to create with artists and friends from all over the world. ISTA is the world of art and imagination for the kids who feel the need to find themselves, and express who they are through drama.” - Karen, grade 8 |  |
ISTA is a magical place. It is a place where there is no judgement. You can be yourself, express yourself, and show your true colors. The most magical thing about ISTA is that a group of strangers only sharing one common interest meet, and they leave as a group, an ensemble, a part of the ISTA family. |  |
How do you make the festival experience even more special for your students? Book a fun trip, tour or experience in the city that you will visit. Check-out this Disney Challenge!
MS ISTA students perform drama exercises all around Disney, Hong Kong.
MS ISTA students perform drama exercises all around Disney, Hong Kong.
Students love ISTA! It's one of the most transformative drama experiences that they have in a school year.
Though our school had to withdraw from this year's festival hosted by Bali Island School due to the coronavirus outbreak, we look forward to joining a festival again next school year and hope to perhaps meet you and your students at some point of our ISTA journey.
Though our school had to withdraw from this year's festival hosted by Bali Island School due to the coronavirus outbreak, we look forward to joining a festival again next school year and hope to perhaps meet you and your students at some point of our ISTA journey.
How can we create playful experiences for young children that are purposeful and productive?
A team of ISTA theater artists and educators flew into Singapore from Brussels, Beijng, Los Angeles, Sydney, New Zealand and the UK to converge at an ISTA lower primary school festival hosted by Rachael Mweti of Nexus International School. They transformed the auditorium into the Enchanted Woods utilizing a play-based model shared by Artistic Director, Debra Kidd that ignited the children’s imagination through inquiry, iterative, interactive and active experiences.
“The goal of the festival is to create a joyful and playful experience for the students that they can also share with their parents,” shared Debra who has a doctorate in education and is the author of three books on education and creativity.
A team of ISTA theater artists and educators flew into Singapore from Brussels, Beijng, Los Angeles, Sydney, New Zealand and the UK to converge at an ISTA lower primary school festival hosted by Rachael Mweti of Nexus International School. They transformed the auditorium into the Enchanted Woods utilizing a play-based model shared by Artistic Director, Debra Kidd that ignited the children’s imagination through inquiry, iterative, interactive and active experiences.
“The goal of the festival is to create a joyful and playful experience for the students that they can also share with their parents,” shared Debra who has a doctorate in education and is the author of three books on education and creativity.
Top Ten Tips for Purposeful and Productive Play
from the ISTA Primary Festival
1. Use a book as inspiration to craft a drama, design and engineering workshop for children.
In this video, I share how I weaved drama with design principles in a playful experience inspired by Where the Wild Things Are.
1. Use a book as inspiration to craft a drama, design and engineering workshop for children.
In this video, I share how I weaved drama with design principles in a playful experience inspired by Where the Wild Things Are.
Design Process for Primary Kids
Step 1: Ask/Inquiry (Generated with the students)
What problems do monsters have?
How can we make monsters?
Step 2: Imagine and brainstorm solutions
Kids said that monsters struggle with loneliness and need friends.
They wanted to make monsters and eventually after making their first monster they made friends, families and communities for them.
Step 3: Plan and design
Students drew their monsters, identified their problems, wrote down questions and imagined their stories of origin. While some students wrote down their ideas on their sketches, others chose to verbally share their stories.
Step 4: Create
Students made their monsters with air dry clay and googly eyes.
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Step 5: Improve
The kids decided that that monsters needed a place to live and built "Monster Land" out of blocks and recycled boxes. They constructed a city where each monster had a place where they can feel like they belong.
The kids decided that that monsters needed a place to live and built "Monster Land" out of blocks and recycled boxes. They constructed a city where each monster had a place where they can feel like they belong.
2. Empower young explorers by creating a travel path using items that you can find in your classroom or home.
In this short video, ISTA artist and primary school expert Sierra Laderoute shares how she collaborated with her ensemble to create a journey using a “an icon hat” and an interactive obstacle course.
In this short video, ISTA artist and primary school expert Sierra Laderoute shares how she collaborated with her ensemble to create a journey using a “an icon hat” and an interactive obstacle course.
The kids created hats with images that represented the different characters that they played in the journey through the Enchanted Woods.
3. Create an imaginative story using tribal wars to teach peace and empathy.
Watch Carl Robinson (actor and a drama teacher from the International School of Brussels) and Odette McKenzie (actor/singer from Sydney) set the context of conflict between two warring worlds through role play.
Watch Carl Robinson (actor and a drama teacher from the International School of Brussels) and Odette McKenzie (actor/singer from Sydney) set the context of conflict between two warring worlds through role play.
4. Build caves, craft stories and devise chants.
Kids love to build forts, caves and kingdoms. Watch ISTA veteran artist and clown expert Matthew Godfrey share about a magical cave and spell created by his young tribe.
Kids love to build forts, caves and kingdoms. Watch ISTA veteran artist and clown expert Matthew Godfrey share about a magical cave and spell created by his young tribe.
5. Play music from one of your favorite kiddie movies and have a dance party. If you need ideas on how to groove, search for a Just Dance youtube video.
For example, I led a "Fairy Dance Party" during the full group and sharing sessions.
6. Sing silly songs.
Carl's Arustasha was a hit with the kids (and their parents)!
7. Use guided meditation and tickle your child's senses by gliding soft fabric on their skin and use a spray bottle to gently splash them with water infused by essential oils.
For example, I led a "Fairy Dance Party" during the full group and sharing sessions.
6. Sing silly songs.
Carl's Arustasha was a hit with the kids (and their parents)!
7. Use guided meditation and tickle your child's senses by gliding soft fabric on their skin and use a spray bottle to gently splash them with water infused by essential oils.
8. Transform a space into an imagined setting through lighting, props and scenery.
9. Design or make masks and create characters inspired by mythical creatures.
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10. Be playful.
The ISTA artist team tapped into their inner child and through playful exploration crafted joyful experiences in their ensembles and full group sessions. They also facilitated an-hour long interactive sharing - that featured the various talents of the ISTA artists that included physical theater, singing, dancing, meditation and play - that bonded the children with their families.
The creative fire sparked by the festival will hopefully continue to burn long after the curtain closed; may the warm glow of playful memories light the hearts of the families that shared this journey through the Enchanted Woods.
The ISTA artist team tapped into their inner child and through playful exploration crafted joyful experiences in their ensembles and full group sessions. They also facilitated an-hour long interactive sharing - that featured the various talents of the ISTA artists that included physical theater, singing, dancing, meditation and play - that bonded the children with their families.
The creative fire sparked by the festival will hopefully continue to burn long after the curtain closed; may the warm glow of playful memories light the hearts of the families that shared this journey through the Enchanted Woods.
Interested to join an ISTA festival, check-out this website:
https://ista.co.uk/events/
ISTA Lower Primary Festival Team
Artistic Director: Debra Kidd
Rep: Liane Campbell
Artists:
Matthew Godfrey
Carl Robinson
Odette McKenzie
Sierra Lauderoute
Hannah Northcott
https://ista.co.uk/events/
ISTA Lower Primary Festival Team
Artistic Director: Debra Kidd
Rep: Liane Campbell
Artists:
Matthew Godfrey
Carl Robinson
Odette McKenzie
Sierra Lauderoute
Hannah Northcott
What do you look for when planning a family vacation?
The Marriott family beach resorts offer a five star experience that includes a spacious pool, beach access, a gym, adult fitness classes (like Zumba, yoga, thai boxing, aqua aerobics, thai massage), luxurious accommodation, and a kids club that offers a variety of activities that will give parents some free time.
We’ve been a member for seven years and have frequently visited the Marriott Mai Khao Family Beach Resort at Phuket but for the past Chinese New Year holiday, we explored a new resort at the Marriott Nusa Dua Gardens in Bali, Indonesia.
I will compare these two experiences so you could see which would be a better fit for your family.
Flight from Beijing
Phuket is a direct flight while we needed a connecting flight via Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to get to Bali. Having the straight flight to Phuket is definitely a plus for those traveling with young kids. Both resorts are only 20-30 minutes away from the airport and booking a hotel transport has always been our preference for ease of travel after a long flight.
Verdict: Phuket is an easier travel destination from Beijing because of the direct flight and shorter travel day.
Accommodation
The vacation clubs have similar features in accommodation that includes a living room, two bedrooms, a kitchen, dining area, balcony, in-door laundry facilities, and two baths. Phuket had bigger rooms because of the rectangular lay-out that gave it a spacious feel. A private balcony extends from the master suite which also had a party bath tub that could fit a whole family. You could throw the kids in there and watch an episode of Netflix.
The two-bedroom apartment in Bali had a soothing Southeast Asian interior and guest bedroom big enough for a small play kingdom for the kids. They had their own kitchenette, two beds, bath, balcony and corner table. The living room also had a pull out bed.
 | Verdict: Although both resorts offer luxurious accommodation for the family with enough room to invite grandparents, we prefer the Phuket rooms because of its open concept, spaciousness and party bath tub. If you're lucky, you may even get a room with it's own mini pool. |
Pool
The main pool in Phuket is rectangular in shape with a baby pool at the end. There's also a kiddie pool with a slide and a mini-splash park that pre-schoolers love.
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The Bali pool was warmed by the Indonesian sun and has a winding lay-out, a lazy river, a hot tub and a shallow pool for the young ones.
Verdict: I prefer the Bali pool with it’s warmth and lazy river feature but Steve prefers the Phuket pool.
Beach
The Mai Khao beach is in front of the JW Marriott. A golf buggy will transport you the beach or you can borrow a bike and ride to it in five minutes. The beach is a private portion of a national park. It was lovely to stroll along the shoreline but the waves were always too rough for our girls to swim in. Thus, we’ve stayed mostly at the resort with minimal visits to the beach.
The Mai Khao beach is in front of the JW Marriott. A golf buggy will transport you the beach or you can borrow a bike and ride to it in five minutes. The beach is a private portion of a national park. It was lovely to stroll along the shoreline but the waves were always too rough for our girls to swim in. Thus, we’ve stayed mostly at the resort with minimal visits to the beach.
The Bali resort offers a shuttle ride to the beach every 30 minutes. It was a close drive and if you have active children, can even walk or bike to it. The beach was kid-friendly plus it also had rolling waves that made it fun for surfers. It’s a great beach for kid to learn surfing too. The Marriott has it’s own beach front with loungers, a bar and a restaurant. Local stores were also a stone throw away from the beach.
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Verdict: Bali beach wins!
Gym and Adult Fitness Classes
I love the Phuket yoga sala and small gym. It’s easy to walk too from the villas and I’ve always attended adult classes while we were there. Aqua aerobics was fun at the pool and the Muay Thai classes was a good sweat. Since we’ve been returning often, we have a good connection with staff.
I didn’t make it to the gym at Bali. Although Indonesians are known for their warmth, the resort didn’t quite have the same personable touch as Phuket.
Verdict: The Phuket resort had a better selection of adult activities and when we traveled there with lots of friends, we did aqua aerobics together which was fun!
Kids’ Club
The Phuket Kids Club is a parent’s dream come true with an amazing staff, engaging activities, well-planned programs, and is close to the pool. Thus, if you’re lounging by the pool with a book and happy hour drinks, the staff knows where to find you when the kids want to exit the club. Our kids just happily hopped between the pool and the kids club.
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The Bali kids club felt almost bare. The photos are pretty sad. It didn’t have the friendliness of the Phuket staff and the schedule wasn’t as robust in terms of programming. There were less kids in the space and the most they offered were movies and video games. It offered a short respite from the equatorial sun but our kids were barely there.
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The gamelan at the lobby offered the kids more entertainment. Ariella played a beat whenever we passed by this classical Indonesian instrument.
Verdict: Phuket hands down had a better kids club.
Massages
I love being pampered but the Marriott spa prices are too much for me so I unashamedly went to the Holiday Inn for a day of pampering which offered a more affordable package. I often biked down to the beach-side kiosks for an ocean-side massage.
There were spas outside the Nusa Dua resort that were easy to walk into and even my girls enjoyed the fish spa. It was an average experience but spa experiences are always available in Bali. I just didn’t want to venture out too far and was happy enough with the local ones nearby.
Verdict: Cheaper massages are available nearby for those who don’t want to splurge on hotel spa prices.
Day Trips
Not much I can say here because we’ve always just stayed at the resort and the beach. Since Steve and I explored Thailand and Bali in our pre-kid stage, we didn’t feel the need to go outside the resort on family holidays.
Restaurant
The Phuket resort had a better bar that offered family friendly food like pizza while Bali’s main restaurant had macaroni and cheese that the kids also enjoyed. We usually made our own breakfast, ordered lunch at the resort bar, then ate out in a local restaurant for dinner.
Verdict: Not much difference. It's a tie! A god thing - water is free and easily accessible in both resorts; I just wish that they used less plastic in the H2O bottles that they left in the rooms.
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Family Investment Review
We invested in the Marriott experience because Steve and I are committed to live overseas long-term as international educators. We have three to five travel holidays a year (Golden Week, Christmas, CNY, spring break and summers), and with the age of our daughter prefer easy beach holidays. We would have spent the same amount on accommodation renting either an Air B and B or hotel so investing in the Marriott program made financial sense and we’ve paid off the main fee in three years and now just pay an annual membership fee.
We’ve loved all our Marriott experiences because with a hotel chain like them, we always know what we’re getting. We’ve also used our points when we traveled to New York, Toronto, Las Vegas, and Manila.
Source of interior villa photos and swimming pools are from the Marriott website at : https://www.marriottvacationclub.com/vacation-resorts/hktpa-marriotts-mai-khao-beach-phuket/accommodations/
Planning a vacation for the family - one that will make it smooth and enjoyable for everyone - is not an easy task. The blog series on Boracay will give you a road map while this post will share the step by step process once you land in the Philippines.
First. how do you book a flight Boracay when there is no direct flight to it? What you will see is a choice between Manila-Kalibo (a 2-hour land trip to Caticlan) or Manila-Caticlan. ALWAYS choose the latter. It is the direct flight you're looking for and this guide will help you know what to expect upon arrival at Caticlan.
Step 1: Manila-Caticlan flight.
Expect delays. It usually happens but the length of time is getting better. The weather will influence how much that will be so avoid going to the Philippines during the rainy or typhoon season from June-October. There are different terminals and airports in Manila, make sure you are at the right one.
If you need to stay in Manila overnight for a connecting flight, you can check-out the hotels across the airport such as the Marriott or Resort World. They will offer you the most convenient options and have a shuttle to the airport.
The easiest flight to book will be one that lands in Manila and has a direct flight to Caticlan on the same day. Make sure that the airport is in MANILA and not CLARK, an airport that is a couple of hours away from the city.
Step 2: Bus will pick you up from the run-way and bring you to the airport.
If you've booked a hotel transfer, they will pick you up from the airport but if not, you can book through Southwest. They will have a people at the airport or if flying with Cebu Pacific, you can book it at the plane for 800 pesos. They will provide all the local transfers from the airport to your hotel.
You will pick-up your luggage and ride a vehicle from the airport to the Caticlan port.
First. how do you book a flight Boracay when there is no direct flight to it? What you will see is a choice between Manila-Kalibo (a 2-hour land trip to Caticlan) or Manila-Caticlan. ALWAYS choose the latter. It is the direct flight you're looking for and this guide will help you know what to expect upon arrival at Caticlan.
Step 1: Manila-Caticlan flight.
Expect delays. It usually happens but the length of time is getting better. The weather will influence how much that will be so avoid going to the Philippines during the rainy or typhoon season from June-October. There are different terminals and airports in Manila, make sure you are at the right one.
If you need to stay in Manila overnight for a connecting flight, you can check-out the hotels across the airport such as the Marriott or Resort World. They will offer you the most convenient options and have a shuttle to the airport.
The easiest flight to book will be one that lands in Manila and has a direct flight to Caticlan on the same day. Make sure that the airport is in MANILA and not CLARK, an airport that is a couple of hours away from the city.
Step 2: Bus will pick you up from the run-way and bring you to the airport.
If you've booked a hotel transfer, they will pick you up from the airport but if not, you can book through Southwest. They will have a people at the airport or if flying with Cebu Pacific, you can book it at the plane for 800 pesos. They will provide all the local transfers from the airport to your hotel.
You will pick-up your luggage and ride a vehicle from the airport to the Caticlan port.
Step 3: Boat transfer from Caticlan to Boracay island.
Upon arrival at the port, you will enter through a luggage security check and register at the counter by showing your booking reservation at an accredited hotel.
Your family will be led into a cramped holding room to wait for the boat. It won't be comfortable. Bring snacks or a treat for the kids while waiting. Hiring a porter can help you bring the luggage from waiting area to the boat.. We paid $1/luggage (50 pesos per bag). If you don't travel light, it's worth it.
The boat ride will be 15-30 minutes depending on the boat you have - speed boat, bamboat or ferry.
Upon arrival at the port, you will enter through a luggage security check and register at the counter by showing your booking reservation at an accredited hotel.
Your family will be led into a cramped holding room to wait for the boat. It won't be comfortable. Bring snacks or a treat for the kids while waiting. Hiring a porter can help you bring the luggage from waiting area to the boat.. We paid $1/luggage (50 pesos per bag). If you don't travel light, it's worth it.
The boat ride will be 15-30 minutes depending on the boat you have - speed boat, bamboat or ferry.
Step 4: Land transfer to your hotel.
The boat will bring you to the island. There will be another holding area at the Boracay port where you will wait for your vehicle to bring you to your hotel. You will be sharing the ride with other people.
It will be between a 20-45 minute ride to your hotel through roads that are still under construction. No fear. If you booked a beach front hotel at station one, you won't have to deal with the backroads for most of your stay and can focus on the peace and serenity that the beach offers.
The final step is to check-in, change into your swimmers, order a fresh mango shake (without milk and sugar), dip your feet on the warm ocean water, and celebrate. You've made it!
Looking for kid activities, check out my previous blog or my Instagram account at dramayogi.
The rehabilitation of Boracay is far from over but there are still parts of it that can provide a dream vacation for families. Not all beaches in the island are created equal. Some will be suitable for kids while others will be for the backpacking folks who prefer kitesurfing at the windy side of the island.
Investing on a beachfront hotel in station one can make the difference between a relaxing holiday or a nightmare to rival the Griswold's Christmas Vacation. Don't take a chance and look-up the recommended hotels I blogged about in the previous post, "Post-closure Boracay Travel Tips for Families."
Top Ten Kid Activities at Boracay Beach
1. Ocean Fun Time. The low tide makes White Beach accessible to kids (and adults) of all ages including infants and toddlers. We’ve been taking our girls to Boracay every year since they were babies because they could waddle and play at the shoreline, at any age.
2. Build and destroy sand castles. The quality of the sand in Boracay is one of the best in the world. It’s powdery soft and never gets hot. A great sand box for kids! While you can create castles, mermaids, animals and whatever magical creature you can sculpt with a shovel, we know that part of the fun is breaking it down.
The local young people of the island also build sandcastles that you can photograph with the family for a small tip. Ask your kiddos not to destroy those unless you commissioned them to make a special one for you which you can do for $7-10..
3. DIY necklaces. My husband, Steve had the great idea to collect small shells with holes, attach a tiny string, and make them into necklaces. A little memorabilia from the sea.
4. Braids and Henna tattoo. My daughters don’t like sitting down. It’s hard to have a family dinner without reminding them to finish their food before leaving the table but they happily sat for henna tattoos and hair braids. These artists and hair braiders roam the island. Many hotels also have their in-house masseuse and hairbraiders.
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5. Kayak and paddle boards. There are paddle boards and kayaks for rent for about $12 per hour at station one. You can also rent them for half an hour. The private boat rides are about three hours long and with the age of our girls, won’t be suitable for them yet.
6. Family Walks. We bribed the girls with ice-cream so they would walk down the beach with us. Their favorite is the Gelatto place beside Aria, an Italian restaurant at D’mall which is also one of our favorite restaurants. If you want to get a spot there, go for an early dinner around 5:30 PM before it gets full.
Family walks...who are we kidding? After a while, they just ended up on our shoulders.
7. Refresh and hydrate with fresh mango shakes. The girls consumed fresh mango shakes without milk and sugar. Every day. Since they weren’t big on drinking water, these golden liquid goodness was a good source of hydration. Add a splash of rum and the parents can enjoy it too.
8. Scavenger Hunts. Santa gave Catalina a tiny camera for Christmas. We made a list of things that she needed to photograph while Ariella received a list of things to find and put in her bucket.
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9. Ocean kid toss. The girls loved being thrown, tossed and swirled in the ocean.
Steve earns his beer o’clock from all the arm work-out. If you want the husbands to be happy as well, stay near White House because the pub at the front of the hotel – Los Indios Bravos – had craft beer and the NBA premium channel. It was Steve’s favorite spot for IPA's, especially since bringing drinks to the ocean is now prohibited.
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10. Floaty fun. We had a giant unicorn. 'Nough said.
P.S. If my kids had a say about this list, they will include ice-cream.
After all, when I asked Ariella, "What's your favorite part of the day."
"Ice-cream!," she replied. Over and over again to the point that she calls the capital of the Philippines, "Vanilla."
Boracay has re-opened after a six-month closure and our family stayed there for almost three weeks during the December holiday. Here are TEN TIPS to help your family maximize your holiday at this tropical island.
1: Location, Location, Location
Boracay Island is a family-friendly beach in the Philippines but your holiday experience will heavily depend on what part of the island you book your accommodation at because there are still renovations, demolitions, and construction happening near the main road. The secret is staying at a place where you won't need to commute to the beach.
Solution. Book a beachfront hotel either in station one or station three where you'll have everything you need from the powdery soft sand, palm trees, clear blue waters, mango shakes, restaurants, and the least amount of people and traffic.
Some of the hotels that we or friends have stayed at that we recommend are the following:
Station 1: Sur, Two Seasons, Fridays, Ambassador, Discovery Shore
Station 3: Rose Pike
Avoid staying at Station Two because that's where the volume of visitors stay.
1: Location, Location, Location
Boracay Island is a family-friendly beach in the Philippines but your holiday experience will heavily depend on what part of the island you book your accommodation at because there are still renovations, demolitions, and construction happening near the main road. The secret is staying at a place where you won't need to commute to the beach.
Solution. Book a beachfront hotel either in station one or station three where you'll have everything you need from the powdery soft sand, palm trees, clear blue waters, mango shakes, restaurants, and the least amount of people and traffic.
Some of the hotels that we or friends have stayed at that we recommend are the following:
Station 1: Sur, Two Seasons, Fridays, Ambassador, Discovery Shore
Station 3: Rose Pike
Avoid staying at Station Two because that's where the volume of visitors stay.
2. Boracay isn't easy to get too but paradise when you get there
Book a hotel transfer to avoid the craziness of getting to your hotel; however, if that is not possible, book Southwest - a company that will pick you up at the airport and deliver you to your hotel. You can book their service upon arrival or at the airplane if you're flying with Cebu Pacific. It won’t be convenient (lots of holding stations where you will be waiting with lots of other tourists) but they will get you to your destination and for a roundtrip, pick you up from your hotel and get you to your flight on time. They usually pick-up 3 hours before your departure time.
If you have a lot of luggage, get a porter at the dock and they will help you transport your luggage while you watch or chase the kiddos.
Curious about the travel time? It took us seven hours door to door from Manila. Staying for at least five days will make the experience worth it. Anything less will just bring stress.
Finally, check out the weather. The Philippines has a rainy season between June to October which won't be ideal for White Beach but perfect for the beach at the other side of the island as the wind changes course.
Here is the travel path:
Airplane: Manila to Caticlan flight
Bus: Upon arrival, you will ride a bus from the runway to the airport
Vehicle: Airport to Port
Boat: Caticlan Port to the Boracay Port
Vehicle: Port to Hotel (travel time will depend on where you are staying)
Vehicle means mini-bus, van, open bus, electric car, tricycle, etc.
3. If you have budget limitations and can’t book a beachside hotel, bring a tent.
We brought a mini-tent from Decathlon that we parked at the beach that became a shelter for the millions of things that families bring from beach toys, towels, sarongs, guitar, snacks, change of clothes, etc. It also gave us shelter for the short tropical rains that came and go during the day
4. Travel light. You can buy toiletries, snacks and most of the things you need at the
Budget Mart at D’Mall. But if your kids are picky with their snacks then it would be wise to bring those. The only thing that was difficult to get are good quality diapers so if traveling with infants, bring those.
5. Kid Food Choices
The island has mostly Filipino food but chances are, there will always be pizza, chicken nuggets, french fries, and rice on the menu.
6. Walk down the island and explore it by foot.
No slippers needed. The sand is soft as powder and never gets hot.
7. Fav Bar & Restaurants
If your hotel has a restaurant, it would be easy to eat there or visit the hotels nearby for other food options. That will be the most accessible option after a full day at the beach plus they can prepare the food while the kids still play at the ocean. But if you want to eat out, here are our favorite food places::
- Aria, Italian Restaurant (D’mall, station 2)
- Spice Bird (D’mall, station 2)
- CYMA，Greek restaurant (station 2, good for date nights without the kiddos)
- Los Indios Bravos (station 1, Steve’s favorite craft beer place)
- Sunny Side Café (Station 3, best breakfast in the island)
- Real Coffee ( breakfast and good view on a rainy day)
8. Shopping
My favorite shops at D'Mall are “Nothing But Water” where I purchased most of my swim wear and "Paulo Collection" where I bought this airy white lace cover-up.
9. Sunblock is your skin's best friend
The tropical sun isn't too kind with the skin; that is why you may notice a lot of people come to the beach either in the early morning (before 10:00 AM) or around 4:00 PM when the sun begins its slow descent.. Remember to lube up with sunblock. For mamas, the secret to tanning is topping sunblock with coconut oil that moisturizes the skin. There are plenty that you can buy at the island.
10. As Bobby McFerrin sang, “Don’t worry, be happy.” Focus on the positive and you’ll roll with the good ol' island vibe.
Check-out more Boracay photos @ IG: dramayogi
Are you aware of how you project yourself to the world? This holiday season, gift yourself with a personal development event combining Jindafit, Yoga, and a Visual Poise and Style Workshop.
Visual poise is being mindful about how our posture affects the way we feel about ourselves and how others perceive us. Combining yoga and theatrical biomechanics training, the participants will use a simple tool that will help women develop a posture to feel and project confidence.
Plus, an interactive Style Workshop will share design principles to dress your shape. Research shows that women spend between $1,800-$4,500 annually in clothes. Why spend that money when you can learn to love what you have and use timeless principles to express your style.
Finally, connect with some of Beijing's friendliest women and plug into a community that takes care of each other during the cold and dark winter season.
Scan QR code and book your slot today. This event is almost sold out.
Visual poise is being mindful about how our posture affects the way we feel about ourselves and how others perceive us. Combining yoga and theatrical biomechanics training, the participants will use a simple tool that will help women develop a posture to feel and project confidence.
Plus, an interactive Style Workshop will share design principles to dress your shape. Research shows that women spend between $1,800-$4,500 annually in clothes. Why spend that money when you can learn to love what you have and use timeless principles to express your style.
Finally, connect with some of Beijing's friendliest women and plug into a community that takes care of each other during the cold and dark winter season.
Scan QR code and book your slot today. This event is almost sold out.
What items should women shop for to create more joy and less overwhelm in their closets?
Tip 1: Shop for pieces that you'll wear.
Brooklyn-based stylist, Hilary Rushford advised to invest on clothes that will get the most wear. These are pieces that will fit your aesthetics, work, and lifestyle; ones that could easily pair up with most of the existing items in your wardrobe.
Rushford shared that most people only wear 20% of their wardrobe while the other 80% lie dormant in their closet. Thus, look for something that will become a natural part of your favorite pieces and perhaps even pair-up with some items from your 80%, thus giving those clothes more wear time.
Tip 2: Accessorize
If you want to splurge on something, invest on practical accessories that will either pair nicely with most of your clothing or increase the star power of an outfit. Examples could include a statement necklace that can immediately raise the visual impact of your dress, a pair of nude sandals that go nicely with your summer clothes, or a buttery soft leather purse that will fit your stuff during the non-laptop weekend strolls around town.
Tip 3: Fill the gaps in your wardrobe.
Identify the gaps in your closet, create a wish list, and purchase an item that will balance-out the pieces that you already have.
If your closet is full of neutral and classic pieces, why not spice it up with some color? On the other hand, if your closet screams of patterns and color, getting a more neutral item will provide balance to the outfits that you can create.
While walking pass my open closet, my husband Steve commented, “You have a lot of black clothes,” that help me realize that 2/3 of my closet had a black, white, grey, or navy color scheme. Thus, I went to a clothing auction and intentionally bought items with either color or pattern. The clothing auction movement in Beijing has given me the avenue to sustainably experiment with my style and choose items that filled the gap in my closet.
Tip 4: Buy the “special occasion clothing” from the Beijing Clothing Auction Network
Speaking of auctions, why spend time and money on something that will just hang and occupy space in your wardrobe but rarely gets worn? Thus, try to get the clothes that you will only wear once in a while – for a party, an event, a job interview, or a friend’s bachelorette party – from a clothing auction.
This blue dress for example that I wore to a Winter Party was from the auction. I bid on it on a downtown auction but lost the bidding war to Violet, another attendee. A couple of days after, Violet messaged me and shared that the dress didn't fit her. She then offered to mail it to me as an advance Christmas present! I paired it with nude sandals that I purchased from a garage sale for five dollars and accessorized the outfit with crystal chandelier earrings that I wore to my wedding.
Tip 1: Shop for pieces that you'll wear.
Brooklyn-based stylist, Hilary Rushford advised to invest on clothes that will get the most wear. These are pieces that will fit your aesthetics, work, and lifestyle; ones that could easily pair up with most of the existing items in your wardrobe.
Rushford shared that most people only wear 20% of their wardrobe while the other 80% lie dormant in their closet. Thus, look for something that will become a natural part of your favorite pieces and perhaps even pair-up with some items from your 80%, thus giving those clothes more wear time.
Tip 2: Accessorize
If you want to splurge on something, invest on practical accessories that will either pair nicely with most of your clothing or increase the star power of an outfit. Examples could include a statement necklace that can immediately raise the visual impact of your dress, a pair of nude sandals that go nicely with your summer clothes, or a buttery soft leather purse that will fit your stuff during the non-laptop weekend strolls around town.
Tip 3: Fill the gaps in your wardrobe.
Identify the gaps in your closet, create a wish list, and purchase an item that will balance-out the pieces that you already have.
If your closet is full of neutral and classic pieces, why not spice it up with some color? On the other hand, if your closet screams of patterns and color, getting a more neutral item will provide balance to the outfits that you can create.
While walking pass my open closet, my husband Steve commented, “You have a lot of black clothes,” that help me realize that 2/3 of my closet had a black, white, grey, or navy color scheme. Thus, I went to a clothing auction and intentionally bought items with either color or pattern. The clothing auction movement in Beijing has given me the avenue to sustainably experiment with my style and choose items that filled the gap in my closet.
Tip 4: Buy the “special occasion clothing” from the Beijing Clothing Auction Network
Speaking of auctions, why spend time and money on something that will just hang and occupy space in your wardrobe but rarely gets worn? Thus, try to get the clothes that you will only wear once in a while – for a party, an event, a job interview, or a friend’s bachelorette party – from a clothing auction.
This blue dress for example that I wore to a Winter Party was from the auction. I bid on it on a downtown auction but lost the bidding war to Violet, another attendee. A couple of days after, Violet messaged me and shared that the dress didn't fit her. She then offered to mail it to me as an advance Christmas present! I paired it with nude sandals that I purchased from a garage sale for five dollars and accessorized the outfit with crystal chandelier earrings that I wore to my wedding.
Similarly, Kristina, an expat executive from Sony and a self-confessed auction addict, bought a cobalt blue gown from the auction, wore it to the Vienna ball, then brought it back for another lady to enjoy. Taozi yoga studio owner, Theresa bid on the dress and won it.
Meeting inspirational and like-minded women and having a story to accompany your purchase is another benefit in coming to these bi-monthly city and Shunyi events.
Tip 5: Buy something that will spark joy
If you need to buy a dress, get something that brings you joy. Mari Kondo, an organization specialist, recommends holding an item in your hand and feeling if it sparks joy.
I bought a navy blue polka dotted jumpsuit with a vintage feel from Winners, a discount brand store in Woodstock, Ontario. I paired it with a statement necklace with a beaded circular pendant that my friend, Leanne, got from Ethiopa. The necklace played on the geometric shapes in the dress. I also belted the cinched waist to highlight my shape.
I wore the outfit to a Beijing Mother’s Guild event at the East Hotel where the group's founder, Pauline, was a guest chef at the Feast Brunch. The jumpsuit felt spacious enough to enjoy the sumptuous meals and comfortable enough to run after my two girls who joined our ladies day out. It gave me joy.
Interested to join the Beijing Clothing Auction network, add me at we chat: Hannah_Northcott or message Rebecca.
The network will have a Christmas Charity Auction on Dec. 8 where you can practice the tips shared on this blog.
The network will have a Christmas Charity Auction on Dec. 8 where you can practice the tips shared on this blog.
Previously published at China Family Blog on May 18, 2018
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Strolling down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan with red and white sale banners wrapped around store fronts stopped me in my tracks and increased my heart rate. A sale sign draws me like a moth to a flame. I was in New York City in the spring of 2000 when Swedish mega-brand H&M first opened its doors on 5th Avenue.
A serpentine line slithered around the block as eager shoppers waited to venture into the three floors of a consumer’s dream store.
I was one of them. A bargain shopper, I enjoyed shopping without wanting to pay high prices for clothing; after all, I was studying in New York on a scholarship at the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute near Union Square. I lived on a diet of bagels, one dollar pretzels, New York pizzas, and McDonald burgers.
I was living in the fast lane of fast food and fast fashion in one of the fastest cities in the world. That year, I gained about 15 pounds and had a wardrobe filled with clothes that ripped in the seams after a couple of seasons. That was almost 18 years ago.
Fast forward to modern day Beijing.
I just watched The True Cost, a documentary film released in 2015 about fast fashion. It showed how my naïve consumeristic habits have inadvertently contributed to the economic and capitalist system that led to the death of hundreds people when a garment factory collapsed in Bangladesh, the contamination of the highly fertilized cotton fields of Texas, the degradation of people’s health in Punjab, the suicide of hundreds of farmers losing lands to major corporations, and the violence in Phnom Phen, when factory workers protested against the government for a reasonable increase of monthly wages – just so I can buy a shirt for $5 or a pair of jeans for $20.
A serpentine line slithered around the block as eager shoppers waited to venture into the three floors of a consumer’s dream store.
I was one of them. A bargain shopper, I enjoyed shopping without wanting to pay high prices for clothing; after all, I was studying in New York on a scholarship at the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute near Union Square. I lived on a diet of bagels, one dollar pretzels, New York pizzas, and McDonald burgers.
I was living in the fast lane of fast food and fast fashion in one of the fastest cities in the world. That year, I gained about 15 pounds and had a wardrobe filled with clothes that ripped in the seams after a couple of seasons. That was almost 18 years ago.
Fast forward to modern day Beijing.
I just watched The True Cost, a documentary film released in 2015 about fast fashion. It showed how my naïve consumeristic habits have inadvertently contributed to the economic and capitalist system that led to the death of hundreds people when a garment factory collapsed in Bangladesh, the contamination of the highly fertilized cotton fields of Texas, the degradation of people’s health in Punjab, the suicide of hundreds of farmers losing lands to major corporations, and the violence in Phnom Phen, when factory workers protested against the government for a reasonable increase of monthly wages – just so I can buy a shirt for $5 or a pair of jeans for $20.
I turned away from the screen when the film showed wounded women and men being pulled underneath the rabble of Raza Plaza, a garment building in Bangladesh.
“People wear clothes that are made from our blood,” shared a female Bangladeshi worker who also had to leave her young daughter in the village to travel to the city to work in poor conditions to produce clothing that major brands sell for very cheap prices.
According to the movie, things that people don’t need have started to cost less in the last decade and are being sold as dispensable items that later form mountains of land fill and take thousands of years to decompose while emitting chemicals into the atmosphere. The economic model of fast fashion has grown to a trillion-dollar industry without factoring in the cost of production to human lives and the environment. The shift in the business model in the fashion industry started around the time when H&M first opened its flagship store in New York.
That was cold water poured over my head because when I shop in Toronto in the summer, the first retailers that I automatically gravitate towards are H&M, Zara, Old Navy, the Gap, and whatever store has the crimson sale flag flying on their façade.
The True Cost movie may have just curbed my habit of bargain shopping and made me question my mindless expedition of the accumulation of goods to ask questions like, “Where did this item come from? Where was it made? What living and working conditions did this dress cost factory workers? What economic system am I contributing too in buying this $10 jeans? Do I really need this? Does my desire for another shirt in my closet outweigh my curiosities in seeking ethical business practices?”
So what’s the alternative? About three years ago, I joined my first clothing auction hosted by New Zealander Rebecca Archer at her townhouse in Capital Paradise. She invited a group of women to bring good quality clothes that we no longer use and a drink or dish to share for a potluck.
Around that time, I just had my second baby Ariella; I had a lot of maternity and loose clothing that I needed to get rid of. My basement littered with huge bins of clothing from my pre-pregnancy days that I held onto with the thought that I would fit back into them after two children.
Well, I didn’t.
Those clothes went into a blue IKEA bag for the auction, which included tiny bikinis that I got in Brazil. It felt good to toss those in the bag.
The clothing auction started with an hour of mingling and appetizers from the potluck where women could also rummage and try on pieces from the massive pile of clothes. Stripping down to one’s underwear and trying dresses from other women’s closet was definitely a bonding experience. There was something freeing about it.
Or perhaps it was the overflowing wine from Cheers. Needless to say, it was a better experience than going through sample sales in the Fashion District.
The auction started around 8:00 pm. The auctioneer would hold up a piece of clothing and start the bid off at 10 RMB. If more than one person wanted the item, then a bidding war would ensue, but if only one lucky lady wanted it, then she could take it home for less than two bucks.
If an item was held up and someone wanted to try it, they could just ask for it and the auctioneer would proceed with a different piece. Thus, even those that don’t fancy sorting through piles of clothing could just wait for pieces that caught their eye during the auction and still get a chance to try it on. Definitely a different process than Sotheby’s.
All the clothes that weren’t purchased were donated to the Roundabout (a charity organization in Beijing) and the money raised was given to the hosts preferred Charity organization. The clothing auction movement in Beijing, for example, has raised over 100,000 RMB for charities like Dew Drops, New Hope Foundation, Little Adoption Shop, Starfish Project, Magic Hospital, Smile Week, Autism Awareness Week, March for our Lives, Hope Foster Home and Days for Girls.
Moreover, it has created a community among like-minded women and have connected people that resided in different areas in the sprawling city of Beijing.
The group also has a WeChat group where we share photos of outfits bought from the auction.
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Since I started joining the slow fashion movement, I’ve given away about sixteen IKEA bags of clothes, have stripped down my wardrobe to pieces that I love and wear, have made new friendships, have contributed to a vast number of charities and furthermore, am more aware of my consumer habits. I’ve also cut down on my shopping time which has made my husband, Steve, happy because the moment he steps into a mall, the question he would ask is, “What’s our exit plan?”
I wish I could say that the crimson banner of sale signs no longer catch my attention. It still does. I may even still walk into to the store; however, it doesn’t mean that I would buy a bag of cheap clothes from it.
May the bold blood-red sign bring to remembrance the people, mostly women, sweating in hot garment factories with cracked walls and chemical-ridden environments. When I touch that piece of clothing with a red tag that says $5, I just need to pause and ask myself, “Is it worth it?”
Do you want to start your slow waltz away from fast fashion?
Join us in the Beijing Clothing Auction movement by adding becstarnz or host your first one in your city. Better yet, start one in your own country.
If you need more information about it, please add me on WeChat or through my website (contact information listed at the bottom).
Also, please watch another showing of The True Cost on May 24 at the Bookworm near Sanlitun.
To connect with the writers at China Family Blog, go to Facebook or go to WeChat by scanning the QR code and asking to join the WeChat group.
I wish I could say that the crimson banner of sale signs no longer catch my attention. It still does. I may even still walk into to the store; however, it doesn’t mean that I would buy a bag of cheap clothes from it.
May the bold blood-red sign bring to remembrance the people, mostly women, sweating in hot garment factories with cracked walls and chemical-ridden environments. When I touch that piece of clothing with a red tag that says $5, I just need to pause and ask myself, “Is it worth it?”
Do you want to start your slow waltz away from fast fashion?
Join us in the Beijing Clothing Auction movement by adding becstarnz or host your first one in your city. Better yet, start one in your own country.
If you need more information about it, please add me on WeChat or through my website (contact information listed at the bottom).
Also, please watch another showing of The True Cost on May 24 at the Bookworm near Sanlitun.
To connect with the writers at China Family Blog, go to Facebook or go to WeChat by scanning the QR code and asking to join the WeChat group.
I thought I could do it. I thought I could stick to a fitness program during the Chinese New Year holiday. After all, I committed to an 80-Day Obsession program that includes work-outs and a nutrition plan created by Beachbody super trainer Autumn Calebrese.
Prior to the holiday, I completed phase one of the program which included 24 work-outs and a timed nutrition plan. The muscle definition in my mid-section and the toning in my back and arms should have been enough reason to keep me going, but is it actually possible to keep up a fitness program on holiday?
Challenge 1: Accommodation
Our family of four was traveling to Boracay Island in the Philippines for a week and our accommodation included Remington Hotel, our two-bedroom condo at Oceanway Newcoast on the island, and an Airbnb at the Fort in Manila.
I wish all hotels had a gym but the Remington didn’t have one. Thus, I scanned our hotel floor for an open space that was big enough to accommodate the movement needed for Cardio Flow. I discovered that the lobby across the elevator on the ninth floor had an open space with a couch and a coffee table that was small and light enough to move.
In that little corner across the elevators, I did a Cardio Flow-30-minute work-out inspired by animals. Autumn named the movement combinations after animals such as spider push-ups, flamingo, gorilla, crab, bear, mule and frog.
I kid you not. There I was – jumping, planking, and jumping like a mule while other guests loaded their suitcases in the elevator.
When we got to Boracay, our residential area at Newcoast didn’t have a gym either, but a nearby hotel, Savoy, had one. Thus, I went to Savoy to request a week-long gym access which the manager kindly granted for a discounted price of 2,000 pesos (243 RMB) that also included pool access for the family. After working-out under the hot tropical sun beside our condo pool the other day, I took the deal and was pleased with the chance to use equipment again in an in-house location with much-needed air conditioning.
TIP: Research your accommodations. If it doesn’t have a gym, try to find a hotel close by that could offer short-term gym access or be prepared to work-out in the most unlikely of places. My friend Kelly for example worked-out at the Bangkok airport while waiting for her flight to Beijing (now that showed commitment).
Challenge 2: Motivation
A couple of weeks prior to CNY, I started a WeChat group in Beijing for women who wanted to journey through becoming the healthiest version of themselves with a 21-Day Fix Extreme Challenge. A few of us in the group decided to exercise during the holiday.
Kelly messaged, “Worked-out at 11:30 PM.” Wow. If Kelly can have a long flight to Thailand and exercise near midnight, surely, I can find time to prioritize fitness as well.
In addition, Titi, Rebecca, Vanessa, Jasmeen and other women have also started the 21 Day fitness challenge. I want the women in the group to achieve their fitness goals and thus, it drove me to try to reach mine as well.
My husband, Steve and I, agreed to give each other work-out block in the morning. We tagged team between exercising and watching our two daughters, Catalina and Ariella, play in the pool.
TIP: Community and communication with your spouse is key. Find friends or a group who you can be accountable to in your fitness journey. Allow yourself to be vulnerable. Find support and also be an encouragement to others. It can be as simple as a we chat group because there will be times when you will need this group to fire you up and inspire you to keep going.
Challenge 3: Nutrition
Autumn’s 80-Day Obsession plan didn’t have a cheat day. It had a strict timed nutrition plan that suggested when to eat and what to eat. Brilliant? Yes. Do-able? Not on holiday in a tropical island.
I’ve been drinking way too many fresh mango shakes while watching my kids play in the sand. It’s what my daydreams are made of when I’m cold in Beijing and thus, I grabbed each chance I got to sip those golden drinks of liquid goodness.
With my parents visiting Boracay, Steve and I also had date nights with some wine, bubbly, thin-crust Italian pizza, triple grilled cheese sandwiches, a few bites of dark mint chocolate, and the Filipino food staple – white rice. All of which were not included in the nutrition plan, not even in the subscribed re-feed day.
It was difficult to control the food so I just tried to eat as much whole foods, local seafood and fresh fruits in the island as I can. I failed the nutrition aspect as I gave myself the flexibility to eat some treats that I didn’t regret enjoying. Daily movement and moderation was my motto and I gave myself grace during times when I chose to gulp down that extra glass of mango fruit shake.
TIP: Plan. Know where to get your food or if needed, bring your own. None of which I was able to do on this trip but could possibly do on shorter trips.
Although I wasn’t able to follow the eating plan to a T, I felt happy with the work-outs that I did over the holiday. I lifted heavier weights on leg day, sweated more than I ever had, and was disciplined enough to prioritize exercise and that I feel was good enough.
Previously Published at http://www.chinafamilyblog.com
Prior to the holiday, I completed phase one of the program which included 24 work-outs and a timed nutrition plan. The muscle definition in my mid-section and the toning in my back and arms should have been enough reason to keep me going, but is it actually possible to keep up a fitness program on holiday?
Challenge 1: Accommodation
Our family of four was traveling to Boracay Island in the Philippines for a week and our accommodation included Remington Hotel, our two-bedroom condo at Oceanway Newcoast on the island, and an Airbnb at the Fort in Manila.
I wish all hotels had a gym but the Remington didn’t have one. Thus, I scanned our hotel floor for an open space that was big enough to accommodate the movement needed for Cardio Flow. I discovered that the lobby across the elevator on the ninth floor had an open space with a couch and a coffee table that was small and light enough to move.
In that little corner across the elevators, I did a Cardio Flow-30-minute work-out inspired by animals. Autumn named the movement combinations after animals such as spider push-ups, flamingo, gorilla, crab, bear, mule and frog.
I kid you not. There I was – jumping, planking, and jumping like a mule while other guests loaded their suitcases in the elevator.
When we got to Boracay, our residential area at Newcoast didn’t have a gym either, but a nearby hotel, Savoy, had one. Thus, I went to Savoy to request a week-long gym access which the manager kindly granted for a discounted price of 2,000 pesos (243 RMB) that also included pool access for the family. After working-out under the hot tropical sun beside our condo pool the other day, I took the deal and was pleased with the chance to use equipment again in an in-house location with much-needed air conditioning.
TIP: Research your accommodations. If it doesn’t have a gym, try to find a hotel close by that could offer short-term gym access or be prepared to work-out in the most unlikely of places. My friend Kelly for example worked-out at the Bangkok airport while waiting for her flight to Beijing (now that showed commitment).
Challenge 2: Motivation
A couple of weeks prior to CNY, I started a WeChat group in Beijing for women who wanted to journey through becoming the healthiest version of themselves with a 21-Day Fix Extreme Challenge. A few of us in the group decided to exercise during the holiday.
Kelly messaged, “Worked-out at 11:30 PM.” Wow. If Kelly can have a long flight to Thailand and exercise near midnight, surely, I can find time to prioritize fitness as well.
In addition, Titi, Rebecca, Vanessa, Jasmeen and other women have also started the 21 Day fitness challenge. I want the women in the group to achieve their fitness goals and thus, it drove me to try to reach mine as well.
My husband, Steve and I, agreed to give each other work-out block in the morning. We tagged team between exercising and watching our two daughters, Catalina and Ariella, play in the pool.
TIP: Community and communication with your spouse is key. Find friends or a group who you can be accountable to in your fitness journey. Allow yourself to be vulnerable. Find support and also be an encouragement to others. It can be as simple as a we chat group because there will be times when you will need this group to fire you up and inspire you to keep going.
Challenge 3: Nutrition
Autumn’s 80-Day Obsession plan didn’t have a cheat day. It had a strict timed nutrition plan that suggested when to eat and what to eat. Brilliant? Yes. Do-able? Not on holiday in a tropical island.
I’ve been drinking way too many fresh mango shakes while watching my kids play in the sand. It’s what my daydreams are made of when I’m cold in Beijing and thus, I grabbed each chance I got to sip those golden drinks of liquid goodness.
With my parents visiting Boracay, Steve and I also had date nights with some wine, bubbly, thin-crust Italian pizza, triple grilled cheese sandwiches, a few bites of dark mint chocolate, and the Filipino food staple – white rice. All of which were not included in the nutrition plan, not even in the subscribed re-feed day.
It was difficult to control the food so I just tried to eat as much whole foods, local seafood and fresh fruits in the island as I can. I failed the nutrition aspect as I gave myself the flexibility to eat some treats that I didn’t regret enjoying. Daily movement and moderation was my motto and I gave myself grace during times when I chose to gulp down that extra glass of mango fruit shake.
TIP: Plan. Know where to get your food or if needed, bring your own. None of which I was able to do on this trip but could possibly do on shorter trips.
Although I wasn’t able to follow the eating plan to a T, I felt happy with the work-outs that I did over the holiday. I lifted heavier weights on leg day, sweated more than I ever had, and was disciplined enough to prioritize exercise and that I feel was good enough.
Previously Published at http://www.chinafamilyblog.com
Previously published in China Family Blog
I’m not a gym junkie, was never an athlete, and the most I’ve jogged – or what my husband, Steve, would call the version of his fast walk – is five kilometers. “Run forward and not upwards,” Steve coached while we were in the thick of the Color Run.
Not being one for speed, I turned to yoga and finally found a form of exercise that I enjoyed. Yoga made me feel connected with my breath, body, mind, and soul. I liked yoga so much that I underwent a journey of getting multiple certifications. However, even after practicing yoga for more than a decade, I couldn’t seem to tone my mid-section after my second baby, Ariella Rose.
While taking my yoga therapy course, I learned about Diastasis Recti and also came across the vast work of biomechanist and anatomy expert, Katy Bowman. Katy explained Diastasis Recti as “the unnatural distance of the right and/or left halves of the rectus abdominis from the midline.” In other words, the front of my abdomen split open.
I first noticed the symptoms of diastasis recti in my yoga practice. Upon moving into a back bend, my belly protruded and formed the shape of a cone.
It was as if my gut would peer through the unnatural distance between the right and left side of my abdominal wall. Aside from that, I felt that I lost my core strength. After being cleared to exercise after my emergency caesarian operation, I couldn’t do a forearm plank or chatarangga in my sun salutation. I was curious to know why I couldn’t do movement that I repeatedly did in past years.
I shared about these with my yoga therapy trainer, Christina Mroz. She shared, “Your opening is small. So minor adjustments to your postures and watching how you move might be enough. You may have to take out all backbends and planks for a bit to see greater bounds in healing if you want things to go a little faster.”
I listened to Christina’s advice and used restorative and gentle yoga to work my transverse abdominals, the muscles that wrapped around my midsection like a corset, to help knit back the three-finger opening in my core. I removed backbends, planks, and crutches from my practice for a year.
Katy’s book also helped me identify ways of knitting my core back again through alignment, breath work, and mindful ways of moving the body.
After a year of gentle practice, breath work, and prayers for healing, I noticed that the separation has decreased to the width of a finger. “Sometimes taking a step back in your practice is what you need to make progress in your healing,” Christina encouraged.
Upon learning that my core has regained its integrity, I wanted to find an exercise program that would challenge my body and get rid of my mommy tummy. After all, 40 wasn’t too far down the road, and I refused to believe that it was going to go downhill from there.
In my 225-instructor yoga certification course, I met fitness coach Michelle Kellog from the Beachbody group. Michelle posted sweaty selfies in her Facebook page that captured her smile beaming underneath her thick brown hair as she finished a work-out. Moreover, she posted transformation photos that documented how she was able to work through her post-partum belly, severe diastasis recti, and shrink it down back to her pre-pregnancy form. Thus, I called Michelle, registered with Beachbody on Demand, and paid the $99 subscription fee to have access to all of their online workout programs.
“I recommend you to start with the 21 Day Fix,” coached Michelle. “Most of my clients have found success with it because it’s easy to follow.”
The 21 Day Fix program, created by celebrity trainer Autumn Calebrese, included 30 minute exercises and a color-coded Fixate eating plan. What I didn’t realize was that there were two programs on the site and I mistakenly chose the harder option called 21 Day Extreme which was an intermediate and advance level workout but since I was able to do the first workout (although I struggled with it), I just stuck with it for 21 days.
I’m not a gym junkie, was never an athlete, and the most I’ve jogged – or what my husband, Steve, would call the version of his fast walk – is five kilometers. “Run forward and not upwards,” Steve coached while we were in the thick of the Color Run.
Not being one for speed, I turned to yoga and finally found a form of exercise that I enjoyed. Yoga made me feel connected with my breath, body, mind, and soul. I liked yoga so much that I underwent a journey of getting multiple certifications. However, even after practicing yoga for more than a decade, I couldn’t seem to tone my mid-section after my second baby, Ariella Rose.
While taking my yoga therapy course, I learned about Diastasis Recti and also came across the vast work of biomechanist and anatomy expert, Katy Bowman. Katy explained Diastasis Recti as “the unnatural distance of the right and/or left halves of the rectus abdominis from the midline.” In other words, the front of my abdomen split open.
I first noticed the symptoms of diastasis recti in my yoga practice. Upon moving into a back bend, my belly protruded and formed the shape of a cone.
It was as if my gut would peer through the unnatural distance between the right and left side of my abdominal wall. Aside from that, I felt that I lost my core strength. After being cleared to exercise after my emergency caesarian operation, I couldn’t do a forearm plank or chatarangga in my sun salutation. I was curious to know why I couldn’t do movement that I repeatedly did in past years.
I shared about these with my yoga therapy trainer, Christina Mroz. She shared, “Your opening is small. So minor adjustments to your postures and watching how you move might be enough. You may have to take out all backbends and planks for a bit to see greater bounds in healing if you want things to go a little faster.”
I listened to Christina’s advice and used restorative and gentle yoga to work my transverse abdominals, the muscles that wrapped around my midsection like a corset, to help knit back the three-finger opening in my core. I removed backbends, planks, and crutches from my practice for a year.
Katy’s book also helped me identify ways of knitting my core back again through alignment, breath work, and mindful ways of moving the body.
After a year of gentle practice, breath work, and prayers for healing, I noticed that the separation has decreased to the width of a finger. “Sometimes taking a step back in your practice is what you need to make progress in your healing,” Christina encouraged.
Upon learning that my core has regained its integrity, I wanted to find an exercise program that would challenge my body and get rid of my mommy tummy. After all, 40 wasn’t too far down the road, and I refused to believe that it was going to go downhill from there.
In my 225-instructor yoga certification course, I met fitness coach Michelle Kellog from the Beachbody group. Michelle posted sweaty selfies in her Facebook page that captured her smile beaming underneath her thick brown hair as she finished a work-out. Moreover, she posted transformation photos that documented how she was able to work through her post-partum belly, severe diastasis recti, and shrink it down back to her pre-pregnancy form. Thus, I called Michelle, registered with Beachbody on Demand, and paid the $99 subscription fee to have access to all of their online workout programs.
“I recommend you to start with the 21 Day Fix,” coached Michelle. “Most of my clients have found success with it because it’s easy to follow.”
The 21 Day Fix program, created by celebrity trainer Autumn Calebrese, included 30 minute exercises and a color-coded Fixate eating plan. What I didn’t realize was that there were two programs on the site and I mistakenly chose the harder option called 21 Day Extreme which was an intermediate and advance level workout but since I was able to do the first workout (although I struggled with it), I just stuck with it for 21 days.
I immediately saw results; furthermore, I realized that I could workout more consistently. It was the first time that I exercised for 21 days straight! 30 minutes a day was just what I would take to browse through Pinterest and Facebook and working out was a better use of my time. I also learned a lot about my eating patterns.
Being Asian, I was accustomed to eating a lot of carbohydrates ranging from rice, noodles, and bread. Being pescetarian, I learned that I was consuming a limited amount of protein.
The Fixate nutrition plan helped me learn to combine food groups and proper portion control. It was not a starvation diet, and I immediately realized the opposite; I needed food to fuel my workouts.
However, I found it a challenge to make all the healthy food myself because I had a full time job, was directing a theater production, and have two young daughters at home. Thus, I partnered with Doko Beijing, a healthy food provider to make and deliver my meals on days that I can’t make them myself.
(For healthy food delivery, check out Doko Beijing here.)
After 21 days, I saw a visual difference in my core and the toning of my muscles. So much that I immediately did another 21 days.
Having experienced the success of this program, I now have a WeChat group of women who journey together to become healthier versions of ourselves and continue to tighten that mommy tummy.
Interested to join us? Add and message me on we chat at Hannah_Northcott