Our expat community thrives on connection, and here at Jingkids, we’re all about our readers, and what they need and want in order to maximize their time here in Beijing. Every Monday, we’re going to feature a prominent member of our expat community and get to know them a little bit better.
Today, we are proud to feature one of the members of the new Jingkids International Parent Board, which serves as a bridge between our publication and our dedicated readers.
I’m Shu Qi, living in Beijing with my husband, Jacob, and son, Valiant, for almost three years now, since the pandemic hit while we were visiting and we were worried about returning to America. Back in Michigan, I was a Chinese teacher and assistant principal at a private school. Here, I keep myself busy as the PTA President at BCIS, my son’s school, where I also run a book club to discuss parenting issues every week. In my spare time, I love shopping and am trying to move more and lose weight!
What’s on your mind?
Recently, I found a new obsession with “剧本杀” (Jùběn shā) – a kind of Live Action Role Playing (LARP) detective game where a group of participants is each given a different role and scripts to play their part, then we all work together to try to solve a puzzle or unravel the plot. I’ve been going either on my own or with my husband whenever I can schedule some time, or whenever there’s a special limited edition script. It can take up to six hours sometimes, but it’s such an enthralling, immersive experience!
With spring approaching, I’m really looking forward to spending more quality time with my son Val outdoors. Although I hold myself responsible for tutoring him at home in reading, math, science, and piano, I do want to go outside and get active in the warmer seasons of Beijing!
What’s your motivation to get up every morning?
I tell myself, “Every day is a new chance for me to lose one more pound!” But really, losing weight and getting in shape has been a big motivator to get moving right now.
I’ve also begun beditation – a kind of meditation that you do right after you wake, while you’re lying in bed – to help my clear my mind from all the concerning thoughts. So I just focus on breathing and letting go of everything I can’t control, which has always been a problem for me as a bit of a control freak. I used to have trouble getting out of bed sometimes because I’m so worried about everything going on in the world. I would try to hide in my bed without leaving it! So beditation has been very helpful in getting me out of my own head and out of the bed too!
How do you stay sane in all the madness?
These days, my friends are inspiring me to start my days earlier and with more movement. I’ve been attending Jazzercise classes organized by my friend twice a week sometimes, and I even swapped out my massage chair in my bedroom for an elliptical machine instead! I definitely feel and see the difference!
What’s your favorite thing about Beijing?
Beijing is so convenient, maybe too convenient! I can order hotpot at 3am in the morning – which isn’t great for my diet – but it definitely makes this city easy to live in. It’s so busy and there’s always something happening here, especially since we live in Shuangjing near the city center where everything is.
Have someone you believe deserves some recognition for their outstanding contributions to our community? Nominate them for our weekly spotlight by writing their name in the comments below!
KEEP READING: For Libby Fitzgerald, “There’s Joy Just Feeling the Sun on Your Skin”
Images: Courtesy of Shu Qi
