Daniel

We walked into this first grade classroom in the Xicheng District of Beijing to find Daniel teaching English to an exuberant group of six-year-olds.


After class was over, Daniel told me his fascinating story: He was born in Ghana and moved to England with his parents when he was a teenager. He got his law degree at Cambridge, much to the disappointment of his parents, who consider this a dishonorable profession (apparently a strong perception from Ghana).

This resulted in a family rift, so Daniel left England to see the world and cool down. His first day in Beijing -- just a few months ago -- he learned that English teachers are needed so he applied and got the job.

Now he's fluent in Chinese and has a contagiously enthusiastic teaching style. By the way, he's back in good graces with his family, and his mother is coming for a visit soon.

He says he's never been happier.

Xicheng Management and Development Seminar

Employees of the Xicheng District of Beijing were invited to a seminar about Pasadena during which Mayor Bill Bogaard, Business Development Manager Eric Duyshart, a couple of Pasadena Sister Cities Committee members and I spoke (with the help of interpreters). About 400 employees attended.

Mayor Bogaard discussed our Green City Action Plan, Eric talked about tourism and business in Pasadena, and I explained how the City of Pasadena communicates with residents.

Whoever took the shot above was a little too close to the stage; I really could be seen over the flowers!

Looking for Something to Do?

Saturday, July 10, from 6 to 11 p.m. -- Avoid parking hassles and take a Pasadena ARTS Bus to The Celebration on the Colorado Street Bridge!


Saturday, July 10, at 7 p.m. -- It’s international soccer with two of Mexico’s most renowned teams at the Rose Bowl Stadium: Club América vs. Cruz Azul. Ticket prices vary. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and we’re anticipating 40,000 people, so if you live in a surrounding neighborhood be sure to have your resident’s pass in your vehicle at all times – whether you plan on attending the game or not.


Tuesday, July 13 -- It’s Fresh Start Tuesday! Receive one-on-one career development assistance from a Women At Work counselor (even if you’re a male) at La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave. Call 744-7268 for an appointment.


Wednesday, July 14, at 1 p.m. -- This week’s film in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Pasadena Central Library, 285 E. Walnut St., is the lavish Academy Award-winning musical “Meet Me in St. Louis” (1944, PG) starring Judy Garland. The film follows a large family just prior to the opening of the 1904 World’s Fair. 744-4066.


Wednesday, July 14, at 3 p.m. – Pasadena Police Department park safety specialists will talk about their responsibilities, answer your questions, then demonstrate their expertise on the BBQ grill (that means you’ll get fed!) at Lamanda Park Branch Library, 140 S. Altadena Dr. 744-7266.


Saturday, July 17, at 11 a.m. -- Calling all teens: How’s your “Twilight” knowledge? Whether you’re an Edward or Jacob fan, you’re invited to a trivia contest about the film series at Pasadena Central Library’s Teen Central. 744-4766.


Saturday, July 17, at 11 a.m. – People of all ages will delight in a performance by the Jumping Flea Circus Ukulele Club and learn fascinating facts about the music and the instrument at Hastings Branch Library, 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd. 744-7262.



Sunday, July 18, at 2 p.m. -- Baseball greats will be inducted in the Pasadena-based Hall of Fame.


Through Aug. 15 -- Check out summer reading programs for children and teens, including plenty of free events and activities!


All events listed above are free unless otherwise noted; all phone numbers are in the (626) area code.

Find more events (and add your own) at our community calendar.

Ladies Who Weed

On our way back to Shanghai from the Zhouzhuang Water Village, we stopped for lunch in Kunshan. These ladies were weeding the grass and clearly enjoying each other's company. They were pleasantly surprised that I thought they were photo-worthy.

Jeannine Bogaard

What a pleasure to have Jeannine Bogaard along on our China trip!

She traveled from her home near Madrid, Spain, and met us at the Beijing Airport shortly after we arrived in China.

In the photo above, taken during the Shanghai leg of our trip, she's standing with her dad, Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard, at the Zhouzhuang Water Village, an official UNESCO World Heritage Site where the majority of residences were built during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Locals live their lives on and along the waterways, and there are many quaint shops and tea houses.


When I went to Memphis last year, I started the tradition of ceiling shots. Here's one from the waterside table where I sat at the Zhouzhuang Water Village:

The Grand Mercure

In Beijing we stayed at the Grand Mercure Hotel. We checked in after returning from the Great Wall.

That first evening, while the others were taking a pedicab tour of a Hutong area and going out to dinner, I stayed in my room, iced my knee and ordered in.

The front desk staff got to know me very well! Whenever I approached they said, "ice?" and I said yes and they had it delivered to my room. Such nice people.

I Made it to the Great Wall!

I had the pleasure of accompanying Mayor Bill Bogaard and others in an official delegation on a 10-day trip to China in celebration of the 10th anniversary of Pasadena's sister city relationship with the Xicheng District of Beijing.

We departed LAX at 1:40 a.m. Saturday, June 19, and arrived in Beijing at 5:20 a.m. the next day. We couldn't check into the hotel at that hour, so we headed to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall -- a two-hour drive from Beijing. Hey, why not? The weather was cool at that hour of the morning and the tourist trade hadn't gone into overdrive yet.

And then I got off the little tour bus and blew out my left knee and tore ligaments in my right leg. (More on that later.)

So there I was at the bottom of the mountain, determined to get to the top where the Great Wall is, with a bum knee, steep cobblestoned inclines and flights of stairs with no railings -- and that was just to get to get to the aerial tramway that would take us to the top!

Not one to be deterred, I did it! I told the others to head on up without me. Then, in the company of Liu Yi of Xicheng District's Human Resources Department, who served as my guide and cheerleader, I began the trek.

She shot the photo of me that you see at the top of this post. I was completely exhausted and in excrutiating pain, yet filled with an unbridled sense of accomplishment.

More on the China trip tomorrow.