qingdao expat magazine november 2012
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Our very own Qingdao Expat Magazine: A Community Resource - For the Expat Community, by Expats!TRANSCRIPT
QINGDAO EXPATWIFES
November 2012
Norweigan Ship SurveyorSeoul Weekend GetawayChinese Fried Noodles
Q I N G D A O EXPAT MAGAZINE
Your community resource
Qingdao Expat Magazine - 2
Creative Director Jenny Ek [email protected]
PhotographerMarit Rambech
Editorial TeamCathy Ben-David Preeti Chaudhary
Events, Website & E-communications Preeti Chaudhary [email protected]
ContributorsMarit Rambech, Jenny Ek, Cathy Ben-David, Preeti Chaudhary, Jeppe Mortensen, Jane Lin & Clipper Ventures Plc/OnEdition. Cover PhotoMarit Rambech
Sign up!To get on to the mail list to receive current community, events and activity announcements, please join by registering at: www.qingdaoexpat.com/Register.php
QINGDAO EXPAT MAGAZINE
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Help us!Qingdao Expat Magazine is always
searching for volunteers to help with our community publication.
Interested? Please contact [email protected]
for more information!
Photo: Marit Rambech
Qingdao Expat Magazine - 3
IN THIS ISSUEGet the
latest QD
news!
Musings of the Creative Director It’s November and it’s the perfect time to enjoy a warm Caffé Latte in a cozy café or light up your house with candles and relax on the sofa with a nice cup of tea. Maybe with Qingdao Expat Magazine as your company!? In this issue you can read about life as an expat wife, you will meet the Norweigan ship surveyor Kaare, Jane Lin is sharing a great recipe of Chinese fried noodles and much much more..
Great news for this month is that the Qingdao Expat Group will arrange a “Post Work Mixer“. An opportunity for all expats to meet after working hours. You can find more information about the event on page 20. Hope to see you there!
Unfortunately, my time in Qingdao is about to end and we therefore are looking for a Editor in Chief, who can continue developing this magazine. We also need more regular contributors - writers and photographers. More information on page 21.
Best regards,
Jenny EkCreative [email protected]
Photo: Marit Rambech
Ps. Don’
t miss the
information
about t
he
Expat W
inter Ball
on
page 20!
Expat StagesQingdao Expat Wives 4
Doing Business in QD The Norweigan Ship Surveyor 6
QIngdao in PicturesQingdao Wheels 8
What’s cooking in QD? American Pancakes 10Chinese Fried Noodles 11
Expat TravelSeuol Weekend Getaway 12
Qingdao Sailing Sailing in Qingdao 14Clipper Round the World 15
Out and AboutEvents in November 16Report from QICC 18Get Your Questions Answered 19Expat Winter Ball 20Hair Doctor & Nail Nurse 22Post Work Mixer 24Coffee Morning 24
Expat BirthdaysBirthdays in November 25
The Qingdao International Drama Group is looking for a new director for the annual Pantomime. More information on page 21!
!
Qingdao Expat Magazine - 4
Qingdao Expat Wives
An oppurtunityTo have the chance to move abroad for a period of time in life is an amazing experience, they all agree. For some of the women Qingdao is their first expat adventure, while some of them have lived abroad before. But they all experienced to go from a full time job in their home countries to move abroad and be a full time expat wife.
“Of course it was difficult to quit my job, but my career ambitions changed when I got kids and it is a fantastic privilege to be able to focus more on the family and spend more time with my kids”, Kelly says.
Most of them study Chinese to be able to get around and handle situations in everyday life better. “It is a great opportunity to learn a new language and experience a new culture”, Marie-Edith says.
Ups and DownsOf course they go shopping, they drink coffee, get their nails done and enjoy long lunches in the sun with a glass of wine or two. “My friends back home think the life as an expat wife is a big party, but it is not always as easy and glamourous as it seems”, Diane says.
For the women there are a lot of responsibilities too and just to manage the everyday life in another country can be a challenge.
“It’s like a roller coaster”, Jill says. “One day you are on top of the world and feel like you could live like this forever, but the next day you just want to pack your bags and move home immediately.” she explains. “You are in a bubble and you don’t really belong anywhere. You are not part of the Chinese society, but at the same time you are not really a part of your society in your homecountry either”, she adds.
Friends are importantIt is hard to handle the everyday life without good friends. They all agree that the climate in the expat group is very friendly and welcoming and it is easy to make friends in the expat community of Qingdao. “The Expat Coffee Morning is a great meeting point”, Marie-Edith says.
Julie moved to Qingdao from Denmark only three months ago, but she feels that she has already become a part of the community and she has already made a lot of good friends. “I agree that Coffee Morning is a great meeting point. I went there when I just moved here and everybody was very welcoming. I immediately felt that I was part of the group”, she says.
Anja tells me that she recently had visitors from Denmark in Qingdao. A colleague of her husband will move here next year with his family and they visited
A swirl of chat and laughs fill the room. It is luchtime and I invited Rita, Anja, Jill, Kelly, Julie, Diane and Marie-Edith to have a chat about the life as an expat wife. They all moved here because of their husbands’ works. Along with supporting their husbands, taking care of the house and the kids, they all have one big mission - enjoy life - as much as possible.
From the left. Rita from US, Anja from Denmark, Jill & Kelly from US, Julie from Denmark, Diane from England and Marie-Edith form France.
Qingdao Expat Magazine - 5Qingdao Expat Magazine - 5
“Friends are important”
Qingdao to get a preview of how life could be here. “I invited her to join Coffee Morning so that she could meet people and see that finding friends would not be a problem here”, Anja says.
Jill teaches Zumba, Body Step and Body Pump in the gym at Yandao International. “The gym is another great place to meet people. For example we dance Zumba every Friday and always go out for lunch together afterwards”, she says. But of course you need to be openminded and not hide in your apartment, they all agree.
Friends come and goExpat life is not forever. People are here on shorter or longer terms. Rita has been living in Qingdao for six years and seen good friends leave more than once. It is tough to be the one that is left behind all the time.
“Before the summer one of my close friends moved from Qingdao. It was of course an emotional goodbye, but there was so much going on during the summer so I never had time to feel lonely, but when things started to go back to normal and the everyday life moved on, I could feel that a big part was missing”, Rita explains.
“But the good thing is that I made friends forever, no matter where in the world they live,” she adds.
Diane says that also one of her best friends also moved recently from Qingdao to Shanghai. “She was such a big part of my everyday life and I could not imagine a life without her - but somehow life goes on and you meet new people”, she says. “As an expat you need to constantly work on extending your group of friends”, Jill says.
Return homeAs an expat you know that your life here is not forever and returning home or somewhere else in the world is a part of the expat life. Both Kelly and Marie-Edith are experienced expats and where home is sometimes is a good question. “For me home is where my mum lives - where ever we go in the world, that will always be my home!“, Kelly says. Marie-Edith agrees. “Since we lived in North America a long time, we will probably return and settle down there, but my family is in France, so that will always be considered as my home too”, she says.
And wherever home is, returning home could also be a challenge. “Depending on how long you have been away - things do change since you left and you will have to get into new routines and so on. So it will probably be as hard to move back”, Anja says.
But it is not yet time to think of the return home - for now the focus is to enjoy life and make this adventure a life experience to remember forever.
Text: Jenny Ek, Photos: Marit Rambech
“Coffee Morning is a great meeting point”
“It’s like a roller coaster”
“But the good thing is that I made friends forever, no matter where in the world they live”
From the left. Rita from US, Anja from Denmark, Jill & Kelly from US, Julie from Denmark, Diane from England and Marie-Edith form France.
Expat Stages
Qingdao Expat Magazine - 6
What is your job?My job is to carry out ship surveys and coordinate the jobs in Shandong Province.
A typical day at work would be to go to one of the ports in Shandong Province and visit a ship. All ships in international trade needs to be surveyed annually by a third party. The survey focuses on the vessels’ safety functions and water integrity. That means we check and test all fire preventing onboard, we control the lifesaving appliances and the steel structure of the ship. This usually take a day or two. Another typical day will be going to a shipyard to verify a ship repair or five year overhaul.
Are there any differences working at your company in China vs Norway?Generally a normal work day is not so different, since the vessels have crew from all over the world. But here
all my colleagues are Chinese and I have to relate to the shipyard, which is Chinese. One major difference is the lack of planning! Communication is luckily no problem.
Do you need to speak Mandarin at work?Not so much at work, but I need to speak simple Mandarin to communicate with my driver and shipyard workers. My goal was also to learn basic Chinese for communication, but that has proved to be difficult. Unfortunately I have only reached a very simple Chinese level.
What have you learnt by working in China?I have learned a lot about the way the Chinese think, and how they do business here. You need to be very flexible, and not necessary believe what you are told has been carried out. They love taking short cuts, but don’t cover up their tracks very well.
Kaare Nicolai Haug (Nick) works for “Det Norske Veritas”, a major company within classification of Ships and Offshore installations. The company does all sorts of third party quality and safety controls. The company also carries out consultancy work within technical, quality, safety and risk analysis towards the shipping and energy market. They have about 10000 employees divided in 300 office locations in 70 countries. Kaare has been working and living in Qingdao since april 2010.
The Norweigan Ship Surveyor
“We check and
test all fire preventing
onboard, we control the
lifesaving appliances and the
steel structure of the ship.”
By Jenny Ek
Qingdao Expat Magazine - 7
Doing Business in Q
D
Photo: Marit Rambech
Share your experience!
Send an email to qingdaoexpateditor
@yahoo.com
Qingdao Expat Magazine - 7
Qingdao Expat Magazine - 8
Qingdao in Pictures
Share your photos!
Send an email to qingdaoexpateditor
@yahoo.com
Qingdao Expat Magazine - 8
Qingdao Expat Magazine - 9
QINGDAO WHEELS
Qingdao Expat Magazine - 9 By Marit Rambech
Qingda in Pictures
Qingdao Expat Magazine - 10
Share a recipe from your country!
Send an email to qingdaoexpateditor
@yahoo.com
AMERICAN PANCAKES
Expat Home Cooking:
INGREDIENS (For 8 pancakes)2,5 deciliter wheat flour2 tsp baking powder0,5 tsp salt1 tbsp granulated sugar1 egg2,5 dl milk2 tbsp oil
METHOD Mix flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a bowl. Whisk egg, oil and milk - add the dry ingrediens and mix it all together.
Fry the pancakes (around 10 cm in diameter). When the pancake starts to bubble on the top, it is time to turn them around.
Serve hot with fresh fruit and maple syrup.
By Jenny Ek
SHOPPING LIST
Wheat flourBaking powderSaltGranulated sugarEggMilkOilFruitMaple syrup
“Perfect for a late breakfast on a lazy Sunday or why not make a Monday breakfast more fun?”
Photo: Jenny EkQingdao Expat Magazine - 10
Qingdao Expat Magazine - 11
500g fresh noodles500g cabbage, sliced in width about 0.4cm100g pork1 small onion, sliced4 cloves of garlic, chopped6 tbsp light soy sauce2 tbsp dark soy sauce500ml water8 tbsp cooking oil1 tbsp sesame1 tsp of cooking wineRed chili & coriander leaves for garnish
Wash the pork and cut it into small pieces. Toss the meat with 1 tbsp of light soysauce, 1 tsp of cooking wine and 1 tbsp of oil. Season with pepper and marinate for 10 min.
Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a wok over medium heat until hot, fry pork until it is well done. Remove the meat from the wok.
Put 5 tbsp of oil in wok over medium heat until hot, fry onion until it is fragrant. Add the cabbage and fry it together until it is a bit soft. Add 5 tbsp light soy sauce and water.
Spread the noodle on top of cabbage. Put a lid on the wok pan. Medium heat for about 10 min until the water is gone.
Add 2 tbsp of dark soy sauce, fried pork and garlic, stir to mix well. Turn off the heat.
Garnish with white sesame, red chili andcoriander leaves. Enjoy!
Tips: If you add more water the noodles get softer.
By Jane Lin
CHINESE FRIED NOODLE
Chinese Cooking:
METHOD
INGREDIENS
“Easy and fast to make. Perfect for a family dinner in the middle of the week.”
Fresh noodleCabbagePorkOnionGarlicLight soy sauceDark soy sauceCooking oilSesameCooking wineRed chili Coriander leaves
SHOPPING LIST
What’s Cooking in Q
D?
Qingdao Expat Magazine - 12
Weekend GetawaySEOUL
If you need a short break from your daily life in China - you don’t need to go far. After a 2 hours direct flight from Qingdao you will reach the pulsing capital of South Korea, Seoul. Within a short distance you will find both culture, history, entertainment for both kids and adults, good food and of course great shopping - Just remember to bring comfortable shoes and get ready to discover the sights and shopping of Seoul!
By Jenny Ek & Marit Rambech
Insadong Tea time
Take a break!
Streetsnack
Shop! Shop! Shop!
Shop!
Cruise the Han river
Qingdao Expat Magazine - 13
Gyenbokgung palace
Korean Barbeque
Cheonggyecheon stream
Myeongdong
Expat Travel
Evening stroll!
Shop til you drop!
Fun for kids!
The War Memorial DMZ
Lotte World
Drum Show
Qingdao Expat Magazine - 14
A daysail with small onesEarly October a friend and I took our young ones out sailing. As an adult you’ll typically have your eyes and attention on sailing the boat and enjoy the quiet environment whereas children tend to see the boat as another fun little playground. Looking for the right weather window helps to make a sail with the small ones a really enjoyable activity.
Sailing with studentsIn Qingdao we’ve all seen children and young students enjoying their time on Optimists and other small boats.
During 2012 several students from a high-school and universities enjoyed some keelboat sailing on the J/80. Sailing with eager and fast learning students is good fun. Expect to see more students out sailing keelboat regattas during 2013.
Cleaning boat bottomsI’ll readily admit that hull bottom cleaning is one of the least enjoyable things about sailing. While not exiting (which cleaning is?) if you like your boat to sail with any sort of speed, keeping the hull clean is a must.
A diver is called in on a regular basis to help clean those hard-to-reach spots and the keels.
With bottoms and keels all recently cleaned, the J/80s in Qingdao are now ready to sail into the winter.
Sailing questions?Feel free to call138 8463 7870 (Jeppe)or email <[email protected]>.
By Jeppe Mortensen
If you like wind - and which sailor does not - then November is the month to take on your sailing boots more often. Some days we’ll have southerly (onshore) winds giving us a warm and stable breeze, while the increasing number of days with north north-westerly (offshore) winds provides great opportunities to train your boat handling skills in the shifty conditions. Good training and good fun. Above you’ll find photos of past sailing related activities.
TIP: November is one of the best months for sailing in Qingdao
SAILING IN QINGDAO “It’s never too late to join - we sail all year round.”- Jeppe
Qingdao Expat Magazine - 15
Following the success of the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race earlier this year, preparations are in full swing for the 2013-14 edition.
The Olympic sailing city of Qingdao will boast an entry again; the fifth time the Chinese city will be represented around the world. The Clipper Race was founded 16 years ago by legendary yachtsman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo, non-stop, around the world in 1968-9. Anyone 18-years-old or over is eligible to apply without any sailing experience and crew can take on the full 40,000-mile circumnavigation, or one or more of eight legs. The race fleet takes almost a year to visit 15 ports of call on six continents.
Over 40 nationalities will be represented in the next edition of the Clipper Race, which starts in summer 2013. The city of Qingdao has already played a big part in the preparations for the next race as the chosen location for the build of the brand new fleet of twelve 70-foot ocean racing yachts that will form the world’s biggest matched fleet ocean racers.
The first of the new fleet left Qingdao this month, after being launched into the commercial docks
in Jaio Zhou Bay for final testing, the yacht was transferred to a cargo vessel which sailing for Europe.
Crew members taking part in the Clipper 13-14 Race will go down in history as the first to race the Clipper 70s round the world. The third generation of Clipper Race yacht promise faster speed records as they complete the 40,000-mile challenge of a lifetime.
In a global search for adventurous individuals to take part in the race Recruitment Manager, David Cusworth will be in Qingdao from 13-16 November.
“The Clipper Race has always had a strong Chinese presence in terms of a yacht entry, crew taking part as well as the following and welcome the race receives when arriving in Qingdao,” explains David, a round the world crew member himself in 2002.
By Clipper Ventures Plc/OnEdition
ClippEr 13-14 round THE WORLD YACHT RACE
12 BRAND NEW 70-FOOT OCEAN RACING YACHTS, A 40,000-MILE
CIRCUMNAVIGATION, 15 RACES, 13 COUNTRIES,
1 WINNER.
The next generation:
Photos: Clipper Ventures Plc/OnEdition
To find out more, email David here: [email protected]
http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/
Qingdao Sailing
Qingdao Expat Magazine - 16
Qingdao International Business Association (QIBA)Wednesday Nov 28th at 6.30 pmQIBA meets on the 4th Wednesday of each monthHotel InterContinental 1F
Cocktails 6:30 to 7:30 pmMeeting starts at 7 pm
For more info contact [email protected]
“Culture Club“Thursdays 1 pm - 4 pmWalk Inn Japanese Restaurant4F Xinwen Zhongxin Buildning, 50 Hong Kong Middle Road
Fun and cultural entertainment whilst learning this Chinese ancient game. Each player donates 20 RMB for the Qingdao Expat Charity.
For more info contact [email protected]
Running EveningsTuesdays evenings at 7:15 pmFor everyone who is interested in running but is tired of running alone, come along for an easy run of about 60 minutes!
Meeting place alternates between Red Sculpture on May 4th Square and Shi Lao Ren SPR.
For more info or to get onto the mail list contact [email protected]
Table Games AfternoonThursdays 1.30 pm - 3 pmAt Qingdao Community Centre
Gather to play the ancient Chinese game of mahjong and other board games of your choosing. The lounge area is open for adults to join for a casual afternoon.
For more information contact [email protected]
Parent & Toddler PlaygroupMondays 10 am-11.30 amAr Qingdao Community Centre
If you are a parent with a pre-school child, toddler or baby and would like to meet others, please join.This is a weekly casual, self-run social session for you and your young child. Some toys and activities provided but please join to contribute your ideas and thoughts.
For more information contact [email protected]
Events
Post Work Mixer2nd & 4th Thursday from 7 pmAt Thai Me Up, #20-6 Yanerdao Lu
Mix and mingle with other expats working in Qingdao. Special offers on food and drinks for all expats.
Fore more information [email protected]
Something
for all a
ges!
November2012
Coffee MorningWednesdays 10.45 amAt Starbucks Marina City
Come and join us for one of our Expat Coffee Mornings to make new friends, mix, mingle and catch-up with old ones.
Fore more information [email protected]
Qingdao Expat Magazine - 17
If you are a runner and if you like to have a good time, the Qingdao Hash House Harriers migth be someting for you. Here you will meet new friends, burn some calories, see part of the city you have never seen before and last but not least; have fun! Every run is different, as different people are haring (setting the trail).
Problems with your knees? Dont like running? No worries, the Qingdao HHH has a group of walkers too. So there is no excuse not to join!
When: Every saturday at 2 pmWhere: Meet in the lobby of the Crowne Plaza HotelCost: 10 RMB/head to cover beer/water and bus.
For more info visit www.facebook.com/qdhhh or to get onto the mail list contact [email protected]
Join the Hash House Harriers!
Everybody
can join!
Qingdao International Christian FellowshipSunday Mornings 10 am - 11.30 amAll foreign passport holders are welcome!
InterContinental Hotel Auditorium 3 F,98 Aomen Lu.
For more info visit www.qicf.org or send an email to [email protected]
Musical MonkeysFriday 2, 16 & 30 NovemberMusic Room at YCIS Qingdao CampsBuilding 7, 36 Laoshan Road
If you have a child aged 1 to 3.5 and you would like to continue with music for young children – this is for you!
9:30am Music Session (free of charge)10:15am Snack & drink picnic (fruit provided)10:15 – 11:00am Outdoor play11:00am Bus shuttle return
A basic bus shuttle will be provided:Jin Hai 8:50am & Surf Plaza 9:15am(other pick-up places can be considered)
For further details, please [email protected]
Saturday SoccerSaturdaysAt Qingdao Community Centre
Still a few spaces open in the 6-8 age group! We are opening the Lions group to children between the ages of 9-13.
Send an emailfor registration form to [email protected]
Out &
About
Qingdao Expat Magazine - 18
The first Qingdao International Community Centre for the foreign community opened to the public, officially, on 20th October 2012 by the Head of Huangdao Government and the President of Qingdao Association for Foreign Investment and Enterprise. Also invited to cut the ribbon was a working parent of the community, namely Mr. Maivusaroko the General Manager of the Sheraton Hotel in Jiazhou plus the General Manager of YCIS (being the founder member of QICC), plus a representative of future volunteers.
The vision is to grow and develop with the community’s needs for activities and social interaction. The indoor premises have been refurbished to provide two spacious and practical rooms. The largest room offers a comfortable seating lounge, social seating with round tables and an indoor garden. The second room is a vast kitchen and catering area for many uses. The expanse of windows gives the best viewing gallery for parents to also watch their children participating in sports on the nearby sports field.
The facility is in the fast growing and spacious Huangdao District of Qingdao, by easy access via the undersea tunnel connecting to the city centre. The
foreign community will gain the available indoor and outdoor provision for activities and events for all ages.
YCIS Qingdao is the founding member and will help sponsor and substitute adult and children’s activities, ranging for the audience of toddlers to adults. The centre also seeks to attract other organisations, companies, groups and parties who are keen to use the space for new ideas to add to the social welfare of the community, and to also consider being active contributors.
A new website with contact details and upcoming activities and gatherings is now open for usage. The staff also waits to assist facilitating activities brought forward by the community and look forward to people submitting their ideas via the on-line questionnaire. Please visit: www.qingdaocommunitycentre.com
The launch party on 20th October brought a taste of some of the activities that can be available over the next few months as the centre develops and matures. The QICC team look forward to hearing how they can help. Do check the website for the upcoming events and activities – more to come!
Report from Qingdao International Community Centre By QICC Team
Pictures from the launch party. Photos: Marit Rambech
Qingdao Expat Magazine - 19
Questions about living in Qingdao?
Gerd Burkard Germany (Business Related)Phone: 139 6395 6259E-mail: [email protected]
Our Expat Representatives will answer your questions!
Pia Vinchon-TahonFrancePhone: 139 6398 5712E-mail: [email protected]
Alex Schroeter & Christlane Lawo-Fu GermanyE-mail: [email protected]
Preeti ChaudharyIndiaPhone: 150 5322 7805E-mail: [email protected]
Leo Van EchelpoelBelgiumPhone: 136 7889 8189E-mail: [email protected]
Cathy Ben-DavidEnglandE-mail: [email protected]
?
Andrew WongHongkongPhone: 15053203088E-mail: [email protected]
Help our Newbies! Interested in being a contact person?Please send an email to [email protected]
Photo: Marit Rambech
Out &
About
Qingdao Expat Magazine - 20
Qingdao Expat Magazine - 21
Out &
About
The Qingdao International Drama Group is looking for a new director for
the annual Pantomime.
The 5-years young Qingdao institution unites between 50-100 domestic and
international residents every year, including actors, musicians, stage
hands, promoters and technicians, and has successfully retold classic stories
including Sondheim’s Into The Woods, Robin Hood, Cinderella, Robinson
Crusoe and Alladin.
To apply, contact [email protected]
Calling loCal SCorCeSe!
WANTED! Editor in Chief for the Qingdao Expat Magazine!Qingdao Expat Group seeks to fill the position of “Editor in Chief” for their online Qingdao Expat Magazine.
Work: Responsible for the content and the development of Qingdao Expat Magazine. Co-ordinate and work closely with regular contributors.Skills: Driven, detail oriented, organized, work to deadlines.Considerations: Foreign passport holders only
TOTALLY volunteer position – no compensation! A fun and giving position by which you will gain a good experience in publishing.
Interested? Know someone else who might be? Want to know more? Please send inquiries to [email protected]
Do you like to write or photograph?We also need more regular contributors. Maybe you are interested in travel, cooking or like to meet new people and write about expat life? We also need photographers to contribute pictures for the magazine.
For more information about these positions please send an email to [email protected]
Qingdao Expat Magazine - 22
I didn’t have to look far to find Steve…His hair lounge is conveniently located smack bang in the middle of town, in Top Yihe Serviced Apartments, on HK Middle Road, diagonally across from our City Hall. The lounge itself is with a great sea-view, bright and clean with a contemporary and minimalist style with funky and fun music playing... But most importantly, Steve really is a HAIR ARTIST! He is from the UK with over 25 years experience in London, New York and Hong Kong among other glamourous, cosmopolitan metropolises. In those 25 years, he has worked on MTV programmes, at concerts and CD cover shoots
and done a whole lot of styling for magazines etc, so he knows what he’s doing.
From a wide variety from his range of services – that include styling, cutting, colour and highlights, retail of a range of Japanese hair treatments and Western haircare brands - I decided on getting my hair highlighted and a Gel Nail Manicure.
I was impressed with how dedicated Steve is to his craft. For example, I got a detailed hair consultation first and foremost, even before I could tell him why
MY DAY WITH THE HAIR DOCTOR & THE NAIL NURSEAny non-Chinese speaking Expat lady living in China can tell you any number of hair horror stories if they have been forced to visit a non-English speaking, Chinese Hair Salon, living out of the comfort zones of our home countries as we are, in case of a dire hair-emergency! So, after hearing of many “bad hair day stories” from fellow ladies and being extremely picky, I have avidly avoided getting ANY hair styling done while living in Qingdao for the past 5 years! That is, until recently! In came Steve Mather and Tiffany (affectionately called the Hair Doctor and Nail Nurse) and my resistance to trying out hair styling services went out of the window!
Qingdao Expat Magazine - 23
I was visiting him! I also loved the fact that he talked me into trying an interesting, new for me, a 3 shaded colour based look, and was I happy with the results! Not to forget, the added bonus of every service getting a free salon treatment! His work is high-end, sophisticated, and top-notch.
Next up was time with the Nail Nurse – Tiffany. She did a gel nail manicure for me. Just like in a regular manicure, cuticles are pushed back and nails are filed. Nails are also buffed, so the gel adheres more strongly. Next a coat of gel “polish” is applied to each nail, with 30 seconds of drying time under a UV Light in between. A second coat is applied and then allowed to dry again for 30 seconds.
At the end of the gel nail manicure, I was amazed that my nails truly were dry. Tiffany laughed at me when I asked for help getting my mobile phone out of my bag and she insisted I could do it myself without ruining my mani. She was right!
I enjoyed my appointments with Steve and Tiffany, not just because I now know I can count on them for awesome hair and nails, but also because they are fun to be around, speak the same language as me so
getting myself understood is a walk in the park and they are also easy to talk to.
Not to say, the complimentary on-site home comforts such as the 2 cups of steaming hot Tea – just as I like it - and cookies that I got while I was there (they also do cocktails, cheeses, wine etc) nicely rounded off my hair and nail experience day I spent with them! My styling experience became a relaxing affair whereby I spent an entire social afternoon with Steve and Tiffany – thanks guys!
I highly recommend them! For booking appointments, their Lounge address and any other info, Steve can be contacted on +86 13681453740. More details on his Yahoo Group here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ Stevematherhairstudio
Text :Preeti ChaudharyPictures: Courtesy Steve Mather
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PoST WorK MiXer!QingdaoExpat Group presents:
In November: 8th and 22nd of November 2012 Mixer Location: Thai Me Up Restaurant, #20-6 Yanerdao Lu Directions/Lost: Call + 86-532-85038579
Starts from 7 pm.
Special offers for all expats! 10% discount on food ordered between 7:00 -9:30 PM.A big glass (0.33cl) of Thai Margaritas, Strawberry Margaritas, Pinacoladas, and Mojito’s at 25 RMB/glass.
No RSVP required, just turn up at the above venue to mix/mingle with other fellow Expats living and working in Qingdao. But if you want to make sure to have a table for dining before 8 pm, please reserve it directly with Thai Me Up.
Questions? Clarifications? Kindly email: [email protected]
Are you new in town? Or do you want to meet up with old friends?Come and join us for one of our Expat Coffee Mornings to make new friends, mix, mingle and catch-up with old ones or just to enjoy the stunning downtown view in some great company!
Every Wednesday at Starbucks (next to H&M) Marina City, Olympic Sailing Marina. Begins at 10.45 AM.
Join us on our Coffee Mornings!
Want a weekly
reminder?
Please join our Expat
Coffe Morning mailing
list by emailing
2nd and 4th Thursday of a Month
New
event!
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Qingdao Expat Magazine - 25
Happy Birthday! Sheng Ri Kuai Le!
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Kaeal TAY Timothy GAULINRamon GREGORIOSang Yum CHUNG (‘95)Jenny SCHULZ
Benny ABUGANNY Alejandra CORDOVA (‘03)Bum YOng HAM (‘84)Jesper DUNDRIDGE Ashlyn NG
Joe CANNING WADDINGTON (‘96)Dae Hee KIMAndrea PIZZATO
Charlotte MELDGAARD Johan ISRAELSSON
Sharbel ROMANOS (‘97)Arsène LECHÈRE (‘06) Jannick HANSEN
Hun CHOFrederik DEGEUS
Saiko YAMAMOTOKirsten CHEn (‘84)Stephen BROUGHTON Luis PIROUNAKIS
Michael BOOKERJens-Ole KRENZIENJustin MIYASHITA (‘96)Amir LEVIN, Nico BAUMANN (‘00), Joshua Sae-hyun Kwon, Geetha Parv G, Malte AKESSON, Kelley HEMKEN
Jime VELA Madoka NAMBAEmily WONGDJ LATOISONIn HWAN LEEJustin LEE
Matthew Paul HAMILTONAlicia Danica HAMILTONSamantha
Anne CHANGJulie EGETOFTOliver TREY
David KENNEYSophie xU
Nathan DEKORNFELDMary BRAMLETTShahaf BARTAL (‘99) Nitzan BARTAL (‘99)Jill SMITH
Søren KRISTENSENLeonard KUHN (‘05)Klaus W JENSENDaniel SEUNG Jae HONG (‘96)Patric AKESSON
Soon Ku HONGStella BUCKBjoern VAN DEN BOOMLaura PEDERSENLaura MURAWSK
Marissa SIMOnE (‘05) Papon THEPSEREE
Flemming JOHANSENHuyein HAN Sen HUANG
Claudiu SIMION Irene DENGMike HARRISON
Amy WANG
Peter GAASTRA Fritz EMRICHBrian POWER
India WOODALL (‘05)Mathieu DURUPT (‘00)Kenji SAKAMOTOLoktantra NEGI
Helen MIYASHITASilvia DE LUCA
Birthdays in November
Christopher CORL (‘96)Scott MEOPHAM
Young Eun HAM (‘88)Rachel TOSTEVIN Ada LONDON
Lina EMRICH (‘94)Olaf KÄMMERLINGSue WINTERDylan SYKESAiZhen GUO
Expat Birthdays
Q I N G D A O EXPAT MAGAZINE