Samuel, Beijing, China – December 2014
首先，我想简单地介绍一下我的在北京骑自行车的经验。由于一系列不幸事件的发生，我已经买到了三辆自行车。我最初到北京时，没有打算骑车。我认为因为北京的公共交通四通八达，而且我的房子离大学不会那么远，所以不用花钱买自行车。此外，在伦敦，作为一个驾驶者，我培养了 一个对烦人骑车人的反感。不过，第一学期一开始，我很快就意识到更好骑车。每天早上打的是金钱的浪费，而且8点之前我不愿意走30多分钟的路。所以我第一次买到自行车时，我很不情愿地花了一百块（他送了一把锁）。当然，骑多么便宜的车很快出了问题。去学校的半路上，它突然破坏了。下次我投入了更多钱（两百块钱），得到了很合适的自行车。我失去它以后 ，就买到了我最新的一辆自行车。希望这辆是更耐用的。
在中文的方面，我参加了一场演讲比赛。每个留学生的班要提名一个人参加。毫不吃惊，没有人志愿参加，所以我很友好的同学决定我参加将会是最好的。然后，老师告诉我我需要在数百多人面前，做五分钟的演讲，不可以用笔记。他也说他们会拍每个人的表演。比赛的话题就是“我有一个梦想”，我讲的是“我们为什么在不做梦？这个趋势好不好？”在高级比赛中，来自各种国家的留学生都说得很流利，而且各色各样的话题反应了很多不同年情人的乐趣。最终，不知何故，我排在第三。这里有比赛的网址（我在第四页上
上个月，我也继续让自己熟悉中国西洋棋的景色。比如我参加了一场当地比赛并获得了第一名。虽然，参加那场比赛的棋手并不那么强，但是经过每一个比赛和我见到的对手，我体验了中国西洋棋的一些情况。例如，在中国没有很多的比赛，但很多人常会在咖啡馆里集合下棋。我也加入了北大的象棋队，为北大下了几次比赛。迄今，我们还保持不败赛季，可是于清华的大赛还没发生。最后，我参观了中国的棋院，那是中国西洋棋队训练的地方，也是中国国际象棋协会的办公室。我参观时，他们举办中俄14岁以下的国际比赛。
最终，在北京你能注意到越来越激烈圣诞气氛。很多的销售商业趁着圣诞节送礼的习俗来推广各种特价商品。有些大使馆也举行了圣诞活动。例如，我去了一场德国圣诞市场，享受了热葡萄酒和椒盐脆饼。昨晚，我们在一个圣诞酒吧竞猜排了第四名；我们缺乏足够关于圣诞电影的知识。
Beijing Station, December 2014 – Samuel Franklin
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Firstly, a quick word on my experiences of bicycles in Beijing. An unfortunate series of events has meant that I have already bought three bicycles. When I first arrived in Beijing, I had no intension of cycling. I knew that there would be an extensive public transport system and expected that my apartment would be close enough to the university, so that I would not need to expend on bikes. Moreover, as a driver in London, I have cultivated a dislike of annoying cyclists on the road. However, as term started, it quickly became apparent that I wouldn’t manage without one. Catching a taxi every morning is a waste of money, whilst I am not willing to walk over half an hour to school before 8am. And so when I bought my first bike, I reluctantly dished out 100rmb (£10; they also threw in a lock). Of course, using such a cheap piece of equipment quickly led to problems and one day, about half way on my way to class, it broke. Next time, I invested more (200rmb) and obtained a quite suitable bike. After I lost it, I bought my third one. Hopefully this one will last me more than a month.
As for language, I participated in a speech competition. Every foreign student’s class has to nominate one person to participate. Not surprisingly, there was nobody in my class willing to volunteer, so my classmates kindly decided it would be best if I just did it. Afterwards, my teacher told me that I would be presenting in front of a few hundred people, giving a five minute speech, no notes allowed. He also told me each speaker’s performance would be filmed. The theme of the competition was ‘I have a dream’, and I chose to speak on ‘Why do we no longer dream? Is this trend good or bad?’ In the top level competition there were exchange students from all over the world, who all spoke very fluently, and their topics reflected a great many interests and concerns of young people my age. Ultimately and inexplicably, I took third place.
This month, I have also continued to familiarise myself further with the chess scene in Beijing. For example, I entered a local tournament and came first. Although the field was not particularly strong, through each game and meeting with a new opponent, I came to understand aspects of the Chinese chess scene. For instance, whilst there are not so many tournaments in Beijing, many people frequently meet in cafés to play games. I also joined the Peking University team and have now played a few matches for them. We remain undefeated, but the big match against Tsinghua is yet to take place. Finally, I visited the Chinese chess institute, which is where the national team train and the national federation is based. When I went, they were hosting an under 14 China-Russia match.
Finally, there is an increasingly pronounced Christmas spirit here in Beijing. Many retailers take advantage of the gift giving custom to promote special deals. Some of the embassies have hosted events too. For example, I went to the German embassy’s Christmas market, where I enjoyed mulled wine and pretzels. Fifth place in last night’s Christmas themed pub quiz is also something to build on.