GODZILLA VS BOND PART 1- GODZILLA’S REVENGE

Why, you might ask, am I pitting such two wildly different movie “franchises” (awful word) against each other? Well, there are more similarities than you might discover at first glance. Let’s compare.
Both sagas started out around the middle of the last century, (Godzilla in 1955, Bond seven years later), they both started out as straightforward, comparatively serious entries into their respective genres, which are the giant monster flick (that had its roots in King Kong and 20,000 Fathoms) and the spy caper movie (co-founded by Alfred Hitchcock) respectively. They both gradually developed a winning formula that steered them into more escapist territory during the sixties, only to simultaneously go for complete campy silliness during the 70s. Latter development was owed to Godzilla director Jun Fukuda and Bond actor Roger Moore, equally misunderstood and underrated masters in the art of high camp.

How to Use Chopsticks and Some Table Manners in China

No , no , Yukun! You must wait for Granny to move the chopsticks first. ” Yukun is my Chinese first name and that is what my mother would often say when I broke the Chinese table rules during meals. Coming back to China in the summer of 2003 after living in the states for 8 years, I was only 12. I was a total stranger when it came to Chinese eating etiquettes. Let me share some eating rules and table manners with you to make your dining much more convenient and enjoyable when eating Chinese food in China.

HOW TO PLAY SHAANXI MAJIANG

Mahjong is a very popular game in China, especially amongst the older generation. Essentially, Mahjong is a game where you try to get a series of sets of three (matching tiles) or series of three (sequential numbers), similar to Gin Rummy, but you are aiming to have 14 tiles at the end, with 4 sets or series and a pair or three sets of four and a pair. The game is typically fast-paced among experienced players, and the strategies evolve as more tiles are played. The endless combinations make it a very interesting game, and there is also sometimes gambling, but I suggest avoiding that unless you’re looking to lose your money. Also, gambling is illegal in China.

The Secret Life of a Swiftie

It feels like almost a lifetime ago when I had moved out of my hometown to start my first year at university for my bachelor’s degree. It was during this time when I got my first portable MP3 player that could probably hold a maximum of 100 songs (if I was lucky). Due in part to the influences of my mum’s love of country music, I searched for new up and coming singers in the country genre and stumbled on this song called “Teardrops on my guitar”. A sucker for ballads and acoustic melodies, I was hooked and used every cent of my allowance to purchase what would then be her self-titled debut album..

Biking for Beginners 8 tips from a former NOOB

Just a little over a year ago, I had just visited the hospital (for reasons we shall not discuss here). Long story short, the doctor told me I “needed more exercise.” I needed to do something, but the big question was: what?
One of my friends in Xi’an suggested biking, so I started riding in February of 2021. Just over a year later, I have lost more than 10kg, have completed dozens of 100km+ rides, and have conquered steep climbs around Xi’an. Just this past April, I rode my 7,000th kilometer and 45,000th meter of elevation (that’s more than 5 Mount Everests!). So how did this happen?

Labour Day Endurance Cycling Challenge

On the 1st of May (Labour Day) the local Cube Shop at the Stadium organised a 24-hour distance challenge. They announced the event in the local bike community and provided a support car, rest stop, and prizes for all finishers.
Participants could choose between 300 km, 400 km and 500 km as the target to finish within 24 hours. The clock would always be ticking, so any stops or breaks would be counted into the total time. Represnting the Shaanxi Hills International Team, Marcus signed up for the 500 km goal, and Francis signed up for the 300 km goal.

Role Models:Zhuoran Li It’s our responsibility to become ourselves

When I was 3 years old, I liked a short-hair girl in my kindergarten. My feelings for girls got more intense when I was growing up. It was very confusing since everyone and everything around me told me I was supposed to like the opposite gender.
I used to wear women’s clothes when I was around 2-3 years old. As I got older I started to wear more and more masculine clothing. I think it was me unconsciously wanted to be a boy so that it would be ok for me to like girls. If I were a boy all my feelings towards girls would make sense and I wouldn’t be a freak anymore, trapped on my own isolated little island. I would be like everyone, be able to connect with the world. I could breathe freely and like girls as the way I wanted. I even considered transgender surgery for a long time, however the cost of transition proved to be prohibitively high.

蟹小姐 · Cajun Seafood

Finger-licking goodness just in time for summer
If you had any doubts despite the sunshine, 30+ degree weather, and rapid proliferation of outdoor seating, let us reassure you that summer is finally here. And what better way to welcome summer than with savory finger food and cold beverages?
We are of course talking about Cajun Seafood, a new spot that opened this April. Before we get into food, we must first address the important question: what is Cajun? It is a style of cuisine originating on the

YAN 煙

I s there anything in life better than a really good burger? Probably, but the experience of diving in to a tasty pile of meat, cheese, and bread is definitely up there. But, alas, in Xi’an it can be difficult to find a burger that really hits the spot, and often times you get a fried chicken sandwich instead of a burger when ordering a 汉堡. But, luckily we seem to be going through something of a burger revolution, as there are now numerous spots serving up burgers that are better than anything we’ve seen in recent years. One such place is a new restaurant that ranks among the best we’ve seen in a long time, Yan.
Located just inside of South Gate, close to the entrance of Shuyuan Men, Yan started serving food at the end of 2021, right before the most recent lockdown shut temporarily shut their doors for a month. However, they persisted and now are back to serving up some great food.

lyf再获八份管理合同,品牌发展从共享公寓向都市酒店及度假型项目扩容

近日,凯德投资旗下的旅宿业务板块——雅诗阁有限公司(以下简称“雅诗阁”)宣布,公司旗下屡获殊荣的lyf品牌于2023年再获8份新管理合同,业务扩展至巴厘岛、槟城、悉尼及法兰克福等全新度假胜地和城市目的地。作为一个主张共享生活的旅宿品牌,lyf在成立之初就有着前瞻性,并随着人们对以体验为导向的社交生活需求不断增长,发展势头日益强劲。如今,lyf已衍生成为一场具有灵活性的多维度住宿体验,产品类型从共享公寓向都市酒店及度假型项目扩容。 lyf专为包括数字游牧民、科技业者、独立创意者和创业者在内的下一代旅行者量身定制,提供超越传统的住宿体验。无论是短期暂住、长期停留或永久居住,lyf旨在将自身打造成一个值得信赖的旅宿品牌,连接住客与城市、人群与文化。目前,该品牌已进驻全球21个城市,运营及在建单元超过5,500套。随着品牌在全球范围内持续发展,lyf将继续向越来越多的品牌拥趸们传递其标志性的、以体验为导向的社会生活理念。 凯德投资旅宿首席执行官吴洵杰先生表示:“出行的意义不仅仅是为了到达目的地,而是让自己沉浸在另一个城市的心跳中。自新加坡lyf福南共享公寓于2019年亮相以来,lyf品牌的表现令人瞩目。在过去的一年,lyf的增长速度也彰显着品牌拥有巨大潜力,无论是全方位服务的酒店或度假型项目,在更多的酒店资产类别中,品牌拥有进一步扩大规模的可能性。目前,lyf在全球已运营及储备了30多个项目;未来,我们将会把lyf带到更多的旅游目的地,朝着到2030年拥有150家物业、超过30,000套单元的目标努力。” 伴随着这8份管理合同,2023年lyf品牌共新增近1,500套单位,签约速度几乎较上一年翻一番。新签项目包括新加坡武吉士项目、马来西亚的吉隆坡十五碑社区项目及槟城乔治市项目、印度尼西亚的巴厘岛苍古项目、澳大利亚的悉尼萨塞克斯项目、日本的东京涩谷项目、德国的法兰克福项目以及中国上海项目。这些物业计划在未来四年内开业,推动lyf品牌的全球影响力持续攀升。 Read More …

西安高新JW万豪酒店酒店焕活之旅

酒店以古今交融的设计与细致入微的服务精心缔造非凡奢华体验,盛邀宾客共赴一场由内而外的全然焕活之旅。 西安高新JW万豪酒店坐落于城市商务中心——西安高新技术产业开发区,地理位置得天独厚。毗邻众多联合国教科文组织世界遗产及名胜古迹,将长安古韵与现代优雅巧妙融合。酒店致力于为宾客打造身临其境、焕活身心的居停体验,引领宾客探索由身及心、由内而外的平衡之道。居停于此,宾客可轻松前往唐城墙遗址公园、兵马俑、大雁塔和西安古城墙等众多著名景点,感受千年古都灿烂而丰富的历史与文化。酒店交通便捷通达,距离西安火车站仅13公里,距西安北站20公里,驱车38公里即可抵达西安咸阳国际机场。 繁华千年的古城西安,积淀着深厚悠久的文化底蕴。酒店从中国古代书院之中汲取灵感,以独到设计彰显大唐风华,匠心呈现古风气韵与现代奢华的巧妙融合。酒店隐逸而宁静的文化氛围,为商务与休闲宾客打造一方奢享之所。酒店的内部设计别具巧思,将竹简、银杏树、亭台楼阁等传统元素重新解构,化作典雅的墙面装饰与艺术作品,以别样的角度诠释着这座历史名城灿若星辰的文化。酒店客房每一层的电梯厅都有独具西安本地特色的沉浸式场景陈设,通过古建筑、唐三彩及茶文化等六个主题,呈现出一个个迷你“展览馆”,令宾客足不出户即可体验丰富多彩的当地文化与生活方式。 西安高新JW万豪酒店秉承品牌对地道餐饮体验的追求与坚持,设有两间餐厅和一间酒廊,为宾客带来多样化的餐饮选择。永镐阁中餐厅设有14间宁静舒适的包间及一个开放式用餐区,其门头匾额的字体源自于近代著名民族英雄林则徐为西安碑林博物馆所题写的 Read More …

跃马全新2+软顶敞篷跑车全国首发 法拉利Roma Spider于阿那亚奏响意式生活新“跃”章

西安,2023年11月12日——法拉利携全新力作Roma Spider于历史悠久的文明古城西安举办发布会,宣告这款融合现代美学与意式风尚的跃马新作正式登陆西安。当经典设计与摩登元素交融,法拉利Roma Spider为每一位莅临现场的嘉宾鸣奏了一曲充满意趣的生活新“跃”章 。  法拉利Roma Read More …

UGLY BREAD

The bread isn’t sweet. I could probably end the review right there and it would be enough to get you to go to Ugly Bread, a bakery that has recently opened at the 西影Time Shopping Plaza next to the Movie Park. But that would be doing this shop a disservice, as they are doing much more than simply making savory bread. Opened with the idea that bread should taste good, this bakery is serving up bread with some unique and delicious flavor combos, as well as some classics bound to make you happy.