CN ~ KCIS ~ Work (& Work Out) at the School

https://thetravelbugbite.com/2016/12/18/442/

Work (& Work Out) at the School
* 3rd Floor Snacks – Head to Echo’s office to pick up a snack or drink to get you through the afternoon. Snickers, M&Ms, Coke and coffee are some of what’s on offer! For a superior selection, try the elementary office. Prices range from 2 – 10 RMB. Pay cash into the honesty box. CHINESE CURRENCY ONLY!

6th Floor Gym:
The gym/weight room is available for staff to use before and after school, or during your lunch hour. However, it is always locked so you need to collect the key from behind the door in the PE office (by the golf range), unlick the door, then return the key BEFORE you workout. Pop the lock when you leave if no one else is in there.
There are a few treadmills, rowers, a variety of other weight based machines, yoga mats and dumbbells. Enjoy!

Friday Football:
Football, Futbol, Soccer, Le Footy, El kicky the belle’… whatever you want to call it, we do it here at KCIS! Every Friday we host a footy staff game at 5pm, or if you’re Dahl: whenever you roll out of the office. All people, shapes and talents wanted!! Turn that flab to fab with a good old fashioned kick around Ladies and gents of all skill are welcome! During the warm majestic Huaqiao winter months we even play inside!
If you want any more information feel free to contact: Mike McKevett on WeChat.

The Pool:
Staff swim times: 10:50 – 11:50 AM and 5 – 6 PM, weekdays. On Friday’s you can head in from about 4 PM. The pool has strict, non-negotiable policies regarding swimwear – one pieces for women and speedos for men (knee length is okay). Swim caps are a must!! Goggles are highly recommended. Peeing in the pool is definitely unacceptable, but the first graders do use that pool, too…

If running is your jam…
The school track is another great workout option when the air is fresh and the sun’s out! It’s a standard 400m so for 1km that’s 2.5 laps, for 1 mile that’s 4 laps. Try springing the straight and jogging the curves!

What can you offer us?

Throughout 2015 – 2016, we were lucky to have Chris and Kelly offer regular, free fitness classes. (Sumba and Krav Maga). Unfortunately, they have headed home to new jobs! We also had a knitting club form, a regular poker group, a Mojito club and weekly social soccer games (Friday @5). If you think you could offer something more to the staff at KCIS, don’t be afraid to step forward and throw out a line! You never how many bites you might get.

CN ~ KCIS ~ Canteen

https://thetravelbugbite.com/2016/12/27/living-in-huaqiao-food-at-kcis-guest-post/

CN ~ KCIS ~ Address

Address:
500 W Ring Rd, Kunshan Shi, Suzhou Shi, Jiangsu Sheng, China

7 Commonly Prescribed Medications In Singapore You Shouldn't Be Giving Your Kids

https://doctorxdentist.com/7-commonly-prescribed-medications-in-singapore-you-shouldnt-be-giving-your-kids/

CN ~ Kunshan ~ 花溪人才公寓

江苏省昆山市花桥镇绿地大道1331号 花溪人才公寓12号楼

Huaxi Rencai Gongyu Building NO.12 Est. Wing, No.1331 Lv Di Ave. Huaqiao Twon, Kunshan . Zipcode215332

 莫泰168 (昆山国际博览中心店)

CN ~ Huaqiao ~ Line 11

https://thetravelbugbite.com/2016/12/15/all-about-line-eleven-guest-post/

Huaqiao: Stop 1. Where we reside. If you get on here you usually get a seat!

Anting: An old Germanized area. Several German pubs and a mall with many food options. Also, there is an old town that makes for a lovely hour walk. This is the beginning of when you start to see some more foreigners.

Shanghai Circuit: This is where Formula 1 is held, a cold event to check out usually held right after winter when the weather is starting to become nice!

Nanxiang: Okay, I know another mall; however, this mall has a CityShop, which is a lovely foreign food store. There are several places to eat different than the Anting mall and if you walk about 5 km down the road there is a Carrefour. Carrefour is a nicer food store that has many items! There is also an old church like structure that could make for a nice walking trip.

Jiangsu Road: Now, you are in the middle of SHA! Get off here to exchange to Line 2 to enter deeper into the city.

Xujiahui: This tends to be extremely crowded. It is the exchange for Line 1. To be honest, avoid this stop because it is always busy!

Oriental Sports Center: Towards the end of the Line you will find the Sports Center. Sometimes there are big events; but mostly, it is just a nice area to have a walk to take a picnic.

Disney: Disney is at the end of Line 11. So, if you ever need to tell someone where you are living just say, “Do you know where Disney is on Line 11 – the complete opposite way!”
The metro is an interesting place and you never know what you might see! Take some time for a nice metro ride and embrace local living!

With the rapid development of the metro system Exploreshanghai.com is not completely up to date, but it is an excellent APP to download or use online. It allows you to check the first and last trains to and from each station which is super handy as the metro doesn’t run particularly late. There is also a route planning function that will help you get from A to B the fastest way and will give you an approximate travel time and an exact cost. The Shanghai metro has 364 stations! It’s one big beast… to find out more try shmetro.com

Important Bus Routes:
228: Zhaofeng Road Metro Station – Dongcheng Avenue
Significant Stops: Metro Station – E Mart – Colorful Apartments – School – MixTown

101: Zhaofeng Road Metro Station – Kunshan South Railway Station
Significant Stops: Metro Stations including Zhaofeng, Guangming and Huaqiao – Huaqiao town center – Decathalon sports shop – Kunshan South Long Distance Bus Station – Kunshan South Railway Station.

“The Blue Bus” will get you into Shanghai for 5RMB in 45-60 minutes. It starts around the corner from the Hanting Hotel and stops outside E-mart before barreling along the highway into Shanghai where its final destination is Zhongshan Park Metro. Usually you need a sought after “21 Century” community card to get on, but the card scanners will often allow you to subtly slide a fiver into their hand. It’s a comfy and convenient way to get into the city! You might also be lucky to get a card with your apartment!

CN ~ Huaqiao Map | China Google Satellite Maps - Maplandia.com

http://www.maplandia.com/china/jiangsu/kunshan/huaqiao/

CN ~ Kunshan ~ Huaqiao (花桥）~ Electronics

https://thetravelbugbite.com/2017/06/06/electronics-market-in-huaqiao/

https://thetravelbugbite.com/2016/12/20/living-in-huaqiao-the-great-firewall-guest-post/

CN ~ Huaqiao ~ Economic development zone

https://thetravelbugbite.com/2016/11/24/living-in-a-chinese-economic-development-zone/

CN ~ Huaqiao Foreign Friends Association

https://thetravelbugbite.com/2017/01/20/introducing-the-huaqiao-foreign-friends-association/

CN ~ Huaqiao (花桥）~ Supermarkets

https://thetravelbugbite.com/2017/01/08/living-in-huaqiao-cooking-your-own-food-guest-post/

Where and how to buy your own groceries, cooking utensils and supplies:

Local Supermarkets:

E Mart:

Where: Lu Di Da Dao （禄地大道）

What: Wide range of basic household supplies and groceries including fruit, veggies, snacks, meat and some dairy.

Wet Market:

Where: W Ring Road, off Lu Di Da Dao, close to the school (near colorful apartments).

What: Fresh fruit, veggies and meat in an open style market.

RT Mart:

Where: Anting Mall

What: Larger version of E Mart with a little more variety including meat and dairy products.

Metro:
Where: Take the metro to Malu station then take any bus a couple of stops. The signs are blue and yellow!

What: Similar to E Mart and RT Mart, with a few more imported goods.
Address:
No.200 Huangpujiang North Rd. Zhoushi Kunshan
​麦德龙 昆山市周市镇黄浦江北路200号 

 

https://www.donesladventure.com/kunshan-china-survival-guide-blog-kunshan-attractions/find-international-goods-at-metro-supermarket-in-kunshan-shopping-in-kunshan-china#at_pco=smlrebv-1.0&at_si=5b2c4b752f96039c&at_ab=per-2&at_pos=4&at_tot=5

City Shop:

Where: Take the metro to Nanxiang Mall

What: Similar to Metro with even more imported items.

Shanghai Supermarkets

Carrefour:

Where: Zhongshan Park Metro station in the B1 level of the ‘Cloud Nine’ Mall.

What: Originating in France, you can now find Carrefour around the world. Its basically a western supermarket. You can pick up your tobacco sauce or a selection of cheeses.

Avocado Lady:

Where:274 Wulumuqi Lu, near the Changsu Lu metro station.

What: Fresh produce and lots of imported items. There’s almost a cult following among foreigners in Shanghai for the Avocado Lady!

Online Options

Fields:

Where: www.fieldschina.com

What: Online grocery store that delivers to KCISEC.

Kate and Kimi:

Where: www.kateandkimi.com

What: Online Shanghai based grocery store. Also delivers to the school.

Furniture and Houseware

E Mart, RT Mart and Metro all have basic housing essentials such as duvets, pillows, cutlery and cleaning products. For further specialty items try:

IKEA:

Where: Exit 7, Shanghai Indoor Stadium (Shanghai Gymnasium on Google maps). Follow Coaxi Road under the elevated road 100m.

What: House hold goods galore.

HCE Hotel & Catering Equipment:

Where : 345 Aomen Road Changshou Lu metro station

What: This store is open to the public but actually supplies all of the restaurants and hotels in Shanghai with their cooking supplies and tableware. If you’re a banking fan, you can get anything from muffin tins to pots you could cook a buffalo in.

Toabao:

Where: www.taobao.com

What: Online EVERYTHING store but advertising is by private sellers so you deal with different people and companies for each purchase you make. You’ll need a Chinese speaker to help you out!

JD.com:

Where: www.jd.com

What: Similar to Taobao but the closest distribution center is actually in Huaqiao; you’ll see employees commuting to work on their scooters in the mornings. You can buy all sorts on here including pianos!

Strawberries: The Light at the End of the Long Winter Tunnel

Let’s be honest, winter is pretty long and brutal here! Last year we worked from October to February with next to no holidays and it was rough! Luckily, we have a solid week off for Christmas this year. Strawberry season is also something to look forward to during the dark days of winter! From March onward you’ll find no shortage of farm fold out (especially in front of E-mart) with baskets of fresh strawberries ready to sell!

CN ~ Kunshan ~ Huaqiao (花桥）~ Transportation

https://thetravelbugbite.com/2016/12/12/living-in-huaqiao-get-from-a-to-b-without-dealing-with-x-y-z-guest-post/

Church ~ International Church of Shanghai

http://icshq.org/icshqorg/locations/ics-office-2/

301, 3rd Floor Tianhong Building
80 Xianxia Road
Changning District, Shanghai
上海市长宁区仙霞路80号天虹大楼301


11am Service
Main Service: English preaching 英文讲道
Kids Church: English 儿童教会: 英文
Youth Service: English 青少年: 英文

Church ~ Suzhou International Fellowship

Service Time
Sunday Worship 11:00 am to 12:30 pm

Service Location
Dushu Lake Church
99 Cui Wei Street, Suzhou SIP
独墅湖基督教堂
苏州工业园区翠薇街99号

Category

2018

Jun - KCIS
May - 花溪人才公寓
Apr - Huaqiao
Mar - Church
Feb - Kunshan
Jan - General (visa, health, winter, etc)

2017

Dec - Education

CN ~ Kunsha - laowai {website)

http://www.ks-laowai.com/

CN ~ Kunshan ~ Transportation

https://www.donesladventure.com/kunshanchinatransportation.html

https://english.ctrip.com/trains/schedule/kunshan-to-shanghai/

CN ~ Kunshan ~ Activities

https://www.donesladventure.com/kunshan-china-survival-guide-blog-kunshan-attractions/category/activities-in-ks

CN ~ Kunshan ~ Different Areas (NSEW)

Kunshan is divided into 10 towns:

• Yushan (玉山, the seat of city nominally)
• Bacheng (巴城)
• Dianshanhu (淀山湖)
• Huaqiao (花桥)
• Jinx (锦溪)
• Lujia (陆家)
• Qiandeng
• Zhangpu (张浦)
• Zhoushi (周市)
• Zhouzhuang

https://www.donesladventure.com/kunshan-china-survival-guide-blog-kunshan-attractions/north-vs-east-vs-west-vs-south-vs-downtown-kunshan-china#at_pco=smlrebv-1.0&at_si=5b2c4d5eb823f2ed&at_ab=per-2&at_pos=1&at_tot=5

Downtown Kunshan
Attractions in the downtown area include: Tinglin Park, Tinglin Road, Renmin Road, Beimen Road, Kunshan Citizens' Park, Golden Eagle Mall, Paris Spring Department Plaza, Robot Restaurant, Kunshan Exhibition Hall, Heilongjiang Strip, Oasis Bar, Lotus Supermarket, RT- Mart, Auchan Plaza, Aozao Noodles, Parkson Plaza

South kunshan Tesco Supermarket, Kunshan South Train Station, Kunshan Railway Station, Kunshan Long Distance Bus Station, Jinyi Cinemas
West kunshan
Kunshan Culture and Art Center, Poly IMAX Theater, Forest Park, Cactus Mexican Kitchen, Phebe Club, Duke Kunshan University, Week Nine Ecology Park, Kunshan Stadium, Bowling Alley, and Yangcheng Lake (far Westside)


North kunshan Metro Supermarket

east kunshan
Shimao Plaza, Kunshan Convention & Exhibition Center, Shuttle Buses to Airport

CN ~ Health for Visa

https://thetravelbugbite.com/2017/03/21/what-to-expect-at-a-chinese-visa-health-check/

CN ~ Online Shopping

https://thetravelbugbite.com/2017/05/18/anything-sold-anywhere-is-cheaper-on-taobao-how-to-find-the-best-price/

https://thetravelbugbite.com/2017/05/09/getting-aliexpress-to-deliver-to-china/

https://thetravelbugbite.com/2017/03/28/online-shopping-in-china-jd-vs-taobao/

http://mcclintockclan.blogspot.sg/p/life-in-suzhou-china.html?m=1

https://www.amazon.cn/

CN ~ Express VPN

Medicine ~ 8 Medications For Kids (Save You Drive To KKH)

Medica

https://www.doctorxdentist.com/the-ultimate-list-of-kid-safe-medications-in-singapore

1. Paracetamol (fever or pain)


2. Ibuprofen (fever or pain)

3. Cough preparations

Examples sold in Singapore:
Ivy leaf extracts
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Promethazine
Dextromethorphan


4. Diarrhoea medications


Examples sold in Singapore:
Hidrasec
Oral re-hydration therapy
Probiotics

Most diarrhoea medications are very safe for use in children. Effective medications in this category include Hidrasec (Salazar-Lindo et al. 2000) and oral re-hydration therapy (Santosham et al. 1982).

The exception is loperamide (Imodium), which you should not give to children.

Probiotics work by replacing good intestine bacteria, which help to alleviate diarrhoea symptoms. There are way too many probiotic brands out there - some work better than others.

Try to look out for probiotics that contain "live" bacteria such as lactobacillus (Niel et al. 2002), Streptococcus thermophilus and bifidobacteria (Saavedra et al. 1994).


5. Stomach pain preparations

Examples sold in Singapore:
Colimix
Rid-Wind
Gripe Water

Most stomach pain and wind preparations are fairly safe. They are worth a try before seeing a doctor.

The one exception is Hyoscine butylbromide (Buscopan). I wouldn't give children Buscopan as it can cause poisoning (So 2005).

FYI: Stomach pain is one of the most dreaded symptoms in children seen by a GP/PD. There are simply too many sinister causes behind stomach pain. This can be tricky for even professionals to get right sometimes. Fortunately, 99% of the time, stomach pain is not due to anything serious, or most of us will be out of jobs.

Again, if your child is having stomach pain, and your "spider sense" is going off, it's a good idea to bring your child to see a doctor sooner.

6. Runny nose medications (antihistamines)


Examples sold in Singapore:
Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
Fexofenadine (Telfast)
Desloratadine (Aerius)
Loratadine

Non-sleeping or non-sedating antihistamines have a long track record for safety (Philpot 2000). Overdoses are exceedingly rare, even at thrice the usual dose, but stick to what your GP/PD recommend.

GP/PDs will prescribe these medications according to your child's weight, right down to 3 months old children.




8. Steroid creams

Examples sold in Singapore:
Hydrocortisone
Bethamethasone

The staple medication of the dermatologist's clinic, GP/PDs use them mainly to treat allergic rashes.

I've stuck steroid creams on this list because I've seen too many parents avoid them like the plague due to its perceived side effects.

The best treatment of allergic skin disease consists of:
A proper diagnosis of the root cause of the allergy
Avoidance of the cause
Aggressive moisturising
Avoid scratching
Correct usage of steroid creams during flare-ups

Therefore, it'd be great if you could help me spread the message that steroid creams are extremely safe and effective, as long as they are used appropriately.

Transfer Money

https://www.saporedicina.com/english/transfer-money-abroad/

Important: Note that if want to transfer money in China, TransferWise only works if you send the money to a bank account opened using a Chinese ID card, not using a passport. This means that if the bank account was opened by a foreigner that lives in China, you can’t use TransferWise.

Medicines to Treat Diarrhoea

https://www.pharmacy.nhg.com.sg/uploadedFiles/Health_Advice/Minor_Ailments_and_Self_Medication/Digestive/Diarrhoea%20Medicine%20List.pdf

Winter (Keeping Warm)

https://thetravelbugbite.com/2016/12/02/5-ways-to-stay-warm-during-chinese-winter/

https://thetravelbugbite.com/2017/02/14/colder-on-the-inside-winter-in-southern-china/

http://www.thatsmags.com/shanghai/post/16612/how-to-get-your-apartment-ready-for-winter-warm-pollution-in-china