Meet Sharee Hebert, Who Stays Sane Thanks To The Beijing Guild

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Our expat community thrives on connection, and here at Jingkids, we’re all about our readers, what they need and want in order to maximise their time here in Beijing. Every Monday, we’re going to feature a prominent member of our expat community and get to know them a little bit better.

Sharee Hebert, originally from Texas, has been living in Beijing for a combined total of 16 years (2002-2007, 2010-present), mostly as a math teacher. She is a mom to an 8-year-old. She is an active member of the Clothing Auction Network, the Beijing Guild, and a myriad of other communities in the city.

What's On Your Mind?

What isn’t these days?!?! Seriously, though, it’s all connected to Covid and/or the start of the school year. When will children under 12 get vaccinated? When will I get to see my family again? Will we get to teach without masks again anytime soon? I wish I was better at learning names quickly, but masks add to the difficulty!

What Motivates You To Get Moving?

Angeli’s answer from the week before really resonated with me. My motivation changes depending on the situation. The motivation for being a better teacher is my students, the motivation to get physically moving with exercise and a healthy lifestyle is my daughter. I want to set a good example for her.

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What Keeps You Sane In The Madness?

I knit. I’m a long time member of the Beijing Guild knitting/crochet group and meeting regularly with this awesome group of people grounds me here in Beijing. Creating something with my hands calms me. It gives me something to focus on and leaves me with a final product. I also recently started sewing and have enjoyed the new challenge of learning how to put things together. I think having options for creative outlets help me focus on something other than whatever is causing the madness. (Insert shameless plug for knitting/crochet group: For more details, email [e-mail])

And when creativity doesn’t work, online therapy with my counselor is awesome. She helps me process through the things I’m feeling and helps me stay sane.

What's Your Favorite Thing About Beijing?

That’s a tough one! Obviously I like it here, having been here 16 years now. I think it would be a tie between the food and the lifestyle. I love the food variety I’ve been exposed to here. (Baoyuan Dumplings and Jingzun Duck are way up there at the top.) When I first moved to China, I was such a picky eater. Not anymore! I love the life we have in Beijing. I’ve seen a lot of friends come and go, but I wouldn’t trade my experiences living abroad for anything. My life is so much more than I ever imagined, and this city has a lot to do with it.

Have someone you believe deserves some recognition for their outstanding contributions to our community? Nominate them for our weekly spotlight by writing their name in the comments below!

Images: Courtesy of Sharee Hebert

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