Trip: Year in China
There are [154] stories from my trip: Year in China
CHINA | Wednesday, 21 Nov 2007 | Views [576] | Comments [1]
I just finished a book by a writer. What a novel idea, you might be thinking. A book...written...by a writer? I know, I know. It seems kind of silly. But this book wasn't just a novel. It wasn't just a non-fiction piece on some interesting ... Read more >
Tags: Relaxation
CHINA | Tuesday, 20 Nov 2007 | Views [538]
After realizing that my jeans are more than "there are no dryers in this country" loose and finding Chinese clothes that actually fit, I decided to do an inquistive weigh-in at the local Wal-Mart. First I thought that gravity must have a different ... Read more >
Tags: People
CHINA | Monday, 19 Nov 2007 | Views [603] | Comments [1]
My observational abilities force me to see the stereotypes of this nation. I witness the Chinglish signs and laugh to myself, I see the short little Asians constantly wearing heels, and I hear the now all too familiar out of tune piano sounds of Chinese.... Read more >
Tags: Culture
CHINA | Thursday, 15 Nov 2007 | Views [593] | Comments [1]
I was completely intimited by shopping in China. Surrounded by the Asian shape that allows for squat toilets to be comfortable, I was convinced that there was no way under any circumstances that I would ever find any pants or shirts or shoes or anything ... Read more >
Tags: Shopping
CHINA | Wednesday, 14 Nov 2007 | Views [607]
One of the first people I met in Beijing was Johanna. She is a diplomat from Belgium, but she works at the Luxembourg embassy. The tales of her border crossings with a Luxembourg passport claiming her nationality is Belgian, comparing life stories, ... Read more >
Tags: Culture
CHINA | Friday, 9 Nov 2007 | Views [631]
My days recently have been completely consumed: sleeping, eating, teaching, sleeping, sleeping, sleeping. In an effort to ward off the sickness that is trying to envelope my soul, I have taken to sleeping every single second that I'm not working or ... Read more >
Tags: People
CHINA | Tuesday, 6 Nov 2007 | Views [523]
I think I created a couple. A few weeks ago, I broke my students into groups and made them do presentations together. I didn’t think that there was a chance that these students didn’t know each other; they have all their classes together. But at ... Read more >
Tags: Work
CHINA | Monday, 5 Nov 2007 | Views [556] | Comments [2]
All the rest that I achieved yesterday in lieu doing anything else must have paid off. Class today was amazing. I had briefly prepared a few things from the book that I wanted to cover but most of it was boring. And I knew that. But being occupied ... Read more >
Tags: Work
CHINA | Monday, 5 Nov 2007 | Views [818]
Today was typical. It was life in China as I live it. There is nothing particularly interesting or amazing to tell. It wasn't a blah day. But it wasn't an incredible day either. I woke up around noon at Case's. He and I chatted for a bit. Then, ... Read more >
Tags: Relaxation
CHINA | Friday, 2 Nov 2007 | Photo Gallery
A day in enlightenment
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CHINA | Friday, 2 Nov 2007 | Views [548]
Exactly one week since my first couch surfing experience, I will enjoying my first hosting experience. So it's not really strangers; it's Case and Mario. And, yes, they live in Beijing. And maybe they're freeloading to avoid paying a ridiculous ... Read more >
Tags: Work
CHINA | Thursday, 1 Nov 2007 | Views [523]
Wrapped in two jackets, a scarf, gloves, a sweater, a hat, socks, and sneakers, I set out to find enlightenment. I visited the Lama Temple today. I only have one class on Thursdays, and I've been meaning to get to some of the sites I haven't visited.... Read more >
Tags: Sightseeing
CHINA | Wednesday, 31 Oct 2007 | Views [655] | Comments [1]
It's embarrassing to admit. Stories and warning are constantly shared about it. I don't even like tea. I've been scammed for tea twice. The first time I was shopping at a bookstore in a particularly touristy part of Beijing. This girl scared ... Read more >
Tags: Scams & Robberies
CHINA | Tuesday, 30 Oct 2007 | Photo Gallery
Birthday fun in Shanghai
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CHINA | Thursday, 25 Oct 2007 | Views [614]
No longer issues with toilets. Today, the adventures of living in China episode surrounds central heating. Central heating doesn't currently exist in my apartment. And this Louisiana girl is feeling it in the cold autumn tempertures of a higher ... Read more >
Tags: Adventures
CHINA | Wednesday, 24 Oct 2007 | Views [635] | Comments [1]
I keep forgetting that little thing about Third World Countries and toilets. Like, the fact that you're not supposed to flush anything down them. Because my foreign mind cannot remember the trash can next to the toilet serves a purpose, I just experienced ... Read more >
Tags: Adventures
CHINA | Monday, 22 Oct 2007 | Views [694]
I worked all day, but it was easy. My students are giving their presentations, and they're really getting into it. So I basically sat in the back of class and listened all day. No biggie. I met Chris after work because he's found me a tutor. I'm ... Read more >
Tags: Relaxation
CHINA | Sunday, 21 Oct 2007 | Views [2530] | Comments [1]
I'm a member of a web site. It's a social networking web site similar to facebook. But it has a purpose. www.couchsurfing.com is a traveler's haven. It's an opportunity to meet the world, travel to it, and stay for free. The idea is simple. ... Read more >
Tags: Friends
CHINA | Thursday, 18 Oct 2007 | Views [1581]
I just got my first grin and nod of approval from someone who thought I could read Chinese. I still can't, but that doesn't matter. As I was counting the stops to my apartment (16 if you were wondering), a Chinese man glanced up and noticed that I ... Read more >
Tags: On the Road
CHINA | Tuesday, 16 Oct 2007 | Views [653]
For the past few weeks, I haven't gotten nervous before class a single time. I've read over the section of the book we were working in and gathered my materials, preparing slightly for what was to come. Most of my classes went very smoothly considering ... Read more >
Tags: Work
CHINA | Monday, 15 Oct 2007 | Views [712]
Besides for bargaining, my mom taught me something else that has come in useful in China. Travis refers to it as The Look. I'm not sure that's an original name. I think The Look has been handed down from powerful females to the next generation of ... Read more >
Tags: Work
CHINA | Sunday, 14 Oct 2007 | Views [1454]
And so it goes. I decided to have a me day. One that involved sleeping exceptionally late, watching lots of TV and DVDs, and eating whatever I wanted. So I did. And it was fabulous. I didn't venture out of my apartment (or my pajamas) until ... Read more >
Tags: Relaxation
CHINA | Saturday, 13 Oct 2007 | Views [742] | Comments [2]
Today was pretty shitty.
It started out ok. I got up and ate some eggs. I read a little (Siddhartha, which makes me want to learn German so I can read the original). Then I decided to venture into the cold. It's COLD here. I waited for ... Read more >
Tags: People
CHINA | Friday, 12 Oct 2007 | Views [1360]
Chinese girls have asymetrical hair. This is not a broad statement of stereotype. This is a truth. It's so ubiquitous that I try to find differences in the hairstyles while I'm riding the bus. So far, differences have not been found, but I've decided ... Read more >
Tags: Party time
CHINA | Wednesday, 10 Oct 2007 | Views [1264] | Comments [1]
I just tried to cook Mexican food with Chinese ingredients. Results: no bueno. I don't think it's the fault of the ingredients. I made pico de gallo, and they are exactly the same -- cilantro, tomatoes, onions, salt, pepper, white vinegar. I ... Read more >
Tags: Food & eating
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