Not all famous places are worth the hype. The Terracotta Warriors? Kinda lame in person. The Great Wall? S’okay if you can find a quiet day. Hong Kong’s Star Ferry? Made me seasick. But there is one place that is more amazing and more majestic then anywhere I’ve ever been
The Playful and Joyeous Mt Wuyi
The theme of my winter holidays was one word: mountains. I started in Hong Kong and Shenzhen for a week, then I stopped off briefly at home to change my clothes (from warm to cold weather clothes) and then I spent the next week alone hiking mountains. (All pics are mine,
The Most Beautiful High Speed Train in China
Last year my friend who came to Xiamen wanted to go to Mt Wuyi and took a 12 hour train ride to get there. This year, I decided to go to Mt Wuyi and it took a mere 3 hours. That’s because they recently opened a new high speed train
Finishing my Travels on Possibly The Worst Day–Chinese New Years Hassle
It’s really becoming cliche on this blog for me to bitch and moan about Chinese New Year (aka Spring Festival) but really, I cannot stop myself. I wish I could explain the importance of this holiday but it is so hard for anyone outside the country to understand. (Here’s me
Packing my Bags–Winter Holiday Travel Plans
Final exams are done and grades are submitted, so it’s time to pack my bags and hit the road. Although this time, I am reluctantly packing my bags. Why? Well, I just suffered through 8 months of the hottest, hellish weather and I’m leaving right when it gets nice?! Noooo.
Watching China Change Through My Class
Since I got here almost 7 years ago, I have made all my own lesson plans–dozens over the years. They have been tested, honed, and perfected where I know they will get the maximum class participation while teaching something useful. In the past several years, say about four, I haven’t
*Obligatory Sappy Year End Post*
Look, I can’t dent it. This year was kick ass. Trying to sum it all up is too overwhelming. So instead I think I will do it with pictures. In January I started running with a new gang. Little did I know this gang would lead my down the path
I Won an Award!
Yes it was a sports award, no it wasn’t badminton, and no it wasn’t for playing. I won the #1 Fan for the Xiamen Ultimate Frisbee Bailu Team! I can almost hear some of you laughing but let me ‘splain how awesome it is. We had the year end party
After Seven Years I Finally Have a Thanksgiving Dinner
This is my seventh year avoiding the western holidays. But maybe it’s my last. Despite my best attempts at moving halfway across the world to a communist country the holidays have finally found me. Christmas is unavoidable, and it looks like Thanksgiving, the American-only holiday, has landed as well. I’m
100 Day Milestone!
So I think by now you know I’m pretty obsessed with my Xiaomi bracelet. It’s a fitness bracelet ala Fitbit, but made my a Chinese brand that I love. (The fitbit is $88 the Xiaomi one is $10 and works better.) It tracks your steps, and your sleep as well.