As I’m writing this, I’m listening to the pitter patter of rain. No, not the pitter-patter but rather a constant rat-a-tat-tat like a machines going off. It’s been this way for the past 24-hours solid. The ran alternated from fierce to insanely fierce and has only let up once, for
When Staying Home is the Wise Choice
This week is National week, the only major week-long holiday of the entire school year. I’m flush with cash from my paycheck and airfare reimbursement, and dying to get out and travel, but I’m staying put this week and locking myself in my room. Why? Because it’s not just me
How to Meet (Chinese) Guys in China
Jocelyn over at Speaking of China recently answered a question from a 30-year-old single western woman wondering how to meet chinese guys in Shanghai. Or, rather, Jocelyn didn’t exactly answer it herself as she wasn’t sure. Instead she asked a chinese Shanghai guy (who married a foreigner) how to do
Figuring out Chinese Modesty
China is a very traditional country and while Mao proclaimed more than 60 years ago that “Women hold up half the sky,” women are expected to play the more traditional role of having babies, taking care of the man, and staying away from boys until they find “Mr. Right.” Accordingly,
My HSK 5 Results *sad face*
And……………I didn’t make it. I failed HSK 5 by 11 measly points. That’s like 4-5 questions. I knew it was going to be close and I knew I would either just pass or just fail. But I was hoping for the pass. This was my score: Listening: 59 Writing: 59
The Incestuous Group of Youtubers I Learn Chinese From
Awhile ago I came across a youtube clip done by two Chinese called Off The Great Wall. It’s Dan and Carmen, two young people who are Chinese but have spent most of their lives living abroad. They speak English natively and do funny/interesting videos about Chinese culture, language, and other
Concerns About the Future
I have a pretty easy schedule this semester (much to my surprise as first semester is usually the busy one). I basically teach only one subject to 6 classes. (I have one minors oral english class but I could teach that in my sleep, have to do no prep or
And so it Begins……Year 5 at Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University
So here I am on the eve of the new school year. I can’t believe it’s been 5 years already. Where did the time go? I expected to be in China for one year, but for 5?! It boggles the mind. Of course after such a long time you get
Summer's Officially Over
School starts on monday and I can’t say I’m totally psyched about it. Summer seemed to be gearing up instead of winding down when I had to leave my temporary home in the city of Hangzhou and come back to Lin’an. I know I seem to be saying this after
Summer Magic
I’ve lamented not traveling this summer, but as the summer continues, and winds down, I can say quite happily I do not regret it. I’ve had an amazing time this summer, which I’ll write about more in the upcoming weeks, and incident after incident has reaffirmed that staying here was