I know that right now there is a kerfuffle against the plain red Starbucks cups. It seems like it is this year’s battle in the never ending “war against Christmas.” Well, I’m in China, so who cares? In this Communist, developing country, Christmas is far, far away from me. Right?! Nope.
Nerdiest. Graffiti. Ever.
Just like in every country, there is scribbles and scrawling on the walls of the bathroom stalls. A few short words, a number to call. But instead of the expected “for a good time” graffiti, it has another message. You’ll see this same graffiti in schools across the country. It
Badminton Becky (dotcom) is Born!
So I might as well finally announce it, I started a new website! No, it won’t replace this one. I’ll keep posting here about China, teaching students and dating Chinese guys, but lately I have a new obsession: badminton. It takes up a good part of my week and when
I’m on Vagablogging (Again!)
I’ve been featured as a case study on Rof Pott’s site Vagablogging. Please go check it out! If you don’t know, Rolf Potts is the author of the influential Vagabonding–An uncommon guide to the Art of Long Term Travel. If you’ve ever experienced wanderlust and dreamed of traveling the world,
Halloween in Xiamen!
Woot! Woot! It’s Halloween time people! While not an actual holiday in China, Halloween is getting bigger and bigger and in Xiamen there are now THREE major events thousands will be going to. And bars, restaurant, and most stores are getting into the spirit with spooky decorations and lots of cut-out pumpkins. And
Lunch Time on a Chinese Campus
If you’ve lived in China for any length of time, you know how important lunch is. No squished sandwich eaten at your desk, or some long ladies luncheon. Lunch is fast and quick for the main event: the afternoon nap. At a college campus lunch is like a flash flood.
What Chinese Students are Curious About the West
This semester I’m teaching all speaking classes. It’s my favorite subject to teach because we can talk about, and do, anything, as long as it is in English. So we have enormous freedom in class to do fun things. After years of teaching I have dozens of lessons already planned,
Badminton Queen
I’m one month into the semester so I thought I’d fill you in with how things are going. This year I changed departments. Before I was in a different department, but now I’m back to teaching English majors. I wish I could say it was some grand gesture to get
Western Women Talking About Chinese Love on CCTV
I’m a member of a club. The “Western women who date Asian club” and while the club is growing, it’s quite exclusive. Exclusive enough that we actually know each other. Do I know every western woman dating /married to a Chinese guy? Of course not. But I know a lot. And
Mid-Autumn Festival and Bobing!
While the America’s were enjoying their blood moon, we had just finished worshiping the moon ourselves here in China. The lunar eclipse coincided with Mid-Autumn festival, a day you are supposed to gaze at the full moon, eat moon cakes and enjoy the day off. (Sadly, the lunar eclipse was