Every semester the Inernational Office takes us foreign teachers out on a little trip. In the past we’ve gone to amusement parks and tea schools and in the past, the foreign students and the teachers were invited, making for a large group. But as there are more foreign students the
Digging Your Toes into the Gobi Desert
The Gobi Desert. The fifth largest desert in the world is not a place I ever thought I would visit in my life. But when I found out it was a mere three hours away from our location in Inner Mongolia I decided that when life hands you an opportunity,
We're Back! Now Time to Get to Work
Our summer travels have come and gone, and we’re now back in our home in abysmally hot southern China where we are preparing for next semesters classes. I’ll be sharing some details about our trip shortly, but before I do I want to write some general feelings about it. We
A Life Less Colorful
Finals have been graded, scores have been submitted, and everyday hundreds of students march out of the campus rolling their suitcases behind them heading home for the summer. This time last year I was feeling relief and excitement. Relief my first year of teaching was over, and excitement of the
Crouching Tiger, Dripping Becky
EXT. YUAN COMPOUND – DAY Security men and porters are loading wagons for a convoy. As they work, we see across the lake a lone horseman entering the village. One of the men recognizes him. WORKER Master Li is here! ANGLE ON: Li Mu Bai, thirties, powerful and handsome. In
5 Reasons to Teach English in China (Now With Bonus Reason)
1. A Comfortable Lifestyle You’re never going to get rich teaching English in China (the exchange rate will make sure of that) but you can live a very comfortable life. If you negotiate your salary well, and stay away from daily doses of western food and bars, you can make
The Ancient Water City of Xitang China
When you think of ancient China, cobbled narrow street, hanging red lanterns and kung-fu masters walking down the street appreciating a ray of sunlight or an opening bud, you probably think of a city a lot like Xitang (well, minus the kung-fu masters that is). Xitang is not very far
Rolf Potts Traveled the World. What Did You Do?
What seems like just a few weeks ago, I was reading about Rolf Pott’s decision to travel for a long time no luggage. He was preparing to travel the world, the entire world, for 6 weeks with not a stitch of luggage. No backpack, fanny pack or even a plastic
A Hike up Sacred Tai Shan (Mount Tai)
Got your hiking boots on? Good, you may want to make sure your laces are tied tight because we have quite a ways to go. There are over 6000 steps from the bottom to the top. Why are you looking so pale? Don’t worry, we’ll take the bus to the
And We're Off!
Originally our plan was to go back to the US for three weeks this summer. We had everything planned and organized except for one teeny-weeny little detail: the plane tickets. I kept my eyes on them for months, but the prices were outrageous. I tried every trick I know and