Chinese Caption Contest #464

At first, I thought it said, “No Black People Allowed”… but then I figured it out. What do you think it means?

The Summer That Was ________…

I’m back in Tianjin and, honestly, not loving it yet… “Tea and Gin” is just one of those cities that needs to grow on you. And it’s taking its sweet time this round. Oh well? Let’s focus on the past 2.5 months, instead! This summer was grand / busy / emotional / wonderful / sad […]

Summer Me Go Home Home

I apologize for my poor English skills ahead of time… I’ve really immersed myself in Chinese this semester and my native language has definitely taken a nose dive. Don’t tell the university where I teach English! They’ll never know. Summer Me Go Home Home = Heck yeah, I’m coming home for the summer! (Is that […]

Another Subtle Reminder about April 9

A few people have asked what to send me for my birthday this year, so I thought I’d post another little list for everyone. It’s April 9, so that gives you a few days to get a letter or package or email together… I’d love to hear from all of you! 1. Easy Mac (This […]

My Favorite Albums, Songs, and Shows- 2010

My Favorite Albums: The National – High Violet Beach House – Teen Dream The Tallest Man On Earth – The Wild Hunt Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Freelance Whales – Weathervanes Janelle Monáe – The ArchAndroid The Black Keys – Brothers Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest Best Coast – Crazy For You Joanna […]

A Lesson in Language Learning

So I was out with my Chinese tutor last week. We were having a great time learning about comparisons and weather patterns, etc. But then in the middle of the lesson, she said something that I didn’t understand at all. Not. A. Word. I kept asking her to repeat it more slowly, again, and again. […]

Chinese Caption Contest #461

I think the four marketing points say, “I’m American. I’m white. I’m cool… I’m Todd.” Who would want to study from a guy named Todd, anyways!? (Hopefully I don’t have any readers named Todd.)

Chinese Food 101: Adventures in Cooking Rice

“Without rice, even the cleverest housewife cannot cook.” – Chinese Proverb I’m no housewife, but oh how I wished I had practiced cooking rice before moving to China! The first few weeks here were brutal without this simple knowledge. My roommate and I and purchased a rice cooker, but I had no idea how to […]

A Very Generous Video of Tianjin

I came across this video the other day and was completely surprised. Is this really the city I live in? True, I haven’t been here during the summer yet, but STILL. Shouldn’t I have seen at least one of these places already? I think this is just good marketing trying to lure unknowing foreigners into […]

Little ol’ me, featured in a Tianjin monthly…

You know you stand out from the crowd if you get interviewed for a big magazine in town when you haven’t even been here 3 months. Well, that’s what happened to me. I met one of my good Chinese friends, Jonathan, on the subway. Apparently, he knew I was a foreigner right away. (How could […]