Category: around my neighborhood

Last day in pictures

I’ve now been back stateside a little more than a week. Jet lag is conquered and graduate papers are semi-conquered. Tomorrow I head up to Wheaton and Monday, yes Monday, as in the fourth of July, I begin… Read More

Pain in the neck

Sorting through all the things you accumulate over a period of six years and figuring out how to move all of that back to America in two fifty pound suitcases is a pain in the neck. But that’s… Read More

Chinese Acrobats

I thought Chinese acrobats were primarily found in big cities like Beijing and Shanghai where they astonish and delight hordes of tourists passing through. However, lately I’ve become convinced that a few acrobats have fled their former occupation… Read More

Faster than the speed of light

Have you ever wondered how China could change at such an impossibly fast speed? Exhibit A: A dormitory is currently being built right outside my window. Which means I get an up close and personal glimpse into the Chinese… Read More

Stereotypical China

We think in stereotypes. Whether or not we admit we think in stereotypes perhaps depends on how politically correct we are attempting to be at the moment. But the simple fact is that our brains are constantly lumping, associating and… Read More

Turning the corner

It was the scent that drew me there. I was leaving the teaching building this afternoon and for once was halted by a pleasant smell. I glanced over at the bushes next to the building, and somewhat surprised… Read More

Sunday snapshot: The Shoe Shop

When I leave China, one of the things I’ll miss the most is the local shoe-key-zipper-random-repair-fix-it shack. I realize that’s a whole lot of words to describe a tiny building on wheels, but I assure you all words are… Read More

Home.

This week I went from playing with baby elephants in shorts and a tank topto long underwear and crusty old gray snow. And yet, it is so good to be home. The seven weeks of travel were absolutely delightful… Read More

Baby it’s cold outside

I’m going to let you in on a little secret. I love feminine and flirty winter clothes. Wool skirts, high heeled boots, colorful scarves, cute hats, wool coats. I love that when I don said attire, my students greet… Read More

Naked trees & a repost

Chinese pruning has struck again. This time in a more drastic fashion than ever before. I’ve grown accustomed to seeing small trees, in particular the cherry trees, being yearly cut back to an extent that future growth seems… Read More