Category: people

Picnicking Chinese Style

Earlier this week, some students invited me to join their class picnic. While I did not teach them this semester, I had taught their class for two years, so knew the students quite well. In the midst of… Read More

Surprising Stella

On Tuesday we surprised Stella with a little graduation party. Surprising her turned out to be quite the chore. The party had been planned for the previous week, but down with a bit of a cold, she decided… Read More

Be careful who your friends are

We arrived at the countryside late Friday afternoon and were set free to explore until dinnertime. Kami and I headed out, excited to have dirt instead of concrete below our feet. On the way we encountered Seth and… Read More

Sunday Snapshot: Twin Time

This weekend I headed off to the big city for a quick trip. One of the primary motivating factors was a visit to my Chinese nephews. These twins are seriously some of the cutest little Chinese boys I’ve… Read More

Sunday Snapshot: Adventures in Dining

Last night, a group of students came over to cook for me. Having students cook is always a bit frightening, as there’s no telling what might appear on the table. There is also no telling what state my… Read More

Sunday Snapshot: Lookin’ like Christmas

Living in China, there aren’t nearly as many daily reminders of the Christmas season. While Christmas trees and Santas are now quite common in China, you’re just as likely to see such things in July as in December…. Read More

Sunday Snapshot: Terrified Twins

As the snow swirled furiously outside my window Friday morning, I began to dread the trip to the big city. All I was thinking about was dirty slushy streets, cold wet feet, and the impossibility of catching a… Read More

Big city & Twins

This semester has been up, down and all over the place. Consequently, I’m ashamed to admit that I haven’t made a single trip to the big city to visit my Chinese nephews. Yep, the last time I saw them was… Read More

One of a kind

She hates cilantro. She loves cheese (and therefore adores pizza). She always wants ice in her drink. She not only understands, but also uses sarcasm. She helps herself to stuff in my fridge. She finds it hilarious that I have… Read More

All in a day’s “work”

Yesterday, a student called to inform me my graduate reading and writing class was canceled for today.  I don’t know why it was canceled.  I don’t know if we have to make it up.  All I know is… Read More