Category Archives: Uncategorized

One Word: Dependence

A few weeks ago, I ate dinner with some of my students on the campus they live on, about a 20-minute walk from my campus.  When we finished dinner, they said, “Miss Anna, we will walk with you.”  Often I manage to dissuade my students when they ask this question, but tonight they were walkingContinue reading “One Word: Dependence”

You’re not alone

Every morning when I walk to class, I see stray dogs.  It may seem ridiculous, but I often feel close to tears as I watch these dogs.  Perhaps it reminds me of my own orphaned dog at home.  (Ok, Gordy is probably living a cushier existence than me with my parents…)  But something moves deepContinue reading “You’re not alone”

Lies White Christmas Taught Me

**Warning the following post contains references to both a classic movie and Anne of Green Gables.**     I remember the first time I made the devastating revelation that everything in my favorite Christmas movie might not be true. No, it wasn’t when I found out that Irving Berlin is, in fact, Jewish.  It was whenContinue reading “Lies White Christmas Taught Me”

The Big Question: What am I eating?

Finally, the post you all have been waiting for (or okay, maybe just Stephanie), where I talk about food.  I’m sure this will be the first of many posts on the subject…but for now, and introduction. Many people have asked me questions, like “what have you been eating?” And no, the answer is not dogContinue reading “The Big Question: What am I eating?”

Fake eyelashes and foreigners

“‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them.” Yesterday I did some shopping.  Shopping.  Such an innocuous word that definitely does not fully convey the gravity of the task set before me. I was looking for a specific face wash, contact solution and a pillow. Stop one was Watson’s.  PictureContinue reading “Fake eyelashes and foreigners”

In Praise of the Struggle

I’ve already heard time and time again—things take longer in China. I think it’s hard to fully understand what this means unless you’re here—and obviously I haven’t really grasped the gravity of this, especially in my current hotel dwelling.  Yet, it has still been evident. Last night, I went with a group of fellow teachersContinue reading “In Praise of the Struggle”

Beijing bellies and bunny ears

  I look at the window at the crowded streets and sidewalks.  I can spot men with shirts rolled up to expose their bellies to cool them off in the sweltering sun. They call it the “Beijing belly.”  Apparently during the Olympics, they tried to discourage the Beijing belly as a form of impolite behavior,Continue reading “Beijing bellies and bunny ears”