I love having people to my home. Some of my greatest memories are of meals with eight people crammed around my table (which definitely does not fit eight) eating and laughing together. I love having nearly 20 students crammed in my living room—playing games and I even love how somehow, in China, we almost alwaysContinue reading “Hospitality, Vulnerability and Waiting for Perfection”
Tag Archives: China
The Power of Food
I love to cook. I was trying to recall exactly when this happened—if there was some moment, or dish that pushed me over the edge. I’ve never disliked cooking, and I do remember experiencing slight devastation when my mom decided we should get rid of my play kitchen as a child (which in actuality rarelyContinue reading “The Power of Food”
You are Beautiful
I was at the supermarket earlier this week when suddenly I was surrounded by about 5 children (approximately age 12). They were working hard to communicate with me (one child whispered to the other, “what…is…your…name?) After our short conversation in Chinglish, one child proclaimed, “You are beautiful!” The other children all echoed, “Beautiful, beautiful!” AndContinue reading “You are Beautiful”
A Misplaced Christmas
Call me crazy, but there’s something I love about airports at Christmas in the US. The hustle and bustle. The waiting areas packed with people as you trip over luggage and have to sit on top your suitcase on the floor. There is a sense of excitement (okay, yes sometimes also stress) in the air. Continue reading “A Misplaced Christmas”
Fears and Far Away
When I told people I was moving thousands of miles away, on the other side of the ocean, to a land where I didn’t speak the language, far from everything familiar, the response so often came, “You’re so brave.” Or, “Aren’t you afraid of what could happen?” In many ways, moving to the other sideContinue reading “Fears and Far Away”
Lady in Red: A Chinese wedding!
Last weekend, I had the exciting opportunity to attend my first Chinese wedding. It’s something I’ve been excited about doing since I arrived here a year ago. Our neighbor (who is also our invaluable colleague and helper) got married. We were so happy to celebrate with her! Some interesting Chinese wedding traditions & observations: Traditionally, theContinue reading “Lady in Red: A Chinese wedding!”
Home to a Foreign Land
If I learned to speak Mandarin perfectly, with no discernible foreign accent, if I lived the rest of my life in this city, if I my children were born here, if my grandchildren were born here, even if I dyed my hair black, got dark contacts and tried my very best to blend in asContinue reading “Home to a Foreign Land”
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”
Anna Hubbard 