A Year in Qingdao

So, just in case you didn't know, I love words. Not only books and such, but just plain words. I think they are often beautiful, potentially powerful, and generally fascinating. I have a favorite Chinese word (Mandarin Chinese, in case you are curious...
Last weekend, we had the pleasure of a brief vacation to celebrate Thanksgiving. We went to a small town outside of Jinan called Dong'e. Jinan is about a 3 hr train ride inland and a bit north and Dong'e is a further two hour ride into nowhere. My exco...
So in reality I am banned from listening to Christmas music before Thanksgiving. But there is one song that has been playing in my head these days... "I'll be home for Christmas, you can count on me..." Yep! We bought our tickets and we are coming ho...
Sometimes I forget what a foreign country China is from my home because Qingdao, especially downtown where I live, it is so very easy to access all the western comforts I am used to. I can spend the day with coffee at starbucks, shopping at H & M, an a...
So, I have been thinking and coloring and have come to a mental image. The places that we live color in our insides, like an intricately doodled adult coloring book. I have lived in 4 places (that i can reminder) and each one has left a different patte...
My school had a field trip on Friday and I got to go :-) First we went to a really pretty cool cultural center where the kids practiced some ancient customs Then we took a long bus ride out to a farm for lunch. This is very typical traditional chin...
Woohoo! My sister is in town! This marks the last of a series of planned visit that I was very much looking forward to. We have already played contact and done animal puns. The reunion is complete. She actually did eat a scorpion. And really liked i...
I know there are just a few bazillion funny translation books/posts/what have you out there. But the fact remains that they are one of the constant and hilarious things about living in China. The cultures and the languages are so different that proper ...
Oh dear guys! I am so sorry, I didn't realize how long it'd been. I wish I had all sorts of exciting updates to tell you about, but really..... I've been working. I work a lot. No summer break in kindergarten here 😔 But, my bestie flew all the way...
I know, new right? What could it be? This week has been stressful,and this weekend was a much needed escape from doing pretty much anything. But I did take these pictures for you on Tuesday. For the last 2-3 months I have had to pleasure of walking pas...