Writer. Traveler. Tea Drinker.

I am pleased to announce that I am part of the ‘inspiring travel blog carnival’ this week! It is my first carnival and I am excited to be a part of it. If you have found this site because of it, welcome! Please take a look around and if you like what you see you [...]

The paper the students use for class is very low quality. It is more akin to newsprint then actual paper and is quite see-through and rips easily. (In fact, all the students use tape as white-out. Because the paper is so cheap the tape pulls off the top layer which gives them a reasonably clean [...]

Have I said yet how nice my students are? They have just returned after a month and a half long break and many have brought us presents. Of course this being China the gifts are not what you might expect. No paperweights or apple magnets with a little cute saying. No, they come bearing Chinese [...]

China is known as a non-religious country but it is home to many amazing Buddhist temples. While traveling we got to see these temples and learn about Arhats.
What’s an Arhat you ask? Well allow me….
According to Buddhism an Arhat is a person who has reached enlightenment (nirvana) and is lifted out of the cycle of [...]

We have now officially been here for six-month and it feels equal part much longer and much shorter. In a short half a year period I have taught my first semester of school ever, traveled hundreds of miles all over China and managed to feel comfortable in a culture which is completely different from my [...]

Last week, I broke a tooth. Not just a tiny bit, but the entire back half of my back bottom tooth. I’m all for going “native” when it comes to food, clothes and other things but dentists? Get me a western trained English speaker fast.
I found a Westernized clinic in Hangzhou recommended by some ex-pats. [...]

These are some funny English signs that we saw on our trip that didn’t really fit into any category so I’m putting them all together here for your comedy pleasure.

Hi Y’all,
Ni Hao. I want to start off by saying I really, really like this town. You’re all so friendly, the scenery is gorgeous and those little potato things that are a local dish are absolutely delicious. That being said, there is something I would like to discuss. It has to do with fireworks.
Now before [...]

You have the South Beach Diet, the Mediterranean Diet and even the French-Women-Don’t-Get-Fat Diet. I’d like to introduce the new diet that I think will be all the rage…the Chinese Diet.*
This is an easy 6-step process that if you follow to the letter I will guarRONtee** results. After all, I’m not only the president, I’m [...]

Some day I hope to know enough Chinese to be able to read these crazy bathroom signs and understand what they really mean to say. But until then I’ll just enjoy the English translation.