Today I finalized a decision two months in the making. After my contract here in China is complete at the end of June, I will be moving to Sousse, Tunisia where I have accepted a position with AMIDEAST, an American NGO engaged in international … [Continue reading]
Goodbye to My Favorite Class
March 4, 2014 by Leave a Comment
This bunch of twelve-year-olds has been my favorite class at Shane English Yuxi. Tess, Michael, Windays, Jack, Ewan, Windays, Nancy and Rose are bright, funny, verbal, and hard-working. They all aced the end-of-course final exam without … [Continue reading]
MOOCs and American Shortsightedness
March 3, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Since moving to China, I’ve become enamored of—or maybe addicted to—MOOCs: massive open online courses. English books are scarce here and I am isolated by a language barrier from meaningful adult conversation. MOOCs have therefore been a critical … [Continue reading]
Terrorist Attack in Kunming
March 3, 2014 by 2 Comments
In the last 24 hours, I've received many messages from friends and family expressing concern for my safety in the wake of yesterday's horrific terrorist attack in Kunming. I appreciate all those communications; it's nice to feel looked after by … [Continue reading]
Daytrip to Mengzi
March 2, 2014 by 1 Comment
Today I took my first-ever train trip in China and, at the suggestion of a Chinese friend of mine, went to the town of Mengzi. I was about two hours southeast of Yuxi: View Larger Map The train was old and a little worn, but it was right on … [Continue reading]
An Old Man & His Retriever
March 1, 2014 by Leave a Comment
I've seen this man and his dog at least twice a month since I moved to Yuxi. The Retriever reminds me of my own Sophie back in the States. Neither the man nor the dog speaks English, and the man speaks a Chinese dialect I can't understand. … [Continue reading]
Bangladesh: Photomiscellanea
February 11, 2014 by 3 Comments
There are some photos from my recent trip that just didn't seem to fit logically into my earlier posts. These three are of the Goaldi Mosque in Sonargaon, which was built in 1519. A trick of sunlight in the second photo makes it seem like there is … [Continue reading]
Bangladesh: Old Dhaka
February 10, 2014 by 2 Comments
I spent a day in and around Old Dhaka. Traffic chokes the city so heavily that I didn't get to see everything I wanted to. Some of the things on my Dhaka wish list will have to await another trip there. I was here: View Larger Map This is … [Continue reading]
Bangladesh: Abbas and His Family
February 10, 2014 by 1 Comment
I was thirsty and Dhaka is a mostly-dry town. My guidebook said there was a bar at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon, and so on my second night I decided to do my usual camp-out with a book and a beer. I ducked out of my hotel and started talking to a … [Continue reading]
Bangladesh: Biswa Itjema
February 7, 2014 by 1 Comment
So how does a secular humanist infidel wind up at the second largest (only the hajj is bigger) congregation of Muslims on the planet? It's simple: I was invited. After spending the whole day with me at Painam Nagar, my rickshaw driver and … [Continue reading]
