I feel like I finally found my feet. I’ve grounded myself and no longer feel like I’m playing a perpetual game of fruit-basket upset. (How many 4-Her’s get that reference?!) Although I felt quite grounded, I neglected to take many photos…oops! Social Socializing became more important for me during March. I’m not an introvert, but […]
Becoming Grounded: March 2019 Reflections Read More »
I can’t figure out this past February. It’s like Katy Perry is playing Hot N Cold on repeat. While Shenzhen/Hong Kong isn’t getting the extreme cold and massive amounts of snow my home state of Minnesota is this winter, it has had extreme mood swings. The weather’s been hot or cold, wet or dry, clean
Antithetical February: Reflections Read More »
The beginning of January marked not only the start of a new year but also the start of my winter holiday. Since I work at a college, I have two months between fall and spring semesters. This means January was pretty fun. After the New Year, I headed on my first trip to Thailand! I
Live Boldly: January 2019 Read More »
For last year’s words belong to last year’s language And next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning. T.S. Eliot I love reflecting at the end of a year and dreaming about what is to come. While I know it has been a long time since I’ve
Goodbye 2018, Hello 2019 Read More »
Today, Shenzhen celebrates it’s 40th birthday. It’s odd living in a city that is so young while also living in a country that is so old. It reminds me that culture is often hyperlocal and despite the backing of thousands of years of history, Shenzhen often feels devoid of culture, devoid of community. Today is
From the Hospital to a Children’s Party: Despair to Chaos Read More »
China has been the most challenging country to eat in. At least for me. The food here is so different from what I’m familiar with. When I ask “What is it” I’m not just asking what kind of meat is that or what kind of vegetable is that. I’m often asking “Is that food?” And
What I eat in Shenzhen, China Read More »
Our apartment, unlike many of the housing options in Shenzhen, isn’t expensive, isn’t too loud, and isn’t too small. Housing is a common topic of conversation in Shenzhen, mostly because people like to complain about it and in my expat community, someone is always moving. Rent is expensive. Last year, we paid 4800RMB/month for
Our Shenzhen Apartment – Virtual Tour Read More »
Shenzhen lies on the southern coast of China. Naturally, one would think it would have at least one beach in the city…but beaches don’t go with the image of a modern technical city, and so they’ve been traded in for excessive development (with the exception of Shenzhen Bay Park, which is a beautiful, green walking
Digging for treasures at a Chinese Beach Read More »
It was hot. In fact, it had been hot in Shenzhen for the past two weeks. The kind of hot and humid weather that makes you start sweating the moment you go outside. The kind of hot that makes your body feel weak and tired. It was Saturday. Normally, we’d sleep in and have a
The day I learned to paddle a dragon boat Read More »
The Wellness CenterThe last half of my holiday on Palawan Island was spent at a wellness center called Bahay Kalipay, which means Happiness Home in Filipino. This was something I wouldn’t have done with Martin. At the center, I wanted to deepen my yoga practice and reconnect with myself. The wellness center offered
Solo Travel to Palawan Island, Part 2 Read More »