Last week I stumbled across this post written by a foreigner in China about the habits she has picked up in China that she will take with her upon leaving. A summary of her list: 1. Saying “bye bye.” 2. Drinking hot water 3. Bargaining “out of principle.” 4. Adding Chinese words into English sentences […]
Catholic or Christian?
When I first went to China, I was bombarded with many questions that seemed rather odd: can you use chopsticks? How much money do you make? Why do American parents kick their children out of the house at age 18? On and on they went. But the oddest question I encountered was, “what’s the difference […]
Mid-Autumn Beauty in Minnesota
For the first time since 2008, I am getting to experience October in Minnesota. Here are some recent photos of the beauty of autumn in this great state. (photo of Wiscoy Valley Farm)
The Great Wall — Fact or Fantasy?
Whenever I take visitors to one of the Great Wall tourist sites outside of Beijing, I have to break the news to them that the Wall is not visible from space, nor is it one complete wall stretching from west to east. The disappointment is usually palpable. It turns out that there are quite a […]
Minnesota Ten Commandments
Spotted on a wooden plaque in a friend’s home: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS MINNESOTA STYLE. 1. Der’s only one God ya know. 2. Don’t make the fish on yer mantle an idol. 3. Cussin’ ain’t Minnesota nice. 4. Go to church, even when yer up nort. 5. Honor yer folks. 6. Don’t kill — catch & […]
Teeny Tiny Beijing
I love this video of Beijing. It’s time-lapse photography using a type of editing called tilt-shift, which gives the subject a miniature feel to it. The title of the video is “Beautiful Beijing.” Makes me homesick! Click here if you cannot view the embedded video player.
