It is often observed by foreigners in China that the “love language” of 1.4 billion Chinese people is giving gifts. Gifts are given when visiting someone’s home, when returning home from travel, as a way to express concern for one’s health, or as a way to say “thank you” (to name just a few examples). […]
I Miss China | Left-behind Elderly
Live-streaming has become a national obsession in China. Everyone seems to be doing it, young and old, stiff and limber! We’re not just talking about live-streaming formal events, but the everyday stuff of life. Live-stream yourself or others doing something interesting and you’re guaranteed to become famous! I love stumbling across video clips from these […]
Being Counted
I finally did my civic duty this weekend and filled out my census form. I noted with interest that this is the first time I remember being counted as part of the population of the United States. When I was young, we lived in Pakistan, so doubt I or my family were included in the […]
Happy Year of the Rat
Tomorrow is Chu Yi (初一), the first day of the lunar new year on the Chinese calendar. For those of you keeping track, it marks the beginning of the Year of the Rat. If the thought of a rat makes you wrinkle your nose, you can call it Year of the Mouse, since the Chinese […]
Best Books of 2019
I do enjoy a good book, whether reading it the old fashioned way or listening to an audio version while driving or flying across the planet. In no particular order, here are the ten best books I read this year: The Buried: An Archaeology of the Egyptian Revolution, by Peter Hessler What can I say? […]
China is Complicated
Anyone who hangs around me even a little has heard me say, in response to almost any question about China, “It’s complicated.” This picture that I took outside the Haidian Church in Beijing last week illustrates my point. It’s got everything…. Chinese national flag Neon sign Giant Cross Political banner next to the church Surveillance […]
