…I landed in Beijing to begin what I thought was one year of working in China as an English teacher!! I ended up teaching for 2, going back to the States for more schooling, then back here in ’90, and have been here most of the time since then. Interestingly enough, I haven’t made it back to English teaching. I studied Chinese, then ended up in educational program administration! It’s hard to believe how much China has changed in the past 22 years. In many ways, it’s not even the same country it was then. Particularly since the early 90’s it’s like living in a video that is stuck on "fast forward." I wish I had been more attentive to the changes as they were happening, and done a better job of making note of them (both in writing and on film), but usually when one is in the midst of such tremendous change, it’s not so clear. Rather, you sort of wake up one day and realize that it all changed! I consider myself priviledged to have had the opportunity to have a front row seat at China’s development over the past 22 years. I can’t even imagine what it will be like 22 years from now!
Random thoughts on living well where I don't belong
