Kids

Here’s a collection from my first two days at my new job: teaching 2-3 year olds. Since class only started Tuesday, though, my job has mostly been shutting up the kids wailing “mama” without end. I’m going to wait until the shock of being with small children for 7 hours a day wears off to write anything further on this. Here are the moments that didn’t suck in picture form. (Fun note: I now hear crying children and repetitive children’s songs in my head, long after I’ve left school. In the gym. Getting yogurt. They haunt me.)

No flailing.

My personal mantra for staying cool while travelling. I tend to chase my tail and have silent freak outs when I get lost and confused. I flail. Non-flailers stay calm and take action.

Bicycles

A wise friend once said, “Everything cool in China belongs to the old people.” The old people do the Tai Chi in the morning (badass) and the nighttime commie dances (flag waving included); they gamble irresponsibly at all hours of the day, and mark their turf by wearing PJ’s in the street.

They also ride the best, built-to-last bicycles. In America, these would draw top dollar from the hipster contingent. The youth here, however, don’t have the same notions of cool. Brand names are more important, it seems.

Years of resting handle bars and tires have created a peculiar sort of wallpaper in my apartment’s hallway. Here’s my American homage.

Common question

People always ask me, “How do you stay vegetarian in China?” Answer: By not eating meat.

What is it about the universal wonder for the large and golden? Even on a cloudy day in Hong Kong, I felt myself cheered, inspired and humbled by this structure in the Chi Lin Nunnery’s gardens. It warmed me with an earthy, soft glow — miles away from the cold metallics that cover Trump’s towers.

What is it about the universal wonder for the large and golden? Even on a cloudy day in Hong Kong, I felt myself cheered, inspired and humbled by this structure in the Chi Lin Nunnery’s gardens. It warmed me with an earthy, soft glow — miles away from the cold metallics that cover Trump’s towers.

Gotham clouds loom over Hong Kong.

Gotham clouds loom over Hong Kong.

British and Asian influences of Hong Kong summed up in one bag of Hello Kitty crisps.

British and Asian influences of Hong Kong summed up in one bag of Hello Kitty crisps.

Students say…

My students say things that fascinate me, tickle me and straight up offend my American sensibilities.

Let me share. Today a young girl, aged about 13 years old, did not know who Hitler or the Nazis were. She did, however, know the word “vampire.” If only her knowledge of American culture came from “True Blood” and not “Twilight,” she would have known about Nazi vampires.

What should I do when I get robbed?

Student moving to Seattle soon for college.
Silhouette, Forbidden City.

Silhouette, Forbidden City.