Since Yods asked, felt as if I should oblige. Here is an Erin Wahl phonics way to pronounce my bird's name (keeping in mind that I have no way to show you tones on here):

Jiaozi

Gee-ow-zuh

P.S. Yes, this picture IS the Great Wahl and the Great Wall. Embrace it. Love it. Soon it will become your entire universe.

We're getting truckloads of rain dumped on us as a result of what is evidently the biggest typhoon to ever form in the South China Sea in the month of May. I heard that Zhejiang province might get hit (that would include us since we are a coastal town), but now it sounds like it might just be a lot of this rain and flooding for the whole weekend ( Read more... )

The Bird, my newest reason for living, my most beloved son, now has a name ( Read more... )

The Bird still has no name. I was contemplating Xiao Tudou (little potato) just so I could have a chuckle to myself every time I called him. I have other ideas too though, so who knows what the The Bird's name will end up being ( Read more... )

Terry is the sweetest man alive! And now I will tell you why ( Read more... )

I really really HATE...no...ABHOR...no...LOATHE..yea...that's the word. Anyway, I LOATHE teaching high school. Today was the 1st day back and I'd honestly rather slit my wrists with a kuai zi than teach. Doesn't help that first class of my week is one of my least favorites. Thank goodness tomorrow is Tuesday and I teach my most favorite class in ( Read more... )

Well, I climbed the Great Wall (and almost fell off it...that would've hurt), I saw Tiannanmen Square, invaded the Forbidden City, and today I will spend 3 hrs strolling through the Summer Palace. To actually see the Forbidden City, friends here in Beijing tell me, would take a whole day, the Summer Palace, maybe several, and the Great Wall is ( Read more... )

I happened to hear about this magazine called "Ode" that is supposed to be pretty spectacular and so I was browsing its website to see what it's like. I came across a statement from its editor about the sort of things they like to cover and one part, just mentioning in brief a woman from Morocco's view on the oppression of Western women (in one ( Read more... )

I honestly hate teaching high schoolers. I can't believe I'm doing this again next year. Especially after 2 colleges here in CN emailed me saying they'd like me to work for them next year. The only reason I'm staying is for my kids. The only reason. Of course, it doesn't help me at all that the other volunteers from the dang Christian ( Read more... )

Sorry to those who weren't in Power of the Pen many years ago at Kenton...they will not understand the significance of the subject line ( Read more... )