( group orientation, gossip and judgment )

Hi everyone! Long time no see. While considerably few actual events have happened lately, some of the things that have occurred certainly are significant. However, mostly the last few weeks have been consumed by thoughts about Chinese life, culture and society. I keep meaning to write down my thoughts here, but never actually get around to ( Read more... )

This Wednesday Scott and I took part in one of the most half-ass (everything in China is half-ass) commercial shoots in history. Yibin is home to the Wuliangye corporation - the best selling, most expensive and finest rice wine in China (it's wretched, just like all of them. Trust me). It's $50 per bottle, which is 10% of my way larger than ( Read more... )

Example #337 of why my luck is ridiculous ( Read more... )

PS Happy thaksgiving everyone and I'm very glad for all of you who read my last post and left kind words. Really you don't know how thankful I am for you, my friends. It can be a lonely country sometimes, China. I'm lucky to have you.

Wow. OK. So I'm feeling much better all in all since I last talked to you.
( the resolution to the story with 李煦 )

( I'm sure only my gram and my parents will read all of this )

Ay. So being back in Sichuan is odd. I'm bittersweet about being back. I was really happy in Beijing where I could communicate with people - the only limit on our conversations was my vocabulary - as opposed to here in Sichuan where people still half the time don't understand the easiest ass things I say. However, culturally I'm so much happier ( Read more... )

Alright, So. Thursday. We first went to the Youyi (store for imported crap) and bought some toiletries that don't exist outside of Beijing, but I was once again foiled in my search for Ax deodorant body spray. Yet they had some deodorant which should tide me over until I receieve the package my parents are sending ( Read more... )

Holy Crap. My frustration with Chinese is has seriously waned since being here in Beijing: I understand people, people understand me, I CAN HOLD A DAMNED CONVERSATION in the language. Jesus. I should have moved here ( Read more... )