China Expat Life

Give the Gift of Love – Give Chicken

Anyone that’s been in China for more than six minutes has been hounded by a plethora of bowl weilding beggars looking for your chinky bits (and no, that’s not a racial slur). Rumours abound about these unfortunate, often elderly or massively under-abled, people. I’ve heard tales that they are pimped out by the local triads, …

September 30, 2006
 // 4 Comments
 // Read More »

Maple Bridge | æž«æ¡¥

Continuing our foray into Suzhou’s tourist spots, we headed to æž«æ¡¥ (Maple Bridge – man do I miss syrup) recently and were pleasantly surprised. Generally speaking, I’m not impressed by Chinese tourist spots, yet lately I’ve not been let down – perhaps I’m just tuning out the stuff about them that previously ruined the experience …

September 28, 2006
 // 6 Comments
 // Read More »

Great Expat-tations

To say that there isn’t a divide between the ESL teachers of China and those expats that are here with ‘real’ jobs would be a complete falsity. Nothing paints this clearer than a trip to a local Western-style bar. The teachers are all bitching about their classes whilst sucking back cheap Qing Dao’s or some …

September 25, 2006
 // 7 Comments
 // Read More »

Don’t Try This At Home Kids

Remember back in the summer when I mentioned Maggie was training to be a yoga instructor? Well, as of today she officially is one. She substituted at a local school here today that is thinking of hiring her, and in doing so earning her first yuan in her new-found profession. I’m not going to deny …

September 17, 2006
 // 11 Comments
 // Read More »

250 Ways To Stupid

Since arriving in China there has been one answer that I’ve quested for more than any other. Weeks into living here, I was given precious information that would leave me ‘in the know’ many times during my stay in China. It was whispered to me in the busy halls of a Dalian Carrefour supermarket by …

September 16, 2006
 // 13 Comments
 // Read More »

I Walk The Online

So I'm back! Just when my Chinese studies were starting to improve, I'm back online! But where my Chinese text may feel a little abandon, you no longer need to. I'm back amongst you and couldn't be happier for it. Buddy from the telecom company showed up yesterday and sorted me out by doing what …

September 13, 2006
 // 3 Comments
 // Read More »

This Is The End, My Only Friends… ribbit!

Alright, that sounds a bit morbid… but it’s fitting. Maggie and I just finished watching Friends. Not like an episode, but the whole damn series. All 10 seasons down. It took us the span of our entire relationship (until present, of course) – but we did it. I originally thought that I’d buy Friends (man …

August 29, 2006
 // 8 Comments
 // Read More »

Who Wants The Display Model?

So it would appear that our little world of foreign blogging in China is having its ass raked across the coals lately. Thanks to one man and his sexual exploits displayed on the net for all to see. And I say, good on ‘im! Basically, some uppity Chinese "professor" stumbled across Sex in Shanghai, a …

August 28, 2006
 // 29 Comments
 // Read More »

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

I can’t believe that in less than 24 hours I’m outta here. Dalian is China for me. I arrived here about 20 months ago in the dark, cold depths of a north-eastern winter and have lived here ever since. It’s hard to say goodbye. I owe the city a lot. I owe it for introducing …

August 22, 2006
 // 2 Comments
 // Read More »

Hui Jia Le – Home From Home

So, I’m back in The Chine. I was in the washroom at the Beijing airport when I heard a man hork in the stall next to me, then while washing my hands my neighbour blow-gunned his nostril into the sink. Ah, it’s good to be home. As I mentioned last post, I was a bit apprehensive …

August 16, 2006
 // 6 Comments
 // Read More »

Pack It Up, Pack It In

Well, here it is. The one week mark. Only seven days until I head back to China and life as (un)usual. It’s been an experience being back in Canada and has really given me some perspective about life in general. Yeah, yeah, I know. No need to get all metaphysical and crap, but to be …

August 8, 2006
 // 5 Comments
 // Read More »