Author Archives: connieinasia

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About connieinasia

I have been in the Asia region for 27 years as an English language teacher. A majority of those have been in China with the Amity Foundation , a Chinese NGO that works in all areas of development for the Chinese people. Covid stranded me in America for over 3 years, with China closing its boarders to returning teachers. In 2023, I was accepted into a new teaching role not in China but in Laos. Join me in experiencing this incredible journey into a different culture, a different language, and a different life.

Lost in Translation: My First Halloween in China

Posted on October 29, 2020 by connieinasia

Thought this seemed appropriate and a bit light-hearted humor for your upcoming Halloween This essay first appeared in the Christian Science Monitor’s Home Forum section on October 27, 1997. Lost in Translation: American Halloween  by Connie Wieck As Halloween approaches, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

A China return delayed

Posted on October 26, 2020 by connieinasia

My last update of a return to China concerned bans being lifted. In that post, I excitedly announced the opening up of the country on September 28 to those of us who hold, or have held, resident permit visas during … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Autumn Outings

Posted on October 13, 2020 by connieinasia

“There just isn’t anything in here I want to eat, ” my mom lamented on Friday around noontime as she peered with disappointment into the fridge.   “Too bad we can’t go out for our usual broccoli-cheese soup and salad … Continue reading →

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Catch me and my mom on Marshall First UMC’s Facebook Page

Posted on October 7, 2020 by connieinasia

As our Marshall First UMC continues with in-sanctuary worship (masks, social distancing, temperature checks and sanitation), my mom and I continue to take over special music for the first Sunday of every month. October 4 had us singing 3 duets … Continue reading →

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Life amid the rats and insects: My grandfather’s WW 2 New Guinea

Posted on October 6, 2020 by connieinasia

My grandfather, Army Chaplain Captain Marvin E. Maris, had numerous tales of creepy-crawly critters, large and small, which he encountered in the World War 2 jungles of  New Guinea. His journal Volumes 3 and 4, which I’ve been earnestly pouring … Continue reading →

Posted in My Grandfather's WW 2 Journals: Chaplain Captain Marvin E. Maris, The Jungles of New Guinea in 1944-45, Travel | 1 Comment

China is now allowing all foreign national entries!! But problems for me

Posted on September 27, 2020 by connieinasia

On the 23rd, China-briefing.com, my go-to site for current China information, flashed before me. “From 0 a.m., September 28, 2020, foreigners with valid residence permits for work, personal matters, and reunion, are allowed enter the country without needing to re-apply … Continue reading →

Posted in A Visit Home to America, China, China ban lifting, coronavirus, Illinois, Return to China, Smalltown American Life, Travel | 1 Comment

A generous offer from my home church: Office Space!

Posted on September 22, 2020 by connieinasia

As previously reported, my mom has moved. Looking at these two pictures, you’ll see it was quite the downsize. Yes, the new house is very nice but one of the biggest draw-backs for 2 people is space. My mom expected … Continue reading →

Posted in A Visit Home to America, A Visit Home to Marshall, coronavirus, Illinois, My New Office Space, Smalltown American Life, Waiting it out during Covid | 2 Comments

September updates from me!

Posted on September 22, 2020 by connieinasia

  I promised in the last post for more recent updates from my end.  Here is the latest about what’s happening in my extended stay in America. There have been so many ups and downs:  moments of excitement, sadness, determination, … Continue reading →

Posted in A Visit Home to America, coronavirus, coronavirus situation in China, Illinois, Luzhou Vocational and Technical College, Return to China, Smalltown American Life | 1 Comment

My Grandfather and Mr. Brooks: Did they cross paths?

Posted on September 10, 2020 by connieinasia

Note:  For those following me as an Amity Foundation teacher in China, I will update about my return-to-China news and current status of that in another entry.  For now, this posting seemed timely and appropriate so I include it here. … Continue reading →

Posted in A WW 2 chaplain's encounters with discrimination, World War 2 Letters, WW 2 Letters: My grandmother writes | 1 Comment

A 51-year-old church newsletter rings true today

Posted on August 18, 2020 by connieinasia

The yellow-tinted, aged paper caught my eye, seeming to call out for a reader. In preparation for her upcoming house move, my mom had been going through cabinets.  She’d been pulling out dusty folders from hidden drawers and came across … Continue reading →

Posted in A Small-town American Church: 51 years ago, Illinois: United Church of Christ in 1969 | Leave a comment