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.

Dealing with Slippage: My Mom’s April 21st “Walk with Me” Column

Posted on April 23, 2020 by connieinasia

My mom has a weekly column in my hometown paper entitled “Walk with Me.”  Her columns are insightful, touching upon topics she thinks about as she walks the dog around our small-town community. Here is her latest, involving the term … Continue reading →

Posted in A Visit Home to America, A Visit Home to Marshall, coronavirus, Coronovirus Situation, Illinois, Smalltown American Life, Springtime in small town Marshall, Travel, Visit To The States | 2 Comments

My Chinese Choir in Luzhou: Supportive and Concerned

Posted on April 21, 2020 by connieinasia

  As mentioned before, I am in touch with my Chinese church choir on my cell phone via WeChat, China’s equivalent of Facebook. As in America, Churches and large gathering places still continue to be closed due to COVID-19. While … Continue reading →

Posted in A Message of Faith, A Visit Home to America, A Visit Home to Marshall, China, coronavirus, Illinois, Luzhou, The Chinese Church, Travel | Leave a comment

A Wartime Era Revealed: Digging through my grandparents’ World War II correspondence

Posted on April 17, 2020 by connieinasia

During my extended stay in Illinois, my mom and I have continued  to prepare for her upcoming move to her smaller home, a move now delayed due to the pandemic.  We’ve been digging through rats’ nests around the house and … Continue reading →

Posted in A Visit Home to Marshall, Smalltown American Life, Visit To The States, World War 2 Letters | Leave a comment

Ruminations, past and present, on my Jelly Bean Contest

Posted on April 15, 2020 by connieinasia

Yes, the contest is over and I have already posted the results on Facebook as well as my WeChat moments. I apologize for being a few days late on this one.  The contest was divided among USA and China.  From … Continue reading →

Posted in A Visit Home to America, coronavirus, Easter Jelly Bean Contest, Illinois, Luzhou, Luzhou Vocational and Technical College, Smalltown American Life, Travel | Leave a comment

Easter Sunday at the Luzhou Protestant Church: A Year Ago Today (reposted)

Posted on April 13, 2020 by connieinasia

I remember, awhile back, promising pictures of the Luzhou Protestant Church’s Easter services on April 21.  Let me make sure I post those here, along with a short explanation of what usually happens at Protestant churches in China. Changes to … Continue reading →

Posted in From Along the Yangtze, Luzhou: Yangtze Rivertown Stories, Tales from Sichuan's Yangtze Rivertown, Luzhou, Tales from The Yangtze River, Tales of China, Travel | Leave a comment

The Story of the WeChat group, 大学同学, University Classmates

Posted on April 12, 2020 by connieinasia

The Jelly Bean contest continues!! Deadlines are:  Midnight today (Saturday) for USA; Noon on Easter Sunday for those in China. The Most Active Contestants: 大学同学, University Classmates Things have been slowing down from the USA end with 28 entries but … Continue reading →

Posted in A Visit Home to Marshall, China, Easter Jelly Bean Contest, Illinois, Luzhou Vocational and Technical College, Smalltown American Life, Travel, Wuhan coronavirus | 1 Comment

A Good Friday Post

Posted on April 10, 2020 by connieinasia

Jesus was accompanied by three Apostles: Peter, John and James, whom he asked to stay awake and pray . He moved “a stone’s throw away” from them, where he felt overwhelming sadness and anguish, and said “My Father, if it … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Tulips vs. Two Lips

Posted on April 9, 2020 by connieinasia

My mom is full of silly little ditties she passes along to me from her childhood, high school years or college days.  I keep them stored in a special memory file on my computer and have been adding to the … Continue reading →

Posted in A Visit Home to America, A Visit Home to Marshall, Illinois, Smalltown American Life, Springtime in small town Marshall, Travel | Leave a comment

Join in our Global Contest!! How many jelly beans in the jar?

Posted on April 8, 2020 by connieinasia

  Hi, folks! My students in China are participating in this contest via WeChat (China’s equivalent to Facebook) to lift our global spirits. If you want to join in, you’re welcome to do so. I’ve also posted on Facebook. Contest … Continue reading →

Posted in A Visit Home to America, A Visit Home to Marshall, China, Easter Jelly Bean Contest, Luzhou Vocational and Technical College, Smalltown American Life, Travel | Tagged | Leave a comment

My Palm Sunday

Posted on April 7, 2020 by connieinasia

My Palm Sunday yesterday was so vastly different from years before, as it was for so many of you across the States and around the world. While many  were engulfed in unbearable sadness, exhaustion, worry and fear of what the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment