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.

Staying home: Smalltown USA in the virus crisis

Posted on March 20, 2020 by connieinasia

Perhaps some of you reading are from towns such as mine:  small population (4,000 or less), close-knit community where we know almost everyone by name, low crime rate, rural agricultural area (a majority of our surrounding residents are farmers with … Continue reading →

Posted in China, coronavirus, coronavirus situation in China, Coronovirus Situation, Illinois, Travel | 1 Comment

For My Methodist Supporters: For your church newsletters, bulletin boards or other means of announcing

Posted on March 15, 2020 by connieinasia

平安 (Ping Ahn),  Peace from here in Illinois! As many know, I am still in America after having come for my Chinese New Year holidays on February 9.  I have not been able to return yet due to  the current situation … Continue reading →

Posted in A Visit Home to America, China, coronavirus, coronavirus situation in China, Luzhou, Luzhou Vocational and Technical College, Travel, Wuhan coronavirus | Leave a comment

Virus rumors abound, and not just in China

Posted on March 11, 2020 by connieinasia

As with any panic situation, it’s just human nature that hearsay abounds. Concerning the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the rumors listed below have been rampant throughout China. Masks will protect you 100%  This is not exactly true according to our CDC … Continue reading →

Posted in A Visit Home to Marshall, China, coronavirus, coronavirus, Illinois, Luzhou Vocational and Technical College, Tales of China, Travel | Leave a comment

From America, the daily English prayer still continues

Posted on March 7, 2020 by connieinasia

  Below is an excerpt from my 2019 Winter newsletter.   My Chinese Church Choir:  United in Prayer                     In the last newsletter, I mentioned joining the church’s 35-strong Everlasting Love adult … Continue reading →

Posted in A Visit Home to America, China, coronavirus, Luzhou: Yangtze Rivertown Stories, Travel | 1 Comment

March 2: Luzhou Vocational and Technical College Begins Online Teaching

Posted on March 4, 2020 by connieinasia

It’s March 3, and my college in China was scheduled to begin their online teaching program yesterday. During the past week, I have been in touch with Danli, one of my Chinese colleagues who was to share duties among others … Continue reading →

Posted in A Visit Home to Marshall, China, coronavirus, From Along the Yangtze, Luzhou Vocational and Technical College, Travel, Visit To The States, Wuhan coronavirus | 2 Comments

An Interview with my EIU alma mater

Posted on February 28, 2020 by connieinasia
Posted in A Visit Home to America, China, coronavirus, Luzhou Vocational and Technical College, Tales of China, Travel | Leave a comment

The Coronavirus: Rays of Hope!

Posted on February 26, 2020 by connieinasia

The Before:  Concern, Worry, Preparation for Online Teaching 10 days ago, I was sent this text message on WeChat:  “Hi, Connie! I received all the lesson plans you sent me but, unfortunately, I don’t have your book.   Can you … Continue reading →

Posted in A Visit Home to Marshall, China, coronavirus, Luzhou Vocational and Technical College, Luzhou: Yangtze Rivertown, Tales from The Yangtze River, Travel | Leave a comment

My friend, Australian Geoff, gives Weekly Luzhou Updates

Posted on February 24, 2020 by connieinasia

The story of Australian Geoff and his Chinese wife (a Luzhou native), English teacher “Snow” Xue, is a long one. Let me give you as brief a history as I can muster.  I might have missed a few important facts … Continue reading →

Posted in China, coronavirus, From Along the Yangtze, Luzhou, Luzhou Vocational and Technical College, Luzhou: Yangtze Rivertown, Travel, Visit To The States | 1 Comment

Newsletter Recipients, Take Notice! Itineration changes — March 1 – April 13

Posted on February 19, 2020 by connieinasia

This posting regards my most recent newsletter, which was sent out today. For those who are not aware of my snail-mail updates, I send out 2 newsletters a year:  Winter and Spring.  This newsletter is formatted, run off, stuffed and … Continue reading →

Posted in A Visit Home to America, A Visit Home to Marshall, China, coronavirus, coronavirus situation in China, From Along the Yangtze, Illinois, Luzhou, Smalltown American Life, Travel | Tagged | Leave a comment

In China: Can’t go out due to the virus? No Worries! Online everything is available

Posted on February 17, 2020 by connieinasia

Chinese have always been adept at online anything using their phones.  Banking, Net ordering of goods, transferring money, bookings (bus, train, plane, theater), payment of services or things needed (house repairs, remodeling apartments, furniture, cars, etc), posting and sharing videos, … Continue reading →

Posted in A Visit Home to Marshall, China, coronavirus, From Along the Yangtze, Tales from The Yangtze River, Tales of China, Travel | Leave a comment