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.

China Cashing in on Christmas Commercialism

Posted on December 28, 2014 by connieinasia

Note: Before you read this, I’d like to add a few notes concerning the below entry. A friend sent me an article from the New York Times concerning the recent banning and “humbugging” of Christmas by certain provinces in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Luzhou, Luzhou: Yangtze Rivertown, Tales from Sichuan's Yangtze Rivertown, Travel | Tagged | 2 Comments

Christmas Along the Yangtze

Posted on December 24, 2014 by connieinasia

Fragrant evergreen, scented candles, sticks of cinnamon, spiced cider – these are the smells I associate with Christmas. But in my apartment here in China, at least for the past 3 weeks, it’s the aroma of one thing and one … Continue reading →

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A Month of Silence: Catching up with Our College Job Fair

Posted on November 29, 2014 by connieinasia

On Friday morning, in the nasty drizzling rain, I was quickly heading off to my 3rd year (senior students) class. It was nearing 10 a.m. and I was thinking, “Will anyone even be in class? Today is our job fair!” … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

The U.S. Consulate’s Halloween Event for the Chinese Public: A Smashing Success!

Posted on November 5, 2014 by connieinasia

It’s been 3 days since returning to Luzhou after last week’s Halloween frolic at the U.S. Consulate. And what a frolic it was! Due to the excellent advertising of the Consulate staff, the usual 40 turn-out ended up being more … Continue reading →

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October Happenings

Posted on October 30, 2014 by connieinasia

Where has the month gone?! After the country’s National Day holidays from Oct. 1-8, I returned from Chengdu to find myself into the full swing of teaching, as well as my daily activities of noontime campus walks with students, afternoon … Continue reading →

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Returning to Chaos

Posted on September 28, 2014 by connieinasia

Unwanted surprises. During my years of teaching along the Yangtze, I always prepared for such happenings after being absent from my school’s tiny apartment at Luzhou Vocational and Technical College. Whether a few days for a weekend in Chengdu, a week … Continue reading →

Posted in From Along the Yangtze, Luzhou Vocational and Technical College, Luzhou: Yangtze Rivertown, Luzhou: Yangtze Rivertown Stories, Return to China, Tales from The Yangtze River, Tales of China, Travel | 1 Comment

About the Newsletter: “Where are you, Jenny Bloom?”

Posted on August 29, 2014 by connieinasia

Note:  This was written the morning before I left for China but refused to post. Here it is!  News of my China return soon to follow, now that my Internet has finally been reinstated in my apartment.  Yeah! A snippet from my … Continue reading →

Posted in 2014 Summer Itineration, A Visit Home to America, Return to China, Smalltown American Life, Travel, Visit To The States | 1 Comment

The Last Hurrah: Pitstopping in Pittsfield and My Alma Mater, EIU

Posted on August 15, 2014 by connieinasia

With my last presentations in Pittsfield, then closer to home in Charleston (home of EIU, my alma mater) and Mattoon, Illinois, I have let slide my postings and reports from the past week.  This is mostly because I’ve only had 4 days to … Continue reading →

Posted in 2014 Summer Itineration, A Visit Home to America, Return to China, Smalltown American Life, Travel | 1 Comment

Springing around Springfield

Posted on August 8, 2014 by connieinasia

Last weekend had me springing around the Springfield area where on my agenda was Mission U (the UMW’s mission study weekend for 2014, with the courses of study addressing people with disabilities and the nomadic European Roma peoples), Riverton UMC for Sunday services, Woodside UMC … Continue reading →

Posted in 2014 Summer Itineration, A Visit Home to America, Travel, Visit To The States | 1 Comment

Weekend Visits: Outside and In

Posted on August 1, 2014 by connieinasia

Many years ago, I had one particular summer itineration that placed me in outside settings:  a VBS in Effingham where we sat under trees for lunch and outdoor activities, a youth camp in Southern Illinois, and a park worship service with picnic afterwards. … Continue reading →

Posted in 2014 Summer Itineration, A Visit Home to America, Smalltown American Life, Travel, Visit To The States | Leave a comment