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.

Wonderful News from Luzhou: Canine Rescue Has a Home!

After that last entry,  it’s time to report some good news, sent in an email this morning: DP has a home! A Re-cap of DP I wrote in a previous post that, before leaving for the States, I had taken … Continue reading

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Tang Niao Bing (Sugar-Urine Sickness): Diabetes on the Rise in China

I received several comments on my website regarding the magnificent recycling efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Old Man River (Mr. Zhen and his wife, Ms. Wu).  It’s so nice to hear how others appreciate the hard work the two have … Continue reading

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From Smalltown Marshall: “The Fair’s In Town!”

Last year while in America, I just missed our county fair which every summer stays for a week at our county fairgrounds located here in Marshall. When I was kid, this was the big summer event, filled with specialty food … Continue reading

Posted in A Visit Home to America, Smalltown American Life | 2 Comments

A Recycling Chinese Wonder: Mr. and Mrs. Old Man River

           Mr. and Mrs. Old Man River are my 1st floor, downstairs neighbors. Of course, that’s not their real names.  It’s really Mr. Zhen, age 84, and his wife, Ms. Wu, age 60. (In China, the wife keeps her maiden name.  … Continue reading

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A Chinese City in Mourning: Summer Pool Fun Turns Tragic

I’ve already written about my Chinese sister, Li Xiaolian (Cathy) who is an administrator at the Luzhou Police College. Her college is a specialty school that trains young people who are wanting to go into police work, whether that’s a … Continue reading

Posted in From Along the Yangtze, Luzhou: Yangtze Rivertown Stories, Tales from Sichuan's Yangtze Rivertown, Luzhou | 1 Comment

Four-legged Discards: What Chinese College Kids Leave Behind

        I have returned after a full week in Chengdu to a campus that is oddly quiet. Both our Luzhou college students and Qing Hai University students have fled, returning to their homes for the summer break.             Along with … Continue reading

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Chengdu Apartment Hunting

              It’s Saturday morning and many of our Qing Hai students are off, dragging their luggage behind them, on their way home. They have a 3-1/2 hour bus trip to Chengdu, followed by a 26 hour train trip to Qing … Continue reading

Posted in Luzhou: Yangtze Rivertown Stories | 1 Comment

My Chinese Sister, Li Xiaolian (Cathy)

         My Chinese sister, Li Xiaolian (Cathy), and I finally accomplished a 10-year goal: for the two of us to meet up in the pool together for me to give her a swimming lesson. We’ve talked about it for years … Continue reading

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Connie’s Updated Reports from Luzhou, China

The School Year Ends!             The school year has finally ended! At least for me, anyway. My final courses of the year are over and done with as of last Friday, with the re-take test for those who failed my … Continue reading

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China’s New Holiday: A Much-Needed Fling

             Last I left off, a new 1-week holiday had been thrown at us, causing school leaders to cut the semester 2 weeks shorter than expected. Everyone was left scrambling to fit testing into any time slot available, then working … Continue reading

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