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.

An Egg Coloring Night of Meiyou Dian (No Electricity)

Posted on April 4, 2010 by connieinasia

               “I heard that Longzhou is famous for no electricity,” I volunteered to a crowd of 23 students, seated in the growing darkness of my living room.             Laughter and  knowing groans followed.             Tuesday evening, our first … Continue reading →

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Preparing for Easter Traditions in China

Posted on March 28, 2010 by connieinasia

    Coloring Eggs: A Trial Run               Every good teacher knows if you’re trying something new, better have a trial run first.              Since this entire week is going to be evening egg coloring for all my classes, … Continue reading →

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The search has been on: Jelly Beans in Longzhou

Posted on March 20, 2010 by connieinasia

              The question for the week:  How do you say “jelly bean” in Chinese?             For Christmas, the search was for Christmas lights.  Living in such a small town, I had little hopes of finding them but managed to do … Continue reading →

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A Winter Homework Assignment, A Treasuretrove of Women’s Stories

Posted on March 12, 2010 by connieinasia

    Winter Homework: International Women’s Day               When I assigned winter homework during the Chinese Spring Festival, my students groaned.  Winter homework assignments are something Chinese students always have to do in junior high and high school, not in … Continue reading →

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March: In Like a Tiger

Posted on March 7, 2010 by connieinasia

                      After over a month of silence, Connie is back to her usual reports after finally landing in Longzhou yesterday.              It’s time to begin the Chinese Year of the Tiger and I’m certainly ready for it.             It … Continue reading →

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Earthquake Memories Revisited

Posted on January 23, 2010 by connieinasia

                January 12th was my birthday.              At 45, I had so much to celebrate.  New placement, new  friends,  a new life in yet another part of China, which I love – A lot to be grateful and … Continue reading →

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A 2010 New Year’s Celebration

Posted on January 10, 2010 by connieinasia

  A 2010 Celebration Arrives In Little Longzhou               When I first arrived in China 18 years ago,  January 1st was not a holiday.              Schools and government offices remained open, shops had no special winter sales and citizens … Continue reading →

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Christmas Activities Galore!

Posted on December 27, 2009 by connieinasia

  In the Classroom               December 24th sent me to class early morning for the last lesson of the week before Christmas Day.  The students were in for a treat for my infamous “Merry Christmas!” bingo game, a review … Continue reading →

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A 70th Anniversary Cold Snap

Posted on December 24, 2009 by connieinasia

             All this semester, everyone has been talking about the celebrations for the school’s 70th anniversary.            A three-week build-up to December 17th (the official day) has been taking place almost the entire month.  Singing and dancing contests, student … Continue reading →

Posted in Along China's Li River: Longzhou, Guangxi | 1 Comment

Christmas Commercialism at Its Best!

Posted on December 17, 2009 by connieinasia

              “Do you have any Christmas lights?”             I’ve been asking that question around this tiny town for weeks — at our small two-story department  store, in the mom-and-pop utility shops, in the outdoor market’s electronic stalls, even in the … Continue reading →

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