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.

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 →

Posted in Tiny Town on the Li River | Leave a comment

In Our Classroom: The Christmas Story

Posted on December 13, 2009 by connieinasia

               All last week, I was loaded down on my trips to teach — a bulging book bag slung over my shoulder, a bamboo rod in one hand and a small suitcase in tow in the other.             “Connie, where … Continue reading →

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A December Picnic

Posted on December 6, 2009 by connieinasia

                 Last Saturday, our previously chilly temperatures soared into the 80s, making it the perfect day for a picnic.             The new English Center inductees along with the former members invited me along to their first picnic in … Continue reading →

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted on November 26, 2009 by connieinasia

                For two weeks, my classrooms on the 4th floor of Teaching Building # 3 have been filled with talk of Thanksgiving Day.              Last week, the history of the holiday was covered in detail.  This week, our American … Continue reading →

Posted in Along China's Li River: Longzhou, Guangxi | Leave a comment

A Grateful Thank You for Donated Books

Posted on November 26, 2009 by connieinasia

              Last Saturday had my apartment filled with eager English Center volunteers.       What was the occasion?  It was time for us to record, catalog and fill the shelves of the English Center with the many books and games … Continue reading →

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A Friend’s Visit, A Food Fair Adventure

Posted on November 15, 2009 by connieinasia

    Reunited With An Old Friend                       The past two weeks have been a whirlwind.             Immediately after our Halloween festivities, I was visited by a very good friend from America, Becky John.             Becky and I first met … Continue reading →

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October Activities: English Center and Halloween

Posted on October 30, 2009 by connieinasia

  A Visit To the English Center               It was a fair hike to the 6th floor of Teaching Building No. 1.             A small crowd followed behind me as we made our way up the stairwell with our … Continue reading →

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Settling Into A New Home

Posted on October 22, 2009 by connieinasia

  Getting to Know the Students               As the students appeared at my doorway last week, I ushered them in to my spacious sitting room where  they plopped themselves down on the furnishings.  This was their first visit to … Continue reading →

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Return to Longzhou: The Term to Begin!

Posted on October 10, 2009 by connieinasia

                   Friday, October 9th, saw all of China back to normal.                  The holidays were officially over.  Classrooms filled with students, the overburdened airports, train and bus stations cleared of vacationing millions, and stores cleared their shelves of mooncakes and … Continue reading →

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Mooncakes Galore! Mid-autumn Festival Arrives

Posted on October 3, 2009 by connieinasia

              Yesterday evening had me at the nearby grocery where the second floor was filled with mooncake boxes for sale.  Heaps of individually wrapped mini-mooncakes of all varieties and flavors also took up space in the specialty item selling area.  … Continue reading →

Posted in October 3rd: Mid-Autumn Festival in Chengdu | Leave a comment