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.

The Jinding Award Week

Posted on November 25, 2008 by connieinasia

    Arriving in Chengdu               When LF and I arrived in Chengdu late last Tuesday night, I was tired.              The week before had been scurrying about to add another 6-hours of teaching to my schedule to make … Continue reading →

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A Silenced Road

Posted on November 17, 2008 by connieinasia

               My apartment balcony, overlooking the Yangtze River, remains oddly silent.  From the usually busy road below, there’s not a sound:   no beleaguered busses straining uphill, no constantly sounding car  horns, no boisterous motorcycle mufflers, no screeching-tired taxies, … Continue reading →

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A Great Honor

Posted on November 11, 2008 by connieinasia

                          Last Friday, Ying Yin (Catherine), from our school’s Foreign Affairs office, asked me to stop by and pick up something.              “Ah!  Another mail bag of books for our English language resource library!” I thought to myself.              … Continue reading →

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Election Day Stories

Posted on November 4, 2008 by connieinasia

                                I have only voted once in America for a Presidential election.  All my other ballots have been sent from overseas:  Japan, Taiwan and China.  No matter what political party we favor, I truly believe in the importance of voting.   … Continue reading →

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A Pro In Action: U.S. Visitor Richard Lord

Posted on November 1, 2008 by connieinasia

               Since last Sunday, the rain has been coming down non-stop.  Drizzling, pouring, pelting, sprinkling, misting . . . you name it, we’ve had it.              It’s unusual for us to have so much constant rain for so many … Continue reading →

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Halloween Done Just Right

Posted on October 28, 2008 by connieinasia

             “I love you!” one of my college students, “Angie”, enthusiastically shouted while I threw a handful of candy into her bag.  “Can I hug you?”             How often does Halloween fun, in this case trick-or-treating to the foreigner’s … Continue reading →

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Musical Chairs: Dealing with a Classroom Seating Dilemma

Posted on October 24, 2008 by connieinasia

  The 20-minute scramble and panic in between classes is immense.  Students race frantically from room to room, snatching up a chair and moving it from one classroom to the next.  Some politely carry their school furnishings while others lazily … Continue reading →

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Jalin’s Auntie: Strong Women of China

Posted on October 18, 2008 by connieinasia

           Every weekend seemed to be booked solid until Christmas:  Visitor from the Methodist Board coming, Halloween Party night, speech contest elimination round 2,  teacher’s meeting, judging city-wide English speech contest, Amity regional conference, Fulbright scholars 1-week visit . . . . … Continue reading →

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The Luzhou Winter Swimming Club: A Foreigner’s Tail

Posted on October 12, 2008 by connieinasia

              Now that the October 1st National Day holidays are over, swimming pools all across China are beginning their Winter Swimming Club seasons.             From the bitter, harsh, snowy cold of the north to the more temperate and mild … Continue reading →

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Freshmen Classes Begin: Challenges for All

Posted on October 9, 2008 by connieinasia

               Monday found our campus bustling with more students than the month before.  The National Day holidays are over and our 2,100 freshmen are now beginning their classes after a week of military training.   The English Department has … Continue reading →

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