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 Oympic Games: A Saturday to Remember

Posted on August 17, 2008 by connieinasia

  Lucking Out               The free subway map I picked up from the airport Olympic information center was certainly coming in handy.  Not only had I easily arrived at the Shangdi station, which is a few blocks away from … Continue reading →

Posted in The Beijing Olympics | Leave a comment

Day 1 at The Olympics

Posted on August 16, 2008 by connieinasia

  A Great Send-off              Zhang Cheng Gan was a very cheerful 48-year-old Chengdu taxi driver.  After catching his cab in front of my apartment this morning, I could n’t contain my excitement of going to Beijing.  Once it … Continue reading →

Posted in The Beijing Olympics | Leave a comment

The Day Before Leaving for Beijing: Being Well-informed and Well-prepared

Posted on August 15, 2008 by connieinasia

              T-shirt and shorts?              Check.             Sleeping attire?              Check.             Toiletries?              Check.             U.S. flag?              Double check!             When you’re going to the Olympics, the usual luggage packing takes on a bit more meaning.              I … Continue reading →

Posted in Chengdu Daily Life | Leave a comment

Summer Photos . . . and Off to Beijing!

Posted on August 14, 2008 by connieinasia

                  My Chinese friends and former students in Luzhou have sent a few messages, wanting to see photos of my last few days in the States before returning to China.  I had emailed them about some special events, … Continue reading →

Posted in Chengdu Daily Life | Leave a comment

Learning Hospitality from the Chinese

Posted on August 12, 2008 by connieinasia

             The U.S. Olympic articles  are full of surprise and praise:  how welcoming, how kind, how gracious are the Chinese athletes and people toward the Americans!             But foreigners who live here, and the Chinese people themselves, would expect … Continue reading →

Posted in Chengdu Daily Life | Leave a comment

A Son’s Move to Safety . . . Or Not?

Posted on August 10, 2008 by connieinasia

            My excitement of returning to China was apparent in the taxi ride I took across town to pick up Little Flower two days ago.  I was full of stories from home, my anticipation of soon picking up my … Continue reading →

Posted in Chengdu Daily Life | Leave a comment

Olympics, Day 1: The Pressure to Win

Posted on August 9, 2008 by connieinasia

             From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., wave after wave of torrential downpours hit our city.  Even Spendid Alley’s mahjong players remained indoors today.  That was certainly a surprising sight as LF and I trekked by the empty gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in Chengdu Daily Life | Leave a comment

Tales of My Absence and Olympic Ceremony Countdown!

Posted on August 8, 2008 by connieinasia

  Tales of My Absence                       The rain poured down last night in buckets, just at the moment I was about to head out the door to pick up Little Flower from her babysitter’s home.  I’d have gone earlier … Continue reading →

Posted in Chengdu Daily Life | Leave a comment

Returning to China

Posted on August 5, 2008 by connieinasia

                In 20 minutes, I will be once again heading back to my Chengdu apartment in China.   The Olympic Torch has already cruised by my neighbors’ homes and I’m sure they were outside to watch it pass just a few … Continue reading →

Posted in Visit To The States | Leave a comment

Master Painter Mr. Ferris and Our New Dove Family

Posted on July 30, 2008 by connieinasia

  As I headed out the door last week for my usual 1-hour public pool swim at 7:45 a.m., I didn’t expect anyone else to be out-and-about at that time except my parents. But sure enough, there was 84-year-old Bob … Continue reading →

Posted in Visit To The States | Leave a comment