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 Three Muskateers To The Rescue

Posted on June 7, 2008 by connieinasia

              My Chinese is O.K. but I wouldn’t stake my life on it, or anyone elses’, for that matter.             This is why, when it came to transferring  funds into Jason’s (Ji Ke’s) banking account, I asked for assistance.   … Continue reading →

Posted in Chengdu Daily Life | Leave a comment

A Lesson Well Learned: Bringing Out The Best In Someone

Posted on June 6, 2008 by connieinasia

                In my small U.S. town, a visit to the bank is a quick affair.             There are no lines to wait in and no numbers to take.  It’s a breezy in-and-out, just under 5 or 10 minutes. … Continue reading →

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Remnants of a Frightened City

Posted on June 4, 2008 by connieinasia

             In China, the country’s 24-hour earthquake coverage is over. No longer do the number of minuscule aftershocks, counting into the thousands, trot across our TV screens. There are no more Chinese reporters excitedly leading cameramen into piles of rubble, … Continue reading →

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The Meng Zhui Wan Swimming Pool

Posted on June 3, 2008 by connieinasia

                China’s cold-weather swimmers are suffering here in Chengdu.            All winter, they’ve been enjoying frigid water temperatures of  40 to 55 degrees Farenhieght.  Every day, from October to April, I’ve watched these winter swimming  friends of mine … Continue reading →

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Du Fu’s Thatched Roof Cottage, Visited with Art

Posted on June 2, 2008 by connieinasia

              I’m not very much of a tourist.             Drop me off in any Chinese city and my first order of business is where to find a 50-meter swimming pool.   Years of competitive swimming are not about to be … Continue reading →

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June 1st: An Environmentally Friendly Move

Posted on June 1, 2008 by connieinasia

              The strong tremor this morning caught all of us by surprise.              After several days of very little “felt” ground activity, the rumble at around 11:30 will most likely be yet another excuse to keep our Chengdu tent … Continue reading →

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A Chinese New Year “hong bao” Comes In Handy

Posted on May 31, 2008 by connieinasia

              Thursday afternoon had my dresser drawer full of Chinese bills, each one 100 yuan ($14.00).  I had just been to the bank to cash travelers checks.  Friday morning, I was returning to the vet and needed to pay … Continue reading →

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A Visit To The Chengdu Theological Seminary

Posted on May 30, 2008 by connieinasia

              Yesterday, while going through pictures to post of our neighborhood pets, I came across a few photos from  the Chengdu Theological Seminary which I visited last September.  I had a short feature in a past newsletter about the seminary, but … Continue reading →

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Our Lost Little One: “Little Black, Where Are You?”

Posted on May 29, 2008 by connieinasia

  "Xiao Hei, Ni Zai Nali?"                The rain last night took its toll on homemade earthquake relief signs, glued to walls and posts around our area.  The paper peeled and curled, the carefully written characters now smeared and … Continue reading →

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More Aftershock Warnings Trigger an Afternoon Anxiety Attack

Posted on May 28, 2008 by connieinasia

                 3:30 p.m. today saw the streets, parks and apartment compounds overrun by exuberant gradeschool kids.              While students in China should have been in class at this time, another  warning hit the news:  Strong aftershocks might be coming … Continue reading →

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