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.

Our Quaint Little Red Light District

Posted on June 16, 2008 by connieinasia

              The quiet, narrow side street that hugs my apartment complex is like many hundreds in the city.  Despite its semi-secluded location, it touts three roadside medical and physical therapy (massage) clinics, an Internet bar, a vegetable market,  flower … Continue reading →

Posted in Chengdu Daily Life | 1 Comment

Opening Day in the Neighborhood

Posted on June 13, 2008 by connieinasia

              Chinese love openings of anything.  Crowds will gather  to await the grand opening of any department store, grocery, restaurant or even small snack shop along the street.  Everyone is afraid of missing out on the excitement of the … Continue reading →

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News From Jason

Posted on June 12, 2008 by connieinasia

               “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men / gang aft a-gley /               An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain, / For promis’d joy!”                                                                                                   Robert Burns (from To a Mouse)                          The telephone … Continue reading →

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Chinese: A Kind Language, or “Man Zou, Everyone!”

Posted on June 11, 2008 by connieinasia

              Despite what people think, Chinese is a kind language.  English is cluttered with articles, verb tenses, word derivations, idioms and a slew of  grammatical rules and regulations.  But Chinese has the ability to express one’s thoughts and feelings … Continue reading →

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An Introduction to Luzhou Vocational and Technical College

Posted on June 10, 2008 by connieinasia

             This evening, Catherine (Yin Ying) will be arriving here from southern  Luzhou city (loo-joe), my former teaching placement with the Amity Foundation.  I taught at Luzhou Vocational and Technical College for 5 years and will be returning there … Continue reading →

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A Good Day For Getting Vaccinations

Posted on June 9, 2008 by connieinasia

              I love holidays in China.             Not only is everything still open, even post offices and banks, but the traffic is light.  Getting across town in a taxi or bus is quick and easy.  This is why today … Continue reading →

Posted in Chengdu Life: Pets in China | Leave a comment

An Introduction to Today’s Dragon Boat Festival Holiday

Posted on June 8, 2008 by connieinasia

                  With the year 2008 came some interesting changes concerning holidays in China.                         There used to be only 3 holidays in this country:  Spring Festival (Chinese New Year), which was during the school’s 5-week winter break but … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

Posted in From Chengdu, China Earthquake | Leave a comment