Category Archives: Tales from The Yangtze River

             “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 →

  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 →

           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 →

              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 →

    Just How Hot Is It?  Darn Hot!               The past four days have seen our wide college avenue dotted with pastel-colored umbrellas, fringed in lace or edged in colorful trim.  It’s not rain students and teachers alike … Continue reading →

              After announcing my father’s ICU hospital stay, I received a number of emails from so many of you, saying my family was in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you so much for your concern.  It has meant a … Continue reading →

              Despite the my previous entry, I actually am quite fond of Mid-Autumn Festival.  There are a variety of reasons but I’ll just explain my top three.             First of all, I chose this day as Little Flower’s birthday.  I never … Continue reading →

  Note:  My below essay appeared in last year’s Christian Science Monitor’s Home Forum for Mid-Autumn Festival.  I share it with you today with tales and photos tomorrow of how I personally have been celebrating this upcoming special day, falling on Sept. 14 (Sunday). … Continue reading →

                Temperatures have  soared into the 90s.  We’ve had a hot three days with the sun covered in haze, but not even cloud cover has stopped the steamy heat from surrounding all of us.             Despite the heavy … Continue reading →

  I now have Internet connection to my home.  Here’s your long awaited update!               The first walk with the dog around our little college campus brought so many smiles and waves.             “Ni huilaile! (You’ve returned!)” greeted Little … Continue reading →