Category Archives: Tiny Town on the Li River

               It’s happened several days in row now.             After class, on my return to my apartment building, I’ve come across a honey bee or two lying on the sidewalk.  On one occasion, it was a death.  On the … Continue reading →

               Three years ago, the Chinese government decided to shorten the 5-day May Holiday (Labor Day)  and mix in a few 1-day holidays dispersed throughout the year.             One of these added holidays was Qing Ming Jie, or Tomb Sweeping … Continue reading →

               “I heard that Longzhou is famous for no electricity,” I volunteered to a crowd of 23 students, seated in the growing darkness of my living room.             Laughter and  knowing groans followed.             Tuesday evening, our first … Continue reading →

    Coloring Eggs: A Trial Run               Every good teacher knows if you’re trying something new, better have a trial run first.              Since this entire week is going to be evening egg coloring for all my classes, … Continue reading →

              The question for the week:  How do you say “jelly bean” in Chinese?             For Christmas, the search was for Christmas lights.  Living in such a small town, I had little hopes of finding them but managed to do … Continue reading →

    Winter Homework: International Women’s Day               When I assigned winter homework during the Chinese Spring Festival, my students groaned.  Winter homework assignments are something Chinese students always have to do in junior high and high school, not in … Continue reading →

                January 12th was my birthday.              At 45, I had so much to celebrate.  New placement, new  friends,  a new life in yet another part of China, which I love – A lot to be grateful and … Continue reading →

  A 2010 Celebration Arrives In Little Longzhou               When I first arrived in China 18 years ago,  January 1st was not a holiday.              Schools and government offices remained open, shops had no special winter sales and citizens … Continue reading →

  In the Classroom               December 24th sent me to class early morning for the last lesson of the week before Christmas Day.  The students were in for a treat for my infamous “Merry Christmas!” bingo game, a review … Continue reading →

              “Do you have any Christmas lights?”             I’ve been asking that question around this tiny town for weeks — at our small two-story department  store, in the mom-and-pop utility shops, in the outdoor market’s electronic stalls, even in the … Continue reading →