CHINA
Country Overview:
"A land of contrasts, where ancient traditions meet rapid modernization, and delectable cuisine coexists with complex political realities."
My seven-year journey in China, from May 2013 to August 2020, was a whirlwind of experiences. I taught English, pursued my Master's in Politics & Foreign Policy at the prestigious Tsinghua University, and immersed myself in the media landscape at China Today and Xinhua News Agency. Beijing was my home base, but my travels painted a vibrant tapestry of China's diverse landscapes and cultures: the bustling metropolis of Shanghai, the historic city of Xi'an, the tropical paradise of Sanya, the unique blend of East and West in Macau and Hong Kong, and countless other destinations in between. From savoring the exquisite flavors of regional cuisines to navigating the intricacies of daily life under a distinct political system, China left an indelible mark on me.
Yoga
Today is my 4th day of yoga class. Didn't imagine I would sweat so much or that I'd be so sore the following day. It's a good compliment to the sort of hard and singular movements of weightlifting. However, I'm faced with my life long challenge of stretching. Those toes are going to be touched before I graduate. Mark my words. Speaking of which, still haven't found a job and I'm racing against my July 31st visa expiration to get a work visa. It's an arduous process where I'm constantly changing my resume and thinking "I mean, I could do that job". Entering the workforce remains priority number one as Spring unfolds in Beijing
Chinese class
2 Germans, a Russian, guy from Belarus, an Italian, and the polish girl was late. Headed to Shanghai tomorrow for Mid-Autumn festival - the holiday where factories who produce moon cakes finally have something to do.
Smelly feet
I made a joke about a little girl’s feet smelling bad and of course, they thought it was hilarious so they all started raising their legs wanting me to smell their feet too.