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.


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Banana Man // Sanya

My friends who live in Sanya both work for a photography company and they needed to test out their new gear. So I suggested I buy a banana costume and we go to a street market to take pics and film a music video — which is exactly what we did. My friend is working on editing the video, so that will be posted when it’s finished. Chinese people laughed when seeing me in costume and little kids kept shouting “BANANA!”

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Happy Halloween!

Quailman for Halloween. Was it a niche costume? Absolutely. Was it worth it? You bet

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Halloween day 2 at our center

Had students try and make balloon towers using only tape. They didn’t get too far with a ‘tape as fast as possible’ game plan. Also did a 'mummy-wrapping’ race that they thought was hilarious. Round 3 mañana

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Halloween at school today

I wore my Muay Thai gear, which was a clear indicator that all my kids should punch me. I have the next 5 days of Halloween at school, which is super cool. Besides organizing new games for them to play everyday, I’ve also gotta figure out new costumes. Leggo China!

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