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.
OneFC
Buddy hooked it up with OneFC tickets the other night. We walked in, got handed VIP passes, and were 3rd row from the cage. Incredible experience. Main event was a Russian vs. a Mongolian and the hundreds of Mongolians in attendance were wild. Russian got him in a rear naked choke and Mongo, refusing to tap, passed out. Intense to say the least
Met Dean Lister last night at a club
Super cool guy, chatted about training, his time in the UFC and China. He wasn’t alone, but besides me and my Australian buddy, I’m pretty sure no one else in the club knew who he was.
Al Azar
Saw a guy throwing knees in the gym and asked him if he fought Muay Thai. Yes indeed he replied. So I asked him if he wanted to spar, we laced up, and went at it for 3 rounds. After we fought we shook hands and parted ways, without ever asking each other’s names. Nothing like sparring with random dudes at the gym. On a side note, my jaw hurts.
Whatup Widdit..
It’s that time again. I’m off to a foreign country in 2 days and as always, to those who send me their address, I will send you something authentically “MADE IN CHINA”. E-mail me at: Degenh@outlook.com.
It’s going to be a busy year for me whilst in Beijing. Not only will I be teaching English, I’ll also be working on grad school applications along with Muay Thai training, in which I plan to take some fights. So stay posted and let the adventures begin.
My new Muay Thai gym here in Boise
Much better than the one in Peru, although I’ll never forget all those rainy nights, training on wet mats from the leaks in the roof. Ahh how I miss Peru.
Shout-out goes to Walter, my Peruvian buddy who got me into Muay Thai. Hopefully his toe is better so from here on out, after I win, I won’t have to hear, “Well ya see my toe hurts, so I wasn’t at 100%”.