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.
Happy Belated 4th of July
Pictures of white suit (and girl in wedding dress) are from a photoshoot I did with a friend who needed “model” pictures for his new company. More to come. Hopefully this will be my last 4th of July in a communist country.
Thanksgiving
It’s weird not being back in America for Thanksgiving. In Beijing, I know the holiday is approaching, and I know I’ll do something that involves turkey, but I think the biggest difference is the lack of atmosphere. Not a lot of people are talking about it beforehand, there aren’t any window decorations or annoying advertisements talking about “Thanksgiving specials!” I also don’t have an oven in my apartment, so cooking my own Thanksgiving dinner was out of the question. Ended up going out with a friend to a nice Mexican restaurant who did their spin on the classic turkey meal.
520 Holiday
In Chinese, "I love you" is translated as "Wo Ai Ni" which sounds similar to the numbers 520, translated as "Wu Er Ling". So, today, 5/20, is international love day, at least here in China.
Qing Ming Festival
Social media has been filled with Chinese girls taking pictures of themselves with flowers, so I thought I'd give it a shot as well. Happy Tomb Sweeping Festival from Beijing! These were taken at the Olympic Forest Park
Spring Festival
As Chinese New Year comes to a close, I wish everyone a happy year of the Monkey!
Christmas 3
"My girlfriend doesn't let me go out often, but when I do, I'm a god damn loose cannon" as my buddy unnecessarily stated. At one point I remember seeing him on stage, turning around and then loudly asking "Where did he get a tambourine?!" The live band was great and nice to see a bunch of Westerners out and about for Christmas in China.
Christmas 2
Had a quick poker game after dinner, raising the blinds every 15 minutes, which in hindsight did speed the game up but wasn't the bet way to play
