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.
Wednesday Write-Up
I just finished writing a 93,000 word book and it was a roller coaster of a project. However, it is far from being done. I still need to write a query letter, a synopsis, find an editor, send it out to agents & publishers; a long way to go. However, the process of writing a novel got me thinking that I should write more on this blog. This is an outlet for me to write whatever I want on whatever topic I so choose. With that being said, I have decided that every Wednesday, I will post a piece of writing. There won't be a specific topic, but I think it's important that I continue to work on my writing and perhaps give a better insight into China or my life that may not be conveyed through just pictures.
For anyone who might read this blog, I'm open to any suggestions about topics or things that you would be interested in reading. I know my audience is small, but I'm always open to feed-back as this site is meant not only for me, but also for those who engage with it. So please, leave a comment on this post or under the Contact page, you can send me a direct message.
Side note - I'll be in Japan from December 23rd - January 2nd. The smog and monotony of spending the past two Christmases in Beijing was the primary factor in deciding to spend Christmas 2017 in Tokyo.
Blog Update
So I spent the good part of 6 hours yesterday tinkering with my site, trying to 'update' it and just make it, essentially, look better. I've changed the map colors, added a home page, and a resume page. With my student visa expiring in July, I need all the help I can get trying to find a job. So please, share your insights, comments, or suggestions for the site and I'll continually work to improve it. If there's anything you'd like to see added, removed, or find an issue with usability, please let me know! Thanks to everyone who reads this and shares in my adventures here in Beijing.