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.
Sichuan Food
This is a Sichuan ‘dry’ type of hot pot called "Malaxiangguo" where all the ingredients are cooked together and served in a big bowl.
May Fourth Square - Qingdao, China
May Fourth Square is a large public square in Qingdao’s central business district. Named after the nationwide protest May Fourth Movement that started in Qingdao, the square is best recognized by the large "May Wind" sculpture near the seaside.
The May Fourth Movement was an anti-imperialist, cultural, and political movement which grew out of student participants in Beijing on May 4, 1919. They protested against the Chinese government's weak responses to the stipulations of the Treaty of Versailles, especially it allowing Japan to receive territories in Shandong, which had been surrendered by Germany after the Siege of Tsingtao in 1914. The May 4th Movement influenced the Chinese delegation not to sign the Treaty of Versailles.
Tsingtao Beer Museum - Qingdao, China
Qingdao is a major city in the east of Shandong Province on China's Yellow Sea coast. As of 2014, Qingdao had a population of 9,046,200.
Tsingtao Beer was introduced to the United States in 1972, and soon became the top-selling Chinese beer in the U.S. market. It was founded in 1903 by German settlers in Qingdao. Its logo displays an image of Zhan Qiao, a pier on Qingdao's southern shore. Tsingtao Brewery is the second largest brewery in China.
Jin Ding Xuan - Restaurant in Beijing, China
This is one of my favorite dim sum places in Beijing
Here Then Gone - a short story
Just finished my first short story, “Here Then Gone”, about a microchip in the future that automatically ends a person’s life when they turn 75 years old. You can download it for free here
