Monday, November 29, 2004 11:10 PM

Lizard on the Kitchen Floor

Animals in the house.

Tuesday, November 30, 2004-2:19 PM

Dog Meat

Question from a student about dog meat.

Tuesday, November 30, 2004-10:46 PM

Short Hair

Trouble communicating with hairdresser.

Wednesday, December 1, 2004-11:58 PM

Flip-Flop, You Don't Stop

Flip-flop related injury.

Thursday, December 2, 2004-10:41 PM

Tom Brokaw Signs Off

Tom Brokaw ends his tenure as Nightly News anchorman.

Friday, December 3, 2004-5:33 PM

Finding the Post Office

Couldn't find the post office.

Saturday, December 4, 2004-7:11 PM

Priceless Rice Cooker

The rice cooker is a big help in the kitchen.

Sunday, December 5, 2004-6:22 PM

Finding Sichuan

Finally found a sichuan restaurant.

Monday, December 6, 2004-2:10 PM

Kung Fu Hair Pulling

Chinese men don't find like I thought they would.

Tuesday, December 7, 2004-10:20 PM

Hong Kong Immigration

Traveling between mainland China and Hong Kong.

Monday, December 13, 2004-4:45 PM

Post Office Problems II

More problems getting my mail.

Tuesday, December 14, 2004-12:18 PM

Mu Qing Lei's Email

A letter from a former student.

Wednesday, December 15, 2004-1:42 PM

Doing Laundry

Valuable laundry lesson.

Sunday, December 19, 2004-4:21 PM

A Little Bit of Macgyver

Dental floss and a wristwatch.

Friday, December 24, 2004-11:53 PM

No Snow On Beijing Road

Quest for artificial snow.

Sunday, December 26, 2004-8:09 PM

Socks in the Microwave

Small mistake.

Monday, December 27, 2004-8:09 AM

Taxi Chinese Tutor

Another way to practice Chinese.

Monday, December 27, 2004-1:35 AM

No Water

Inconveniences of living in China.

Monday, December 27, 2004-5:49 PM

Cold in Guangzhou

Guangzhou isn't always warm.

Thursday, December 30, 2004-6:31 PM

Electric Heater

It's finally warm again.

Tuesday, January 4, 2005-7:12 PM

Weekend Trip to Xiamen

Natasha, Wan Wan, and I visit Xiamen in Fujian.

Tuesday, January 4, 2005-8:56 PM

Food Poisoning

Suffering from a suspected case of food poisoning.

Monday, January 10, 2005-9:33 PM

Chinese Toilet Plunger

Confusion over how to fix the toilet.

Friday, January 14, 2005-3:16 PM

Pirated DVDs

Strange DVD box.

Saturday, January 15, 2005-10:46 AM

Human Rights Report

Censorship in Guangzhou, China.

Thursday, January 20, 2005-6:00 PM

Fishing for Crabs

A little confusion about the word crab.

Monday, January 24, 2005-9:52 PM

Hong Kong and Guangzhou

Comparison of Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

Thursday, January 27, 2005-12:26 AM

Teaching Little Kids

Teaching little kids can be a pain.

Monday, January 31, 2005-1:25 PM

Direct Flights From China to Taiwan

The first direct flights from China to Taiwan in 50 years.

Monday, January 31, 2005-7:05 PM

Jobs For Foreigners in China

Trouble finding a job in China.

Wednesday, February 2, 2005-3:23 PM

Salary Cut

School recovers lost revenues by paying teachers less.

Saturday, February 5, 2005-2:28 PM

Majority Rules

Democratic reform in primary schools.

Saturday, February 5, 2005-11:04 PM

Advice From National Geographic

Bears and walruses and documentarians don't mix.

Sunday, February 6, 2005-11:09 PM

Computer Problems

The computer I have barely works.

Monday, February 7, 2005-10:07 AM

Sichuan Hot Pot

Spicy Sichuan food.

Wednesday, February 9, 2005-8:31 PM

Chinese New Year's Day

Celebrating Chinese New Year's in Jiangxi.

Thursday, February 10, 2005-3:43 PM

Jiangxi Villa

Living large in Jiangxi Province.

Saturday, February 12, 2005-8:46 PM

Cold Weather in Jiangxi

Water problems in Jiangxi.

Monday, February 14, 2005-9:24 AM

Under the Weather

Not feeling well.

Tuesday, February 15, 2005-5:11 AM

Scalp Massage

Shave, haircut, and soothing scalp massage.

Wednesday, February 16, 2005-6:17 AM

CCTV

Too much Chinese TV.

Saturday, February 26, 2005-10:03 PM

Waiting for the MONSOON

Hopefully the monsoons will bring better weather.

Monday, February 28, 2005-12:43 PM

No Shoes, No Service

It's difficult to enter the footwear industry.

Thursday, March 3, 2005-8:57 PM

Back to School

Natasha's brother goes back to school.

Sunday, March 6, 2005-2:29 PM

Lhasa and Anxiety

The only thing I'm sure about is I wanna go to Tibet.

Monday, March 7, 2005-9:09 PM

Macau, City of God or Shithole

Different perspective of Macau.

Tuesday, March 8, 2005-4:08 PM

Taiwan Anti-sessesion Law

China considers legislation to authorize military response to any move by Taiwan towards independence.

Wednesday, March 9, 2005-7:36 PM

Millionaires or Morons

Young couple's plans to save a bundle.

Thursday, March 10, 2005-4:00 PM

Five Week Rule

Students nearly get a chance to enforce the "five week rule". No teacher after five weeks, no class.

Friday, March 11, 2005-11:13 AM

Conserving Electricity

China plans to manage electricity.

Friday, March 11, 2005-1:13 PM

Two Ends of China, Tibet and Macau

Macau and Tibet are both in China, but that's probably about all they have in common.

Sunday, March 13, 2005-8:54 PM

How to Spend One Day in Macau

Natasha and I spend one day in the former Portuguese colony of Macau.

Monday, March 14, 2005-6:14 PM

Wen Jia Bao, You Animal!

Wen Jia Bao scores for the PRC.

Wednesday, March 16, 2005-11:28 AM

Bitten by the Bungee Bug

Just heard there's a place to go bungee jumping.

Thursday, March 17, 2005-12:34 PM

Getting Ready to Bungee Jump

How to prepare yourself for bungee jumping.

Saturday, March 19, 2005-12:34 PM

Bungee Anxiety

Anxiety over plans to go bungee jumping.

Sunday, March 20, 2005-10:31 PM

Bungee Jumping in China

Bungee jumping at White Cloud Mountain in Guangzhou.

Tuesday, March 22, 2005-5:21 PM

Cottage Cheese

Mini Ukranian-American Summit in Guangzhou.

Wednesday, March 23, 2005-11:34 AM

Running and Meditating

Meditating on future plans in the evening rain.

Friday, March 25, 2005-10:33 AM

Kekexili Review

Review of Kekexili.

Sunday, March 27, 2005-12:48 AM

Guangzhou Zoological Garden

Natasha's first visit to the zoo.

Tuesday, March 29, 2005

The Beauty Remains Review

Review of the movie The Beauty Remains.

Wednesday, March 30, 2005-10:45 PM

How Mount Everest Was Made

TIBETAN PRIMER: Practical information for first-time visitors to the Himalayan Kingdom.

Thursday, March 31, 2005-10:45 PM

Bargaining in China

What not to do when shopping in China.

Sunday, April 3, 2005-8:54 AM

Altitude Sickness

Mitigating the effects of altitude sickness.

Sunday, April 3, 2005-3:16 PM

The Day the Pontiff Died

News reached China that the Pope died.

Tuesday, April 5, 2005-12:26 PM

Tibetan History

2000 years of history, 350 words.

Wednesday, April 6, 2005-10:59 AM

Foreigners who want to study Chinese

Advice for foreigners studying Chinese.

Friday, April 8, 2005-11:05 PM

Tibetan Top Ten

Top ten thing's to do in Tibet's capital Lhasa.

Sunday, April 10, 2004-3:49 PM

Anti-Japanese Demonstration in Guangzhou

Around 3,000 Chinese protesters called for a boycott of Japanese goods in a protest at near the Japanese consulate in Guangzhou.

Monday, April 11, 2004-7:38 PM

Dry Vegetable from Ningxia

Three people from Ningxia Autonmous Region selling "dry vegetable" in Yuexiu district.

Tuesday, April 12, 2005-6:06 PM

Christianity in China

China's two Catholic Churches.

Thursday, April 14, 2005-9:48 PM

HSK Exam

Basic information about the HSK exam.

Friday, April 15, 2005-9:58 PM

Tours to Tibet

Chinese regulations regarding travel to Tibet can be confusing.

Saturday, April 16, 2005-11:06 AM

Enter the Yak

Three basic food groups of Tibet: yak milk, yak meat, and tsampa.

Monday, April 18, 2005-9:53 AM

The 36th Chamber of the HSK Exam

Motivation for the HSK exam from a Shaw Brothers movie.

Tuesday, April 19, 2005-2:01 PM

Extra Teaching at the College of Water Resources

To pay for my trip to Tibet, I'm teaching a few extra hours a week.

Thursday, April 21, 2005-10:41 AM

Lord Oh Lord

Tensions rise when money becomes scarce.

Thursday, April 21, 2005-8:45 PM

Do the Chinese REALLY hate the Japanese?

What happens when people disagree about stuff that's important.

Sunday, April 24, 2005-6:15 PM

The Qingyuan Trilogy-Part 1

Beijing and waterfalls with no water.

Sunday, April 24, 2005-12:08 AM

Sloppy Censorship in the PRC

Censors react to pictures, not words.

Monday, April 25, 2005-10:06 PM

The Qingyuan Trilogy-Part 2

How I almost spoiled everyone's day.

Thursday, April 28, 2005-8:45 PM

The Qingyuan Trilogy-Part 3

A cautionary tale of skiing on grass.

Friday, April 29, 2005-11:09 AM

Tibetan Buddism

TIBETAN PRIMER: Practical information for first-time visitors to the Himalayan Kingdom.

Saturday, April 30, 2005-11:22 PM

Emtpy Classroom

Not one student shows up for class.

Sunday, May 1, 2005-12:45 PM

Thieves and Swindlers

Be careful with your valuables if you visit Guangzhou.

Sunday, May 1, 2005-10:37 PM

Flying to Chengdu

Natasha takes her first flight on a Boeing 777.

Monday, May 2, 2005-8:23 PM

Altitude Sickness

Natasha and I both have mild symptoms of altitude sickness after arriving in Tibet.

Tuesday, May 3, 2005-9:00 PM

Sky Pearls and the Yang Ba Jing Springs

Visiting Tibet's natural springs and shopping for Tibetan souvenirs.

Thursday, May 5, 2005-9:50 PM

The Jokhang Temple and Potala Palace

Our tour group fills our itinerary with too many things.

Friday, May 6, 2005-9:03 PM

Bus Ride to the Restricted Area and Yak Hair

One of the most arduous travel journeys of my life.

Sunday, May 15, 2005-12:45 PM

HSK Exam Torture

Taking an exam gives me a new appreciation of being a student.

Thursday, May 19, 2005-12:50 AM

CCTV English Speaking Contest

Students compete in a contest to determine whose English is the best.

Sunday, May 22, 2005-11:26 AM

Revenge of the Sith

Natasha and I see the final Star Wars movie in a movie theatre.

Thursday, May 26, 2005-10:11 PM

Soccer, Not So Boring After All

The European Finals soccer match between Milan and Liverpool changes the way I look at soccer.

Monday, May 30, 2005-11:42 AM

Crossroads

Without a solid plan for next year, I want to take a little time and explore China's western reaches.

Tuesday, June 6, 2005-8:18 PM

The Fork or the Chopstick

What's better, the fork or the chopstick?

Sunday, June 12, 2005-11:00 AM

Dragon Boat Festival

On the fifth day of the fifth month, Chinese celebrate Dragon Boat Festival.

Tuesday, June 14, 2005-1:10 PM

Springtime in a Boring Town

"The Blue Kite" director's comeback effort manages only to test the patience of its audience.

Thursday, June 16, 2005-10:58 AM

Apartment Hunting in Guangzhou

There are lots of vacant apartments in Guangzhou. Just not a lot with clean kitchens.

Saturday, June 18, 2005-9:06 PM

The Modern Backpacker Travel Checklist

Highly evolved and flexible guidelines to creating a comprehensive checklist of things to bring when traveling.

Monday, June 20, 2005-10:32 AM

No Lights in the Apartment

Cell phones serves as miniature flashlights when the power goes out.

Tuesday, June 21, 2005-9:52 PM

Postmen in the Mountains

"That Mountain, That Man, That Dog" is the first Chinese movie in a long time I enjoyed.

Friday, June 24, 2005-1:25 AM

Natural Born Negotiators

Americans bargain with the ego. Chinese bargain with the id.

Tuesday, June 28, 2005-2:25 PM

Chinese Visas

Without a plan B, I'll be stuck in Inner Mongolia without a valid visa.

Thursday, June 30, 2005-5:39 PM

The Visa Run

Visa limitations might force me to make several visa runs during my summer trip so I can stay in China legally.

Saturday, July 2, 2005-11:45 AM

The Moses Plan

A tactic used by the prophet Moses to cross the Red Sea might solve my problems, too.

Saturday, July 2, 2005-9:43 PM

Eating Japanese Food

The most anxiety provoking places might just be a Japanese restaurant with dinner conversation in Chinese.

Sunday, July 3, 2005-1:00 PM

White Carrots and Half Boobs

Sometimes a language barrier interferes with conversation between Natasha and I.

Sunday, July 3, 2005-8:54 PM

Renting an Apartment in China

Natasha finally moved in to a beautiful apartment in Tianhe Qu.

Wednesday, July 6, 2005-11:50 AM

Human Moving Van

Four hours of walking to move all of my stuff to Natasha's apartment before I start traveling

Thursday, July 7, 2005-1:16 AM

Meet the Wu's Part Two

The first time I met Natasha's parents, it was in Nanfeng. This time it's in Guangzhou.

Thursday, July 7, 2005-9:01 PM

Lunch With Natasha's Parents

Dinner with Natasha's parents but no Natasha.

Thursday, July 7, 2005-10:00 PM

Ting Bu Dong

Dinner conversation is very difficult to understand when everyone's speaking dialect.

Saturday, July 9, 2005-4:15 PM

Bowling Ball Head

I thought a long time before having my head shaved.

Saturday, July 9, 2005-9:53 PM

Fried Green Amphibians

It didn't take long for Natasha's parent to find frogs for sale in Guangzhou.

Monday, July 11, 2005-8:46 PM

Welcome to Changsha

I touch someone's snake on my first day in Changsham Hunan.

Tuesday, July 12, 2005-9:19 PM

In Mao's Hometown

Mao grew up in Shaoshan in Hunan Province.

Friday, July 15, 2005-10:00 PM

From Changsha to Wudang Mountain

The most difficult journey I've made in China to date.

Saturday, July 16, 2005-10:00 PM

Friends In High Places

Peter, a garbage truck driver, and Batumenke.

Sunday, July 17, 2005-10:57 PM

Three Buses and a Motorcycle

Two people try to rip me off on my way from Wudangshan to Zhengzhou.

Tuesday, July 19, 2005-8:21 PM

The Shaolin Temple

High school sports in China are a lot different than in the States.

Wednesday, July 20, 2005-10:00 PM

To Bu Or Not To Bu

Without a seat on the train to Hohhot I decide whether or not to upgrade.

Saturday, July 23, 2005-10:00 PM

Elton John on the Grasslands

As I listen to "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" I question the authenticity of the Mongolian performances.

Sunday, July 24, 2005-11:25 AM

Grasslands Guilt Trip

The tour group manipulates me into taking an expensive horseback ride through the grasslands.

Monday, July 25, 2005-9:36 PM

Guangzhou Bound

The second half of the first leg of my trip will be faster than the first half.

Friday, July 29, 2005-9:07 AM

Hangzhou Evacuation

The looming expiration date of my Chinese visa forces me to leave Hangzhou.

Friday, July 29, 2005-10:01 AM

Losing Weight In China

No junk food, no fast food, no planes, no taxis.

Tuesday, August 2, 2005-5:58 PM

One Night in the Chungking Mansions

My first stay at the Chungking Mansions in Hong Kong fails to impress.

Wednesday, August 3, 2005-5:41 PM

China's Northwest and the Silk Road

The final region of China I have to step foot in is sparsely populated and far away.

Tuesday, August 9, 2005-5:44 PM

A Train to Kaili

The train ride to Guizhou is cold and frightening.

Wednesday, August 10, 2005-5:00 PM

Shangri-Lang De

The Miao village Lang De impresses me so much I consider staying an extra day.

Friday, August 12, 2005-7:11 AM

A Miao Family and a Heaven-Sent Tour Guide

I stay with a family of four in Lang De.

Sunday, August 14, 2005-10:25 PM

Another Train Ride

I'm seeing most of China through train windows.

Monday, August 15, 2005-7:27 PM

From Xining to the Kumbum Lamasery

Xining in Qinghai province would've been much more fun if the weather was a little sunnier.

Tuesday, August 16, 2005-6:58 PM

Where's a Tibetan Buddhist Monk When You Need One?

Two Tibetan Buddhist monks keep me company while kill time waiting for the train.

Wednesday, August 17, 2005-12:47 PM

Aliens' Travel Permit

In order to travel to Dunhuang from Golmud I need to get an Aliens' Travel Permit.

Thursday, August 18, 2005-11:18 PM

On the Silk Road (and not alone)

Dunhuang is crowded with foreigners who might be more like me than I'd like to think.

Friday, August 19, 2005-2:56 PM

The Mogao Grottoes

At one time there were around 1000 grottoes decorated with Buddhist art carved into the cliffsides near Dunhuang.

Friday, August 19, 2005-11:56 PM

Hamburgers, Coffee, and Geopolitics

At Shirley's cafe a diverse group of Americans discuss travel plans and foreign policy.

Sunday, August 21, 2005-12:45 PM

The Unprepared Traveler

Some travelers but themselves in difficult situations because they don't think things through.

Monday, August 22, 2005-10:00 PM

Central Asia, Here I Am

Kashgar Uighur culture make it hard to remember I'm still in China.

Tuesday, August 23, 2005-3:53 PM

Uighur Town

With more money, time, and someone to travel with Kashgar would be more fun.

Tuesday, August 23, 2005-10:00 PM

Trading On the Silk Road

I purchase two camel hair Afghanistani rugs in Kashgar.

Saturday, August 27, 2005-1:22 PM

Long and Bumpy Bus Ride From Kashgar

Avoid the bus when traveling from Kashgar in Western China.

Saturday, August 27, 2005-9:50 PM

Diminishing Returns

The draw of America is outweighed the draw of China.

Sunday, August 28, 2005-3:25 PM

Shave Your Head and Hit the Road

This might be my last gasp of fresh air, completely free and unattached.

Monday, August 29, 2005-10:53 PM

Strangers In the Night

In the early morning I quiety leave Xinjiang.

Tuesday, August 30, 2005-1:21 PM

Updating a Travel Blog From the Road

I test the limits of what is possible with modern consumer technology.

Wednesday, August 31, 2005-7:22 PM

Run To the Border

The day my visa expires I cross the border into Hong Kong.

Thursday, September 1, 2005-6:31 PM

Internet Bars In China Improving

Internet bars in China are improving, but perhaps at a cost.

by guest blogger Mike Shearing

Mike Shearing On Being Tall In China

Guest blogger Mike Shearing writes about being 5 foot 11 inches in China.

Sunday, September 4, 2005-11:38 PM

Top Ten Things I'll Miss About China

Some things in China I'll have to leave behind.

Friday, September 9, 2005-9:52 PM

Fake USB Drives

Counterfeit products are everywhere in China.

Sunday, September 11, 2005-8:23 PM

Flaming Noodles

I set my instant noodles on fire.

Monday, September 19, 2005-5:00 PM

I'd Like To Make a Toast...

After two years in China I'm still not a cultured guest at Chinese dinners.

Monday, September 26, 2005-1:17 PM

Online Guide To Circumventing Censors Censored

Reporters Without Borders website not accessible from Internet bar in China.

Tuesday, September 27, 2005-7:42 PM

The Undisputed Burning Monkey Puzzle Lab Champion of Guangzhou

Natasha reigns as video game champion.

Thursday, September 29, 2005-9:50 AM

Leaving on a Boeing 757-200 Jet Plane

My last full day in China.

Saturday, October 1, 2005-2:26 AM (Beijing time)

Back in U.S. ...Back in the U.S. ...Back in the U.S.A.

My first day back in the States.