Adventures in Asia

Over a year and a half ago, when I immigrated to the opposite side the planet to live and work in a new country, I really didn’t know much about my new home or what was socially acceptable. Which caused some mishaps and, ah, adventures – haha. Anyways, here are 8 things I wish I’d known before attempting to make Chinese friends (because 8 is lucky!). 1. They’re going to find it awkward to say “no” or to refuse you. This is sometimes called “being indirect,” or “saving face,” or whatever. The point is, Chinese people value your friendship and mutual good feelings above all else (as opposed to Americans who value an honest or direct answer). So be wary of a “maybe,” and sensitive to your friends’ discomfort – they might be trying to say “no.” 2. You don’t need to tell others your plans, and if you do, they might interpret your story as an invitation to join. When refusing an invitation, it’s okay to say, “I can’t, I have a thing” without explaining the thing. 3. You don’...

Keeping with my music kdrama theme, the next drama I watched was “Shut Up Flower Boy Band” (also translated “Shut Up and Let’s Go”)! Which I went into with really low expectations! I mean, flower boy is in the title… Which is a clear warning that this pretty boy, high school drama might be just as scarring as “Boys Over Flowers” or “ Flower Boy Ramen Shop .” However, I was caught off guard and quickly fell hard for this drama! My feels are still reeling. “Shut Up Flower Boy Band” (SUFBB) follows a gangle of guy friends in a band together, bad boys who regularly get in fights, book illegal gigs, and are constantly on the verge of getting suspended. Difficult families and financial situations make them fiercely loyal to one another. When their jank school closes down, they get transferred to the fancy, rich-kid school, where they don’t fit in and quickly make rivals. A sudden tragedy and then a chance to make it big set them on a new path to stardom, though fame and fortune migh...

Moving from Midwest America to Northern China, experiencing my first year out of college and teaching English as a foreign language, I’m learning a lot. Lately I’ve been thinking about how there are two sides to everything. I just finished my first semester of real teaching, and I quickly realized there are two sides to this job. One side is what happens in the classroom, the teaching part. Lessons, students, tests, games, classroom management. I came in somewhat prepared for that side. Then there’s the second side, outside of the classroom. Working relationships, politics, contracts, parents. The side I’m trying to navigate. There are two sides to everything. There are two sides to travelling/living abroad. There’s the side you post about online: the fun, the yummy, the glamorous, the lucky, the bragging-worthy. On the other side of being abroad are the difficulties: culture shock, confusion, getting lost, being taken advantage of, miscommun...