Category Archives: Things Other People Say

FAQ: Buying a House in China – Part 2

Posted on April 14, 2013 by

In case you missed it last week, I was finally able to share the news that my husband and I bought a house here in our city and was inspired to share a few pointers about buying a house in … Continue reading →

Posted in FAQ, Things Other People Do, Things Other People Say | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Back From Hiatus, and Don’t You People Know Who I AM?!

Posted on January 13, 2013 by

Oh, hi there!  Long time, no see. What’s that? You don’t remember me? No, no need to apologize.  I completely understand.  I mean, from your point of view, I pretty much dropped off the face of the internet (does the … Continue reading →

Posted in Things Other People Do, Things Other People Say, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 26 Comments

Killing Them With Kindness

Posted on September 23, 2012 by

I spend a lot of time on this blog talking about things I find strange about China, from my perspective as a person born and raised in Canada. But this week, I want you to put yourself in the place … Continue reading →

Posted in Things Other People Say | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Taxicab Confessions

Posted on June 17, 2012 by

My Chinese stinks. Yeah, that’s right – I know you’ve read about it before, and I’ve said every time that I should really stop making excuses and get off my butt and work harder at learning this language, but the … Continue reading →

Posted in Things I Do, Things Other People Say | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

Why Can’t We Be Friends?

Posted on March 11, 2012 by

I’ve written before about what it is like to be a foreigner here in small-town China.  It’s a weird cross between being completely anonymous (not many people can just saunter up to me, eavesdrop on my conversation, and then have … Continue reading →

Posted in Things Other People Say | Tagged , , | 61 Comments

Renewing My Passport or, When 差不多 Isn’t Good Enough

Posted on February 5, 2012 by

One of the things I dislike most in this world (and I don’t think I am alone) is dealing with the government.  For example, filing taxes was always like torture to me – every year I thought how much easier … Continue reading →

Posted in Things Other People Say | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

The English Judge

Posted on January 22, 2012 by

First off, I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year – today is the first day of the Year of the Dragon.  My husband and I are in his hometown, celebrating with his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, … Continue reading →

Posted in Things Other People Do, Things Other People Say | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments

The End is Near!

Posted on December 11, 2011 by

Before I get to the post this week, I do want to mention that I was interviewed by a blog about teaching English in small-town China.  Most of it discusses the practical aspects of looking for and finding a job … Continue reading →

Posted in Shameless Self-Promotion, Things My Husband Says, Things Other People Say | Tagged , , , , | 31 Comments

Why Didn’t I Think of That?!

Posted on December 4, 2011 by

“China has a very long history…” I know I’ve mentioned before that this is my least favourite thing to hear from my husband or anyone else here.  I do not dispute that China does have a long history and that … Continue reading →

Posted in Things My Husband Says, Things Other People Say | Tagged , , , , , | 39 Comments

A Tale of Two Fridges (and two mattresses), Part 2

Posted on September 18, 2011 by

Remember when I said the drama doesn’t end with the move?  For me, the drama had barely begun.  Last week, I told you all about the moving day itself.  Well… I received a call about a week later informing me … Continue reading →

Posted in Things Other People Do, Things Other People Say | Tagged , , | 16 Comments