Even though my main focus is China, I’m also very interested in what is going on in North Korea. I know that for most Americans, North Korea isn’t really on their radar, but here in China, the “hermit kingdom” can’t be ignored. Even though I mostly review books on this site that specifically deal with Read More
Blog
There and Back Again – Going Full Circle
I mentioned in a previous post that big changes were coming (as if bringing our daughter home only six months ago wasn’t a big enough change!). So today I can finally announce that… We are moving to Yangshuo! Our China journey began nearly seven years ago in Yangshuo in Guangxi province. We came to China Read More
A Chat with Cherith Vaughan, Cover Designer for Murder in the Forbidden City
Today I am so excited to share the cover for my new novel Murder in the Forbidden City! Aren’t they just gorgeous! I am so excited for this novel. Check out the blurb: Peking, 1867 When one of the Empress’s ladies-in-waiting is killed in the Forbidden City, she orders Inspector Gong to find the killer. Read More
Home Six Months!
It’s hard to believe that six months ago, we were still just a couple. But Monday will be the sixth month anniversary of bringing our kiddo home! This is typically a time when parents post before and after photos of their kids to show how much children can improve in such a short period of Read More
Hiring a Housekeeper in China
Long time readers of this blog might remember one of my more popular posts from a couple of years ago about my Housekeeper from Hell, Annie. Long story short, Annie came across some very personal photos of mine while cleaning and shared them on WeChat, China’s most popular social network, and called me a prostitute. Read More
Happy Mother's Day!
Today I get to celebrate my first official Mother’s Day! Even though my sweet Zoe always wishes me a Happy Mother’s Day, it certainly has more meaning this year. I’m celebrating by spending the afternoon away from the baby hahaha! Zoe is taking me to fancy high tea and then to get a massage while Read More
Guest Post – Beijing with the Family by Melissa Addey
Today’s guest post is by Author Melissa Addey! She recently came to China on a research trip for her next novel, and she was gracious enough to share some highlights from her trip and some tips for your own trip to Beijing! I recently made a long-awaited and eagerly anticipated research trip to Beijing. It Read More
A Weekend in Yangshuo!
This last weekend we went to Yangshuo in Guangxi Province. For longtime readers of this blog, you might recall that we began our China journey in Yangshuo almost seven years ago. Yangshuo was where we went for our TESOL training before we were sent to Lixian for our first teaching assignment. We have been in Read More
Two Americans in China And Growing!
We finally have our little girl home! She came home a week before Christmas, so we did the obligatory Christmas pictures. People keep asking me how I feel, if I feel different somehow. Other than having issues balancing taking care of a kid and working from home, Seth and I don’t really feel different. I Read More
Two Americans in China in Japan – Foodie Fun!
As our last hurrah before the baby comes, we went to Japan for the National Day holiday. We went to the Kansai area – Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe. It was amazing. I’m going to have to break up the trip report into different posts because there is just so much to talk about. The first thing Read More