Changsha’s government is hoping to see Changsha as an international vacation destination by 2020. The local officials here feel this lofty goal is reasonable after it hit 1,000,000 tourists in 2013 (whether that is so far or a projection for the year is unclear). Mao Zedong’s childhood home I live here. I love living here. Read More
Category: blog post
In Honor of Mother's Day – How I Learned to Love My Daughter's Mother
I did something different with my book review this week. I decided to write about Xinran’s Message from an Unknown Chinese Mother: Stories of Loss and Love, but instead of a typical review, I talked about how this book touched me personally. You can read my article “How I Learned to Love My Daughter’s Mother” Read More
Ugly Foreigners Hits Home: The Changsha Griefer
I actually first heard about this guy a few months ago, but it came across as an isolated incident and everyone seemed to think he would just move on so I pretty much ignored it. What happened was a tall, blond Westerner was caught asking people for money. He even had the gall to ask Read More
Book Review: Healing, Romance, and Revolution: Letters from an American Nurse in 1926 China by Dennis and Carolyn Buckmaster
I don’t use Twitter very much, but when I do I am sure to look for any posts related to “Changsha.” That is how I found the book Healing, Romance, and Revolution: Letters from an American Nurse in 1926 China. Harriet Smith was a nurse in Changsha, Hunan, China for several years. This book only Read More
Update on Tang Hui: Down, But Not Out
Last week Tang Hui finally had her day in court in her lawsuit against government officials who imprisoned her and sent her to a labor camp without trial. The court, unsurprisingly, did not find in her favor. On Tuesday, Tang filed an appeal. Hopefully, the more she appeals and the higher up the court system Read More
Book Review: Pearl of China by Anchee Min
Min is an excellent writer and always chooses interesting subjects. Pearl of China is no different. Pearl of China is a tricky novel. Min set out to tell the story of Pearl S. Buck, perhaps the most famous and influential writer on China in the 20th century. But Min wanted to tell the story from a Chinese Read More
How to Help Those in Need in China
I was raised doing charity work. From bible ministry, to reading to the blind, collecting toys for tots, doing walks for lupus and MS, charity has always been an important part of my life. Doing charity work is something I really miss doing living in China. While there are some volunteer organizations in China, there Read More
Book Review: The Good Women of China by Xinran
For nearly 8 years in the late 80s and early 90s, Xinran hosted a radio program in China called Words on the Night Breeze where she invited women to call in and share their stories. Unfortunately, because of strong government censorship, many of the calls could not be shared or the experiences talked about in Read More
Stay Healthy in the Face of Avian Flu
While there is no reason to panic (yet), it is important to at least be aware that there is a new strain of bird flu spreading through the country. While it’s not exactly time to lock ourselves in our apartments and break out the face masks, there are practical steps you can take to protect Read More
Tang Hui's Day in Court Nears
I’m posting this update because I love giving Tang Hui all the press I can. Back in January, Tang filed a petition against officials in Yangzhuo, Hunan for abuses she suffered at their hands when she protested for justice for her under-aged daughter. Next Friday, Tang will get her day in court. Here’s hoping that Tang gets Read More