This is a time of tumultuous change. My apartment, the nature of my work, my ‘purpose’ for being in Shanghai are all rapidly changing and evolving. At long last,I feel like I am finally in control of my expat experience (the…
What it's like to live in Russia
I’ve written about What it’s like to live in China. I’ve also written about The overwhelming devastation of getting Russia. Now, it’s my turn to (try to) figure out what life is like in Russia. —————————————————- The Moscow I remember…
The charm of Moscow in November
Uncoordinated. That’s the only way to describe my 10-hour flight from Shanghai to Moscow. Over the course of ten hours, I spilled water on myself (twice). Most of my (gluten-free) biscuit ended up on my blanket. My slippers (which Aeroflot gives…
"Why does this soymilk taste so chalky?" and other subtle differences
The sky has turned grey. The air has turned sour. Earlier this week I got a (not-so pleasant surprise) during my morning routine, as I groggily checked the day’s weather on my iPad. I opened up SkyMotion and did a double…
Thoughts from Tea Bottle Caps
In lieu of posting today, I’m reprinting an entry I wrote for my old (now long-gone) blog on 10-21-2010. A little glimpse at my life as a 19-year-old in New England Two nights ago, at Blue State Coffee on York, as…
What it's like to live in China.
Life in Shanghai is of the kind that’s perfect for Instagram. Between the late-night bars of Yongkang, the dazzling views of Pudong and the Oriental Pearl Tower, and the four-story elevated highways that sweep through the center of the city,…