If my life were a movie, right now would be a great time for a montage. This would be the kind of montage (set to a Jay-Z song, naturally) that has cutaways of work days under fluorescent lights, Terminal two of Hongqiao airport,…
Shanghai's Two Seasons
I’m covered in red mosquito bites, which, much like Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte, are the first warning signs that it’s Fall. It’s taken me over a year, but I’m beginning to realize that Shanghai is far enough South to have only two seasons:…
The first signs of Autumn
I’ve been keeping a pot of soon-to-be apple cider company for the past two and a half hours. I’m trying to pretend that it’s fall in Shanghai, even though it’s already October and I wore a tank top outside today. So…
Some things I love about Europe
Desperados beer – beer (malt liquor) and tequila (-flavoured malt liquor) mixed together to birth the perfect 5.9% ABV beverage Subways with no turnstiles Cheese courses for dessert (as long as dessert is its own separate course) Bikers who aren’t out…
How to keep blogging while living in China
I’ve just been missing home a lot lately. I’ve been missing the vegan potlucks we used to have on Dwight street. I’ve been missing the red of the fall New England leafs. I’ve been missing biking up to Edwards St…
Sharing Secrets
I’m never really sure how much of my life should be appropriate to share on this blog. It’s been just over a year since I started writing on here, mainly on a whim. Well, I first started this in November of 2013, meaning to…
Giving Thanks
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…
"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…
Letting Go
My jade bracelet has shattered. It’s funny, the bracelet had been on my mind for weeks and I had just spent over a month trying (quite unsuccessfully) to get it back (back from where? well, that’s a more complicated story)….
Things I'm Not Used To
I’ve missed home so much this week. And since I’ve been at work for about 18 days in a row now, in lieu of posting today, I’m reprinting an entry I wrote for my old blog on 2010-14-12. A little…
China's biggest (in)conveniences.
I really need to stop feeling guilty about taking cabs. I realize I’m acting stupid, muttering curses under my breath in Russian as I climb up six flights of stairs through a darkened alleyway (complete with clap on! clap off! lights). Over the past…