I've been in Vietnam for almost three months and tonight, just after midnight, I fly back to Iowa ( Read more... )

I think I finally figured out what really, really bugs me about my boss ( Read more... )

I had my students sign up for their final exam speeches. Available topics ( Read more... )

I gave my students a multiple choice pop quiz, and as a joke the last question was ( Read more... )

I’m starting to wonder if a lot of Chinese develop a situational unawareness to psychologically survive in these crowded cities. They have the same cut and bump methodology with push carts in supermarkets as they do on the road with their cars ( Read more... )

Wow, yesterday was the last day of classes. I won’t have to struggle through my sophomores classes for a whole month! No more of the class that leaves me wondering if I’m challenging them enough probably just wants to get back to studying for their more difficult classes (calculus, physics, and chemistry), no more of the other class that is ( Read more... )

We had a meeting this morning at work, which was a civilized airing out of some greviences. Some of the foreign teachers resent reporting to less experienced local teachers, and the goals of the program have only recently been spelled out to us. As the head of the program was talking with us, I’ve realized that she has to keep three people happy: ( Read more... )

I had a three hour shopping trip, which was mostly on the subway and walking, walking, walking. It really is that hard to find clothes my size in Chongqing, but along the way I bought my sister-in-law’s Christmas gift, which I might have to mail her depending on passport stuff, and some western groceries. Fortunately, the bad weather cut down on ( Read more... )

I was listening to my students’ debates, and one of the topics was if you controlled your body or if your body controlled you. Meanwhile, I had spent all yesterday constipated and all last night with diarrhea. I think I ate something that blocked me up until I lay down to sleep and relaxed. So I’m in class tired and wishing I was still at home ( Read more... )

Tuesday one of my students challenged me to Chinese chess and I thrashed him pretty soundly, so he told the Chinese history teacher (who is Chinese) and we played yesterday. He won a game that was tight until about midway, but he did say I was the best western player he’d ever met. I’ve often attributed it to Dad teaching me international chess at ( Read more... )