Thailand is popular for several things: milk tea, pad Thai noodles, mango sticky rice, longtail boats and beaches. We were crossing things off our Thai to-do list and knew we wanted to see a fancy show that might include some lady boys. So far, our experiences had mostly been amazing. While in Phuket we heard Read More
Author: Jamie Reddinger
We’re burning money today
It’s a hazy Friday and Kim and I have the day off from school. Today starts Qingming Festival, where Chinese families celebrate and honor loved ones who have died. Family is very important here year-round and this festival gives everyone a chance to physically honor the dead through a few rituals: families sweep tombs and Read More
Managing the bucket list
We just enjoyed Chinese New Year, a glorious month off of school where we could travel, lounge and enjoy a much quieter Shenzhen. That month off is an oasis in the desert of teaching English. The Chinese people traditionally return to their hometowns during this holiday. We could tell that many of our city neighbors Read More
I’ll Mofork my money right over for those shoes
When I see them, I will know. I’ve needed new shoes for a couple months now and have been half-heartedly looking. There’s a Li-Ning store near our Walmart and I’ve waltzed through, waiting for a pair of shoes to catch my eye. I knew I wanted a domestic brand, not something popular in the States Read More
Tango with mango sticky rice
It’s no secret I have a sweet tooth. If I have just eaten lunch or dinner, I probably want dessert. If I have just eaten dessert, I may want additional dessert. I can’t hide my love for chocolate, fruit and froyo so I’ve decided to embrace it. I also welcome any chance to try new Read More
Pepper Lunch: Sizzle-It-Yourself!
Only the Walters Gang would leave the United States to move to China, vacation in Thailand and while there find a great Japanese restaurant, Pepper Lunch. While staying in the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok we found a mall bursting with activity and places to eat. This mall offered food from around the world, it seemed. Read More
We’ve gone dental in China!
Part of the attraction of coming to China – or leaving the US, depending on how you look at it – is more affordable health care. With the unknown costs of health insurance premiums, copays and prescriptions that change often, it’s nice to be someplace with more standardized pricing. You can learn the cost of Read More
What size are these pants?
I’m not sure. Let me look at the “but chart.” I know it’s the wrong type of but BUT it’s still funny. You could also read the tag as “butch art,” a booth I checked out once at a gay pride event. These pants are on sale at the Walmart down the street from us. Read More
Halftime entertainment
I like to provide entertainment for people. Making people laugh is my absolute favorite thing to do. I also like to smacktalk. I have no filter normally and when it comes to trash talking, my mouth just has a mind of its own. There’s an English teacher here, Annie, who mentioned something about a race. Read More
We’re having a sports meeting!
When I’m in the classroom, trying to command the attention of fifty second or third graders, I often wish I had more space. It’s hard to keep them in their chairs and sometimes I just want to open the doors and let them run a little of their energy off. I want to set them Read More