Well, our friends have departed for Norway.  It was wonderful having them with us but (of course) very sad to see them go.  They hope to return to Xining in a year or so.  By then we’ll be back in the States for 9 months so we might not see them again for two years. …

You might remember that some of our friends here in Xining hosted a "murder mystery meal" about a year ago.  This last Friday we held our second annual (?) one with some of the same cast and a few new participants. It was a RIOT once again.  Lots of laughs and social commentary. This year’s…

Well, this summer has seemed a bit strange thus far.  For the last two weeks our Norwegian neighbors, the best friends we have made here in China, have been packing up their apartment.  They are moving back home for another year at least (they’ve already been gone a whole year already!) and it is not…

I haven’t had my camera on me lately which is unfortunate.  I’ve seen quite a few amusing signs lately. This banner was posted outside of a housing complex near us: Make the world learn about Qinghai, make Qinghai lean about the world.  Believe me, the world does NOT want Qinghai leaning on it. I’ve passed…

When you are Anna’s age, you lose your teeth and a fairy gives you money.  When you are my age you lose your fillings and give your precious coin to someone to put it back in for you.  Something is wrong with this picture. A few weeks ago I noticed an unpleasant sensation in my…

Well, I mentioned in my last post that we would probably have some NEWS to report soon.  With much thanks due to many of you who helped us with this decision, it seems like we have been given some CLEAR direction about what to do with our next year here in China (Qinghai). If things…

Last week, we attended a benefit show at the local coffee bar that we’ve been to a few times.  That last sentence requires a disclaimer.  It’s called a coffee bar, but they don’t actually serve coffee there.  It is slated as an "English corner" for people to practice their English with "foreigners" like me.  The…

You might be an expat living in Xining if…* You woke at 7 a.m. on a Saturday to the sounds of loud firecrackers outside your window. The local Coffee Bar you visited recently doesn’t actually serve any coffee. At least half your small talk is focused around what type of visa you (or your friends)…

I am not one to complain. OK, I am not one to complain without masking my grievances in cleverly-disguised, very witty anecdotes and Seinfield-reminiscent sarcasm.  As a foreigner here, it seems the only polite way to behave.  But I ran across this article this week and discovered that I’m not the only one who thinks…

An ex-pat friend recently asked me if I would do him a favor.  Red flag number 1.  He said that he needed an English-speaker to help with a certain language-related task at the minorities college I attend here in Xining.  Red flag number 2.  Don’t ask my how I get involved in these types of…