I just wanted to share my story in case (like I was) there is another female expat out there looking for information on the experience of having an abortion in China. I was frantically searching the web for information on this when I found out I was pregnant here and found next to nothing, so maybe my story can help someone or put another worried expat at ease.
I found out I was pregnant while on May Day vacation …
Our first few months in China were spent battling culture shock as I slogged through a haze of expat parties, dinners, and setting up house. I'll admit that I also competed with other wives in the endless search for the best deals on knockoff purses, tailored coats, and elaborate antique furniture. When I'd filled my closet and my house with pointless trinkets, I came to my senses and looked for something real to be …
Richard Brubaker recently wrote a poignant piece at All Roads Lead to China called "When the Ambulance Doesn't Come", in which he talks about the recent heart-breaking story of a 3-year-old British boy in Shanghai who died from injuries sustained when a partition at a restaurant fell on him.
Though the mother and restaurant owner rushed the boy to the nearest hospital, they were told by a security guard that t…
In response to "What tips and tricks have you learned that have made it easier to live in China?" recently asked on Quora, long-time China expat and Beijing resident Kaiser Kuo dished out some fantastic advice -- his last one, quite possibly the toughest to follow, is my fav.
Stay tuned after Kaiser's advice for a couple items of my own, but really these pretty much nail it:
Read Quote of Kaiser Kuo's answer to…
Banking in China. Topped only by shopping the week before Spring Festival and pretty much any time spent at a post office; China's convoluted and largely archaic banking system is, at best, a torturous experience.
Long lines of clientele that seem downright surprised (and thus appropriately unprepared) to be banking at all; service with a smile ... and that's about it; a number calling system, if present and worki…
According to Shanghai Daily, the National People's Congress Standing Committee is currently discussing a draft law that will shorten the minimum stay for foreigners who come to China to 90 days, with the residence permits ranging in validity from six months to five years.
The draft law was designed with the aim of curbing the illegal entry, stay and employment of foreigners and stipulating harsher punishments for …
These days all hotels worthy of the name "hotel", and most hotels that aren't, have a network connection and a computer program that allows them to register all guests at the hotel with the provincial Public Security Bureau. For all intents and purposes the system is standardized. I've found some small differences from province to province but having seen it in action in Beijing, Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Sichua…
This is a response to Jonathan Levine's article on working in China, "Go East, Young Man", published on January 8. After writing this response, I found that someone had written an insightful blog post at the singularly named dontmovetochina.com (written about a month before Jonathan Levine's). I highly recommend reading said post for more details about what I describe below.
Jonathan Levine has been in China for a…
I've given some thought to doing an MA in TESOL. After all, I taught it in China, liked it, so why not earn 5,000 RMB a month instead of a mere 4800?
All I need is a golden ticket.
Luckily, I found one, via a Google ad on a message board. Upon seeing the heading, Master's in TESOL, I immediately clicked through to find a big banner full of jolly students on a pristine campus that has clearly gone beyond the cal…
I'm trying to be a good citizen or resident or businesswoman or whatever you want to call me.
I figure I use the things that tax money buys. I use the roads and the street lights at night. I use the parks and the heavily subsidized public transportation.
So I figure it's only right that I ought to pay taxes.
My tax rate really isn't all that high.
In fact, my accountant's monthly fee to file my taxes is m…
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