Category Archives: New York City
The Wife of Bag
The other day, I was in the staffroom with Lily and Jackie talking about our families. One of the great things about Mandarin is the ability to explain family relationships. I don’t have to call Scep my semi-brother, there is … Continue reading
Even a Harlequin Romance…
My school’s English library consists of Harry Potter 6, Pride and Prejudice, A Tale of Two Cities and, inexplicably, Chicken Soup for the Single’s Soul. Harry Potter is printed on what feels like fax paper and haphazardly bound, with weird … Continue reading
Chinese Nascar
Stick, this is for you and your folks: This is a man on the bus wearing a Jeff Gordon jacket! I wish my Chinese was good enough to know if he spoke a rural or city dialect.
Lao Wei Who?
There are no knock-knock jokes in China. I thought that the Interrupting Cow and “Orange You Glad I Didn’t Say Banana?” would be fun for my wee ones, who are getting a little frustrated with the sometimes-silent K. First, I … Continue reading
Alien Abduction
My contract promises me the chance to teach 12- to 18-year-olds, but it doesn’t expressly forbid me from teaching other ages. Ji asked me to teach a “demo lesson” for a few young children. “What’s a demo lesson?” I asked. … Continue reading
Traditional Greetings
After almost a month, I can find my way around kai fa qu, but as I walk to my school, the post office, the cheap vegetable market, the only store in town with refridgerated eggs, and so forth, literally everyone … Continue reading
Small Victories
The other day in the vegetable market, a vendor tried to cheat me. While I was figuring out the Mandarin to argue with him, I realized I was fighting for less than 6 cents. But it’s the principle, you know? … Continue reading
It’s Not The Heat, It’s The Humidity
I noticed that my teenagers have a problem saying “more hotter” and “more taller” so I prepared a lesson on comparative adjectives. I asked the boys to give me some adjectives as examples, so we could practice forming them like … Continue reading
Pictures Of Chicks
This my student, Daniel, showing me his new pets. He brought them in to the school’s office in a bag yesterday and he was upset that his chicks were dying! I went into total Kristine-mode, warming them up with my … Continue reading
Evil Language
Mandarin Chinese reminds me of my ex-boyfriend. I mean, it’s so complicated and confusing, there are a few rules but no one really understands why it does those things it does. Sometimes westerners are attracted to Mandarin, but after struggling … Continue reading
