CHINA
Country Overview:
"A land of contrasts, where ancient traditions meet rapid modernization, and delectable cuisine coexists with complex political realities."
My seven-year journey in China, from May 2013 to August 2020, was a whirlwind of experiences. I taught English, pursued my Master's in Politics & Foreign Policy at the prestigious Tsinghua University, and immersed myself in the media landscape at China Today and Xinhua News Agency. Beijing was my home base, but my travels painted a vibrant tapestry of China's diverse landscapes and cultures: the bustling metropolis of Shanghai, the historic city of Xi'an, the tropical paradise of Sanya, the unique blend of East and West in Macau and Hong Kong, and countless other destinations in between. From savoring the exquisite flavors of regional cuisines to navigating the intricacies of daily life under a distinct political system, China left an indelible mark on me.
I'm just going to say it...
Bike sharing is the worst "green" movement I've ever seen. Great, less people are driving, but it also makes walking impossible. This is a real picture taken in Beijing and believe me, it's just as 麻烦 as it looks.
Forbidden City Exhibition
I guess Chaumet is a big deal, and that the entire collection of jewels / crowns was worth millions of dollars. Who knew that rocks could be worth so much
Forbidden City 2
My friend told me "oh this wall is a good place to take an artsy picture" and this was the pose I went with
Forbidden City 1
I know it took me close to 4 years to get to Forbidden City, but it finally happened. It was huge, way bigger than I could have imagined from pictures. Basically there was so many palaces inside because all of the emperor's 'ladies' needed their own place to stay. One emperor had upwards of a hundred mistresses, so keeping them separated was probably the smart move
So I thought it was funny because "player" can also mean someone who flirts or gets with multiple girls, and the guy is talking to 2 girls, but it's funny because they are children. I don't necessarily think my sense of humor is the same as everyone else's, but I thought this banner was unintentionally funny.
Yoga
Today is my 4th day of yoga class. Didn't imagine I would sweat so much or that I'd be so sore the following day. It's a good compliment to the sort of hard and singular movements of weightlifting. However, I'm faced with my life long challenge of stretching. Those toes are going to be touched before I graduate. Mark my words. Speaking of which, still haven't found a job and I'm racing against my July 31st visa expiration to get a work visa. It's an arduous process where I'm constantly changing my resume and thinking "I mean, I could do that job". Entering the workforce remains priority number one as Spring unfolds in Beijing
Good example
By no means do American police set a good example based on their behavior, but at least they don't park like assholes
