If you live in the northeast US, you’re likely bracing yourself for the impending wall of snow and ice that’s crawling up the coast in dramatic slow motion. In addition to playing snow coverage bingo while you watch local weather teams try to contain their excitement, I put together a few fun DIY projects you…
Read MoreThe perfect pitch
It’s a well-known fact among my friends that I love infomercials. It’s fascinating to me, in our current state of connectivity, that they still follow the same cheesy structure, right down to the ability to order via phone. I particularly enjoy the overly dramatic dramatizations of things that could go horribly wrong in your life…
Read MoreConfessions of a book hoarder
It could be worse. I could be compulsively stocking up on Spam in preparation for a doomsday sharknado. I could be saving every food delivery menu slipped under my door in case they become collectibles. Although, come to think of it, a bit of that off-the-deep-end hoarding could be a great way to get on…
Read MoreYou are what you eat
Ordering food in China can be tricky if you don’t speak or read Chinese, leading to many a frustrated expat staring into an unanticipated plate of chopped chicken feet. When I first moved to Beijing in 2005, my Chinese was a bit more limited, which led to a limited set of dishes I could order.…
Read MoreRage against the… minty freshness
When it comes to hypothetical situations, I’m starting to think that zombies aren’t the real concern here. Not in the traditional sense, anyway. Especially not in the traditional Chinese sense. (Hopping? Really guys?) Nope. If things are going to take a turn for the horror movie worst in Beijing, I’m pretty sure it’s going to…
Read MoreBeijing – An Underwater Adventure
About a week ago, it rained heavily for an hour and I came home to find my street looking like this: I was grateful that emergency crews were there to try to pump the water out, but pretty shocked that cars were still driving through that mess (and with great speed, no less). Forecasters started…
Read MoreLost in Translation (slightly NSFW)
If you like poor English translation as much as I do, then China is an amazing place to live. I have a pretty dazzling collection of ridiculously worded T-shirts and most friends know that’s likely what they’ll be getting in the mail come birthdays or holidays. So, the recent addition of this coffee shop in the…
Read MoreTaxi cab confessions
Conversations with taxi drivers generally follow the same formula. I could probably record my side of the conversation a la Ferris Bueller’s doorbell routine and save myself quite a bit of talking time. Yesterday, however, my cab conversation took a turn for the delightfully quirky. It started raining sideways basically the moment I stepped out…
Read MoreFun with Fire
Well folks, it’s that time of year again. 春节 Chūnjié (Spring Festival), known more commonly as Chinese New Year is coming to a close in Beijing. Which means that I finally have the peace of mind necessary to sit down and write. Well, almost. Tonight is the last legal night for setting off fireworks, which means…
Read MoreTis the season
When I first moved to China (waaaaay back in 2005), there was certainly a fascination with Christmas but not really any widespread celebration. It’s an easily accessible aspect of foreign culture: happy songs, cookies, shiny gold decorations and a man in a red suit. I remember seeing the occasional Christmas display, an odd tree here…
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Positively Natalie 