And there it is, just when you thought it was over, pulled back into the maelstrom. This lady—considerate, ambitious, determined, gorgeous,wonderful—said it once, a week or so ago. And I thought that was the end of it. After all, she gives me endless praises about my running, so I rightfully thought the “you’re too skinny”…
I’ve Been Clusterspooged
That’s it. The dating app has been turned off just about a week and a half after it fired up. F—it. That chick was crazy. Sorry for reverting back a bit to high school-speak, but that’s it. What can I do? Maybe I pushed a bit far, a bit soon, last night with mentioning “a…
Blood to Bleed
What am I gonna do? She departed 11 days ago. Her stuff in the apartment keeps me company. Maybe it’s not healthy it’s not a clean-break. In periodic contact…it feels, one foot in, one out. For both of us. Trying to hold my head up. Tryin’ to live. Truly live. 4 years 9 months 10…
Totally
Fucked. Ever felt this way? “Have you ever been a part of something that you never thought would end? And then, of course it did… …I saw my body wash ashore…” Of course, there were problems. Issues. Concerns. But also multitudes of memories. “Kill this slowly fading light…” Disjointed. Why did I return to China?…
It Finally Happened
As CeCe Peniston has so aptly stated: “Finally, it’s happened to me.” But for me it was not about meeting “Mr. Right.” Rather, it was an intruder getting in the house. I held off for as long as I could. This could only last for so long with something as insidious as COVID. At 0503…
COVID Apocalypse in China
Report from the Inside—In China currently, how many people really have COVID? Who the heck knows.Sorry for the lack of stats.But who in the heck knows. What I do know is this… Within the first 10 or so days of the Party dropping its three year old Zero Covid policy here are a few things…
There Are 13 Kids in School Today
13 in our entire middle school of grades 6-7-8. Whiplash! Now that COVID is being allowed to spread freely in China for the first time, the floodgates have opened. Our bubble has burst. An English Department colleague tested positive this morning. The first from our office. Another colleague is out sick today. Don’t know how…
Whiplash!
Within just about a week’s time, China has pivoted from the infamous “Zero COVID” policy to something akin to “We’ll be the greatest in the world at living with the virus.” (credit: Remo) “Embrace the Virus!” —-new bumper sticker (credit: Andrew D.) Folks at school at dropping like flies. As of yesterday afternoon, at least…
China’s Pivot
What’s Shanghai like right now as China finally drops its “Zero COVID” policy? 6 things… Those blue QR code signs are still present by security guards in subway stations. There is also an increasing sense of elation bordering on exuberance for those of us awaiting travel abroad—and a very hopeful return to NO hotel quarantine!…
It’s the fried rice
It’s the Malatong bowl, full of self-chosen veggies and tofu. The fried rice she makes, even while tired at the end of a work day. It’s those little times together watching “Friends” while eating dinner, or lunch on a cloudy Saturday afternoon. The long train rides to the karaoke place. The dinner dates at nearby…
She Waited There For Us All Day
Saturday evening, November 12th—Pudong district, Shanghai, China Normally, Serena would tell me if she’d invited someone to join us for dinner. When the grinning lady with short hair and oversized red sweater sat down, I was a bit surprised, but still assumed Serena had been in contact with her. I knew I recognized her. From…
“Burn it down”
After another day of insanity, a teacher yesterday said we may need to just “burn it down” and start the school over again. Emotionally drained, we wasted a good deal of our prep time debriefing what had just happened: 2-3 8th grade boys in residence hall filmed another boy while he was in the shower….
Don't Let My Parents Read This 