Can we all agree that what we really want to see on Facebook are pictures? You know, they tell a story without having to do all that tedious reading - like on a blog. I mean, it's fine if you just want to write some cryptic message about how you're "feeling really bummed… :(" but… Continue reading If a picture is worth 1000 words, what are 1000 pictures worth?
Author: Kathleen
Play Dating
There are lots of things that change when you become a parent. There are all the obvious cliches - the new meaning of late nights, the new understanding of endless worry, the glamour of diapers and boogers - but there is something else. Something no one seems to talk about even though (I think) it… Continue reading Play Dating
Happy Dragon Boat Festival
I recently read an article written by a mother exhausted from all the holidays her children were celebrating. As I remember it, she was partly exhausted by the Pinterest-ing of holiday merry-making and more generally, that things like the 100th day of school have now become A Thing. Totally justified. I think it was St.… Continue reading Happy Dragon Boat Festival
Not From Around Here
There are lots of things that happen in any given week when I think, "Really? This is normal?" And then I stop and realize I'm judging and remember this is why I like living here. The "challenge" of living in an unfamiliar place is exactly what makes it fun. But the following are observations that… Continue reading Not From Around Here
Seeking Son-in-law
We did some sightseeing over the weekend. We went to the Jing'an Temple. I suppose it's true for any place of worship in a big city, but nestled between skyscrapers and concrete, the Buddhist temple seemed a little out of place. We hopped out of the taxi in front of the "Donut King", but the… Continue reading Seeking Son-in-law
The Fake China
One thing about living in Shanghai that has been a surprise to me, is how expensive it can be. Certain things are cheap - vegetables, taxis - but almost everything else is more expensive than it would be in the US. They are probably feverishly making iPads 100 miles from here and yet they are… Continue reading The Fake China
The Real China
When you live abroad, you want to be able to tell people what your adopted home is like…what it's really like. You want to be able to speak with authority and authenticity. You want to make the most of the time you have in your adopted home because you know your time is finite but,… Continue reading The Real China
People are People
When you live abroad, you are reminded, daily, of how different one place can be from another. Lately however, I've been having the opposite feeling. Places may be different - they smell different and look different - but I'm starting to realize people, are mostly the same.Nolan and I ventured to my least favorite grocery… Continue reading People are People
Beautiful Bali
What is it about vacation that makes you think you could actually throw away your "real life," move to a tropical locale and live like a local? I mean, it's totally impractical and yet…sitting in your beach chair, under an umbrella with the ocean breeze gently tickling your forehead, frozen drink sweating beside you, listening… Continue reading Beautiful Bali
#Expatproblems
All you hipsters out there are familiar with #whitepeopleproblems.* Those who are arguably less hip...essentially, white people problems are non-problems. From Urban Dictionary: a. Events or situations which are deemed overly taxing to only white people.b. non-issues and scenarios which are deemed dire enough by white people to vent about via facebook, twitter, therapy sessions,… Continue reading #Expatproblems
Kathleen Siddell 