We've known for a while but I guess it's time to make it official…we're moving to Singapore! My feelings on the subject vacillate between being excited to being very excited to panic. There are many things I will not miss: the pollution, worrying about how many chemicals I'm ingesting by eating an apple, the pollution,… Continue reading Big News and Deep Thoughts
Tag: American Expat
Traveling like a Tourist
While busy entertaining our first guests, (thanks for coming Dad and "muncle" Steve!) I've been thinking about the purpose of traveling. Aren't we all a little guilty of being tourists at some points? But maybe more importantly, why should we feel guilty for being tourists anyway? Thus was my inspiration for my Shanghai Family post… Continue reading Traveling like a Tourist
The Mom Who Cried Wolf
There is an indoor play place here in Shanghai where my kids love to go. Nicknamed, the "slide with the balls" (astutely, as there is slide that dumps into a shallow pool of balls), its is almost always the first place named when asked, "what do you want to do today?" I imagine it's like… Continue reading The Mom Who Cried Wolf
I’ve been published!
That's right, an actual, legitmate website (that is not my own or someone I'm related to) is going to start publishing some of my writing. Right now, I'll be writing online articles every other week for Shanghai Family magazine. As you might have guessed, it is geared toward expat families living in Shanghai. I'm hoping maybe I… Continue reading I’ve been published!
Feeling at home (but maybe not really) in Shanghai
I've recently been feeling simultaneously more and less Chinese. Which means I'm feeling more and less at home. Confusing, right? I've been drinking hot lemon water. I know it doesn't sound that refreshing, but do yourself a favor and try it. It's very Chinese. Your friends will think you are very Sino-chic. My Chinese friend… Continue reading Feeling at home (but maybe not really) in Shanghai
The Lost Art of Communication
My parents are avid Jeopardy watchers. If there were jerseys and foam #1 fingers, they would have enough for every night of the week. So when I skimmed a US news site and came across an article about a recent Asian Jeopardy contestant labeled a villain, I read more. Apparently people find him annoying. Arrogant.… Continue reading The Lost Art of Communication
Say What?
I was in the bedroom. From the other room I heard a soft crash, then, "Fuck!" Ayi Jiang doesn't speak English and Hunter was at school. There was only one other person in the house…my mischievous, two year old birthday boy. I walked out and he was picking up one of his cars. "What did… Continue reading Say What?
Less is More (Or Less)
When I opened my 3 year old's backpack after school the other day, I found a folded piece of paper and two paper plates that had been glued together and decorated with colored paper and glitter. I could feel my heart rate pick up a bit and for a moment I was paralyzed. Again. I'm… Continue reading Less is More (Or Less)
Men in Fur Coats and Other Fun Things to See in Shanghai
I hate when people ask, "so what's it like living in Shanghai?" I suppose it's a fair question but I feel like I don't know how to answer it. If you've ever asked (or wondered) and I've given you some equally vague response. Today is your lucky day. I'm transporting you through space and… Continue reading Men in Fur Coats and Other Fun Things to See in Shanghai
If Toddlers Ruled the World…
Living with toddlers can sometimes feel like being at a frat party gone wrong. Old food crumbs can be found between stained couch cushions at any time, a faint smell of urine seems to permeate from God knows where, and the floor is always just a little sticky. If you have, have had, or know… Continue reading If Toddlers Ruled the World…
Kathleen Siddell 