Alive and well, but ready to move on...

Upon arriving home this morning, after taking an overnight train from the Olympic games in Beijing, I realized that I might have accumulated enough little events over the last year and a bit to list here.

As many of you know, I spent several more months training and living at another kung fu school in the Henan province just before moving to Shanghai on a bit of a whim. Fortunately I found a greatly rewarding and entertaining position teaching a small group of awesome preschool-aged Korean children at an international school.

But, as much as I love the kids I teach, after 2 years in China I’m getting a bit antsy for something new…I’m actually amidst planning an “around the world” trip that will hopefully begin early next year. Yet, I currently have a ridiculously long list of countries on my tentative itinerary, which will sadly have to be cut down to make it feasible.

So, here you go… below are some random events and highlights that have sprinkled my last year in China… as well as some photos I thought you might enjoy…


- Participated as an extra in several Chinese TV commercials doing a variety of things from acting exceedingly surprised to see a poodle in an afro wig to cheering for an overly enthusiastic waiter to putting on a scary ugly game face and diving for an imaginary volleyball (towards the camera, ugh) to recreate China’s apparently famous volleyball victory over the USA in 1984.

- Having the privilege of adding fried scorpions, sea horses, starfish and lizards to my list of ‘foods ingested.’

- Getting invited to be the backup USA contestant for the “Miss Bikini International” contest held in Shanghai earlier this year, ha!

- Trying my hand at shooting a Browning 9mm, 357 Magnum and other various rickety old WWII Chinese rifles at a venue that advertised “Come take a shot with an AK47 or take a shot at the bar!” although it was a bit misleading.

- Going on a visa run to Japan for a quick weekend visit to my sister.

- Passing out onto my face during the kindergarten’s graduation picture day due to some nasty food poisoning.

- Taking a weeklong trip down to Macau where I met someone living there from Paraguay who was so starved for some conversation in Spanish gave me free tours all over town and even took me where I could play pick-up outdoor volleyball for hours…usually until midnight or downpours drove us out.

- Currently picking up Muay Thai with twice weekly lessons.

- Caught a pick-pocket red handed snooping through my bag while on my way to work (at 7:30am), splashed my tea in his face, pushed him up against a wall and held him until I could call over a policeman who arrested him.

- Experiencing a week of the Olympic games extravaganza in Beijing during which I saw the USA vs. Italy and China vs. Russia women’s volleyball matches, spent an entire day watching taekwondo and medal ceremony (where USA got a silver and bronze), caught a foul ball at a softball game between Japan and Australia, bought extra tickets from scalpers on the street and enjoyed some of the sights around Beijing. But one of the most important reason for attending Olympic events? The 75 cent beer.