amandainshenzhen

After a rough 2011, for both Sarah and I, this year is one that we wanted to fill with adventure, laughter and fresh starts. We had already traveled throughout China, so even though we are both up for anything, our work schedules and hectic lives dictated only a short adventure. But it still managed to meet all our requirements. After a few suggestions/options, we narrowed it down to Cabo San Lucas in hopes of guaranteed good weather, gorgeous beaches and a possible chance to see Justin Bieber (to brag to my 6yr. old niece) and George Clooney (to brag to my 56yr (ish) old Mom)!! I have been to Mexico only once before, Cancun, and I do not know if it was that I was much younger, had longer, blonder hair, was considerable less travelled, or ... read more

In all my travels, I realized that I have never lived with a host family. There have been meals with natives and many connections, but never have I immersed myself in another totally random and unfamiliar family. It was harder than I anticipated, but more rewarding than I could have imagined. I found myself in Germany for most of the month of June and part of July chaperoning eleven aspiring world travelers. The Goslar Germany and Shaker Heights High School student exchange has been a reoccurring exchange that has lasted for over 30+ years. Most years, it is lead by at least one German teacher, but this year, there were two openings, so I quickly signed up for that assignment. The exchange consisted of almost three weeks living in the mini medieval town called Goslar. Approximately ... read more

In a way Chicago is my second city, or maybe it's Cleveland. I'm not sure yet. There is something about revisiting a the city where I grew up (figuratively) that makes me wonder. I'm not sure if it's just the water, or the fabulous food at brunch or the awareness of it's people. Chicago reminds me of me. In a way it's not reality. Everyone is pretty fabulous in Chicago. There are too many great restaurants, cool stores, beautiful and accepting people, ample public transportation, that doesn't happen everywhere, I know, I have been/lived many "where's" This is a combined blog effort of my last two visits to Chicago. Both pretty great, both too short. This last one felt like such a transition. Milissa is leaving GVA, our school where we taught with together for two ... read more

As my mom will tell you, there are a vast number of things that I don't know for sure. "Can you use vegetable oil when the recipe calls for canola oil?" or "Is it ok if I bake zucchini bread with a glass pan? Why did you always use metal pans?" and still "Pecans or Almonds, or wait, what about walnuts, which one should I use?" and that is just in one evening whilst trying, slightly successfully to bake a loaf of bread that I have watched her bake over 100 times. It seems that as I get older, the things the I know still vastly are overshadowed but what I don't know. I don't know how to make a relationship work, even if i really want it too. I don't know how to get my ... read more

I leave today, leave China for who knows when. I, of course, tell my teachers that I will be back as soon as I can. But my history tells me a different story. I still have not returned to Italy after 7 years (and I loved, loved it there). As I leave, I wonder if I will return. Will time away from China make the heart grow fonder or will the lure of toilet seats and signs in english make me curse life in China. Even as I dream of not playing the grocery shopping guessing game, I still find my sentimental walking down the streets, stepping over diapers, coughing out smog, and watching children aged 10 pee on the sidewalk. Basically, I am still processing this experience, not sure what it will mean for my ... read more