Happy 牛* Year

Celebrated Chinese New Year’s Eve by doing the same as everyone else here…trying to blow a hole in space time with fireworks.

*
牛 = ox = cow = this year‘s new zodiac.
牛 = niú = sounds like English word ”new“
牛逼 = cow vagina = Chinese slang for ”awesome“.

Jiali Japery: Agents and Landlords

The first year I came to China, I got an agent that specializes in helping expats to hook me up. I went that route because I couldn’t communicate in Chinese to save my life, and I didn’t want to be signing any contracts that had hidden clauses allowing a group of senior citizens to practice […]

Jiali Japery – The Quest for the Perfect Apartment

It’s about that time of year again, where my rent is nearing expiration and I have to find a new home to live. I never bother resigning a new contract because I always feel like I can do better than what I’ve got, which so far, I have. Not to mention I quite enjoy […]

Cookery and Crockery in Jingdezhen

My trek to Jingdezhen was realized by way of 8-hour direct bus from Hangzhou after the return from Anji. For those interested in getting there, I would advise against this method. It’s expensive (140rmb), the buses are shit, and for reasons beyond my explanation they play really loud versions of old James Bond movies dubbed […]