Climate Stories
Christmas in Ancient China
Things were going well. It was nearing the end of the regular classes, but the crush of finals hadn’t yet arrived. I was pleasantly busy, and looking forward to the Christmas Party that another teacher had invited me to. The English word “Party” doesn’t mean the same thing here that it does in the US. … Continue reading Christmas in Ancient China
The Plan: Spring Festival
Let’s just say everything is still falling into place. I had hoped by this point to have a plan for more than the first week of a two-month vacation. I’ve sent countless emails and couchsurfing requests, hoping to find a place to work or stay on the cheap, somewhere that would allow me to explore … Continue reading The Plan: Spring Festival
For Lack of a Better Civilization: Circumstance and Resolution
Whether we like it or not, the choice we have now is between perpetuating our destructive and unsustainable relationship with the natural world and fighting to re-form our society into one that is fairer, more just, and more sustainable. As you move into the new year, take a moment to think about how the world will change in … Continue reading For Lack of a Better Civilization: Circumstance and Resolution
New Year’s Day and Your Life in the Future: Preview
I’m about three quarters of the way through my students’ finals right now, moving into the last (half) week of classes. Starting the 6th, I’ll be off to explore Southern China for a month and a half with my buddy Chris. I’ll have a post about my plans up before I go and continued posts … Continue reading New Year’s Day and Your Life in the Future: Preview
On being lost: Part 1 of Many
My family has been sending me pictures of home, as if trying to entice me back for the holidays. I think they miss me. Which is fair this time of year. It’s hard to not want to be in your own childhood home, reading a book by the lights of the tree and the fire. A … Continue reading On being lost: Part 1 of Many
“The idea”, New post on Tuesday
Next post will be here by Tuesday. In the meantime, here’s a poem to chew on. “The Idea,” by Mark Strand For us, too, there was a wish to possess Something beyond the world we knew, beyond ourselves Beyond our power to imagine, something nevertheless In which we might see ourselves; and this desire came … Continue reading “The idea”, New post on Tuesday
Climate Change Talks: Hopes for Paris Climate Talks Salvaged
Lima talks end in a weak deal, restoring language protecting poor island nations with high quantities of displaced people, but saying that pre-Paris pledges “may” include quantifiable information detailing plans for emissions reduction targets (the original language was “shall”, but the requirement was dropped after opposition from China). Read more here: http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/12/14/deal-salvaged-atunclimatetalksinperu.html More on the … Continue reading Climate Change Talks: Hopes for Paris Climate Talks Salvaged
Soft Eyes, Evil Wizards
The days here are getting bleak. It’s cold inside and out, the pollution is building, and finals are still two weeks away. Not only that, but the important tests have already arrived. Standardized tests might not be as important as they once were, but the GaoKao college entrance examination is still the only criteria used for college admissions. … Continue reading Soft Eyes, Evil Wizards
Keeping Things Whole: A Project Takes Shape
Sorry about the tardiness of this post, the internet’s been out for a few days now. First of all, I want to say thanks to everyone who has been following so far. I started this project with the main goal of having a big adventure and learning about the world before I sat down and … Continue reading Keeping Things Whole: A Project Takes Shape
360 by bike 