As seen on ThoughtCatalog.com As a self-appointed queen of Gchat and all sorts of online communications that require typing rather than verbalizing, I have encountered and continued to be bewildered by the use of emoticons and internet acronyms across culture. We all are familiar with a universal smiley face :-) a wink ;) or a LOL … Continue reading
Living in Beijing, I am constantly exposed to the center of China-ness. Many things in this city remind me of the magnificent China: classic landmarks like the Forbidden City and the Olympic Bird’s Nest, intimidating government buildings that sprawl across the city, and eight-lane avenues which are so wide that it would require two red … Continue reading
One of the most inconvenient aspects of living in China is being trapped inside the infamous Great Firewall. Stuck inside the wall, technically I am unable to access YouTube, Facebook, all blogging platforms (WordPress, Blogspot, Tumblr, etc. including my own blog), Twitter, FourSquare, Google Documents & Google Calendar at times, and this ridiculous list continues. You … Continue reading
If you are traveling to China and are looking for some advice, I’ve got one for you. Leave your credit card at home. Instead, bring small change – lots of it. The reason for this advice is not because China is dirt cheap – forget about the days when lunch is 2 kuai (USD0.30) and … Continue reading
For those of you who enjoy reading cultural posts, check out PocketCultures – a website that brings, as the name suggests, different pockets of cultures around the world to your home browser. The website is divided into three sections; Topics of the World (blog posts like mine); Blogs of the World (which introduces you to … Continue reading
It has been almost a year since I left America. Time flies freakishly fast. There are so many things about the US that I miss – that unique smell of America, J.Crew catalogues, Chipotle burritos, and not to mention “Party in the USA.” In the meantime, life in Beijing hasn’t been so bad either. I … Continue reading
Although time is a universal concept, it seems to me that people from different places view it differently. To delay a train ride for one minute in Japan is a crime, but to arrive at a social gathering an hour late in Thailand is expected. Our watches may tick at a similar pace, but we … Continue reading
I’m sure most of you have been to Chinatown in your city many, many times. For a lot of people, including myself, picking delicious dishes from dim sum carts is a neat way to jumpstart a Saturday morning. Packed with people and street vendors, Chinatown is charmingly unique and always fun to stroll along. Despite … Continue reading
Bangkok’s official name is the longest place name in the world. English pronunciation: Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit If you happen to know me in person and if you are not Thai, chances are at one point you probably … Continue reading
Since starting a life in a foreign city can be a little solitary, I have been making a conscious effort to fill my after-work hours and weekends with activities: concerts, parties, coffee dates, badminton and DDR sessions, to name a few. But last Monday evening’s activity was different. I went to a #Bjtweetup event where … Continue reading
Napatra 