many years ago more years than I care to remember and more than I’m going to
remember and more than I’m going to
remember and more than I’m going to admit to you today I was sitting on the
admit to you today I was sitting on the
admit to you today I was sitting on the beach in Coney Island and Brooklyn New
beach in Coney Island and Brooklyn New
beach in Coney Island and Brooklyn New York or I grew up nearby was a mother
York or I grew up nearby was a mother
York or I grew up nearby was a mother and her son the son was playing in the
and her son the son was playing in the
and her son the son was playing in the sand
sand
sand it was digging a hole just digging and
it was digging a hole just digging and
it was digging a hole just digging and digging for quite a while and what then
digging for quite a while and what then
digging for quite a while and what then finally his mother turned to him and
finally his mother turned to him and
finally his mother turned to him and said you know if you dig long enough
said you know if you dig long enough
said you know if you dig long enough you’ll wind up to eat all the way to
you’ll wind up to eat all the way to
you’ll wind up to eat all the way to China
China
China now that’s something that I grew up
now that’s something that I grew up
now that’s something that I grew up hearing and possibly many of you have
hearing and possibly many of you have
hearing and possibly many of you have heard as well but in that particular
heard as well but in that particular
heard as well but in that particular moment it kind of shocked me and also
moment it kind of shocked me and also
moment it kind of shocked me and also brought a big smile to me inside because
brought a big smile to me inside because
brought a big smile to me inside because months before then I was actually living
months before then I was actually living
months before then I was actually living on the other end of that hole in Beijing
on the other end of that hole in Beijing
on the other end of that hole in Beijing China where I had been for two years but
China where I had been for two years but
China where I had been for two years but as I say it started back in Coney Island
as I say it started back in Coney Island
as I say it started back in Coney Island where I grew up I had a very small
where I grew up I had a very small
where I grew up I had a very small circle that I lived within I grew up
circle that I lived within I grew up
circle that I lived within I grew up right next door of my primary school I
right next door of my primary school I
right next door of my primary school I can see it from my window I was a few
can see it from my window I was a few
can see it from my window I was a few blocks away from middle and secondary
blocks away from middle and secondary
blocks away from middle and secondary schools and all the kids who went to
schools and all the kids who went to
schools and all the kids who went to school we all went to school together
school we all went to school together
school we all went to school together for all those years so I didn’t really
for all those years so I didn’t really
for all those years so I didn’t really meet anybody new
meet anybody new
meet anybody new I had no great ambitions of leaving
I had no great ambitions of leaving
I had no great ambitions of leaving there or moving anywhere else for living
there or moving anywhere else for living
there or moving anywhere else for living out of New York I did manage to go a bit
out of New York I did manage to go a bit
out of New York I did manage to go a bit farther away when I decided to study
farther away when I decided to study
farther away when I decided to study biology in the university but we’ve been
biology in the university but we’ve been
biology in the university but we’ve been delayed was only four hours away by bus
delayed was only four hours away by bus
delayed was only four hours away by bus so I didn’t get that far it was still in
so I didn’t get that far it was still in
so I didn’t get that far it was still in New York
New York
New York however I decided that that during my
however I decided that that during my
however I decided that that during my university years that I really wanted to
university years that I really wanted to
university years that I really wanted to be a journalist so I was able to attend
be a journalist so I was able to attend
be a journalist so I was able to attend school in Columbia Missouri attending on
school in Columbia Missouri attending on
school in Columbia Missouri attending on graduate school for journalism and that
graduate school for journalism and that
graduate school for journalism and that was in the middle dus so I was starting
was in the middle dus so I was starting
was in the middle dus so I was starting to move a little bit farther away from
to move a little bit farther away from
to move a little bit farther away from my little circle but that decision to go
my little circle but that decision to go
my little circle but that decision to go to Missouri I could say that changed my
to Missouri I could say that changed my
to Missouri I could say that changed my life forever for one thing the first
life forever for one thing the first
life forever for one thing the first week I was there I met Ted the man who
week I was there I met Ted the man who
week I was there I met Ted the man who would become
would become
would become my husband was not in my plan
during the time we were at school we
during the time we were at school we were both given opportunities to take in
were both given opportunities to take in
were both given opportunities to take in internships to as part of our degree I
internships to as part of our degree I
internships to as part of our degree I was lucky enough to get to get one in
was lucky enough to get to get one in
was lucky enough to get to get one in Washington DC and I was able to cover
Washington DC and I was able to cover
Washington DC and I was able to cover the Congress I was I met a lot of people
the Congress I was I met a lot of people
the Congress I was I met a lot of people was really exciting it was the seat of
was really exciting it was the seat of
was really exciting it was the seat of government it was a great journalistic
government it was a great journalistic
government it was a great journalistic experience for me at the same time Ted
experience for me at the same time Ted
experience for me at the same time Ted got an internship in Beijing which was
got an internship in Beijing which was
got an internship in Beijing which was this different from from Washington as
this different from from Washington as
this different from from Washington as Mars to earth and he was on the other
Mars to earth and he was on the other
Mars to earth and he was on the other side of the world and communication was
side of the world and communication was
side of the world and communication was very difficult now while we had hot and
very difficult now while we had hot and
very difficult now while we had hot and cold running water and we had
cold running water and we had
cold running water and we had electricity we did not have computers at
electricity we did not have computers at
electricity we did not have computers at least not as you know them they would
least not as you know them they would
least not as you know them they would take up a whole room in those days and
take up a whole room in those days and
take up a whole room in those days and that meant there were no laptops there’s
that meant there were no laptops there’s
that meant there were no laptops there’s no internet no email no such thing as
no internet no email no such thing as
no internet no email no such thing as Skype no one had any smart phones there
Skype no one had any smart phones there
Skype no one had any smart phones there was just the only way to communicate
was just the only way to communicate
was just the only way to communicate with anybody in those days it was the
with anybody in those days it was the
with anybody in those days it was the old fashioned way of writing letters
old fashioned way of writing letters
old fashioned way of writing letters which I am afraid is a dying art these
which I am afraid is a dying art these
which I am afraid is a dying art these days but anyway Ted and I wrote letters
days but anyway Ted and I wrote letters
days but anyway Ted and I wrote letters and eventually we decided we wanted to
and eventually we decided we wanted to
and eventually we decided we wanted to get married which led to another
get married which led to another
get married which led to another life-changing decision I decided to do
life-changing decision I decided to do
life-changing decision I decided to do it between involved going to Beijing so
it between involved going to Beijing so
it between involved going to Beijing so the first thing I had to do was get a
the first thing I had to do was get a
the first thing I had to do was get a passport because as I say I had no
passport because as I say I had no
passport because as I say I had no intention of moving anywhere else
intention of moving anywhere else
intention of moving anywhere else so I got my passport I packed my bags I
so I got my passport I packed my bags I
so I got my passport I packed my bags I spent my last dollars on a one-way
spent my last dollars on a one-way
spent my last dollars on a one-way ticket to Beijing I figured once we got
ticket to Beijing I figured once we got
ticket to Beijing I figured once we got I got there we’d work it out and I went
I got there we’d work it out and I went
I got there we’d work it out and I went back to Brooklyn New York to see my
back to Brooklyn New York to see my
back to Brooklyn New York to see my parents the first night I was there I
parents the first night I was there I
parents the first night I was there I said I’m down said I I’m going off to
said I’m down said I I’m going off to
said I’m down said I I’m going off to marry a man you barely know
marry a man you barely know
marry a man you barely know I’m going to be moving to Beijing China
I’m going to be moving to Beijing China
I’m going to be moving to Beijing China to do it I’ll be living there for two
to do it I’ll be living there for two
to do it I’ll be living there for two years and I’m leaving in two weeks
years and I’m leaving in two weeks
years and I’m leaving in two weeks please I don’t recommend anybody here
please I don’t recommend anybody here
please I don’t recommend anybody here ever do that to their parents and
ever do that to their parents and
ever do that to their parents and looking back if I could have changed it
looking back if I could have changed it
looking back if I could have changed it I would but that’s just how it was and
I would but that’s just how it was and
I would but that’s just how it was and after I picked themselves off the floor
after I picked themselves off the floor
after I picked themselves off the floor they gave you their blessings and as I
they gave you their blessings and as I
they gave you their blessings and as I said two weeks later I was bound for
said two weeks later I was bound for
said two weeks later I was bound for Beijing and I travel across via Tokyo I
Beijing and I travel across via Tokyo I
Beijing and I travel across via Tokyo I got to Beijing to Edmonton at the
got to Beijing to Edmonton at the
got to Beijing to Edmonton at the airport first thing he says look by the
airport first thing he says look by the
airport first thing he says look by the way we’re getting married tomorrow again
way we’re getting married tomorrow again
way we’re getting married tomorrow again not in my plan but as it turned out
not in my plan but as it turned out
not in my plan but as it turned out Chinese are a bit conservative and did
Chinese are a bit conservative and did
Chinese are a bit conservative and did not take my native people just living
not take my native people just living
not take my native people just living together so we had to get married right
together so we had to get married right
together so we had to get married right away
away
away and once you recall I said I went by a
and once you recall I said I went by a
and once you recall I said I went by a Tokyo but the connection there was
Tokyo but the connection there was
Tokyo but the connection there was troublesome and the only way for me to
troublesome and the only way for me to
troublesome and the only way for me to make it to China make my flight was to
make it to China make my flight was to
make it to China make my flight was to not get my luggage off the first plane
not get my luggage off the first plane
not get my luggage off the first plane so I said goodbye to my luggage I went
so I said goodbye to my luggage I went
so I said goodbye to my luggage I went off to China so that meant the next day
off to China so that meant the next day
off to China so that meant the next day we got married I was still wearing the
we got married I was still wearing the
we got married I was still wearing the clothes I’ve been wearing for less 36
clothes I’ve been wearing for less 36
clothes I’ve been wearing for less 36 hours wedding dress in the luggage so to
hours wedding dress in the luggage so to
hours wedding dress in the luggage so to his credit had married me anyway so 24
his credit had married me anyway so 24
his credit had married me anyway so 24 hours married the next step was to find
hours married the next step was to find
hours married the next step was to find work but tax into internship was at the
work but tax into internship was at the
work but tax into internship was at the new China News Agency the Xinhua news
new China News Agency the Xinhua news
new China News Agency the Xinhua news agency which is the government-run news
agency which is the government-run news
agency which is the government-run news agency and he decided we want me to work
agency and he decided we want me to work
agency and he decided we want me to work somewhere else so he’d been looking for
somewhere else so he’d been looking for
somewhere else so he’d been looking for work for me all around Beijing and
work for me all around Beijing and
work for me all around Beijing and different news organizations and he got
different news organizations and he got
different news organizations and he got some people interested and he go off and
some people interested and he go off and
some people interested and he go off and think we’ve got something sorted and
think we’ve got something sorted and
think we’ve got something sorted and then you get a call saying sorry we
then you get a call saying sorry we
then you get a call saying sorry we can’t hire iris and we really didn’t
can’t hire iris and we really didn’t
can’t hire iris and we really didn’t understand why it turned out the new
understand why it turned out the new
understand why it turned out the new time the news agency did not take kindly
time the news agency did not take kindly
time the news agency did not take kindly to two married couples working together
to two married couples working together
to two married couples working together working started working in separate
working started working in separate
working started working in separate organizations because they said we share
organizations because they said we share
organizations because they said we share secrets at that point I couldn’t even
secrets at that point I couldn’t even
secrets at that point I couldn’t even say hello in Chinese so I really don’t
say hello in Chinese so I really don’t
say hello in Chinese so I really don’t know what access to secrets I would have
know what access to secrets I would have
know what access to secrets I would have but in the end I couldn’t work anywhere
but in the end I couldn’t work anywhere
but in the end I couldn’t work anywhere else and three days later
else and three days later
else and three days later miraculously a job opened up at the news
miraculously a job opened up at the news
miraculously a job opened up at the news agency and that’s just
agency and that’s just
agency and that’s just from the building so I worked a floor
from the building so I worked a floor
from the building so I worked a floor down from tad in the features Department
down from tad in the features Department
down from tad in the features Department where people sent out articles all over
where people sent out articles all over
where people sent out articles all over the world what I really didn’t
the world what I really didn’t
the world what I really didn’t understand was even though it was China
understand was even though it was China
understand was even though it was China and it was but it was an international
and it was but it was an international
and it was but it was an international organization there were journalists from
organization there were journalists from
organization there were journalists from all over the world and they had to have
all over the world and they had to have
all over the world and they had to have copy in Spanish and Arabic and French
copy in Spanish and Arabic and French
copy in Spanish and Arabic and French and English and so already my circle
and English and so already my circle
and English and so already my circle from Brooklyn was widening because there
from Brooklyn was widening because there
from Brooklyn was widening because there a lot of international people working at
a lot of international people working at
a lot of international people working at the news agency same time we wanted to
the news agency same time we wanted to
the news agency same time we wanted to get more part of the culture of China so
get more part of the culture of China so
get more part of the culture of China so we were learning Chinese had started and
we were learning Chinese had started and
we were learning Chinese had started and I joined them
I joined them
I joined them we had Mandarin lessons twice a week and
we had Mandarin lessons twice a week and
we had Mandarin lessons twice a week and we finally started learning and as I
we finally started learning and as I
we finally started learning and as I like to think of them to classify it I
like to think of them to classify it I
like to think of them to classify it I learned enough Chinese to get into
learned enough Chinese to get into
learned enough Chinese to get into trouble none of which I’m going to share
trouble none of which I’m going to share
trouble none of which I’m going to share with you today and so now it’s going to
with you today and so now it’s going to
with you today and so now it’s going to get more involved with the culture but
get more involved with the culture but
get more involved with the culture but there’s also a big expat community there
there’s also a big expat community there
there’s also a big expat community there about a thousand expats living in
about a thousand expats living in
about a thousand expats living in Beijing mostly journalists and diplomats
Beijing mostly journalists and diplomats
Beijing mostly journalists and diplomats so we got to meet people from all over
so we got to meet people from all over
so we got to meet people from all over the world because they all seem to
the world because they all seem to
the world because they all seem to congregate in the same places for
congregate in the same places for
congregate in the same places for entertainment we had Swedish friends
entertainment we had Swedish friends
entertainment we had Swedish friends British friends Australian friends South
British friends Australian friends South
British friends Australian friends South African friends got a friend from Iraq I
African friends got a friend from Iraq I
African friends got a friend from Iraq I never met anybody from Iraq before and
never met anybody from Iraq before and
never met anybody from Iraq before and this was during the time of the
this was during the time of the
this was during the time of the iran-iraq war which went on for 80 years
iran-iraq war which went on for 80 years
iran-iraq war which went on for 80 years and my friend worked in the embassy in
and my friend worked in the embassy in
and my friend worked in the embassy in Beijing his greatest fear was that at
Beijing his greatest fear was that at
Beijing his greatest fear was that at some point his job within he’d be sent
some point his job within he’d be sent
some point his job within he’d be sent back home to Baghdad he’d have to join
back home to Baghdad he’d have to join
back home to Baghdad he’d have to join the army and have to fight in the war so
the army and have to fight in the war so
the army and have to fight in the war so this life or death circumstance was
this life or death circumstance was
this life or death circumstance was always hanging over his head he was
always hanging over his head he was
always hanging over his head he was always concerned about that at that
always concerned about that at that
always concerned about that at that point in my life my biggest concern was
point in my life my biggest concern was
point in my life my biggest concern was whether it be able to go out downstairs
whether it be able to go out downstairs
whether it be able to go out downstairs and navigate my way to some vegetables
and navigate my way to some vegetables
and navigate my way to some vegetables and meat for dinner
and meat for dinner
and meat for dinner not quite the same level of seriousness
not quite the same level of seriousness
not quite the same level of seriousness and what it really brought to me was
and what it really brought to me was
and what it really brought to me was that if I had been is still in my circle
that if I had been is still in my circle
that if I had been is still in my circle in Brooklyn the iran-iraq war have been
in Brooklyn the iran-iraq war have been
in Brooklyn the iran-iraq war have been some vague thought in my mind not paying
some vague thought in my mind not paying
some vague thought in my mind not paying much attention to but now I literally
much attention to but now I literally
much attention to but now I literally came face to face with the fear of war
came face to face with the fear of war
came face to face with the fear of war and that changed my whole perspective so
and that changed my whole perspective so
and that changed my whole perspective so okay now we’re we’re getting along we’ve
okay now we’re we’re getting along we’ve
okay now we’re we’re getting along we’ve met
met
met we might expect for varying Chinese we
we might expect for varying Chinese we
we might expect for varying Chinese we also wanted to learn more about the
also wanted to learn more about the
also wanted to learn more about the whole country and we’re lucky enough the
whole country and we’re lucky enough the
whole country and we’re lucky enough the new Chinese news agency took us around
new Chinese news agency took us around
new Chinese news agency took us around and we also travel it on their own we
and we also travel it on their own we
and we also travel it on their own we went to different parts of the Great
went to different parts of the Great
went to different parts of the Great Wall we met a lot of people and we also
Wall we met a lot of people and we also
Wall we met a lot of people and we also have a lot of people wanting to meet us
have a lot of people wanting to meet us
have a lot of people wanting to meet us because wherever we went we were we were
because wherever we went we were we were
because wherever we went we were we were one of the first Westerners ever to be
one of the first Westerners ever to be
one of the first Westerners ever to be there so literally a town would come
there so literally a town would come
there so literally a town would come into the room where we were and they
into the room where we were and they
into the room where we were and they would just stare at us they just wanted
would just stare at us they just wanted
would just stare at us they just wanted to see who we were an honest trip it
to see who we were an honest trip it
to see who we were an honest trip it also brought home to me which something
also brought home to me which something
also brought home to me which something I hadn’t really thought of I always
I hadn’t really thought of I always
I hadn’t really thought of I always consider China homogenous but it’s not
consider China homogenous but it’s not
consider China homogenous but it’s not it’s a billion people the one thing
it’s a billion people the one thing
it’s a billion people the one thing they’re 55 minority groups they’re
they’re 55 minority groups they’re
they’re 55 minority groups they’re dozens of languages spoken it’s just a
dozens of languages spoken it’s just a
dozens of languages spoken it’s just a variety of cultures and this was brought
variety of cultures and this was brought
variety of cultures and this was brought home when we were on our trip because we
home when we were on our trip because we
home when we were on our trip because we could see the differences and here’s one
could see the differences and here’s one
could see the differences and here’s one one example if we managed to go to lots
one example if we managed to go to lots
one example if we managed to go to lots of these are two young Tibetan girls and
of these are two young Tibetan girls and
of these are two young Tibetan girls and clearly look different and they dress
clearly look different and they dress
clearly look different and they dress differently and they speak differently
differently and they speak differently
differently and they speak differently from the rest of China and this these
from the rest of China and this these
from the rest of China and this these differences also became apparent because
differences also became apparent because
differences also became apparent because during our travels we were found
during our travels we were found
during our travels we were found ourselves on a train just 10 and I and
ourselves on a train just 10 and I and
ourselves on a train just 10 and I and there was a group of Hong Kong Chinese
there was a group of Hong Kong Chinese
there was a group of Hong Kong Chinese on the train who were tourists and they
on the train who were tourists and they
on the train who were tourists and they were trying to find out some information
were trying to find out some information
were trying to find out some information about a train route so they spoke
about a train route so they spoke
about a train route so they spoke Cantonese in some English and they were
Cantonese in some English and they were
Cantonese in some English and they were trying to talk to the train conductor
trying to talk to the train conductor
trying to talk to the train conductor who only spoke Mandarin so I was telling
who only spoke Mandarin so I was telling
who only spoke Mandarin so I was telling I were they were watching them and they
I were they were watching them and they
I were they were watching them and they were trying to ask their questions to
were trying to ask their questions to
were trying to ask their questions to Cantonese in Cantonese and Mandarin may
Cantonese in Cantonese and Mandarin may
Cantonese in Cantonese and Mandarin may both be Chinese were two different
both be Chinese were two different
both be Chinese were two different languages so they would speak and we’re
languages so they would speak and we’re
languages so they would speak and we’re watching these conversations like a
watching these conversations like a
watching these conversations like a ping-pong match and no one was getting
ping-pong match and no one was getting
ping-pong match and no one was getting anywhere it became apparent that I’d
anywhere it became apparent that I’d
anywhere it became apparent that I’d have to step in so what happened was
have to step in so what happened was
have to step in so what happened was with my admitted Chinese the hotdog
with my admitted Chinese the hotdog
with my admitted Chinese the hotdog changed to talk among himself in
changed to talk among himself in
changed to talk among himself in Cantonese they form a question in
Cantonese they form a question in
Cantonese they form a question in English and asked me I’ve been transit
English and asked me I’ve been transit
English and asked me I’ve been transit down to Mandarin as the train conductor
down to Mandarin as the train conductor
down to Mandarin as the train conductor he look at his schedules you find the
he look at his schedules you find the
he look at his schedules you find the answer answer me and Mandarin I turn
answer answer me and Mandarin I turn
answer answer me and Mandarin I turn back to the Han Chinese and to them in
back to the Han Chinese and to them in
back to the Han Chinese and to them in English
English
English they talk among themselves in Cantonese
they talk among themselves in Cantonese
they talk among themselves in Cantonese and that was just such an interesting
and that was just such an interesting
and that was just such an interesting experience and it made me understand the
experience and it made me understand the
experience and it made me understand the differences that language again can
differences that language again can
differences that language again can divide and could also unite people but
divide and could also unite people but
divide and could also unite people but then there’s within the culture of
then there’s within the culture of
then there’s within the culture of Chinese from many different cultures and
Chinese from many different cultures and
Chinese from many different cultures and it also got us interested in learning
it also got us interested in learning
it also got us interested in learning about Hong Kong so during our travels
about Hong Kong so during our travels
about Hong Kong so during our travels and one point we managed to go to visit
and one point we managed to go to visit
and one point we managed to go to visit Hong Kong just to set the stage this was
Hong Kong just to set the stage this was
Hong Kong just to set the stage this was wintertime in Beijing which basically
wintertime in Beijing which basically
wintertime in Beijing which basically meant to go out on the street you just
meant to go out on the street you just
meant to go out on the street you just see 10-foot high mounds of cabbages or
see 10-foot high mounds of cabbages or
see 10-foot high mounds of cabbages or potatoes that’s basically all that was
potatoes that’s basically all that was
potatoes that’s basically all that was available there was yellow was coal dust
available there was yellow was coal dust
available there was yellow was coal dust because coal is it only means of heat
because coal is it only means of heat
because coal is it only means of heat and it was just a generally linked bleak
and it was just a generally linked bleak
and it was just a generally linked bleak existence so we got on the train we had
existence so we got on the train we had
existence so we got on the train we had down the Hong Kong and we find this
down the Hong Kong and we find this
down the Hong Kong and we find this beautiful Harbor City the weather is
beautiful Harbor City the weather is
beautiful Harbor City the weather is perfect people are out there is fresh
perfect people are out there is fresh
perfect people are out there is fresh fruit and vegetables everywhere vibrant
fruit and vegetables everywhere vibrant
fruit and vegetables everywhere vibrant colors we can go to a restaurant seven a
colors we can go to a restaurant seven a
colors we can go to a restaurant seven a night and get fed might not seem like
night and get fed might not seem like
night and get fed might not seem like much but in China in those days the
much but in China in those days the
much but in China in those days the restaurants were government-owned if you
restaurants were government-owned if you
restaurants were government-owned if you dare to step foot through the door at 70
dare to step foot through the door at 70
dare to step foot through the door at 70 we shoot away and the chairs would be on
we shoot away and the chairs would be on
we shoot away and the chairs would be on the table so it’s all that in mind we
the table so it’s all that in mind we
the table so it’s all that in mind we just thought hey how comes paradise and
just thought hey how comes paradise and
just thought hey how comes paradise and it’s still Chinese and the culture were
it’s still Chinese and the culture were
it’s still Chinese and the culture were interested in hey maybe this is some
interested in hey maybe this is some
interested in hey maybe this is some place we can live we returned into China
place we can live we returned into China
place we can live we returned into China and continued our tours and eventually
and continued our tours and eventually
and continued our tours and eventually we went back to States we took the
we went back to States we took the
we went back to States we took the trans-siberian railway through then
trans-siberian railway through then
trans-siberian railway through then Soviet Union back through Europe and
Soviet Union back through Europe and
Soviet Union back through Europe and then on to New York lots of stories from
then on to New York lots of stories from
then on to New York lots of stories from there but again no time to share them
there but again no time to share them
there but again no time to share them you just have to use your imagination so
you just have to use your imagination so
you just have to use your imagination so we get to New York we reunite with
we get to New York we reunite with
we get to New York we reunite with friends and family and meet new people
friends and family and meet new people
friends and family and meet new people and we’ve got something very interesting
and we’ve got something very interesting
and we’ve got something very interesting and work hard we didn’t expect this to
and work hard we didn’t expect this to
and work hard we didn’t expect this to happen and it didn’t happen all the time
happen and it didn’t happen all the time
happen and it didn’t happen all the time but we’ve been talking those people and
but we’ve been talking those people and
but we’ve been talking those people and they find you know eventually they here
they find you know eventually they here
they find you know eventually they here we’ve been living in China and they they
we’ve been living in China and they they
we’ve been living in China and they they say inevitably this would be the
say inevitably this would be the
say inevitably this would be the question oh you lived in China how was
question oh you lived in China how was
question oh you lived in China how was it how was it a billion people 55
it how was it a billion people 55
it how was it a billion people 55 minority groups dozens of languages
minority groups dozens of languages
minority groups dozens of languages incredible culture different from as
incredible culture different from as
incredible culture different from as night and day to what you’re
night and day to what you’re
night and day to what you’re experiencing how do I answer that well I
experiencing how do I answer that well I
experiencing how do I answer that well I tried and I start answering the question
tried and I start answering the question
tried and I start answering the question and quickly the person I was talking to
and quickly the person I was talking to
and quickly the person I was talking to I watched as their eyes slowly glaze
I watched as their eyes slowly glaze
I watched as their eyes slowly glaze over with just too much information they
over with just too much information they
over with just too much information they didn’t want to know but turned out what
didn’t want to know but turned out what
didn’t want to know but turned out what they really wanted to hear from us was I
they really wanted to hear from us was I
they really wanted to hear from us was I was China let’s see it was big it was
was China let’s see it was big it was
was China let’s see it was big it was interesting it was different it was
interesting it was different it was
interesting it was different it was Chinese
Chinese
Chinese job done that would be the end of it and
job done that would be the end of it and
job done that would be the end of it and they’d be perfectly happy but that just
they’d be perfectly happy but that just
they’d be perfectly happy but that just cemented to us that these people were
cemented to us that these people were
cemented to us that these people were still living in a circle in circle like
still living in a circle in circle like
still living in a circle in circle like I came from perhaps in a different city
I came from perhaps in a different city
I came from perhaps in a different city but they weren’t expanding that circle
but they weren’t expanding that circle
but they weren’t expanding that circle they were just interested in what was
they were just interested in what was
they were just interested in what was happening there and we tell and I were
happening there and we tell and I were
happening there and we tell and I were not ready to live back and that’s those
not ready to live back and that’s those
not ready to live back and that’s those circumstances we wanted to expand
circumstances we wanted to expand
circumstances we wanted to expand ourselves so we thought Hong Kong let’s
ourselves so we thought Hong Kong let’s
ourselves so we thought Hong Kong let’s go back there we called a friend said
go back there we called a friend said
go back there we called a friend said we’d like to come to Hong Kong you say
we’d like to come to Hong Kong you say
we’d like to come to Hong Kong you say come on down and we said we don’t know
come on down and we said we don’t know
come on down and we said we don’t know work
work
work he said it’s Hong Kong you’ll be fine
he said it’s Hong Kong you’ll be fine
he said it’s Hong Kong you’ll be fine just calm so went back to my parents but
just calm so went back to my parents but
just calm so went back to my parents but we did it and we went back to Hong Kong
we did it and we went back to Hong Kong
we did it and we went back to Hong Kong Hong Kong is a raucous crowded City it’s
Hong Kong is a raucous crowded City it’s
Hong Kong is a raucous crowded City it’s very international it’s moving all the
very international it’s moving all the
very international it’s moving all the time it’s very exciting it’s a lot of
time it’s very exciting it’s a lot of
time it’s very exciting it’s a lot of different cultures it’s 24/7 great for
different cultures it’s 24/7 great for
different cultures it’s 24/7 great for work which we actually got fairly
work which we actually got fairly
work which we actually got fairly quickly great for having fun but we
quickly great for having fun but we
quickly great for having fun but we thought I don’t think we couldn’t live
thought I don’t think we couldn’t live
thought I don’t think we couldn’t live in that environment 24/7 it was too much
in that environment 24/7 it was too much
in that environment 24/7 it was too much and luckily Hong Kong had several
and luckily Hong Kong had several
and luckily Hong Kong had several outlying islands where you can live
outlying islands where you can live
outlying islands where you can live accessible on by ferry and must’ve
accessible on by ferry and must’ve
accessible on by ferry and must’ve chorus and that was a way to sort of get
chorus and that was a way to sort of get
chorus and that was a way to sort of get out of the raw business and find some
out of the raw business and find some
out of the raw business and find some peace so we looked around and we found
peace so we looked around and we found
peace so we looked around and we found our little island of ping Chau and a
our little island of ping Chau and a
our little island of ping Chau and a 45-minute boat ride away and we lived up
45-minute boat ride away and we lived up
45-minute boat ride away and we lived up to hills and that yes that’s the view
to hills and that yes that’s the view
to hills and that yes that’s the view from our house overlooking this
from our house overlooking this
from our house overlooking this China Sea and we at least thought we’ve
China Sea and we at least thought we’ve
China Sea and we at least thought we’ve had an idyllic existence again it was a
had an idyllic existence again it was a
had an idyllic existence again it was a little bit convenient because the last
little bit convenient because the last
little bit convenient because the last ferry was at 11 which meant if you
ferry was at 11 which meant if you
ferry was at 11 which meant if you missed the boat
missed the boat
missed the boat you had the depend on the kindness of
you had the depend on the kindness of
you had the depend on the kindness of friends find a bench or fork over some
friends find a bench or fork over some
friends find a bench or fork over some money for a hotel and which was not
money for a hotel and which was not
money for a hotel and which was not ideal so we thought we’ll give it a year
ideal so we thought we’ll give it a year
ideal so we thought we’ll give it a year and see how this whole ferry thing works
and see how this whole ferry thing works
and see how this whole ferry thing works and as these things happen 20 years and
and as these things happen 20 years and
and as these things happen 20 years and three children later we’re still living
three children later we’re still living
three children later we’re still living on that hilltop and yes this means our
on that hilltop and yes this means our
on that hilltop and yes this means our children were made in China and actually
children were made in China and actually
children were made in China and actually while we are living in Hong Kong they
while we are living in Hong Kong they
while we are living in Hong Kong they got to live the life that I always
got to live the life that I always
got to live the life that I always envisioned therefore I moved overseas
envisioned therefore I moved overseas
envisioned therefore I moved overseas they were their circle was huge you know
they were their circle was huge you know
they were their circle was huge you know they’ve been immersed in a different
they’ve been immersed in a different
they’ve been immersed in a different culture and went to school with 100
culture and went to school with 100
culture and went to school with 100 different nationalities they understood
different nationalities they understood
different nationalities they understood that where they US which I’d never lived
that where they US which I’d never lived
that where they US which I’d never lived in was not the center of the world it
in was not the center of the world it
in was not the center of the world it was a great big world out there and just
was a great big world out there and just
was a great big world out there and just opened they were had open minds and
opened they were had open minds and
opened they were had open minds and willing to learn and we did get them
willing to learn and we did get them
willing to learn and we did get them back to Beijing where it all started but
back to Beijing where it all started but
back to Beijing where it all started but after 20 years there we decided we want
after 20 years there we decided we want
after 20 years there we decided we want to be closer to the States not lived
to be closer to the States not lived
to be closer to the States not lived there yet but closer and luckily we
there yet but closer and luckily we
there yet but closer and luckily we found work in K Menon we moved here in
found work in K Menon we moved here in
found work in K Menon we moved here in 2005 and again we found came out to be
2005 and again we found came out to be
2005 and again we found came out to be very similar and a lot of ways to ping
very similar and a lot of ways to ping
very similar and a lot of ways to ping gel it was an island was small it was a
gel it was an island was small it was a
gel it was an island was small it was a small community people knew each other
small community people knew each other
small community people knew each other was friendly was also a completely
was friendly was also a completely
was friendly was also a completely different culture because we never lived
different culture because we never lived
different culture because we never lived in the Caribbean before and that our
in the Caribbean before and that our
in the Caribbean before and that our children had access to all different
children had access to all different
children had access to all different nationalities of schools or just you
nationalities of schools or just you
nationalities of schools or just you know very multicultural and we love we
know very multicultural and we love we
know very multicultural and we love we love that thread and we’re continuing
love that thread and we’re continuing
love that thread and we’re continuing that journey with our children and
that journey with our children and
that journey with our children and eventually our oldest daughter had been
eventually our oldest daughter had been
eventually our oldest daughter had been living this States decided to come back
living this States decided to come back
living this States decided to come back here and get married I’m sorry but what
here and get married I’m sorry but what
here and get married I’m sorry but what mother doesn’t want include a wedding
mother doesn’t want include a wedding
mother doesn’t want include a wedding picture for daughter
picture for daughter
picture for daughter so you just have to excuse me for that
so you just have to excuse me for that
so you just have to excuse me for that but we’ve been living here ever since
but we’ve been living here ever since
but we’ve been living here ever since I’m looking back I have to say that
I’m looking back I have to say that
I’m looking back I have to say that living abroad has changed my life and
living abroad has changed my life and
living abroad has changed my life and it’s changed my life in ways I
it’s changed my life in ways I
it’s changed my life in ways I understand and perhaps I’ll never
understand and perhaps I’ll never
understand and perhaps I’ll never understand but I know it’s made me a
understand but I know it’s made me a
understand but I know it’s made me a better person more open more
better person more open more
better person more open more outward-looking more willing to
outward-looking more willing to
outward-looking more willing to experience different things and more
experience different things and more
experience different things and more understanding of how everybody
understanding of how everybody
understanding of how everybody interconnects throughout the world which
interconnects throughout the world which
interconnects throughout the world which is never a bad thing did I expect my
is never a bad thing did I expect my
is never a bad thing did I expect my journey would take me from Brooklyn to
journey would take me from Brooklyn to
journey would take me from Brooklyn to Beijing the Hong Kong became an no but
Beijing the Hong Kong became an no but
Beijing the Hong Kong became an no but as my husband says quoting someone else
as my husband says quoting someone else
as my husband says quoting someone else life is what happens when you’re making
life is what happens when you’re making
life is what happens when you’re making other plans and that’s certainly the
other plans and that’s certainly the
other plans and that’s certainly the case with me do I have any regrets
case with me do I have any regrets
case with me do I have any regrets not really except maybe I would have
not really except maybe I would have
not really except maybe I would have given my parents more than two weeks you
given my parents more than two weeks you
given my parents more than two weeks you get used to the idea of me moving to
get used to the idea of me moving to
get used to the idea of me moving to China and I would definitely learn more
China and I would definitely learn more
China and I would definitely learn more Chinese so I could have gotten out of
Chinese so I could have gotten out of
Chinese so I could have gotten out of trouble easier but other than that I’m
trouble easier but other than that I’m
trouble easier but other than that I’m pretty happy and I’d have to say that
pretty happy and I’d have to say that
pretty happy and I’d have to say that for young people here if you’re
for young people here if you’re
for young people here if you’re interested in living and learning
interested in living and learning
interested in living and learning another culture don’t be intimidated at
another culture don’t be intimidated at
another culture don’t be intimidated at the prospect don’t be intimidated by
the prospect don’t be intimidated by
the prospect don’t be intimidated by lack of funds I went to Beijing without
lack of funds I went to Beijing without
lack of funds I went to Beijing without a dollar in my pocket don’t be
a dollar in my pocket don’t be
a dollar in my pocket don’t be intimidated by lack of information these
intimidated by lack of information these
intimidated by lack of information these days just look at your smartphone you
days just look at your smartphone you
days just look at your smartphone you can find that anything about any culture
can find that anything about any culture
can find that anything about any culture and country in the world
and country in the world
and country in the world the world’s so much more of these days
the world’s so much more of these days
the world’s so much more of these days that it’s just it’s just an access to
that it’s just it’s just an access to
that it’s just it’s just an access to information so much easier don’t be
information so much easier don’t be
information so much easier don’t be intimidated by perceived lack of
intimidated by perceived lack of
intimidated by perceived lack of opportunities because the opportunities
opportunities because the opportunities
opportunities because the opportunities are there you really just have to find
are there you really just have to find
are there you really just have to find them do a little work and you’ll find
them do a little work and you’ll find
them do a little work and you’ll find them now as cliche as this may sound for
them now as cliche as this may sound for
them now as cliche as this may sound for the young people your life right now is
the young people your life right now is
the young people your life right now is an open book and all you have to do is
an open book and all you have to do is
an open book and all you have to do is write it now as a journalist perhaps
write it now as a journalist perhaps
write it now as a journalist perhaps that resonates more with me but I still
that resonates more with me but I still
that resonates more with me but I still think it’s out and I hope when you write
think it’s out and I hope when you write
think it’s out and I hope when you write your book that you’ll include some
your book that you’ll include some
your book that you’ll include some chapters on your international
chapters on your international
chapters on your international adventures and feel that people here
adventures and feel that people here
adventures and feel that people here whose books are well on their way I
whose books are well on their way I
whose books are well on their way I would say that there’s always room
would say that there’s always room
would say that there’s always room for an appendix or two the important
for an appendix or two the important
for an appendix or two the important thing just to keep churning if you
thing just to keep churning if you
thing just to keep churning if you really never know where he will wind up
”
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