I have learned some lessons about writing, getting things done and managing multiple responsibilities over the last couple years. I just finished peer review, wrote my dissertation, proposed, defended and all, on top of regular work teaching, committee work at…
Chinese New Year
The 22nd is Chinese New Year’s Eve this year. Because Chinese New Year is governed by the lunar calendar, the date can be different every year for those of us who use the solar calendar – which is everyone. Even…
ANGEL Orientation
Because Comp 1 is a gateway class (that is, success in Comp 1 correlates highly with success in college), and for many students it is a class they take their first semester in class – we cover some topics, skills…
American Born Chinese: graphic novel review
American Born Chinese provides an easily accessible introduction to the immigrant experience in a graphic novel format. It is an award winning book that even my 4 year old was drawn into, but the subtle allegory can be brilliant at…
Red Mandarin Dress: an Inspector Chen Mystery.
I really enjoyed The Red Mandarin Dress (again, available cheap on Amazon and in kindle), though irreconcilable confusion and contradictions seem to be a deliberate theme. The title, and most of the book, insists on using term “mandarin dress” though …
When Red is Black: Inspector Chen Mystery
This book has interesting information on architecture, as well as traditional Chinese literature and language. Evidently shikumen – or traditional Chinese dwellings developed initially for one family – when adapted for mulit-family use converted a tiny room on a landing…
A Loyal Character Dancer: Inspector Chen Mystery
This book is also available at Amazon cheap, and in Kindle ebook. I particularly like how this book teaches lessons in essential Chinese vocabulary. (For more details and resources see China Composition Wiki here). Loyal is on the cover, and…
Death of a Red Heroine: Inspector Chen Mystery
As I described how this Award Winning book won me over earlier, let me offer some practical information on the text and some details. There is some sex – but it’s SFW. It’s done well. There is also some implied…
Inspector Chen Cao: Qiu Xiaolong’s Mystery Series
The Inspector Chen mysteries by Qiu Xiaolong came highly recommended by retired JCCC librarian Andrea Kempf. I approached the first novel, Death of a Read Heroine, skeptically and read resistently for for the first 30 or 40 pages, but have…
Judge Dee: The Monkey and the Tiger
I enjoyed The Monkey and the Tiger. It’s 2 novellas that are unrelated – except by a lesson/theme in the Chinese zodiac. I have stories I could tell about that. Perhaps I shouldn’t. People in Asia still take it seriously. …