Growing up in America, December was always a special month. Not only did we get to celebrate Christmas, but in the days leading up to the holiday, in some kind of quirky tradition, cable TV channels would play all the James Bond films ever made. I watched these classic movies every year with my family, […]
Destinations
Willard Hotel Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea
One of the highlights of the Washington, DC spring season is, of course, the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Many area bars and restaurants celebrate the annual event, adding special cocktails and dishes to their menus. The best of the bunch is the Willard Hotel cherry blossom tea. This exquisite high tea is served in the […]
Walking With Dinosaurs at the National Museum of Natural History
Growing up in Virginia, my classmates and I were often taken on field trips into Washington, DC, to explore the variety of cultural riches on offer. My favorite museum was (and still is) the National Museum of Natural History, thanks to its amazing collection of dinosaur fossils. Part of the Smithsonian Institution, the Museum opened […]
The Best Meals We Ate in Shanghai
This post is long overdue, considering that I’ve now been gone from Shanghai for nearly six months. But while I’ve already written about many of the outstanding meals we enjoyed during our tenure in China’s largest city, there are still more worth sharing – and a few worth repeating! Chuanxiang Sichuan Restaurant Chuanxiang was our […]
Becoming a Celebrity in China
What happens when a blonde American with blue eyes and extremely pale skin moves to China? If my experience is any indication, she becomes an instant celebrity! To say that I stood out from the local population is a bit of an understatement. While China has a surprising amount of ethnic diversity, the society is […]