This week was the first week of classes for the spring semester at the university where I teach.

As a teacher, I can’t think of anything better than the first day of class, really.

Well, besides, the last day of class.

And, you know, all those days I don’t have class.

But the first [...]

I’m going to do something I don’t do very much on this here blog.

I’m going to write about a subject I am actually qualified to write about.

Just don’t get too used to it, okay?

After all, I’d hate to ruin my reputation as a totally unreliable source of information on the Internet.

[...]

A while back, I wrote that one of the things I love about Americans is that we know how to dream big. As kids, we all want to be rock stars and dolphin trainers and astronauts when we grow up. And, bless our little hearts, we all believe that given enough willpower and elbow [...]

Dear Big C, I can call you that, right? I know we’re just getting to know each other and all, but I feel like we’ve really, you know, connected over the past ten days.

I could just call you China, but everyone gets to call you that.

Your nickname – The Middle Kingdom – [...]

A week or so ago, I was sitting in a coffee shop in Chiang Mai with a friend of mine. As we were digging into our French toast and iced cappuccinos, we struck up a conversation with a man sitting next to us. He was an American in his early sixties or thereabouts. He [...]