A CHINA HAND AND HIS WIFE
Qingdao, China

I thought this would come a lot later than it did, but in the market today a man called me a real "Zhong gua tong," or "China hand." Even though it has no negative meaning, it's not always a compliment. It means I'm familiar with the country. I guess it means my Chinese is getting better too. (mostly just when I'm bargaining)

And then there's the awkwardness of everyone thinking my mother is my wife........................................................... um, hmmm... She does look younger than her 47 years and I look more sagely than my 23 years, but come on people! When they ask me if she' s my girlfriend, I usually just spare them the face and answer "NO" and leave it at that.

I guess the Chinese have the same problem discerning foreigners' ages as we have determining theirs.

oh, and check out this animation if you've got time for some anti-war agitprop. It concerns the media blackout about not showing (our) dead soldiers.