In my first few days of university I met a bright, bubbly girl while I was out on a pub-crawl. She had crazy hair, wore glasses and she was on the same degree course as me. We spoke at high speed back and forth for hours that night, and became great friends very quickly. We [...]
Category: Blog Post
Why can’t I write about China?
Since I moved to Beijing, my parents have told me countless times to be careful what I write about China. I wouldn’t want to get caught by some kind of authority and be kicked out of the country now, would I? But this has not been a problem, because, as much as I would love [...]
Sarah Silverman’s recommendation to Lenny: Lady Parts Justice
I'm a Lenny subscriber. So I'm treated to intelligent, witty, Feminist writing at the end of every week, when I need it most. Lenny's weekly letter picks me up just as my Friday evening is setting in (I'm 13 hours ahead of NYC). On the way home on the Beijing subway after 7 hours of [...]
Aung San Suu Kyi wins Burma (Myanmar)’s landmark election with overwhelming majority
I can barely believe this is true!! I had hardly dared hope this would really happen, but Aung San Suu Kyi has won a huge majority in Burma's elections held last Sunday. Election commission says National League for Democracy has won staggering majority in parliament, ending decades of military dominance Announcements of the results have [...]
When was the last time you took a bath with your mother?
In April this year, my wonderful mother came to visit me in Beijing. She hadn’t taken an international trip alone for a few years. Well, she hadn’t left Europe alone for something like 30 years. (Having kids changes things like that, I would think.) So she boarded a plane from Norwich to Amsterdam, Amsterdam to [...]
Burma (Myanmar) elections: The day after
At five past three (China time) today, I saw some fantastic news, via the Guardian's breaking news app: Myanmar elections: ruling party concedes defeat to Aung San Suu Kyi's NLD party This was the best news I could possibly imagine. I shared it. But I knew it was too good, or at least too fast, [...]
Aung San Suu Kyi resolved to form reconciliation government, to lead Burma from ‘above the president’
Tomorrow, Sunday 8th November 2015, is election day. Burma (Myanmar) is in desperate need of change, and, if democratic process is adhered to, the people of Burma will soon have the change they deserve. This is a huge moment for the Burmese people who have fought for freedom and democracy on many fronts for many many [...]
Women’s fashion: Twenty minutes at a Burmese tailor in Mawlamyine
I walked in, said ‘tailor?’ and ‘longyi’ – the women sitting on the floor looked at me in puzzlement for a few minutes. Then one stood to show me her longyi; it took a few attempts before I realised the style of her mauve longyi was in fact an improvement on the normal style – [...]
“I’m just glad you don’t have to blow a Post Modernist”: Movember vs. NaBloPoMo
It's that time of year again. Yesterday was Halloween. Everybody who is anybody was (apparently) out celebrating, dressed up like idiots tonight. (I stuffed a towel up my striped t-shirt, wore a skirt over my boyfriend's jeans and stitched him a sweatband - we were Juno and Paulie, and I wasn't the only 'pregnant' costume at [...]
Open Mouths: Free speech in Burma?
‘Things will only change if she wins. If they let her in, there will be changes. If not, things will be stable.’ Pausing at a busy junction in downtown Yangon as I wait to cross, a heavy bag on my back, an older Burmese woman mutters under her breath telling me it is safe to [...]
Zhēn de Gender 