The First Steps

13 years ago I boarded a one-way flight to Beijing with two suitcases and a backpack. Just six months before, I had been in China for the first time in my life, returned to America, and started planning and preparing for this big move. I had signed up for a two and a half year agreement to study Chinese for the first six months and then teach English at a university for two years after that. At the time, there’s no way I could have known all of the adventures, friendships, and life-change that awaited me. 

In this blog, I’m going to take as many posts as I need to dig deep into my memory and tell you as many stories and as many details as I can about my experiences. People closest to me would agree that those years living in a foreign country completely changed the trajectory of my life and my views on humanity, politics, friendships, and nearly everything else. 

My hope is that these posts will be in mostly chronological order so it’s easier to follow along on the journey. Together, as we explore the recesses of my memory, we’re going to meet new friends, explore new places, try to understand new cultures, and (spoiler alert) find my wife along the way. 

I’m looking forward to this journey and, if I’m honest, a little nervous to see what memories and emotions come to the surface. We will all soon find out together.