Category Archives: China Expat Life
What’s in store for Thirty Four?
Today’s my birthday. I’m 34. I think this is the first birthday I’ve ever said it, but I feel older. Not old, but older. Undoubtedly some, if not most, of that feeling of age relates to being a parent now. Nothing forces you to look at the world in more “grown up” terms than when …
Attn: parents of mixed Chinese kids
From the Global Times:
The city’s Exit-Entry Administration Bureau on Monday strongly advised parents of biracial infants born in China with Chinese nationalities to make sure their paperwork is in order before arriving at local airports, after some 100 families have been prohibited from taking their infant children out of the country this year.
Mixed children with a Chinese nationality require a “pass certification” before they are permitted to go abroad, according to Chinese law.
“But the majority of parents are unaware of the policy, or cannot be bothered apply for the certificate, which mixed kids living in China need,” Li Feng, a press officer for the bureau, told the Global Times on Monday. “If their parents don’t get the certificate, then biracial kids are not legally allowed to leave the country.”
After completing a national validation for their biracial children, parents can apply for the certificate at the city’s Exit-Entry Administration Bureau, a process that takes at least seven working days and costs 100 yuan ($15).
Mixed children who hold a foreign nationality do not need the certificate, but are required to have the same travel documents as foreigners living in China. Dual citizenship is not recognized by China.
Interviewed by Offbeat Marriage
When Glee contacted me about being interviewed for her site, Offbeat Marriage, I was a bit unsure what I would be able to add to the discussion. Despite Maggie and I having been married for about four and a half years now, I spend very little time consciously aware of the fact that we come …
Living in Haikou – First Impressions
Well, I promised video/photos or a rant, and I’m happy to report I have no rant to offer. We moved in last Friday and have been living in a sort of stasis since. As mentioned, the new place is brand new, and so when we arrived to get the keys last Thursday we were happy …
Home Hunting in Haikou
I thought I had a decent amount of apartment hunting experience, but Haikou was beginning to kick my ass. The problem is a simple one — pretty much all the decent apartments are owned by Mainlanders, and so most potential landlords are either not here or here but on their way off the island until …
Goodbye Suzhou; Hello Hainan
The places I've lived, or will live, in China
After more than four and a half years, we’re leaving Suzhou.
Casey Photos: Bedtimes and Toy Boxes
Here are a few recent photos of Casey I’ve been meaning to post but just never seem to find the time. The little guy is growing so fast. He’s got two teeth now and has started to show signs of wanting to walk. He doesn’t have the balance yet to attempt it himself but he …
Chinese New Year’s Eve 2011: Hello Rabbit
Last night was my sixth time welcoming in a new lunar year here in China. I always approach Chinese New Year’s Eve with a healthy dose of cynical expatations, and I’m always blown away, pun intended, with how it never fails to impress me.
True, the day(s) leading up to CNYE have every ratta-tat-tat sound sending a splash of rage through my spine for its relentless assault on holiday peace and quiet, but when the big event arrives and the entire country ignites into a cacophony of explosive sounds and visuals, it’s hard not to appreciate how truly one-of-a-kind the experience is.
Tom Carter, author of CHINA: Portrait of a People @ Suzhou Bookworm
For all the Suzhou folks that have weathered my blog’s migration from “Suzhou/China commentary” to “all about the baby”, here’s one for you — head down to the Suzhou Bookworm tomorrow night for a talk by photojournalist Tom Carter, author of CHINA: Portrait of a People, an amazing book of photography capturing every corner of …
Suzhou’s Mr. Softee mentioned in NYT
Just ran across this New York Times article about Mr. Softee in China and wanted to throw a shout out to my friend Turner. Here’s a bit of an excerpt, but definitely go read the full article: It happened almost by accident. An American working as an English teacher was walking around the streets of …
