Posted in China articles on Jan 23rd, 2012
No vacation for Chinese New Year in America? My Chinese father-in-law was surprised to hear we had no time off — but then again, he’s never known a world without Chinese New Year, like I have.
Read Full Post »
Posted in Ask the Yangxifu on Jan 20th, 2012
A Western woman wants to give her Chinese boyfriend hongbao/lai see because he’s younger, but those red envelopes are really more for kids.
Read Full Post »
Posted in Ask the Yangxifu on Jan 13th, 2012
Accomplished Chinese food writer and yangxifu Carolyn J. Phillips talks with me about food and what it takes to charm your Chinese family at the table.
Read Full Post »
Posted in China articles on Jan 31st, 2011
Celebrating Chinese New Year overseas, in the midst of a busy life? Start with these six tips to help squeeze the holiday spirit into your crazy schedule.
Read Full Post »
Posted in Ask the Yangxifu on Dec 31st, 2010
Meeting Chinese men, impressing Chinese parents, and changing your name after marriage in China are some of the most popular Ask the Yangxifu topics in 2010.
Read Full Post »
Posted in China articles on Dec 20th, 2010
Tips on how to make this a very Chinese Christmas, from Chinese Christmas ornaments and decorations to a Chinese Christmas dinner.
Read Full Post »
I wondered why Er Ge — the second oldest brother of John, my Chinese boyfriend — was so painfully quiet. Learning his story was like a window into the pressures of young unmarried Chinese in the countryside.
Read Full Post »
Even as I shot a photo of John’s family during Chinese New Year, I still didn’t see have the entire picture of his family — until I showed them pictures of my own.
Read Full Post »
I never felt such a bitter cold until I went to my Chinese boyfriend’s countryside hometown for Chinese New Year — and discovered I was too embarrassed to ask for more warmth at night, afraid his parents would look down on me.
Read Full Post »
I followed John, my Chinese boyfriend, and his two older brothers as they paid respects at their ancestor’s grave during Chinese New Year. As I stood aside and took pictures, I wondered just how close — or how far — I was from their family.
Read Full Post »