Life, Travel and My Quarter Life Crisis

Life, Travel and My Quarter Life Crisis

I’m in a rough place right now. Possibly a quarter life crisis, if that’s even a thing. Sometimes living abroad is hard, and overwhelming. My friends are all starting careers, developing relationships and decorating apartments, and here I am with no career prospects, a master’s degree and $20k USD in debt…. Help me. I’ve always […]

I’m a Chinese Beauty Anomaly

I’m a Chinese Beauty Anomaly

Over the last few years, I’ve talked a bit about Chinese beauty standards and how they differ from America and most other “western” countries. Whether it’s skin whitening or the fact that I can be simultaneously fat and beautiful, sometimes it’s hard to wrap my head around the notions of Chinese beauty. As a woman, […]

Breaking Up to Travel the World

Breaking Up to Travel the World

I’ve been wanting to write this post for months. But to be honest, I’ve been afraid to get this personal. Sure I’ve talked about my struggles and loneliness living in China, my embarrassment when a student called me fat, and how I sometimes judge people for not being as “adventurous” as me. I even went […]

Why I Still Need Feminism

Why I Still Need Feminism

Feminism is the buzzword of 2014. Celebrities are “coming out” as feminists, rape culture is all over the news, and the gender pay gap is a huge topic of debate. Recently, a Tumblr has emerged titled “Why I don’t need feminism”. It consists of women holding up signs, declaring why they, personally, don’t need feminism. A […]

Classroom Culture Shock: So I’m Fat AND Sexy?

Classroom Culture Shock: So I’m Fat AND Sexy?

Being a minor celebrity in my middle-of-nowhere high school has led to some interesting experiences and classroom culture shock; one of which is the adjectives my students use to describe me. Aside from the typical “HELLO TEACHER!”, “RICHELLE!!”, “AHHH MS. JIANG!”, I also get “SO BEAUTIFUL!!!” multiple times a day, every day. Talk about a […]