The Tangshan Taxi
Editorial, Travel Writing
“Where you going?” he said in English, sporting his straw hat and protruding gut that had ventured slightly beyond the brim of said hat. I really can’t say why we did in the end, but something about him made us trust him. Maybe his rotundness? It was probably and more likely the older woman clutching some medicine who wanted to join our trip to Qianxi. She wanted to go and was paying the same price as us… It couldn’t be too sketchy, right? Right?
Traditional Chinese Massage Torture
Editorial, Travel Writing
I’m laying flat on my face, waiting. For what? I’m not sure. All I know is that my friend told her not to hold back. I can hear him in the background, “Look, it’s the cups!” I want to hit him, but then again, I did agree to this. Sure enough, I hear her light a flame and then a SHLOP. About a three-inch circle of my skin is now bulging inside a glass cup. It’s a very strange feeling. Not unpleasant, though. I shouldn’t have spoken so soon.
Being White in China
Editorial, Travel Writing
That’s only the beginning. While eating said noodles, all eyes remain on you. I’ve learned to stare out into the great beyond (the wall) and ignore them. “Wow, the foreigner can use chopsticks.” “I didn’t know foreigners could eat Chinese food.” “Take a photo for your grandmother.” And yes, many photos are taken, much to the ire of pretty much every expat here. When you agree to the otherwise awesome lifestyle of an expat in China, you must wave goodbye to privacy in public.
Culture Shock is Not a Bad Thing
Editorial, Travel Writing
When I walked down Elm Street to get here, I could hear birds, the willows being rustled by the breeze and the general ambience of downtown that always suggests “something” is happening. On Ju Ying Guo Ji, my street in China, it’s usually the incessant honking of horns, the rattling of pneumatic drills and someone hocking up an impressive specimen of phlegm that will no doubt land inches from my feet a half second later.
5 Challenges of TEFL
Content Writing, Travel Writing
I see a new face at the expat bar every weekend, undoubtedly drawn to this frozen corner of Heilongjiang Province by the promise of a lifestyle change, adventure, and a unique cultural experience — along with a free apartment, money, and a 15-hour workweek. I don’t want to be the one to burst their bubble while they’re holding their drink, still high off jet lag and excitement, but these are five of the headaches that await them on their TEFL journey.
How to Survive the Swedish Sittning
Content Writing, Travel Writing
I’m kneeling against a wall with a blindfold on. Rather than the cold steel of a gun barrel being placed against the back of my head, a Swedish girl begins to massage my right earlobe. She finds it desirable, and removes her own blindfold. We are now partners for this most wondrous exercise in revelry: the Swedish sittning. The “sittning,” which doesn’t make a huge translingual leap to the English “sitting,” most often refers to a student dinner party.
CBD Oil May Help Reduce Crohn’s Symptoms
Content Writing, SEO Writing
A new study has found that cannabidiol oil may bring relief to those who suffer from Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s is one of many types of inflammatory bowel disease that plague those who have it with debilitating symptoms like diarrhoea, stomach cramps, bloody stools, fatigue, and weight loss. There is currently no cure for Crohn’s. Patients must rely on treatments that target the symptoms, such as steroidal medications or invasive surgery to remove parts of the digestive tract. CBD oil may provide a less intrusive treatment option for Crohn’s patients.
Learn Your CBDs: Crystals and E-liquid
Content Writing, SEO Writing
As CBD continues to grow in popularity, so do the possibilities for different CBD products. You may be familiar with some of the more common options available in shops like CBD oil, CBD tinctures, CBD capsules, and CBD lotions. It’s easy to get lost among all of these different choices! Over the next few weeks, we’re going to feature some of our favourite products here at CBD Supermarket in an effort to help both CBD newbies and veterans gain a better understanding of the different options to find a product that works best for them.
Web-to-Print Evolved Article Series
Copywriting, Localization
Aurigma is an international corporation that specializes in web-to-print technology for the printing industry. I am their principal copywriter and have been helping them promote their flagship product. This is a 3-part series of articles, each covering a specific aspect of their product and business model. I have also proofread and edited their entire technical documentation for this product, but will not link it out of respect for their analytics. Ask if you want to see more!
Web-to-Print with Photoshop White Paper
Copywriting, Localization
For each of the aforementioned articles, I've also written a white paper that covers that particular topic in greater depth. This paper in particular discusses Aurigma's technology and its compatibility with Adobe Photoshop. The purpose of these papers is to inform potential customers in the industry with a somewhat objective tone while still generating new leads. Please send me an inquiry if you'd like to see more examples from Aurigma.