Bamboo Sketches
by Charity Lee Jennings
The Days Of Chinese New Year
Kids, ready to be released for the biggest holiday of the year, chanted a poem that told of the series of days that would carry them to Chinese New Year. The first special day, when they ate Eight Treasure Porridge, had already passed. Now they anticipated the...
Eight Treasures
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” Melody Beattie Winter in China is like a popcorn string of holidays. The cool of October brings Canadian Thanksgiving and in November, along with American friends, we give thanks again ushering in a season filled with...
From Failure To Failure
“Success is going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” Winston Churchill It wasn’t until I’d been in China a few years and collected a suitcase full of adventures that I longed to return to school. (My desire to see the world had trumped sitting...
My Chinese Ink Painting
Here she is – the woman who represents what, for me, somehow slipped away.
An Anchored Gift
It’s a simple looking thing. If you saw it in my home you might not give it a second glance. But I’m reminded it ranks high as kids quiet for the night and from the shelter of my room I hear water boiling and spoons tinkling. Brian is preparing two hot drinks to...
Falling Behind – The Finale
My cup of tea wasn't the only enjoyable aspect of our trip. Now I have this memory of Blossom taking in the view. Did you read the story Falling Behind?
Falling Behind – Part 3
Have you read Falling Behind Parts 1 & 2? I wish the man behind me would wear headphones. He’s playing a game so loud it sounds like I’m in an arcade. The airline must be expecting that too, their announcements invade at a decibel level designed to be heard over a...
Falling Behind – Part 2
Have you read Falling Behind - Part 1? “I’ve been here before. I think we have to take a bus,” Brian says. We start down a hallway that, compared to those in terminal one, is narrow and barren. That bus Brian mentioned turns into an escalator, a train, another train,...
Falling Behind – Part 1
Two young men, between bites of burgers, recount recent travels. As one destination piles atop another, their stories swell. They wear a nonchalant freedom and I wish I could don their wings, if only for a day. They are at the table beside us, in the Hong Kong...
My Bamboo Sketch
Travelling With A Friend – Part 2
Have you read - Travelling With A Friend Part 1? The airport McDonald’s is bubbling with energy. People make it through the winding wait with steaming food in hand - they attempt to find chairs and tables in a space overflowing. I find seating for three and arrange...
Travelling With A Friend – Part 1
“Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.” Helen Keller I press the snooze button. 4:40am. My bed feels cozy, blanket soft. I groan. Who gets up at this hour? I let sleep pull me away. “You better wake up.” My husband...