I worked at a Chinese school for a year, as an American who does not speak Mandarin. I wrote down my experience. I wrote it down because Americans and Chinese interact constantly, but fear each other; and also because it was a bizarre experience. (If you’d like to start at the beginning, click here.)
Almost immediately upon my return to the United States, an even more bizarre thing happened: Americans elected a reality-show host to serve as President. While this was going on, I moved to Philadelphia and successfully turned myself into the caricature of a shiftless millennial: playing in bands, holding odd jobs of unclear social value, and living with roommates as I turned 30. This is possibly of some use to curious bystanders, so I write about that too.
Finally, when I get enough money to travel, I do. I take a notebook with me.