I've been looking forward to a visit from one of my sons, along with my husband's return to China after some time working, golfing and fishing back home. Our pre-trip preparations are a breeze compared to what my Chinese colleagues would have to go through if they planned a trip abroad.

Recently, two of my colleagues mentioned to me that they have had to surrender their passports to the authorities. Everyone on staff at the managerial level had to turn in their passport. If they want to go abroad, they have to fill out forms, get things stamped, their boss has to sign off for them, and so the boss's career is on the line, too.

This curtailment of their civil liberties is an attempt to stem mostly corruption+ and to a lesser extent espionage. For me, this was a reminder that behind this civil society (and by "civil," I mean orderly, courteous, safe and the trains run on time) lies a dictatorship. 
 
In my year and a half in China, I haven't seen a prison or an orphanage, but I know that they are out there. Somewhere in this province, political dissidents are being held and baby girls and disabled children are being abandoned by parents. One such "baby hatch" is located in the provincial capital of Jinan, just a few hours by train from where I live. Shortly after its opening the authorities were overwhelmed with the number of foundlings.

As an amateur pundit who can neither read or speak Chinese or Korean, apart from knowing a Korean folk song about a rabbit, I will fearlessly weigh in on a recent Daily Beast editorial that asked, Will China Colonize North Korea?  

No, I don't think so. The Chinese may be forced to temporarily occupy parts of North Korea, however.

The Daily Beast editorial glosses over the creation of the two Koreas like this:  The Allies ejected Japan from Korea but temporarily divided the peninsula at the end of World War II. The division into a Soviet-dominated state, now the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and an American-supported one, the Republic of Korea, hardened into the two-state system that exists today. 

Last night I got a chance to see an episode of "China From Above" on a wickedly good TV screen. Episode One looks even more interesting and beautiful. I'd definitely make time to watch this National Geographic show. Breathtaking vistas, colors, buildings and scenery.

Recently, Austin Guidry, a Chinese-based teacher* and video blogger, posted his thoughts on the personality traits you need to successfully live overseas.  I've been meaning to touch on this topic myself. His list of traits was well-thought-out, so I'm going to straight-up steal it+, and add some comments of my own.

First challenge -- you've been invited for lunch. The waiter plonks down a full plate of plump, juicy, deep-fried cicadas right in front of you. 
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