JEANNIE'S BLOG

  • October 29th, 2012
    WHY PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS IS LIKE ROADKILL »

    I’m on week 4 of my news black out and let me tell you, ignorance is bliss at a time like this.

  • Me with my umbrella and map--my two essential accessories in Tokyo. Aren't you glad I didn't post any photos of bathrooms!!September 4th, 2012
    The Chinese and Japanese Unmentionables »

    Moving from China to Japan, we’ve been talking a lot about bathrooms. The quality of the bathrooms is just one of the more obvious differences between the two countries.

  • A Mao wood cut in Lijiang. The store owner fussed at me for taking this photo--as if an image of Mao was intellectual property or something.August 25th, 2012
    How Now Mao? »

    Images of Mao are everywhere in China, which is amazing considering his record. Here are a few favorites, with the most hilarious Mao reference at the end (scroll down for a hoot).

  • Here we are in front of the Mitsubishi Pajero that our wonderful driver, Tian Ha, steered through dangerous roads.August 22nd, 2012
    The Butt-Clenching Road to Tibet »

    I had no idea what I had gotten our family into when I planned a drive through the Tibetan regions of China. Only after we’d gotten home did I discover that I’d taken my kids on the third most dangerous road in the world, which might qualify me for Bad Mother of the Year award.

  • Taking a break on the shores of Lake Erhai in Dali.August 13th, 2012
    A Three-Bike Story »

    You never know what’s going to happen on a bike ride in China. Two of our three bike rides held surprises–one good, one not so great.

  • Jeb teaching Peter and Na Na the game of War.August 4th, 2012
    Long China Train Running »

    After 52 hours on Chinese trains, I can say it was worth (almost) every minute–especially because we got to meet Peter and Na Na.

  • My sweet and very ingratiating "friend" cooling me off.July 31st, 2012
    My Big Chinese Fan »

    She was peppy and adorable and I couldn’t shake her. How I earned a friend and a new nickname on the Great Wall.

  • jeangjforbiddenJuly 26th, 2012
    In the Land of Heavenly Tofu »

    Our first adventure in China was a culinary one. On the day we explored Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City we find real excitement at a tiny restaurant in an alleyway.

  • July 14th, 2012
    CHINA BOUND »

    China lives in Southwest Austin. Or that’s how it feels right now at our house. With a week to go till we leave for China, we are immersing ourselves in Chinese culture and history. We have been looking at books on Ancient China and watching a fascinating, highly recommended documentary about recent history called China: [...]

  • IMG_1350May 8th, 2012
    The End of One Dream; The Beginning of Others »

    When I lived in Manhattan, I had a recurring dream that I opened up a closet and—lo and behold—there was a whole other room there I never knew about. My recurring dream when I lived in Mexico was that Whole Foods was opening a store down there so I could get all those little extras [...]

bio_jeannie

Jeannie Ralston

Jeannie Ralston (alias Mom) is a contributing editor at Parenting magazine, has written articles for many national magazines—including National Geographic, Life, Travel & Leisure—and has published a book, The Unlikely Lavender Queen. When she’s not writing or hanging with the family, you can find her nose in a book or a crossword puzzle. She loves to ski as well and counts her helicopter skiing expedition in Utah as one of her greatest sporting adventures. She is happy to report that she’s been to one country that Robb never has—Ireland.