Migrant Worker

Beijing Sunset
Originally uploaded by catic-teder.

Loyal readers (for example, my father): Do not fear, although I have been a bit lazy lately, I will continue to blog. I will admit I have been on a rather long hiatus, however, I’ve been preoccupied with the details of my impending move to Beijing and a number of personal projects and issues. Although I will continue to write here until further notice or Princeton cuts me off, a few changes will be in store in the coming month:

1. I will be blogging from Beijing beginning in late December. I will still focus on development, agriculture, and environment, and I will probably be writing a good deal about Yunnan province, but since I will be living in Beijing, chances are you’ll be reading more about the frozen northern urban wasteland, and specifically, the migrant workers (of the impoverished Chinese variety) who have it really rough up here. More on that coming soon.

2. I won’t be blogging much about work. Why? Because I will be working for the US Department of Agriculture and am pretty well committed to stay away from anything interesting (read: controversial) that comes of it. Sorry. Line between blog and job must be maintained. On the other hand, if you want to read some thrilling market reports or hear about the latest food fair, watch this space!

3. The banner photo may have to change. I mean, honestly, there is nothing green up here. At all. When my Ipod shuffled up the song “California Dreamin’” this morning, I could identify for the first time in a while:

All the leaves are brown And the sky is grey I’ve been for a walk On a winter’s day If I didn’t tell her I could leave today California dreamin’ On such a winter’s day…