About NFX

This site is first and foremost a place where I (Richard Frost or more commonly these days Lí Zhì 李志 ) can write about the life that goes on around us here in China. It probably does keep me a little more awake to things than may be I would be otherwise but mostly I like it for the creative processes involved. It is a good hobby to have. My Notes won’t necessarily be about Xi’an but they will always be China related.

I do tend to set whatever I see and write in a more generalized context, so these Notes probably won’t have a straight forward feel of a personal blog – “I think this, that, did this, that etc.” Although, of course there will be a bit of that. I’ve read that this is not the best way to write a blog; you are supposed to take a stance, make your views stand up, but hey ho.

In fact, it is probably more just a website like any other; that offers information and is sometimes worth a read (you can see the Menu or the links below for the other bits and pieces I have scattered around). There will more than likely be a bit of a socio-political twist to most of my Notes, the legacy of studying a bit too much sociology, politics and philosophy when I was younger.

This probably won’t manifest in commentaries on the political events and issues of the day, there are a lot of people out there doing that with a greater knowledge of China and contemporary affairs than I. Though, I might chance my arm from time-to-time, when I am feeling at my most impassioned or at my insightful best.

Generally, I’ll just try to keep up-to-date with some of these contemporary issues through the ‘China Articles’ page, where I’ll continue to add extracts and links to China news stories that I have found of interest. There is already quite a lot of stuff there worth flicking through.

In short, these Notes will I am sure not represent much more than the fact: that this is a crazy old world, that I can’t seem to shake a bit of hope for it, that I enjoy living in Xi’an, that this is China and nobody really knows where it is going, and that as a light is shone on China, it also shines a light back on us.

So, in addition to my Notes From Xi’an, I have added a frequently updated catalogue of extracts and links to Contemporary China Articles. This helps me keep a bit more on top of things than may be I would otherwise. I have also added a good selection of spots for Hanging Out In Xi’an, particularly Xi’an’s growing selection of coffee shops (as I am often found hanging out in them). There is an Archive, a cross-section of valuable China Sites, an evolving list of Xi’an Links & Listings, some Pictures of Xi’an, a page of my more Xi’an Centred Notes and a page of China Book Links; a selection of contemporary China related texts that are worth a read.

*There are a few links in the sidebar to a few charitable organisations that are based in Xi’an, where there are some opportunities for voluntary work, as well as donation. They are also listed together on the Links and Listings page.

**It is just a hobby of mine so I do apologize in advance if some sections are not as comprehensive as they might be- things may well evolve. If you have any questions, if you have some advice or if there is a place you think I should note/update or a link I should add, just let me know and I’ll check it out: www.nfx@gmail.com

About Me

I have lived in Xi’an for about four years. I am English, grew up all over Britain, spent quite a bit of time traveling when I was younger, ended up studying Politics and Philosophy at University and lived in London for a couple of years, before traveling through Sri Lanka and India to get to China

I had realised back in Britain when looking around at things that it was time to decide what I really wanted to do with my life. The answer, was that I wanted to travel in India and spend a good chunk of that life in China.

The basic reasons being that I had nearly visited India ten years earlier and it felt somewhat like going home to finally go there. Second, after looking around at the world; through my studies and from wider experiences, it seemed that in my life time China was going to have a significant, if not the most significant influence over many of the issues that will shape our societies. It seemed to me that if I wanted to get a sense of how our world was to go forward I needed to get a sense of this country and its people. My simple plan before arriving was if I liked it, I would stay.

Since being here, I have only traveled a little, visiting a few quiet spots in Gansu, Sichuan, Yunnan and Xinjiang (the photograph above was taken at Lake Karakul, a few hours outside Kashgar), as well as a few trips to Beijing and Shanghai. I have a Chinese fiancee who comes from the South of Shaanxi, I teach a little, study a little, do a little voluntary work and generally enjoy a simple and pleasant life here in Xi’an. This country or more precisely this city does seem to be becoming home.

Enjoy,

Richard (李志)