Category: Tai Tales
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After Charlie Kirk: Reflections from Malaysia
We Malaysians have learned over the last few painful decades: you need to be united as a people to effect any effective change in your country.
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Should we bring up China’s Nanjing Massacre today?
As the movie Dead to Rights (Nanjing Photo Studio)《南京照相馆》gains attention in China and globally, some critics wonder: Why bring it up now?
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Weekend Tales #8: My favourite things of 2024
I was wondering who in the world would be interested in my favourite things. But then I realised that one of them could actually save your life, so here am I sharing it. Siti the kitty She’s a little bite-y, but we have this little ritual where, each time she sees me, she’ll let out…
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My experience ‘going paid’ on Subastack in 2024
Last year, I activated the option for readers to pay me on a lark, and was surprised by what happened despite my very low expectations.
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Weekend Tales #7: Year ends and bodice rippers in the desert
Reflecting on 2024 while watching trashy TV. Also, links to articles I’ve written and have read.
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I love Malaysia. I also resent it.
It’s complicated. A bittersweet letter to Malaysia on Malaysia Day. 📧 Subscribe to read the post. Subscription is free.
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5 more reads from Asia
The results of my painstaking digging of the interwebs for your reading pleasure.
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Malaysians stunned by Kuala Lumpur sinkhole
Like many Malaysians, my eyes are glued to news a sinkhole that swallowed a woman in the middle of the capital. 📧 Subscribe to read the post. Subscription is free.
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That time when I lived in a haunted house
It’s Hungry Ghost month so what better time to talk about the haunted house I lived in? 📧 Subscribe to read the post. Subscription is free.
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Weekend Tales #6: The Paris Olympics fried my brain
A South-East Asian reaction to the social media hullabaloo around the Last Supper, Christians, Republicans, Democrats, Dionysus, blah blah. 📧 Subscribe to read the post. Subscription is free.
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Learning Chinese vocabulary as a headless chicken
How to learn new words when you work a full-time job, have 1001 interests, write a newsletter, two blogs and be a well-managed human being. 📧 Subscribe to read the post. Subscription is free.
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I once tolerated Kuala Lumpur. Now, I love it
Growing up, I saw little beauty in Kuala Lumpur. It was a city I tolerated, not loved. But, over the years, KL has blossomed into something special. 📧 Subscribe to read the post. Subscription is free.
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The cold war in Chinese fandom spaces
The “China bad” narrative is infecting even “fluffy” Chinese online fandom spaces, forcing fans to take sides in the US-China cold war. 📧 Subscribe to read the post. Subscription is free.
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The tricky art of learning Chinese characters
I thought learning how to read Chinese was impossible for me. Turns out I needed to use the right techniques. 📧 Subscribe to read the post. Subscription is free.
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Substack round-up: Six newsletters from Asia
Unique voices from the East that will give you insights on culture, art and thought. 📧 Subscribe to read the post. Subscription is free.
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So I’m learning Mandarin
Introducing a new newsletter section where I will share how I’m trying to improve my Mandarin as a “heritage” speaker.
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Weekend Tales #5 My ambition is to have an unextraordinary life
No fancy corporate titles, giant mansions or flashy paychecks for me. 📧 Subscribe to read the post. Subscription is free.
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3 Body Problem is a bit of a problem
The Netflix drama’s depiction of China is, well, problematic. Or is it? Chinese viewers weigh in. (If you’ve not watched the drama, please note that this issue is slightly spoilery.) 📧 Subscribe to read the post. Subscription is free.
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3 Body Problem vs Three-Body
In which I compare Netflix’s with Tencent’s (China) adaptation. This issue is non-spoilery. Part 1 of 2 because I wrote a freakin’ long essay. 📧 Subscribe to read the post. Subscription is free.
Elizabeth Tai 