Hello, my name is Sean, or in some places online, Nug. I’m another pasty white addition to the Dead Leaves crew~
I started my tea journey during my undergrad years studying international affairs. Some of my roommates had brought tea back from Taiwan, and we drank them on days we skipped class. When I eventually went over to Taiwan to study for a year myself, I became much more familiar with teas. It stuck with me, and over the past few years (we’ll say since 2012-2013) I have been more heavily invested in tea drinking. My profession is somewhat in limbo right now- I am back in grad school getting my masters in Secondary Education. My bachelor’s degree is useless where I live (and I didn’t move to find work which is totally my fault).
For the better part of the last decade, I have been learning/speaking Chinese. It has landed me several odd opportunities in both Taiwan, and where I live now. The plan is to teach Chinese upon graduation in Middle School or High School. I also tutor Mandarin, and completed my practicum with some great teachers. I teach at summer camps with grants my university’s Chinese professor has gained access to in more recent years.
I’ve held a few different jobs, but currently help out at 2-D Wok, a Taiwanese restaurant in my town that my girlfriend’s parents started up. Previously I was a supervisor/cook at a local casino. Although it was fun at times, the drag and casino culture got to me in the end, and I decided to go back to school. I learned how to cook Southern Chinese foods, and hosted private parties for Chinese singers that came into town. Got to meet some cool famous singers. Now they often host their parties at 2-D Wok, so I’m glad to have fostered that connection with their managers.
My usual teas unsurprisingly are Taiwanese oolongs, of any sort. I recently (winter of 2017/spring 2018) began approaching pu’ers, sheng and shou both much more seriously. I am excited to keep learning more and hope readers may enjoy part of this path with me.
That’s all I’m feeling the urge to write. I made the section picture heavy because it fills the gaps in my terrible writing.
If you ever have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the site’s email!
Dead Leaves Club 