ChinaTeacher

I can’t believe almost a month has passed since I returned from Vietnam. With the start-up of University, I have only just now found time to update my blog. On the other hand, it feels like my holiday took place 6 months ago – so strange. You know, Hangzhou seems cleaner than it did a few months ago. Construction has been ongoing here for quite some time, from widening the streets to building new and modern hi-rises, to installing pedestrian parkways along the canal. It’s all coming together, and before you know it, not a single sign of ‘old’ China will be seen. Not a good thing, for sure! So, if you want to visit the ‘real’ China, you need to travel to provinces located in the middle and western parts of China. Most cities on the east coast of China are modernizing at a truly alarming pace. It certainly makes my life a lot more comfortable, but then again it sometimes makes me question my true motives for being here.  Thankfully, I love my work and know I couldn’t do it as well back home, so it’s basically a non-issue.

UNIVERSITY – My university schedule is awesome! I only teach three days this semester – Monday, Tuesday and Thursday! I have my two English Major classes back again, but lost the rest of my classes in favour of five new Foreign Trade classes. That’s great because I get to surprise them with my crazy teaching activities – don’t need to think of too many more. But, the students I have lost are pretty upset. They really wanted to continue this semester with me. I’m a hard act to follow (I hear), because of my high-energy teaching style. Oh well, at least it has earned me a great reputation. In fact, I our university’s president is very impressed with me! Of course I haven’t heard that directly from him – that would never happen; he always tours the campus with an entourage of sorts. Shortly before the Spring holidays, I was invited to stay at this university, “as long as you want”! Nice! At least it affords me a little security, especially with regard to obtaining Work Visas and such.

SWIMMING – I’ve started swimming! A brand new sports complex just opened and features a fully-equipped gym, spinning room, mirrored work-out room for ballet, yoga, etc. and a huge “clean” swimming pool! Well, it’s clean for now, which is why I am there. Later on, after more people find out about it and the kids start shitting in the pool, I will probably have to stop going. The Chinese have a poor reputation when it comes to ‘maintenance’.  But, for now the pool conditions are great! I’ve only been three times so far but, judging from the pain I’m in, I have discovered it’s a prettyg ood workout. I’ll try to go swimming 2-3 times a week for as long as possible!

RESTAURANT – BIG NEWS! SUBWAY just operned in Hangzhou! I had the most amazing tuna sandwich yesterday! You have no idea how difficult it is to get a good ‘sandwich’ in China! I talked to the owner – turns out he’s from Hangzhou, but spent the last while in Burnaby, BC (Canada) operating a Subway Restaurant there. It’s a small world, isn’t it?! Anyway, he assures me the Hangzhou Subway will be just like Subway Restaurants back home! There are no lack of applicants for jobs at Subway, because they want the opportunity to serve us ‘foreigners’ and practice their English! Soon to come – Hangzhou Subway’s Website and Delivery Service!

SUMMER HOLIDAYS – I know it’s only March, but I really must start thinking about what I want to do this summer. If I re-sign with the University, I will have the months of July/August off! What to do, what to do…! Travel, Teach English, Learn Chinese… When I first moved to China I had 4 travel destinations in mind – Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Well, I’ve done them! Now I have to broaden my horizons and decide on another list of travel spots. Most places I want to see now are located on China’s mainland: Xinjiang Province in the NW (think: desert camel rides), and Tibet. Both are rather expensive destinations for me just now, so more savings are in order. Plus, I don’t think I’ll be ready for another big trip by summertime. Perhaps I will hold off until next January for a big one. As a result, it’s likely I will stay in Hangzhzou this summer and do some teaching, either a Summer Camp, or IELTS Exam Preparation classes. But, Hangzhou is sweltering in the summer months, mid-40’s! Such temperatures are experienced in most of China unfortunately, with the exception of Yunnan Province which has more favourable weather year-round I am told.  Hmmm, I wonder if I could do some summer teaching there!  If anyone has some better ideas for me, let me know!

STICKING AROUND – Well, I must be planning to stay in China long-term because I have finally purchased a COFFEE GRINDER! Yep! I usually buy my coffee already ground, but back home in Vancouver I loved grinding the beans myself, just before making a cup of coffee. Oh my god, I’m starting to buy appliances! Having a satisfying career and great coffee are good enough reasons for me to stick around, I think!

PASSPORT – Last week I had to go to Shanghai to apply for a new Canadian Passport. I was not happy about this development because my Passport still has two years to go! The problem is the fact that there are no blank pages left in my passport! (and due to security issues, the Canadian Embassy will no longer insert extra pages!). So, I have applied for the BIG Passport (48 pages). There’s no way in hell that I will be able to fill that puppy up, for sure!  I was able to do the trip to Shanghai quite easily in one day.  Trains between Hangzhou/Shanghai generally take 2 hours but a new express service has just started and features new ‘bullet-style’ trains.  The time has been reduced to 1.5 hours and after April it promises to shortern further to only 1 hour each way!  This means people will be able to live in Hangzhou and commute to Shanghai!  The trains are really nice, modern and clean.  But after a few months I expect to see burnt-out lights and repairs made with string and duct-tape (common in China, unfortunately).  They’re great at building new things, but terrible at maintaining them.

Well, it’s back to lesson prep for me, and you have something better to do, I’m sure.  Ciao for now!