I can almost finally say that this year 2006 has been the worst year of my entire life.
Teaching English can only save me enough to get me an airfare ticket to go home. Then you go home and your family does nothing but cut you down with slandering comments.
Then i get tired of teaching for peanuts so i look for the best business deal to get ahead and have some freedom. I worked with and became friends with some French people after 7 months. Then i join them in on a foreign trade deal. It has been taking forever to get my money return. All these plans that never work out. They still tell me that in a few days i will get my money return. I am sick and tired of hearing that story.
So now, i am in the biggest debt of my life, $6,000usd because i took a risk to get more ahead. What a wonderful Christmas it is going to be with my father and sister in China for a tour. All they're going to do is remind me of my debt over and over again.
All i can do now is try and get a high salary job here and make a monthly payment plan to decrease my debt. I will not go back home, because it's just a bigger black hole for me. There still is a chance that i will get money back this week coming. Hope for the best and prepare for the worse.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Thursday, November 09, 2006
New Apartment
Pics to come,
Finally i am in a new apartment.
Very high class garden community apartment complex.
I get a very good deal for my rent. My rent includes, Satelite TV, yes HBO, CNN and ESPN.
There is also a fitness center with massages and a cafe. Close by there is a new soccer field and tennis basketball court.
It's just 6 0r 7 subway stops from the center and on the way to the international airport.
Makes feel like i make 6 figures. ha ha
Finally i am in a new apartment.
Very high class garden community apartment complex.
I get a very good deal for my rent. My rent includes, Satelite TV, yes HBO, CNN and ESPN.
There is also a fitness center with massages and a cafe. Close by there is a new soccer field and tennis basketball court.
It's just 6 0r 7 subway stops from the center and on the way to the international airport.
Makes feel like i make 6 figures. ha ha
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Totally convinced
I am totally convinced that China is not fit or prepared for the change that must happen here. Their customer service and quality of products are not up to par.
They have way too much to learn about the international community when doing business. It's a sleeping giant with potential, but they need a new alarm clock due a huge block of hinderance regarding their education in the way they do business. It's the same problems everywhere, and they don't like accepting advice on how to improve.
This is what i just recently noticed more and more. I happy to finally be in Shanghai and start a new life.
They have way too much to learn about the international community when doing business. It's a sleeping giant with potential, but they need a new alarm clock due a huge block of hinderance regarding their education in the way they do business. It's the same problems everywhere, and they don't like accepting advice on how to improve.
This is what i just recently noticed more and more. I happy to finally be in Shanghai and start a new life.
Friday, November 03, 2006
A Past Average Typical Day In Wenzhou
I get up. I grab some breakfast, and make my way to work. Usually it's a rush to class because i am just not looking forward to it. I wonder will i ever get myself out of this city and this low salary of teaching rut? I ask myself will always be part of this poverity sysytem, or will i get my break and be set free.
I teach my way through the class, The time goes fast usually and then i am done for the day after a few classes. Some days i look at my watch and wish the class would end.
As i walk on the street, the wenzhou people yell out to me and call me an outsider and laught at me all the time. In reality they are racial uneducated moching remarks. They just stare and stare at you. I don't take it lightly, i usually just brush it off, or make threat of emotion because i am just sick and tired of the disrespect. A few times this has lead to an almost physical fight in other ways. All of us foreigners go through this, we get so use to it that we just block it out of our sight and somehow ignore it.
As you go through out the day you seem them all spit, go to the bathroom, scream, yell and eat with their mouths open on the street. Sometimes i just feel like i am in a jungle with the uncivilization. The behaviour towards understanding the western ways and business culture is ridiculous. But the needle in the hay stack of meeting a real honest chinese person gives you hope that something worth while may happen. I know other cities are better than Wenzhou and the opportunities in China seem to be better than the west.
I teach my way through the class, The time goes fast usually and then i am done for the day after a few classes. Some days i look at my watch and wish the class would end.
As i walk on the street, the wenzhou people yell out to me and call me an outsider and laught at me all the time. In reality they are racial uneducated moching remarks. They just stare and stare at you. I don't take it lightly, i usually just brush it off, or make threat of emotion because i am just sick and tired of the disrespect. A few times this has lead to an almost physical fight in other ways. All of us foreigners go through this, we get so use to it that we just block it out of our sight and somehow ignore it.
As you go through out the day you seem them all spit, go to the bathroom, scream, yell and eat with their mouths open on the street. Sometimes i just feel like i am in a jungle with the uncivilization. The behaviour towards understanding the western ways and business culture is ridiculous. But the needle in the hay stack of meeting a real honest chinese person gives you hope that something worth while may happen. I know other cities are better than Wenzhou and the opportunities in China seem to be better than the west.
Friday, October 27, 2006
We were going to get Married in Chengdu in August
This is the girl, that i really thought about marrying. Everything made sense and was set in place. Well jee whiz, i spent more time with her and realized how careless and immature a 24 year old can be.When i met her, i was surprised that she didn't look so stunning like she does here in this pic. Now after 3 months she doesn't talk to me anymore because my body language showed that i wasn't as excited when i first met her. Instead of talking about our concerns she got offended. I was really serious about persuing this girl. Our phone conversations lead to just fighting. So i asked her to send my clothes back and that was that.
]
Atleast I tried and got out of my comfort zone. Marriage is unpredictable, it seems way harder these days to get it right, than 20 years ago when you fall in love with your high school sweet heart.
Friday, October 20, 2006
What No Hockey In China Yet?
I would love to play again, but hockey just has not attracted the chinese yet. Yes they have some figure skating in big city shopping malls but that's about all.Rumors have that, up north near North Korea, they may start beginning to play.
Saying GOOD-BYE to Wenzhou
The time has finaly arrived to move on. I should have moved on from away from Wenzhou a long time ago. But it's never too late.
I have been here too long working for peanuts and being cheated and lied to. I have received too many empty promises Teaching English in small cities just doesn't suit me. I think teachers all around the world are under paid for their hard efforts and long training years in University.
Wenzhou can go ahead and find foreigners that aren't' native English speakers and pay them peanuts, wow the big $800 a month, a crap apartment and maybe they will just pay half of my airfare too!!! I have had enough of these uneducated, rich, greedy, corrupt, rude, two faced "mono" peasants. One thing is for sure, i won't miss it too much. As i look back all these negative experiences have lead me to a better place perhaps like the promised land.
So, enough complaining, what about the solution? The answer is freelance your way teaching English to earn 150rmb an hour or more for a person. You can also make a group of students and charge up to 400rmb an hour. I think the best is, find foreign friends in foreign trade that can use your help. You can earn 100 times more and learn a ton about the international community. Enough of these long term investments, make it short term and enjoy your and reap the gratification that you deserve.
Monday, October 16, 2006
SHANGHAI SURPRISE
Well what can i say, I have seen how great and big Shanghai is now.
I ask myself where have i been the past year and a half in Wenzhou dumpville.
I met a few friends and went out to see the center of SH. An Extremely nice international city filled with oppotunities beyong the sky. I don't know how to explain it but my eyes were open to see past the blindness that i suffered in the Wenzhou culture mind set.
Shanghai reminds me of Seoul Korea, but i think it is way better than Seoul. China's great cities are changing the fastest with the economic revolution that China is experiencing.
What can i say? I am way behind my potential, but the portal gate is open and i am walking in it.
It's always about the contacts you make, people become friends and friends help each other. We all have something very unique to give.
To be continued and more photos to come
I ask myself where have i been the past year and a half in Wenzhou dumpville.
I met a few friends and went out to see the center of SH. An Extremely nice international city filled with oppotunities beyong the sky. I don't know how to explain it but my eyes were open to see past the blindness that i suffered in the Wenzhou culture mind set.
Shanghai reminds me of Seoul Korea, but i think it is way better than Seoul. China's great cities are changing the fastest with the economic revolution that China is experiencing.
What can i say? I am way behind my potential, but the portal gate is open and i am walking in it.
It's always about the contacts you make, people become friends and friends help each other. We all have something very unique to give.
To be continued and more photos to come
Friday, October 13, 2006
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Monday, September 18, 2006
Friday, September 15, 2006
A Miracle Overnight; The Best News Lately (A MUST READ)
It happned so quick when i already planned to leave this city. I got a new job and a nice new apartment. Yes, I am a new kindergarten teacher. The school is the best here. The students are so lovely and fun to teach. I am actually surprised that i like it so much.
It just all clicked naturally and perhaps i found one of my hidden talents leading to a niche.
My contract so far is to cover a teacher for 3 months that has been sick. I have the chance to possibly get another 3 more months to make it 6. All i do now is have kindergarten classes about 20 hours a week over 6 days a week. It's a very nice scheldule. I work with some good teachers.
I may be home for Christmas and maybe not.
Some of the students live at the kindergarten. The kids are there all day like play school from 8 to 5. I teach about 90 kids from age 4 to 5. They are always happy and funny, and most of the time their cute. Now i see China in a bit of a different way now.
Basically my role is to teach them simple english with games and make them have fun. I am probably a person that you wouldn't recognize if you saw my class.
This is all good news, especially the apartment, and a new enviroment at work.
It just all clicked naturally and perhaps i found one of my hidden talents leading to a niche.
My contract so far is to cover a teacher for 3 months that has been sick. I have the chance to possibly get another 3 more months to make it 6. All i do now is have kindergarten classes about 20 hours a week over 6 days a week. It's a very nice scheldule. I work with some good teachers.
I may be home for Christmas and maybe not.
Some of the students live at the kindergarten. The kids are there all day like play school from 8 to 5. I teach about 90 kids from age 4 to 5. They are always happy and funny, and most of the time their cute. Now i see China in a bit of a different way now.
Basically my role is to teach them simple english with games and make them have fun. I am probably a person that you wouldn't recognize if you saw my class.
This is all good news, especially the apartment, and a new enviroment at work.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Hong Kong City and Shenzhen
HONG KONG UK
It was quite the trip to Hong Kong. You have to go through 2 or 3 passport boarder checks to enter Hong Kong from China. Hong Kong became officially China in 1997, but it has not changed really since the 150 year rule of the British that made it the very rich.
It must be amaizing the history of Hong Kong with Chinese and British. I just really wanted to get my visa renewed and get out. I just got on the train and got off at a random stop. I met a nice french guy that has lived in China for over a decade. he helped me get a cheap hotel and the fastest visa office. He was in hong Kong heading back to Paris. He was doing his Phd in Beijing.
I was very surprised of how many people from India and the Middle East and Africa that were in Hong Kong working. Very multi-cultural like that of Vancouver and Toronto. I only spent one night there. It is worth seeing for several days. Hong Kong is quite the contrast from China.
www.discoverhongkong.com
SHENZHEN CHINA
Shenzhen is the chinese city that boarders Hong Kong. It is really quite nice and clean compared to the rest of China. I finally saw an indoor skating ice rink. I was really excited to see that. You can buy the best and cheapest electronics there. It also has nice beaches and is only a 30 minute train ride to Hong Kong City. This week i plan to post photos as my blog has just been entries of writing lately.
It was quite the trip to Hong Kong. You have to go through 2 or 3 passport boarder checks to enter Hong Kong from China. Hong Kong became officially China in 1997, but it has not changed really since the 150 year rule of the British that made it the very rich.
It must be amaizing the history of Hong Kong with Chinese and British. I just really wanted to get my visa renewed and get out. I just got on the train and got off at a random stop. I met a nice french guy that has lived in China for over a decade. he helped me get a cheap hotel and the fastest visa office. He was in hong Kong heading back to Paris. He was doing his Phd in Beijing.
I was very surprised of how many people from India and the Middle East and Africa that were in Hong Kong working. Very multi-cultural like that of Vancouver and Toronto. I only spent one night there. It is worth seeing for several days. Hong Kong is quite the contrast from China.
www.discoverhongkong.com
SHENZHEN CHINA
Shenzhen is the chinese city that boarders Hong Kong. It is really quite nice and clean compared to the rest of China. I finally saw an indoor skating ice rink. I was really excited to see that. You can buy the best and cheapest electronics there. It also has nice beaches and is only a 30 minute train ride to Hong Kong City. This week i plan to post photos as my blog has just been entries of writing lately.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Leaving for Hong Kong / New Change of news
I am on my way to Hong Kong to get a better renew a better visa. Will be a nice trip!!!!
Good news: Just as i am about to leave this corrupt city of Wenzhou, i get a last offer. I will be teaching kindergarten for the next 3 months. I also finally get a new apartment as i am homeless now and i do not want to pay 6 months rent plus a deposit ahead of time to secure myself a place.
I lost a huge damage deposit in the last house i rented because of the contract. I realy don't think i could last another 6 months here as so many things have made me almost snap. I am starting to see behind the veil of the way of life here. I thought could have a 5 year plan here in China. To tell you the truth a year and a half has made me think twice about that. I don't agree with the way they do business and relate to and cheat and take advantage of foreigners. I beleive their women are not worth persuing for marriage.
So i should wrap things up here by December and looks like i should be home for Christmas. I never thought this could happen. I want to see the great wall in Beijing before i go. I know i can always come back if i need to. I can feel and know that it's the time to move on. I didn't notice this until i completed a year. I am surprised by the fact but i know change is good and this change is to a bigger door that i can only go into once at a certain time.
I will try my best this september to show some photos and some of Hong Kong.
Good news: Just as i am about to leave this corrupt city of Wenzhou, i get a last offer. I will be teaching kindergarten for the next 3 months. I also finally get a new apartment as i am homeless now and i do not want to pay 6 months rent plus a deposit ahead of time to secure myself a place.
I lost a huge damage deposit in the last house i rented because of the contract. I realy don't think i could last another 6 months here as so many things have made me almost snap. I am starting to see behind the veil of the way of life here. I thought could have a 5 year plan here in China. To tell you the truth a year and a half has made me think twice about that. I don't agree with the way they do business and relate to and cheat and take advantage of foreigners. I beleive their women are not worth persuing for marriage.
So i should wrap things up here by December and looks like i should be home for Christmas. I never thought this could happen. I want to see the great wall in Beijing before i go. I know i can always come back if i need to. I can feel and know that it's the time to move on. I didn't notice this until i completed a year. I am surprised by the fact but i know change is good and this change is to a bigger door that i can only go into once at a certain time.
I will try my best this september to show some photos and some of Hong Kong.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
A new outlook
After so much agony dealing with the chinese lately, I have gained a new perspective.
It is very frustrating when it comes to not getting paid for the work you've done.
I decided not to put up with any bullshit from the modeling company boss. After almost one month we received nothing. I threatened to go to the police or persue legal action and this changed everything. We got our money within 2 days. I am happy about this. Some business is starting to finally open up after so much waiting. This is the good news.
I have realized i am just not suited for the chinese women. They are very immature and ridiculously shy. I am tired of trying. I plan soon to move away from Wenzhou. I have had enough of dealing with this mexican monkey mentality of doing things.
It has made me depressed but i have managed to snap out of it. I want to take a Tefl training course for a month near Hong Kong. I am unsatisfied with my teaching. After this I want to to go to Beijing and be under a professional american teacher with 30 years of expereince. This will really prepare for my next step into the new year. I finally believe education is really good while working. I am just a guy with many dreams that wants to really improve himself whatever it takes.
Yes, i finally see myself moving on from China after the new year now. I have been in good contact with some Japanese schools to go later. I can get a special visa as a canadian before i turn 31. This is my long term goal. My short term is still in China working on my teaching and doing some finally good business that can last for a long time of benefits. I just got an offer from Japan but i will wait and get more prepared. I even got an offer to teach English in Kuwait. I would teach to their national defense. It was interesting to say the least to receive that offer.
It is very frustrating when it comes to not getting paid for the work you've done.
I decided not to put up with any bullshit from the modeling company boss. After almost one month we received nothing. I threatened to go to the police or persue legal action and this changed everything. We got our money within 2 days. I am happy about this. Some business is starting to finally open up after so much waiting. This is the good news.
I have realized i am just not suited for the chinese women. They are very immature and ridiculously shy. I am tired of trying. I plan soon to move away from Wenzhou. I have had enough of dealing with this mexican monkey mentality of doing things.
It has made me depressed but i have managed to snap out of it. I want to take a Tefl training course for a month near Hong Kong. I am unsatisfied with my teaching. After this I want to to go to Beijing and be under a professional american teacher with 30 years of expereince. This will really prepare for my next step into the new year. I finally believe education is really good while working. I am just a guy with many dreams that wants to really improve himself whatever it takes.
Yes, i finally see myself moving on from China after the new year now. I have been in good contact with some Japanese schools to go later. I can get a special visa as a canadian before i turn 31. This is my long term goal. My short term is still in China working on my teaching and doing some finally good business that can last for a long time of benefits. I just got an offer from Japan but i will wait and get more prepared. I even got an offer to teach English in Kuwait. I would teach to their national defense. It was interesting to say the least to receive that offer.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Thursday, August 10, 2006
I am sick and tired of China now
I keep getting ripped off in my work. I guess i just don't have enough education to begin with.
I am sick and tired of the chinese women playing shy selfish games. My last relationship that started in the right direction ended in just 2 short weeks. Wow what a marriage it could have been.
I plan on trying harder and work twice as hard for the next 6 months and then decide to move on or stay.
I am sick and tired of the chinese women playing shy selfish games. My last relationship that started in the right direction ended in just 2 short weeks. Wow what a marriage it could have been.
I plan on trying harder and work twice as hard for the next 6 months and then decide to move on or stay.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
a new season
Everything will change soon by September. I will explain in more detail soon.
I can't beleive of all the International airports that i have been to in 10 years.
1. Frankfurt, Germany: 1995, 1997,
2. Madrid, Spain: 1995, 1997, 2004.
3. Zurich, Switzerland: 1995.
4. Seoul, South Korea: 2000, 2002.
5. Manila, Philippines: 2000.
6. Mexico City, Mexico: 2001.
7. Osaka, Japan: 2002.
8. Copenhagen, Denmark: 2004
9. Shanghai, China: 2005
I can't beleive of all the International airports that i have been to in 10 years.
1. Frankfurt, Germany: 1995, 1997,
2. Madrid, Spain: 1995, 1997, 2004.
3. Zurich, Switzerland: 1995.
4. Seoul, South Korea: 2000, 2002.
5. Manila, Philippines: 2000.
6. Mexico City, Mexico: 2001.
7. Osaka, Japan: 2002.
8. Copenhagen, Denmark: 2004
9. Shanghai, China: 2005
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
I am in love
Yes, I am in love
I have finally found what i think is the right girl for me. After a long long search of hope i have finally reached my true rainbow.
I will move soon to Cheng Du City in Sichuan province the center of China. This is a big city of over 10 million people. It is the hub of foreigners before travelling to Tibet.
You have to go where your heart and dreams takes you. I don't want to stand still and watch what could of been.
Photos will be posted asap of us.
I have finally found what i think is the right girl for me. After a long long search of hope i have finally reached my true rainbow.
I will move soon to Cheng Du City in Sichuan province the center of China. This is a big city of over 10 million people. It is the hub of foreigners before travelling to Tibet.
You have to go where your heart and dreams takes you. I don't want to stand still and watch what could of been.
Photos will be posted asap of us.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Great adventurous 12 day trip to Shanghai and Hangzhou
Before the very bust summer i decided to take a trip a few hours north of where i am along the east coast.
I was amaized of well their English is in Shanghai. So different from where i am. Shanghai is China's biggest and the most busy city. You can soon call it the new Hong Kong. i decided to meet some new people and learn more about Shanghai. Photos of Shanghai to come soon.
After one week i decided to take the train to Hangzhou the capital of Zhejiang my province here.
It was only a 2 hour train ride to Hangzhou. I fall in love with the lake, similar too Okanagan lake in Kelowna Canada but so much smaller. Again the people spoke a lot more English. They also have schools that teach foreigners chinese. This is what i need a structured Chinese class.
I just found out that Marco Pollo travelled here and called it Heaven on Earth. I rode a bike around the lake and took a boat tour with my new friends. i hope to come back here soon and see if i can do something. Ps I came to China exactly 1 year ago
I was amaized of well their English is in Shanghai. So different from where i am. Shanghai is China's biggest and the most busy city. You can soon call it the new Hong Kong. i decided to meet some new people and learn more about Shanghai. Photos of Shanghai to come soon.
After one week i decided to take the train to Hangzhou the capital of Zhejiang my province here.
It was only a 2 hour train ride to Hangzhou. I fall in love with the lake, similar too Okanagan lake in Kelowna Canada but so much smaller. Again the people spoke a lot more English. They also have schools that teach foreigners chinese. This is what i need a structured Chinese class.
I just found out that Marco Pollo travelled here and called it Heaven on Earth. I rode a bike around the lake and took a boat tour with my new friends. i hope to come back here soon and see if i can do something. Ps I came to China exactly 1 year ago
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
In Shanghai loving the change
I am Shanghai for a week. I really like it here much better than Wenzhou. I can't believe that i have stayed so long there. There is just more to see here and do. Wenzhou can be realy boring.
Hangzhou is another city i want to see too. It's suppose to be the nicest of all. Just 2 hours south of Shanghai. Wenzhou has been a good start in China but not my final destination.
I will really consider moving in the fall or after the new year to one of these two cities. I would lke to business all 3 cities which are all located in the central east coast of China.
I have some photos of Shanghai to post later. Shanghai will host the 2010 world expo fair just after the 2008 Beijing olympics. Remember Vancouver Expo and the new sky train back in 1986?
Hangzhou is another city i want to see too. It's suppose to be the nicest of all. Just 2 hours south of Shanghai. Wenzhou has been a good start in China but not my final destination.
I will really consider moving in the fall or after the new year to one of these two cities. I would lke to business all 3 cities which are all located in the central east coast of China.
I have some photos of Shanghai to post later. Shanghai will host the 2010 world expo fair just after the 2008 Beijing olympics. Remember Vancouver Expo and the new sky train back in 1986?
Saturday, June 10, 2006
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