Passion To Travel Towards A Journey in China and Thailand

Back on Track in the Oriental capital

2007-11-20T00:24:00.000-08:00

Enjoyed a nice 3 week trip to Thailand. I learnt a lot about Thailand. I will post some pics soon. I just can't be on vacation longer as i planned in Thailand. I ran out of money and wasn't happy with the jobs that were available.

I am happy to be back on track in China, with buisness and many other things. I like the colder weather better hehe.

Bangkok Thailand Revelation

2007-11-12T01:53:00.000-08:00

Never mind this pic, i love this goalie. Well, I have been here over 2 weeks now. Lots to do here and the traffic is so busy. It's not really the country to find a job and stay a long time.

Thailand is designed for tourism and that pretty much only. Amaizingly enough, i appreciate China more because, i see how hard it is here to make a living.

The poeple are really nice and the weather is perfect. I am glad i came to find out for myself. I was blind and needed to get a way top see again if all that makes sense. All my expectations were a pie in the sky. I did bring my camera but haven't really taken any pictures yet, oh god. I plan to be back in 3 weeks or 2.

In Bangkok

2007-10-31T23:42:00.000-07:00

I arrived last week. I have been swimming laps in the pool, better than running in the humid heat. I came here to clear my head from all the frazzle dazzle of China.

The people are nice and always smile hehe, it's a party city designed for vacationers notreally the long term career person. Kind of surprised how runned down the city is with old cement buildings looking ready to fall.

I don't even know who reads my blog anymore. I will post some pics soon.

On My Way

2007-10-23T01:11:00.000-07:00

I am on my way to the land of a 1,000 smiles!!!!

A well needed brake from China is somewhat earned now.

I have lost touch with this blog, just boring complaining about China. I decided to do something about now by taking a break.

More updates to follow from the land of 1,000 smiles

THROWING IN THE TOWEL

2007-09-14T06:33:00.000-07:00

Throwing in The Towel:

Yes, Finally I can say it's time to throw the towel in after 2.5 years in China.
I came here to get ahead and thrive in business but the exact opposite happened.

I wasn't racist at all before but my experiences in China have meade a different person of how i view some cultures now. I am sick and tired of the RACIAL comments against foreigners and the stealing your rents deposit, cheating on pay day, lying about how great you are, spitting, pissing everywhere in the streets.

I also can't say that French African people from the likes of CAMEROON and NIGERIA are any better than the chinese, actually they are worse. These French Africans sneek in here from black market visas and smuggle drugs, fake traveler cheques, gold dust and bring their diseases with them. They even rob their own friends. They should go back to where they came from because now the police are deporting a bunch.

I can see my eyes have been opened and my view is way different now. I have never felt so much injustice until i fell out of the sky and landed here in China. All I can do is fight back on paper and i am more than aware of these two cultures of how they do business.

I will be changing the title of this blog since i am leaving and moving on instead of staying and going insane!!!!!!!!!!!

Hong Kong

2007-09-03T23:38:00.000-07:00

Back from my 2nd Hong Kong trip.

I am off to Thailand at the end of October.

I happy with the change. 2.5 years in China has been enough for me. I have learnt that world is way more than just China.

SHU QI AND BAI LING

New Season 2, Looking Back

2007-08-21T04:02:00.000-07:00

I plan on to teach one more year here in China. I need money to save up for where i want to go after this year.
I should be back in Canada by February, Chinese New Year for a 3 week break.

I don't really like or enjoy China anymore. There is just too much bull shit in trying to work with the chinese, and just too many distractions that seem to keep me here. I just want to work, save as much as i can and get out.
Try and make it the best last year here so it will go faster.

Wow check out this Angel snap shot

2007-05-14T10:14:00.000-07:00

Would be nice to come across with an angel and see how our minds react in shock.

Time for some breath taking facts about China

2007-05-03T13:43:00.000-07:00

I have been reading a book that i picked up in Hangzhou last month called "The balace sheet CHINA"

1. China has grown 10% per year for the last 3 decades.
2. It has lifted more than 400 million people out of poverty but 415 million still remain.

3. There are 300,000 us dollar millionaires in China today.
4. Social unrest is on the rise from some 8,700 incidents reported in 1993 compared to 87,000 reported "public disturbances" in 2005.

5. There are 390 million mobile phone subscribers and 111, million internet users.
6. There are only 120,000 registered laywers which is only 12,000 law firms.

7. China is the world's 4th largest economy, but it's per capita income is ranked around 100th in the world.

8. China borders 14 other countries extending 13,700 miles but has never fought a war since basically 1979.

Labour Week Holiday

2007-04-30T13:06:00.000-07:00

We get 7 days off for China's Labour holiday. One thing that i have learnt about investing is we simply cannot rely on any corporation or the exchange market to help us grow our money. WE HAVE TO PLOW THE LAND ALL BY OURSELVES AND COME HOME SWEATING AND TIRED OF THE DAYS WORK. AFTER THIS WE SEE HOW MUCH MONEY WE CAN FINALLY SAVE AFTER ALL OUR HIGH BILLS. I have had enough of investing and seeing my hard earned money lost.

Next posting i want to share some shocking stats on China regarding the development of the world's next super power!!!

Feeling Better

2007-04-04T11:28:00.000-07:00

It has taken me a long time to say that i am enjoying my time in China more and more now.
I have gone through every word of emotion that's in the dictionary. I feel a sense of belonging now. before i have felt that i don't belong. I am having more confidence with the chinese language.

The set backs and dissapointments don't add up to the successes that i have had, but most importantly the great news that is still yet to come!!! I have improved a lot of my weaknesses. Things are good, and little by little things are happening of what i dreamed of.

I just wanted to share these good thoughts, instead of writing about what's not working and complaining. 2007 is my break through year because i have not given up in the success that i know i can create, learn,grow and triumph from.

More to be said soon.

Weather

2007-03-31T23:34:00.000-07:00

Weather has been god the last 5 days. It went from 15c to 28c overnight. It was like there was no spring, it just went from winter to summer.

Things are well here, coming along just a slower process that expected. I will be checking out my good friends leather factory this week. He will teach me about all the operation of tanning leather.

I miss you go friends and family. Your the only reason that i have come this far in my life. Thanks for all your support.

The Struggle Continues

2007-03-20T05:15:00.001-07:00

It doesn't really matter how hard i try as a teacher here. The student will always complain. I don't plan on teaching forever.

I am also sick and tired of investing. Everybody says you should invest and you will make a return. There are no dam returns, so why fricking invest in the first place when the company that you invest continues to change their agenda of reasons why there are no returns.

I am just sick and tired of meeting fucking complainers, cheaters and liars ever since i came here.

2007-03-02T02:46:00.000-08:00

I love this pic from Southern China. Retire for the day and relax.

Back to a fuller stride of work

2007-02-26T05:07:00.000-08:00

Chinese new year is now over. Back to work and the full time at the gym now. Stop being lazy and work your complete ass off!!!!!!!

Time to never look back again. My scheldule is now getting busier and busier. So this is good.
more to come......

Chinese New Year 2007 Revelation

2007-02-19T06:42:00.000-08:00

Yes it's that special time of year here in China.
Fireworks where we would call the fire department back home.
There is so much to learn about why the chinese think and do the things the way that they do.
This seems to be a never ending frustrating story. It may take me a life time to figure this out or i should interview more of my chinese friends. But there is such a different i find in the chinese people who have gone abroad or want to go abroad than the ones that don't.

Patience is the key and learning and speaking chinese would take you a long way. This is what i am working on. I must say China is better than a lot of other countries in the world.

The Good People of China

2007-02-04T04:28:00.000-08:00

This is not a hate blog on China but rather the truth from experience.

I want to talk about the good chinese people that i have come across. I will take the next few days to write about this.

1.Jack in Wenzhou: Jack was my student at the business school. He let me stay at his house for free for 6 months when i was a bit broke. I helped him pay the utilities and gave him my stereo.
He loves soccer, so we got along well. He wants to go abroad to New Zealand.

2. Tracy in Wenzhou: Tracy runs an optical lens business and has helped me a lot with all my unexpected troubles while in Wenzhou. She has been to America many times.

3. Bob in Shanghai: I met Bob through my american boss. He has been the best landlord i have ever had. He set me up in his office space with a room in the center of Shanghai. Very comfortable apartment with a full time maid that cooks too hehe. He wants to stay 3 months for free while i teach his daughter english every saturday. Bob is an american chinese, what they call ABC. He has lived the USA for 20 years and holds us citizenship. Without any question he knows exactly what i have been going through.

4. Brian from Wenzhou: Brian became my good buddy while i was suffering in Wenzhou. He left China as he past his major English exam to study abroad in Holland to obtain a masters degree in business.

5. Sophia from Shanghai: She has been a dear friend to me. She completely understands all the issues of what foreigner goes through in China. She has helped me understand. She finished her 2 year MBA in England.

6. Howard from Shanghai: An excellent boss who always pays me in advance. Not like the regular chinese bosses who usually pays late or seem to pay us less. He is still a resident of the USA and went to University in California.

I don't know about you but i sure see a pattern in the educated chinese people that have gone abroad compared to the ones that haven't or don't want to.

More to come....

The Good News

2007-02-01T06:31:00.000-08:00

The good news is that things are gradualy going my way. I love my new house and new ambitions of business. The New Year holiday is coming in 2 weeks, where China goes crazy for 1 month. I am just happy to have found my new house, and new work to a fresh beginning.

Yes, i am enrolled in a 30 hour group chinese class now. I have forced myself to go beyond my English and Spanish. I gotta do this to improve my 60 word vocabulary (ha ha)

When it comes down to it, Work, Study, Exercise and have a better social life is all i need to really follow.

Checking my Sanity in China

2007-02-01T05:41:00.000-08:00

Well, we all agree that China is another planet of it's own. They way they do business and treat people when it comes to money. There is a big difference in the way they think between a chinese person that has been abroad and one that hasn't.

In order for China to continue to succeed they have to adapt to the international way of doing business. One big test is the Beijing Olympics next year. How will taxi drivers and the average person on the street treat foreigners? Without a doubt I am sure we will hear horror stories of their customer service.

It really seems to me that 100 RMB = 14 dollars USD is more important fighting for than keeping a friendship here in China. Whether it's your shrewd boss, landlord or China's absolute poor customer service and a so called friend, 100RMB is far greater to fight for the average chinese person than maintaining an relationship for future lucrative business. Their response back this up very much when it comes to the last dollar. The changing of contracts half way through is to always benefit the chinese person as much as possible. I really don't get it!! China cannot prosper without the international community. Then why do they continue to cheat and lie to the foreigner regardless what the case? It really does remind me of the Mexican mentality of let's get an extra 10 dollars out of this person. Some may not agree but are you a foreigner in China with the repeated "let's cut a hole in your pocket metality" foreign experience over and over again?

I must say that the chinese that have been abroad understand the international manner of doing things mutualy to a point. I cherish these friends here, it's all i have besides my foreign friends. They're the only ones that see what's really wrong here. The ones that have not been abroad have no idea of how to treat and respect a person outside of China. When i say this, i am talking about the chinese people in control, bosses and landlords and of course your chinese taxi experience. Some might say than why don't you leave? and i say i am planning that someday in the near future. I still have a lot to learn and understand and i am not perfect.

Pic 2 terra Cotta Warriors Xi'an China.

2007-01-19T04:21:00.000-08:00

Terra Cotta Warriors in Xi'an China. 8th wonder of the world.

2007-01-19T04:20:00.000-08:00

Oriental Peral Tower at night Shanghai

2007-01-19T04:19:00.000-08:00

Jin Mao Tower Shanghai

2007-01-19T04:18:00.000-08:00

Pic 2 from Jin Mao Tower Shanghai

2007-01-19T04:16:00.000-08:00

Shanghai harbour pic from Jin Mao Tower

2007-01-19T04:15:00.000-08:00

China Wall landscape 2

2007-01-18T00:48:00.000-08:00

Great wall Landscape pic

2007-01-18T00:44:00.000-08:00

The Great Wall and I

2007-01-14T01:16:00.000-08:00

Like a Castle

2007-01-14T01:13:00.000-08:00

The Great Wall 1 walking

2007-01-14T01:11:00.000-08:00

Time of Reflection; Looking Back on China

2007-01-12T04:17:00.000-08:00

I have been in China for 1.5 years now. I have learnt a lot of costly lessons. Plan A never seems to work well here. You gotta have a Plan B and C. I just came back from the north. My forhead and eyes hurt from the pollution. It seems to be way thicker there than the south. I can't believe that the olympics are coming next year. Beijing doesn't seem ready to receive the biggest international show in the world.

I have noticed that the foreigners that stay here too long, become like the chinese in many ways. lying and scamming people. It just filled with theft and fraud here. There is no straight forward way with trade here. It's a nightmare if your trying to make a deal to make some cash and get ahead.

I have tried to do this. I gotta master my teaching first instead of getting ahead of myself. All people talk about here is trade. Of course those are the well established wealthy people making bucks here. Contracts mean nothing here.

I can't believe that there is 1.3 billion people here and i feel alone. I have talked to many foreigners and they feel the same. Many are planning to move on, they're just fed up with working for a 2 faced chinese boss over and over again.

I feel ok to say that China is not for me anymore. The uncivilization with corrupt business is just too much for me. I plan to move on after a year from now, and so i should after going through so much injustice. I can take so much of this or i'll go insane.

Incredible China Tour

2007-01-06T03:36:00.000-08:00

It has been a refreshing time traveling throughout China with my family.
We joined a China tour with a bunch of Australians.

I got to finally see the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xi'an and The Great wall near Beijing.
I finally travelled on the midnight sleeper train too. Beijing is very different from Shanghai. I enjoyed everything. 2007 is going to be great, i think it, i feel it, i do it. I got a ton of things to change in my life so i better start now. I am starting a new job soon to kick start 2007 in full explosion towards a 360 degrees change. 2007 is the year of my full favor to reach my potential instead of looking at it.

I have many pics to follow this blog entry.

A Very Long Frustrating Struggle

2006-12-15T21:56:00.000-08:00

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.

New Apartment

2006-11-09T09:55:00.000-08:00

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

Totally convinced

2006-11-07T19:02:00.000-08:00

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.

A Past Average Typical Day In Wenzhou

2006-11-03T06:31:00.000-08:00

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.

Shanghai center from the 40th floor pic 2

2006-11-03T01:47:00.000-08:00

Shanghai center from 40 floors up pic 1

2006-11-03T01:33:00.000-08:00

We were going to get Married in Chengdu in August

2006-10-27T09:25:00.000-07:00

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.

What No Hockey In China Yet?

2006-10-20T23:08:00.000-07:00

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.

Luongo at his best in Vancouver

2006-10-20T23:02:00.000-07:00

Saying GOOD-BYE to Wenzhou

2006-10-20T21:08:00.000-07:00

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.

SHANGHAI SURPRISE

2006-10-16T23:47:00.000-07:00

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

Kindergarten Teacher 4

2006-10-13T17:45:00.000-07:00

Little Venus
playing snakes and ladders

Kindergarten Teacher 3

2006-10-13T17:39:00.000-07:00

I am Teaching Lee, the difference between fat and thin.

Kindergarten Teacher 2

2006-10-13T17:35:00.000-07:00

Doris and I playing snakes and ladders.

Kindergarten Teacher 1

2006-10-13T17:32:00.000-07:00

Little Doris and I.

What does the future hold? model pic 7

2006-09-24T04:13:00.000-07:00

2006-09-24T04:07:00.000-07:00

Always hope model pic 6

2006-09-24T03:42:00.000-07:00

In deep thought model pic 5

2006-09-24T03:33:00.000-07:00

Nice smile model pic 4

2006-09-24T03:22:00.000-07:00

Model shoot pic 3 The Best

2006-09-18T04:33:00.000-07:00

Model shoot pic 2

2006-09-18T04:22:00.000-07:00

Model shoot pic 1

2006-09-18T04:19:00.000-07:00

The Tropical Hong Kong pic

2006-09-15T05:42:00.000-07:00

Tall, Tall buildings pic of HK

2006-09-15T05:41:00.000-07:00

A lot like Vancouver, a Rainy Day

2006-09-15T05:39:00.000-07:00

Majestic view of Hong Kong

2006-09-15T05:33:00.000-07:00

Photo Night Streets of Hong Kong

2006-09-15T05:31:00.000-07:00

Hong Kong View at Night Photo

2006-09-15T05:25:00.000-07:00

A Miracle Overnight; The Best News Lately (A MUST READ)

2006-09-15T04:43:00.000-07:00

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.

Hong Kong City and Shenzhen

2006-09-10T01:19:00.000-07:00

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.

Leaving for Hong Kong / New Change of news

2006-09-04T09:56:00.000-07:00

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.

A new outlook

2006-08-31T04:11:00.000-07:00

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.

Where did i go wrong?

2006-08-11T22:38:00.000-07:00

I am sick and tired of China now

2006-08-10T06:29:00.000-07:00

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.

a new season

2006-08-03T04:59:00.000-07:00

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 am in love

2006-07-26T03:23:00.000-07:00

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.

Great adventurous 12 day trip to Shanghai and Hangzhou

2006-07-01T02:15:00.000-07:00

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

In Shanghai loving the change

2006-06-21T00:08:00.000-07:00

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?

Simple Chinese Kitchen

2006-06-10T01:46:00.000-07:00

Yes, What a view and a sofa

2006-06-10T01:45:00.000-07:00

Nice hardwood

2006-06-10T01:44:00.000-07:00

Victoria apartment 2 Ocean harbour front

2006-06-10T01:42:00.001-07:00

Victoria apartment1

2006-06-10T01:42:00.000-07:00

I can only dream of a ocean front apartment.

Lightning

2006-06-10T01:41:00.000-07:00

If you look at him lomg enough Lightning may strike

Bicoastal mascot Lightning the dog

2006-06-10T01:40:00.000-07:00

Looks like the Fido commercial dog.

Super Dave working late

2006-06-10T01:39:00.000-07:00

Bicoastal office1

2006-06-10T01:38:00.000-07:00

Victoria hockey3

2006-06-10T01:37:00.001-07:00

hockey 2 Victoria Stadium

2006-06-10T01:37:00.000-07:00

Soon Victoria will have a WHL team back instead of the ECHL.

Victoria Salmon Kings Hockey

2006-06-10T01:36:00.001-07:00

White Rock ocean

2006-06-10T01:36:00.000-07:00

White Rock beach

2006-06-10T01:35:00.000-07:00

One of the good things about Vancouver.

Busy scheldule

2006-06-05T01:55:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to tell everyone what i am up to as summer rolls around.

It will be a busy June, July and August. This is good. I will start teaching a 1.) summer course to middle school students with the help of a chinese teacher. I also will be starting a 2.)summer spanish course. I will do some 3.) business in Shanghai once a month.

I am getting back into shape by going to the gym to 4.) lose some weight. I am also taking a private 5.) chinese class once a week. I am also 6.) searching for love with a suitable chinsese woman. There really hard to find, perhaps better chances in a bigger city. This is a dream that my heart has. i want to share my life.

These are the 6 main things i wanted to talk about.
All at te same time Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley cup final and the world cup of soccer begins this week. Go Spain go!

I will have my canada photos trip posted this week.
bye for now.

Looking forward to June

2006-05-30T03:12:00.000-07:00

I will try and post some of my canadian photos up in June. I hope to buy a computer.
June is when the summer begins i will have a more complete scheldule.

Edmonton Oilers all right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
World cup of Soccer June 9th, Go team Spain Go!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will have to admit that perhaps that i am over my head with this chinese girl. I am trying to hard.

Will write soon again in June,
Rob.

Phone ringing

2006-05-15T03:18:00.000-07:00

After a slow start coming back to China again being patient has payed off.
My phone has been ringing with endless business opportunities.

I have caught on to the chinese language after being intiminated for almost a year by it.
I really like China, there isn't a better place where i could be. I was born to discover the meaning of my life while traveling and working overseas.

My biggest frustrations are:
1.) I want to get up earlier to go to the gym.
2.) I need to lose 10 kg.
3.)I need more energy.

I am glad that the Edmonton Oilers are doing so well !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Upward spiral

2006-05-08T07:07:00.000-07:00

Just after one of the worst weeks here, one of the best has begun.

1.) New part time jobs have appeared including great business opportunities.
2.) I guess i had to have that bad week to have a great week following.
3.) There are many other nice woman that i am getting to know here.
4.) I am spending time with new friends, which have made a big difference.
5.) I am convinced that i can never run out of work here.

I want to be rich and get married and help people.

Downward spiral

2006-05-03T01:53:00.000-07:00

It has been one the hardest times coming back and making new plans.

1.) I was invited to go to Milan Italy for a week to go to a trade show. As a result i guess i never was invited because they left without letting me know.

2.) I just had a 4 week holiday back home and now again there is a holiday here where everyone dissapears for a week.

3.) I am not enjoying teaching english full time anymore. I need to find a better job that is more exciting and pays better.

4.) I thought i met a nice chinese girl but it turned out she just played me.

5.) Lastly, i have received some Chinese counterfeit money from some taxi's. I will take it and report it to the police.

I feel like a hornet's nest just stung me in the back. I like this city because i have a lot of good friends here. I don't really want to leave and start over making new relationships unless i have to in another city. I am just fet up of the feeling of not acheiving.

The good news is:

1.) My place where i stay is great,
2.) There are some good business opportunities here that i am looking at.
3.) Despite the roughest week here, it would be rougher back home anyways.
4.) I am know speaking and learning chinese, i caught the pattern of it and i like it.

Rob.

Back in China

2006-04-19T00:15:00.000-07:00

I have arrived well. A very long and uncomfortable flight with Air Canada. Feet crammed in and babies crying every minute. Apart from that it was a very successful trip to Canada. I got a lot done; cleaning up all my stuff, shopping, traveling and visiting friends and family.

The weather is like sumer. I am weraing shorts today with a t-shirt. It is good to be back. For some reason my biological clock has always been on China time. Instead of just resting today i got up early and got to work. That beautiful feeling of being free is all around me again. China is filled with endless opportunities and too cheap to live here with all the excitement.

I am talking with the owners of an optical factory this friday. I may have the chance to go to Milan Italy with them for a week this May for the biggest trade show. I have been teaching them spanish for last few months.

Once again it is good to be back in sunny China, the land of the biggest opportunities.
I will post some pics of my trip from Canada soon.

Already to go/ My Plans

2006-03-20T01:57:00.000-08:00

9 Months have gone by like a blink of an eye.

This is my rough plan for my return:

March 22nd-25th or 26th Vancouver

March 25th or 26th to April 1st Kamloops

April 1st to April 4th White Rock/ Vancouver

April 5th - ? Victoria

April? - ? Alberta

April? - Victoria/Vancouver

April 17-20th Return to Shanghai

It's official March 22nd coming home

2006-03-07T01:09:00.000-08:00

I will be arriving in Vancouver Wednesday March 22nd at 9:30am; from Shanghai with China Eastern Airlines.

I have to make plans to stay in Vancouver.
That's it for now, 10 more days of work. I have changed my apartment and moved into a friend's house.

Almost official

2006-03-04T19:58:00.000-08:00

They have booked my ticket for March 22nd. I will hear back from them tomorrow.
I am really looking forward to coming back and getting re-energized.

I am moving this week into my friend's place. This is a new step in the right direction.

The Top Movies that i have seen

2006-03-04T19:39:00.000-08:00

1. The Hurricane (Denzel Washington)
2.Shawshank Redemption (Morgan Freeman & Timothy Robbins)
3. Rudy ( Sean Austin)
4.IronWill (Mackenzie Astin)
5. Fahrenheit 9-11 (Michael Moore)
6.Bowling for Columbine (Michael Moore)
7.Batman Begins (Christian Bale)
8.Flight Plan (Jodie Foster)
9.The United States of Leland
10.Black Hawk Down (Josh Harnett)
11. The Corporation (UBC)
12. Munich (Daniel Craig)
13.Catch me if you can (Leonardo Dicaprio)
14.The story of Antwon Fisher (Denzel Washington)
15.The Bourne Idenity and Supremecy (Matt Damon)
16.The Count of Monte Cristo (Jim Caviezel)

A Moment of Rest

2006-02-27T03:35:00.000-08:00

I am booking my return ticket back now for the end of March. I plan on visiting Vancouver, Victoria, Kamloops and Alberta. I will get a deserved month off after being here for 9 months.
I am absolutley warned out after my body has not adjusted well here. I feel less stressed to know i will becoming back in a month for a month.

It has been a long journey here, filled with so many surprises, positives and negatives. I have learnt from my mistakes being a world traveler.
Anyways, I am looking forward to seeing you all real soon.

Coming back home

2006-02-20T03:34:00.000-08:00

It looks like i will be coming back home next month. Perhaps March 26th to April 12th.
I have been really tired and sick lately. I am looking forward to be coming home. I have some important things to do when i get back. Plus i have to use my return ticket before June.

I have been gone 8 months now. Time really flies. I have really enjoyed China. It's a country worth seeing and experiencing. I think i have found my niche here and in life for now. Finding your niche can surely solve a lot of stress. *Niche: Finding what your suppose to do in life. This can mean a job.* I have even considered looking at the possibility of getting married to a nice chinese woman in the near future.

Work is fine, I love my students. I am teaching full hours now because of the increase of students. I will be moving into a better apartment before i come back next month. I know i can learn chinese but it's going to take me a long while.

PS: I can't believe how terrible Team Canada is doing in hockey at the olympics. They get paid millions in the NHL but then when play a non professional team like the Swiss they lose 2-0. This is what makes olympic hockey interesting!!!

I should write again before i come back. Until then keep it real!!

Wenzhou's commercial harbour

2006-01-20T02:50:00.000-08:00

Just relax and flow with the water

2006-01-20T02:31:00.000-08:00

Jiangxi Island

2006-01-20T02:27:00.000-08:00