Whats new

 

What's new in China.

Well not a lot, I'm now working as a teacher part time at two kindergartens and three English training schools. I had a nice break over the May bank holiday. A number of the English teachers and friends went to the beach for some laser tag and then we played a bit of volleyball before enjoying a BBQ.

Unfortunately I'm not get any climbing done but with luck will have some time to go climbing in Yangshuo or perhaps even Thailand ( depending on its unrest ) over the summer break. I'm easing into a new life here but seem to suffer unduly in the high humidity and high temperatures.

Had a breakthrough yesterday when I discovered I could get some blue cheese at one of the supermarkets. Yeah. I'm awaiting the day when they get around to filling the pool adjoining the apartment block I live in so I can have a swim a few times a week to counteract the effects of the little exercise I've been doing over the past month or so.

Not much more news to tell yet but hope everyone is safe and having fun back in the UK.

Take care.

Easter and the start of Spring

Well I trust all had a great Easter. My last few days of March were spent in Hong Kong doing a visa run, stocking up on proper coffee at more respectable prices than those found in China, I also thought it wise to buy some proper chocolate for Sonia and made time to slip into a few of the bars on Kowloon side in order to sink a few beers with taste. However at current prices getting drunk isn't an option.

 

I'm still looking for work for the current semester until July but have managed to line some work up from September, however as my funds don't exactly stretch that far it would be nice to find something starting a bit sooner. Fortunately Sonia has a job so not broke just yet.

 

I'm slowly adjusting to the changes which living in China have brought to me, however i do miss a nice fried breakfast now and again. my current weekend indulgence breakfast is noodle soup. probably much healthier than a fry up and equally as good, just in a different and very Chinese way.

 

there are so many things i miss about Sheffield but perhaps when I start working it will make it easier. also i hope it will enable me to improve my Chinese which is something I've been neglecting so far. maybe I'm just lazy when in comes to learning languages or perhaps its because i can get by without having to learn that i don't focus as much on it as i should.

 

Hope you all surviving in the ash clouds from Iceland, and that your all enjoying sunny weather like we have had here recently which must be easier when the humidity isn't up at 80% which appears to be a common thing in southern China, I'm not sure how i will cope when it gets really hot here. will let you know what living in a perpetual sauna is like this summer.

Take care. I understand that some of you and doing the half marathon this year so i look forward to hearing how all you brave folks manage. For those of you that are not entering you can console yourselves with the fact that you are in possession of more sanity than the others.

 

 

what am i doing now

Well the first apartment fell through so were ended up in a bigger place with two bedrooms and while a bit more each month its worth while and works out the same price as we are renting the second bedroom to one of Sonia's friends who works in Shenzhen.

Sonia has got herself a job with Bright Oil, so is happy however she will have to spend the first 3 months training but she gets paid for this and will hopefully enjoy the work.
I on the other hand have not found a job yet however have a few demo classes lined for some nursery schools over the next week. all part time but will pay ok and give me time to do my studies and adjust to teaching classes of insane toddlers who don't really know or understand English.

Think we may go to the beach later as is a nice day and in the high 20's. and to make a change its not cloudy. woo yeah..

Anyway just to let you all know im still alive and will keep in touch.. have fun..

Update, also on blog

 

A brief catch up.

So as you will have guessed I made it to China. Some 15hrs of travelling is hard work when I worked out I only had 5 hrs sleep in about 30 hrs. however I met my cousin Julie and her husband Peter at the Loft youth hostle in Shenzhen around 20:30 on Monday the 1^st and later that night Sonia arrived at about 1:30am. Due to her flight being delayed.

The next day after a slow start and much disappointment at no gas stove in the hostle kitchen preventing the production of proper coffee then to make matters worse Starbucks was closed,. (perhaps a good thing as its not the best coffee in the world but I was in need of caffeine).

After wandering around the electronic district we all met up and decided it would make for an amusing afternoon to go for a quick trip around the world stopping of at the major sights along the way.

120 yuan for entry into the Window of the World theme park where you can see the skyscrapers of Manhattan, a fairly good yet scaled down version of the Eiffel Tower and a host of other tourist attractions from around the world. Some were fairly tacky but it was well worth the cover fee for the entertainment value.

The next day we said goodbye to Julie and Peter who were continuing on to Hong Kong for five nights as they continue there travels around the world. Sonia and myself in contrast relaxed and had a fairly chilled day catching up on some much needed sleep.

We now find ourselves living in a hotel and have just sorted out an apartment. However things are fairly expensive in Shenzhen. 43 square meters for 2400yuan per month.

Its a good location, fully furnished, and cheaper than stopping in a hostel so no real cause or complaints, we just wish it was cheaper.

I guess now all we need to do is find jobs, however I need to spend the next month doing a English teacher training course to get a piece of paper and hence a job and with luck Sonia will have found herself a nice job then also.

Hope everyone is enjoying themselves back home and will let you know how my birthday goes.

will also try to get some photos on the blog but as i cant get on the page yet it may take a while for the photos.

Made it To China

Just a quick one to say i amde it to China. Wooo. will post a better update when i have had some sleep.

 

Later all.