IT'S WARMING UP!

Hi everyone!

It's been great to keep in touch with you all via the world wide web and recieve your emails, SMS's, comments, SKYPE calls, MSN chats and more! It's a small world after all, when you think about it. When you don't think about it, it's a tad bigger than small. When you really switch off, it's kinda huge. Then if you happen to think about it for just an instance (not too long to cater in modern day technology, transport etc) it's mindblowingly enormous! And that's not even considering the whole universe...think of all those stars up there...the whole four of them I managed to see on a clear night the other day!

Mmmm.

Anyway - not too much has happened since the last time I wrote. But here goes...
You might like to know that I've been to two interviews for English teaching jobs - both successful (THEY wanted me)...but I didn't want them. Basically what they were offering me was... well... let's just say there's better deals out there for go-getters like me! But it was nice being called up at least 6 times last weekend by the English School Principle of the 2nd interview I had, who tried to convince me to start a contract with them. I'm in demand baby, yeah!
For that particular interview I had to do a 15min 'demo class' in front of 5 of their staff. The thought of it freaked me out since I've never taught English before, but armed with some tips from the internet, I somehow pulled it off with flying colours...which led to the 6 phone calls! One exercise they particularly enjoyed involved holding tissues in front of their mouths to assist in their pronunciation of the letter 'B' and 'P' - just see what I mean in this YouTube clip - because that's pretty much what I led them thru towards the end of the demo. Fun, Simple, Effective. Hey, I rather enjoyed being an English teacher for that 15min. I think that's a good sign. And just so you know, I've potentially got an interview this Sat for a job which would be quite a catch so wish me luck!

Last Friday night I went back to Australia for a quiz night...well technically anyway. It was at Michelle's work in their beer garden (gotta luv that), and our team was only one of two that won a prize! Coming last never felt so good!

Monday-Friday I'm still doing Chinese classes. It's challenging to say the least, but getting easier to say the more.

Michelle's enjoying work and getting to know her staff, workmates and the in's and out's of getting Chinese food delivered for lunch at around $1.80/meal.

Spiderman came out in the Cinemas here the same time as everywhere else in the world, and yet the day after its release it was on the shelves of our local DVD shop for $1.50... mmm... dodgy, but this is China. I have a gut feeling it's not an original copy....
But me being me, I just had to see this one on the big screen. And there's no bigger or better screen than IMAX, and its 5-star version here in Beijing. Well 2 trains rides and a taxi later, Michelle and I rocked up at 7pm to get a ticket for the 7:30pm viewing and were offered a seat...IN THE AISLE! Being booked out doesn't stop the Chinese from selling more tickets, but as for us - we were outta there...and left feeling like there really are too many people in China. So next week we'll book ahead!

Just on a totally different note...I've recently decided to become ONE WITH THE CHINESE.
I'm writing up a list of things I gotta do to really fit in here in Beijing. Here's a sample:

a) Ignore the bad smells, enjoy the good ones.
b) Don't wait for people to get off the train before attempting to get on.
c) If out for a walk and the urge to spit hits me...go for it there and then, and make sure I audibly gather up as much flem in my throat before doing so.
d) Cross the road at my own peril without thought to my own peril.
e) Wear my pajamas out n' about on Saturday mornings, even if going to buy some milk at the corner supermarket. (*Note: buy some pajamas!) f) Speak Chinese. (Obvious, but I'm prone to forget).

This is just the start of my list...it'll take some time to get these downpat, but it's all about blending in with my enviroment.

Jokes aside... I hope we'll have more interesting things to report again soon. Keep checking out our PICS, and on the right you'll find the current weather in Beijing, the time here, news in Beijing, photos by ME, videos of sights n' sounds around Beijing (from YouTube), and more. Enjoy!