Ni Yo!

GOODBYE CHINA, HELLO OZ,

GOODBYE OZ, HELLO CHINA!

Now where am I again?
Oh yeah...just one look out the window and whola! It's as clear as...mmmm.
It's good to be back from my OZn'BACK trip where I crammed as much in as I could in the little time that I had, while breathing in as much fresh air as I could in the little spare lung that I had. Yes, a spare lung. Got one at the corner store here for a little under $15 after some serious bartering. And now I make daily withdrawals from it as the need arises. Nothing like a breath of clean Aussie Air when you need it. (Mmm! I wish!)

Oh China...we love your cheap prices, we love your dishes,

We love your people, we love your language.

But we're confused - is it cloudy or is it smoggy?

The air we breathe - tell us - what's the receipe?

We can look directly at the sun,

And watch kids do a number 1.

As for flem - better out than in,

All spit for the National Anthem.

But all in all we love that you're full of surprises,

And bikes, cars and many kinds of rices...

We love being additional guests in this populated land of yours,

And love that there's always a story or two million to tell.

So we'll stay here singing and believing,

China - you're OK - ryhme or reason!

Perhaps I have too much time on my hands!

Well next week I start working to the relief of at least one person, including myself. I'll be taking up an English Teaching job for the month of July, helping company employees become confident and reasonably comfortable in conversational English. Then in August I'll start working as a Kindergarten teacher and what a blast that'll be. They won't know what hit 'em!

Hey, guess what happened when I arrived back in China at 7am Wednesday morning?
I took the taxi to our apartment, pulled my heavy luggage into the elevator (half of which I swear was Cadbury chocolate and Allens lollies!), was greeted by the elevator-man who went off about something in an ancient form of Chinese while vigorously pointing out the entranceway, while I, being in a zombie-like state and wanting just to dump my stuff and see Michelle just shrugged and pointed up. Then of course, up we went (are you following this?!). Anyway I got to our door, pressed the doorbell...and...nothing. Was Michelle fast asleep? I kept ringing, then knocking, then banging, then calling out... Where was she? I was hot and bothered. 20min later, our next door neighbour came out to my little commotion, and offered me the use of her phone. So I called Michelle's mobile phone, which she immediately answered, and I said "Where are U?" to which she said, "Where are U?".

"I'm outside our apartment."

"Oh... ok...well I'm outside waiting for you."

"OK...well I'm here. How would you like to come and let me in? (said with lots of love)"

Well the story goes that Michelle wanted to surprise me by being outside when I pulled up in the taxi. But she had just left the elevator seconds before I got in, and she went out the right entranceway, whereas I walked in the left entranceway. Bizarre really. And poor elevator-man...he really meant to help.

Changing topic again. Guess how much that cost? All those drinks, water, icecreams, crackers...? About $8 in Aussie bucks. Of course, these weren't for us... But the point is: How cheap!

Changing topics again: The weekend before I left for OZ, Michelle and I went to a 'Food and Rhythm' festival which Dora helped organise (my Chinese Language School classmate). I would describe it as a mini-Woodstock. A different scene to what we're used to, to say the least. But a good night was had. A bit of music, (Dora was DJing a bit), food, drink, games and friends.

That's Dora pumping out the rhythms.

And the cook...And Alex, Nuno and I playing bochi.

Well, that'll do for now! The weekend is beckoning.

To all that I had a chance to catch up with in OZ - cheers! ...it was great doing so! See you in about a year's time! Or pack your bags and head on over here for a great time in a great land!

PICS FOR KICKS

Unfolding our new bike!!!

Ni hao!
There's always a photo opportunity around the corner here in China. So here's some 'pics for kicks' as there's not much to update you on this week beside the fact that I - P-J - am coming back to OZ next week and as you can guess from above - we bought a brand-spanking new bike that is all the craze here in China. It just about fits in my pocket!

Well I've seen the weather reports for Adelaide and it looks to be c-c-c-c-c-o-o-o-o-o-o-l-l-l-l-l-d-d-d-! I'm actually looking forward to wearing a jumper since I'm having a double- here and won't be having winter until November. By the way...while I'm away from my better half why don't you all keep Michelle company through SKYPE, MSN, Email, SMS...whatever! Anyway - onto the photos...

Two Kings and a Taylor...Eating out at the Houhai Lake District
It was great having our Uncle and Auntie here for a week.
Boating on the Houhai Lake - great atmoshere and lights at night.Michelle and Judith enjoy some shopping in the Houhai Lake district...

Interesting name for a bar...More than interesting rules for this bar...
Sights of the Houhai at night...
Confusius say: When woman go shopping man kept waiting.... Silk on the go...

The most sun that Michelle has experienced since arriving in China...
(Not suprised that even the sun is sneezing though!)
*This picture was taken inside a cafe.

Now for a couple more photos taken from our 15th floor window...
OK...That's enough show n' tell for now. Hope you enjoyed it...

Once again feel free to check out the extras on the sidebar and down below. View the links, pictures, MP3s, videos and more.

I'll be seeing some of you next week!

(I arrive on Tues morning and leave the following Tues arvo)

Don't try this at home...

G'day G'day!
Time has just flown by since we arrived in China, and before I know it I - P-J - will be back in OZ for my mate's Mark and Fi's wedding which I'm really looking forward to. Not to mention Fish n' Chips, Meat Pies, Roast dinner...and catching up with friends and family! I'll be in OZ from the 18th-25th June. And upon return to China I should (all going well) be beginning work as an English Teacher at a local kindergarten which is opening up in July! That's right - P-J the Kindy Teacher! I've had one 'gig' already with them - helping them to promote their kindergarten, and this Sunday I'm having lunch in the park with all their staff. Most of them are young and fresh out of Uni, so it'll be a great environment for me to work in and I'm sure it'll help my Chinese language abilities go from strength to strength. I'm really looking forward to working and mixing with the locals! My Chinese Language classes actually wrap up on the 16th of June so the timing is great.

This week we have the pleasure of catching up with Michelle's Uncle and Auntie (John and Judith) who are taking a holiday both here in BJ and around China. It's so good to have them here and be able to show them where we live, work and of course...eat! They even had the pleasure of finding an English Language newspaper for me - 'The China Daily'. I always wondered where they might be found - if only I had the sense to look in a hotel frequented by foreigners...
Michelle is finding work enjoyable, challenging at times, and really good for making new friends, speaking some Chinese and finding new resturants to eat at. I went to an Indian one with her and her workmates and ended up mistaking a green chilli for peas in a pod, and they witnessed a guy almost in tears! Don't try this at home.

But do try this at home... This is Michelle making her second meal at home since we arrived. Good Aussie tucker. Rissoles!

And guess what? We've just joined a GYM! Ok, yes, it's harder to imagine me in a gym than Michelle, but there's a first time for everything. I feel a bit like my bro, Matti T!
I might be dreaming but I think that coming out in Dec 2007 is...
THE RETURN OF THE 6PACK! Go on - tell me I'm dreaming!
And it goes without saying that we got a great deal: it's about AUS$200 each for 18months! And it's a really nice, new gym with all the gear, classes, and sweat to go.

Last night I went out to the movies and dinner with my past Chinese Teacher - 'Nana' and her huband David. We saw TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). And as much as I'm ashamed to say it - I really enjoyed it. I'm just a kid at heart anyway! The dinner afterwards was great too. They took me out to a classical Chinese resturant and believe it or not I ate....are you ready for it?...
BLOOD SAUSAGE.
It's just as it sounds. Just blood with a bit of whatever, somehow solidified/cooked in the style of a sausage and then cut into slices and put around the outside of some vegetables. I just had 1 slice just so I could say I've tried it! By the way - don't try this at home. I don't recommend it. How it stayed down I have no idea. According to one website: If you’ve ever pricked your finger and sucked, you pretty much have a sense of the flavor of blood. But magic happens when blood (typically it’s pig’s blood) is cooked and combined with meats and fats to become sausage. There’s a blood sausage variant in almost every culture. I might emphasize the almost and de-emphasize the magic part. I know you can get them in some places in OZ - but not in the culture I grew up in! (It just happens that I lay claim to a certain cultural group).

Anyway... Hope this finds you all well! If you're up to it - check out the side bar for more new stuff/ photos/ things to listen to or watch and more. Right at the bottom of the page look out for the latest 'Nooma' video (13min) entitled 'YOU'. Click on it, sit back and enjoy!