Keeping you posted!

I'm b-b-b-b-ack!

It was nice to let Michelle take over for once, and once is all I'm letting her. This blog is mine!!! (For all you fans of Michelle's last posting on this blogsite...I'm kidding!).

But anyway - I'm back in the driver's seat of 'A YEAR IN CHINA' and ready to cough up all the latest goss from the land of anything goes. Michelle, by the way, is almost fully recovered from her horse-fall, so now that the pain has eased and the nightmares are over (get it? night- mares...hehe...that was lame...), I'll show you some photos of Michelle on that frightful day.

So yes, she was riding like a pro until the horse decided a pro was too much pressure to live up to and decided to try a quick 360. Unfortunately Michelle only completed a 180.

But overall it was a weekend to remember. I was born for the country life!

Some more news: Michelle has started selling our greeting cards at her work - on the first day she sold 30, and got an order for 30 more! And the future looks bright. Raving reviews and marketing suggestions are already coming in. We'll keep you posted.

Work has been going well for both of us. I have two weeks remaining with my current classes and I'll be sure to miss them. They've been great students and we've had lots of fun together. Every Friday we've had sporting competitions between the two classes and amongst all the fun n' games, I almost forget I've left youth work and am living and working in China. Then there's the opportunities that keep presenting themselves to guide and point the way to any student that asks - questions about life, the universe and everything. Love it.

(That's chalk in my hand in case you're wondering!)

After these classes wrap up, I've only recently learned that I'll have to start looking for another job as there's not enough work to keep us teachers going at this particular company, which is a pity, but I'm sure something will turn up. If you're the praying type, keep me in mind ay.

In two weeks my parents are coming to China for a holiday and will be with us for 2 weeks before venturing off into the rest of China. We'll be joining them for a short trip to Xian to see the Terracotta Warriors and the Huashan mountains. We can't wait -it'll also be a nice holiday for us!

This is China

Dig it.

*For more of our photos click HERE

Michelle Tells the Story...

Well – I hesitate to write this blog entry as I think PJ’s been doing such a great job - but after his begging and pleading...I give in....here goes:

We have just spent a wonderful weekend away in Fengning Bashang (Click here for a link to it's location on Google Earth, inc photos). An area only 200+km outside BJ but a journey that took 7 hrs by bus – the narrow mountain roads and crazy overtaking was very scary! Must mention though that the scenery most of the way was fantastic. Fengning Bashang is close to Inner Mongolia. Imagine rolling grass hills, sheep, horses, country folk, Mongolian huts.
We were invited by Nana and David (our lovely Chinese friends) to join them and their friends on this trip, 12 of us in all - those in this photo plus 2:

Saturday afternoon we hired horses and trotted off into the fields...literally. My trotting lasted only 30 mins when my horse decided to race off past the others. Me, not being the horse riding expert that I am, tried to stop the horse. Instead of the horse stopping as it SHOULD HAVE!!!, it did a 180 degree turn and I was left to hit the ground hard on my derriere... PAINFUL. After some rubbing of my buttocks...I slowly climbed on to the back of a 4 wheel motorbike with PJ, to follow the others through the fields and villages. Despite the pain, it was a gorgeous afternoon.

Dinner served - lamb on the spit. PJ tells me it was yum! (I was in bed for the next 13 hours trying to recover).

On Sunday morning we continued our adventures on 4 wheel motorbikes along the highway and then through the villages and fields. With trucks passing us, no helmets, no knee/elbow pads...I felt so safe (not)! Was v. fun though!

2 days later – am still in pain and can’t bend over properly. PJ is being a good ‘nurse’ though ... helping me pick things up off the floor, put my shoes on etc . Have just been to the doctor and had some X-rays taken. I’m told that I have some soft tissue damage that’ll repair itself in a couple of weeks.

This is China

Dig it

Let the Class Begin...

Ok, it's official. I'm an ESL teacher.

It's getting into my system...

I'm paranoid about grammar, spelling, correct pronunciation, intonation, and representing my country well. I spend time on the bus marking papers and I'm getting critical of what the people here call 'Chinglish' - the Chinese version of English. I'm all social'd out by the time I get home [social'd...???!!!], and want to do nothing but embrace the couch..., oh yeah - and Michelle! I've got 'my students' and they're 'the greatest'. Call me Mr Taylor or else.

Just a tip: don't believe every word I say...

until now...

For the record - I'm loving it. I leave home at 7:15am, take 2 buses for up to an hour, start work at 8:30am... I have a morning class for 3 hours, followed by a one hour lunch break (Chinese lunch provided!), then another 3 hour class in the afternoon. Just after 4pm I get to head home, and by 5:30pm I'm saying hi to the couch. The two classes have about 20 students each, and I've got 'em for 2 months. But let's just say that I've learned how to make English learning fun. Fun for me, fun for them. And I really like the students. I'm teaching them general conversational English, and not-so-general English! The students are fresh out of Uni and are employed by a Civil Engineering Company that is sending them overseas soon - Dubai, Singapore, American and somewhere else in the Middle East. And I've discovered that once a youth pastor, always a youth pastor. I'm still loving young people and getting the chance to help them, listen to them, give advice, and model the good life as best I can to them. My gifts aren't going to waste and for that I feel daily satisfaction.

Speaking of satisfaction, here's a view from our loungeroom window that you might appreciate...


Well, back to business. Unlike me at the moment, Michelle is finding work a bit of a challenge recently and is being stretched as far as managing people is concerned. But all's good. No pain, no gain right? When things get tough the tough get going. And she's a toughy. Gee, I love her! She really lightens up my life! (and you're thinking..."what does he want?!")

So how's our social life? Glad you asked. We've been catching up with friends, going out for dinner, church on Sundays, going to the gym (on occassions!), still catching a flick or two at the cinema, riding our bikes, and more.

It's a hoot.

This is China

Dig it.

GRASSOLOGY

HELLLLLLLOOOOOOO from China!!!!
(From my 1st ESL Class and guest star Abby King!)

'Grass has life...please hold your foot'

Hi! Ni Hao! Meow-meow! (Just in case any cats out there feel they are missing out!)

Already I hestitate to even begin writing this blog because I know just how much has happened since the last time I wrote. But I know that a long blog is often short read. So I'm going to attempt to write in my own style of short-hand after a brief mini-intro, but let me add: happier are the speed readers. Here's a tip for the rest of you - focus on the key words.

Since writing last we have had the privilege of having our cousin Abby King stay with us for two weeks and we have had what some might call a BLAST...or even a HOOT! Now she's gone and we miss her already! I for one miss the fact that Michelle took Abby out clothes shopping instead of me. She was as great a guest as anyone could ask for. (The growing stash of cadbury chocolate and the big block of Aussie cheese in the fridge are evidence of this!). Well for the last two weekends we've headed out on some great Chinese adventures together...

On the 21st-22nd of July we went on a Great Wall Hike with Beijing Hikers. How would I describe it?

Great...Long...Gruelling...Stunning Views...Hot...Good company...Cows in the Wall Tower...Steep Steps...Exhaustion...Village Hosptiality...Donkeys...Authentic Chinese Food...Bonfire...Beer/Wine/Water...Just-like-home-Western food (great sandwiches and salad!)...sore legs...2000 year old crumbling wall...300 year old structurally sound wall...fascinating history...snickers bars...forest...scratched legs...thick grass and bushes...moon...stars...hard beds...great sleep!

Before we continue...here's another chance to meditate on Chinese grassology...

'Fascinating sweet-smelling of flowers...need your protection'

Well the following weekend we jumped on a train and headed to a nearby city to the north called Chengde. You can check it out on our Google Map HERE. It was a trip with many memories...

Sharing a 4 hour train ride alongside some happy-go-lucky Uni students...A Strict Train Attendant Lady...Taxi drivers that liked to use the whole road...taxis half the price of Beijing but in half the condition...a dirty city yet beautiful parks...Fascinating Rocks displaying great balancing skills...Tibetan Temples...The Biggest Wooden Buddha complete with 42 arms (The wood engraved Buddha in the Puning Temple, 22.28 meters tall, is the largest of its kind in the world.)...spinning-things-busker man...nice hotel room...Michelle's 31st B'day...A Chinese Restaurant feast...People gathering to sing the night away (and listen to singing) at a street corner pagoda...The Emperor's Summer Resort...Dressing-up for the fun of it...Deer's frolicking...a crazy return bus trip - huge traffic hold up, a packed mini-bus, busting for the toilet episode...and more...

I am trying to keep this short... Well why don't you think upon some more grassology for a little respite?

'Grass smiles...please walk sidewalk'

So there you have it...our little Chinese adventures - in short. But of course in-between we got up to a lot as well. Massages, shopping, eating-out, eating-in, more massages, bike-riding, exploring, Beijing Zoo and Aquarium (Aquarium was excellent!), checking out the night-life...

...And making sure not to tread on the grass!!!

Because... 'We should love the flowers and the grass'

Well now this blog is coming to a close...Phew! So just to keep you up to the latest, I have just started a new job that's contracted for the next two months. Once more I'm ESL teaching - two classes/day (6hours/day), 19 students each class. I'm up at 6:30am and back about the same. So I'm having to adjust to a new livestyle that's for sure. But I'm up for the challenge and enjoying it so far. Michelle is doing great at work, still enjoying the environment there and loving making our house a HOME, with the new addition of an oven, a new receipe book care of mum King, and a desk for kick-starting our little greeting card making venture.

Bye for now.

This is China.

Dig it.

Ps. Check out more of our pictures HERE

It's life as usual, with unusual thrown in for good measure...

"What's up?"

"The usual. And you?"

"Yeah, not much."

This is the kind of mind-blowing conversational English that I get to pass on to mainland Chinese folk. I know you're thinking, "Wow, you must be some teacher!"

And yes, I am. I also suffer from high self-esteem.

The month of July is nearly over, and so will be my first stint as an English-as-a-2nd-language (ESL) teacher for adults. So convinced am I that this kind of teaching rocks my world, I pulled out of my future Kindergarten stint that I had lined up, and signed up at another ESL institute for August-September with the option of further work thereafter. And ok, there was the added benefit of a salary that came up trumps compared with the Kindy work. Richer, happier, food on the table, work that gets my creative juices flowing, and a chance to see full-grown Chinese do the Hokey Pokey...it's a win-win.

More on the teaching side of things later. By the way, the lotuses are blooming.

More news:

Yesterday our cousin Abby from Port Lincoln arrived in Beijing, and will be staying with us for two weeks. After all the talk of the crappy weather here in BJ, it seems she brought the clear skies with her all the way from SA. Now she thinks we're just having you all on. But really - it's true. I mean, these 2-days-in-a-row of clear blue skies are just a complete rarity. I keep looking up and thinking, '...wow - cool. Is this the same city?'

I know that sounds weird, but if you lived here you'd know what I meant.

So anyway, today Michelle took the day off work and with her new bike and my not-as-new bike, she and Abby have set off of a discovery of BJ, and what a day it turned out to be for them. But it won't last. Not that I'm a pessimist folks, but the million cars and counting won't rest until the skies are hazy.

Other than the usual, there's other stuff going on as well.

Yes, the lakes are getting all fished out.

Anyway...

Guess what? We've started a little business on the side here in big Beijing. Michelle saw an oportunity, and as it turns out, has grabbed it. By now you're just hanging out to hear what it is right? Well it's a secret.

These little tackers wanna keep it to themselves.

Though we reckon some more icecream will go a long way in getting them to spill the beans.

Kidding.

Ok, so you know the photos that I've been taking? Michelle reckoned that some would make really great greeting cards. And she did some show n' tell, and others reckoned the same. There is a bit of a 'greeting card' market gap here that is waiting to be filled, and Michelle being the entrepreneur that she is, wants to fill it. So production is under way. And well, we'll keep you updated. The first place we'll attempt to sell them will be the OZ Embassy. Here's a little poster we did up to advertise our new product! Feel free to make an order...or answer our little poll that's on the right of this page.

It's another win-win. I get to keep snapping away with my Olympus, and Michelle gets to stick photos onto cardboard. Like I said, a win-win.

There really are endless photo ops here. And oh, I just love the colours.

Plus it saves time painting. Snap...or brush? I'll go with the snap. But two thumbs up to anyone willing to take up the brush. (Hi Nanna and Grandpa!)

Well, like I said, Beijing is just a minefield for photographers. Here's a sample. I took these last Saturday.

Before I sign off, I'll let you know that we'll be heading off this weekend for a 2-day hike of the Great Wall, and staying overnight in a village somewhere up in the mountains. Can't wait. But you'll have to wait for the next blog for that.

Ok.

This is China.

Dig it.