Dear all.
This will be my last blog entry. i just don't have the time or willpower to sit in an internet cafe or the in school's computer room and deal with the sweat and heat. I have been in here for around 2 mins now and can feel my t-shirt sticking to my back, and sweat not just on my brow but also in my hair.
My work is going well and I would recomend any one who wants to leave England to come and give this a try. Working in a school as an English teacher is pretty easy and with free accommodation, you only need to worry about food and entertainment. If you work in the cities you can expect to earn as much as 1.500GBP per month.. well 15,000rmb (depends what the exchange rate is when you travel).
China's a great place to come and stay for a year, you can even get 6 month contracts or just Summer work contracts so that'll be around 2 months. It's definitely worth a shot as the state of the UK isn't great. Apart from theft of unsecure property, i would say China has a very very low crime rate compared to the UK (bikes that arent securely chained to some thing immovable will go missing).
I wish you all the best and if you have any questions or just want to chat email me on mjbowman07@yahoo.co.uk.
Good bye from me, Liyang, Tata, and 24 kids.
Mark xxx
Friday 26 June 2009
Tuesday 2 June 2009
hello people
some images and a story or two about what i have been up to while liyang has been gone
images first.
we have a pic from my work. on the 4th floor you can look across the city and see mountains in the distance. its quite amazing really.
who want dried kiwi?????????
one image is of a small sweet that has been cut up to give to the kids. its about the size of a toe nail clipping now.
also one of liyang i found in my pink shirt.. why do my clothes look better on other people???? why???
ok, here's some intense reading now
so while liyang has been gone iv broken a couple of school rules. and i'll be breaking one or two more before liyang gets home (when ever that is) i'm happy the school cant log on to the blog or i would get in a some trouble for this.
a pupils dad invited me and 3 teachers that teach him over to his place for tea and some food.
so i met them nice and early on my day off and jumped in his black 4x4. after driving for 35-40 mins we arrived at the the guy's village estate (one house for the week and one for the weekend)
we got out the car and walked up to a big metal gate. he unbolted it and we all walked in. (the village outside was a bit tatty) inside was beautiful, a central courtyard with 2 buildings and a glass house that makes ones in England look feeble. it was maybe 30 foot long by 10 foot wide. the courtyard was well maintained with many plants, a nice tree over hanging a large pond that meanders through the whole of the walled off property, and a area under shade for sitting out and eating or reading a book. then walked into the main house. the building is a 2 storey building, i only saw parts of the downstairs, but it was amazing, with good furniture and a very homely feeling with built in bar and more tanks filled with fish (the tanks were either built into the wall or in one case was used as a divider to separate a studying room that had a nice desk and plenty of paper and pens and stuff.
the other building was used more for guests to stay in and relax.
then while being taken to eat at his restaurant. we stopped off at a bridge that had historical value (i though it was just a bridge but no no no, the original was dismantled and up inside a complex of buildings. i found this boring but there were some nice trees there. (dont know the name but the description should give it away if you know the one im on about) ((the trees were very large and had many many tiny leaves, maby 1 mm x 6mm. and millions of them. if you touch a stem then all the leaves on that stem fold up into the stem to appear as if there are no more leaves. even flys set it off.))
(i did get given some cut out of a tiger. apparently its expensive to buy as its signed and stamped by some one who did something with this bridge at some point. cant remember the story as i was sorta in a land all my own.) a few chinese asked to have there photo taken with me (im enjoying living htis way now, all those hugs and kisses)
After that we were taken to a temple.
very nice and old temple, free to enter, again some very long story about this, all i remember was that the trees were 1300 years old. (i know, i know, i was having a tree day.) and the guy (name unknown) used to climb trees like this when he was younger, oo oo oo also a seller hit a monk and the monks retaliated by shutting off one of the rooms for all but 2 days a month, and now the sellers are making less money.
then went on to his restaurant. where we were plasted with "grape wine", apparently i should have no problem finishing 2 bottles with him,,,,,,,,,, i did. by the end of the first bottle i was content to just sit there and enjoy the foods that were being brought out by all the staff. nooooo i had to finish the othere bottle with him, " you are english man, you drink. you ok, you are english man" the only sensible response was "oh god,, i really shouldn't i can all ready feel my head is lighter.. ok"
"good you are enlish man, you drink many, you need this" (points to his larger gut" any way then i was given a tour by one of the waiting staff, a very shy young women who didnt know any english and giggled when i said anything in chinese. this was good as it got me out of the line of site of my generous host.
after this i was shattered and wanted to go home, so being very polite i told a teacher, then it was decided to take us home, en route we stopped at a KTV, i cant spell the word so i'll describe it as a place you go to sign into a tv with the aid of a couple of microphones.
2 hours later i was on my way home.
i got home had a shower and felt a bit better. after sitting on the bed and getting ready for a 2 hour sleep to recharge, i got a phone call. i was expected at mike's house; a bbq was on the go and they knew i was alone. after refusing the invite several times to different people on the phone i eventually got dressed and jumped in a cab to mike's house.
the BBQ:
well it was very nice, more good food. more beers. english Bacardi and jack daniels that had been sent via UPS to mike. approaching 10pm i was totaly shattered and wanted to go home., i mentioned i was off and managed to be persuaded over to a little bar for 1 drink. i went there and had 1 drink. then left with several other people.
had a mcdonalds and somehow got talked into going to the scotland club. i went had a couple of drinks and we all sat round watching the professional dancers until 2-3am. they left, we used the different stages as dancing podiums. (2-3am we are the last ones there, even the police in riot gear have left), after a good work out on the stage we left. back out side it was hot and a feeling of being very happy wes among the group of 8 that was left. while walking from the front door of the club to the road (maybe 3 meters) it was decided that the 7 club (right next door to the scotland club) would be a good place to visit, it was open and fairly full, (the first time i've been in there) there were still dancers on poles and a lively atmosphere. (again a tree) we sat next to a plastic tree and one of the stages.
after a couple more hours we all left. (they closed)
and we walked (maybe staggered, memory isnt so good, i only have messages on my phone that i texted my self to remind me of what happend)
we ended up out side mcdonalds again, (24 hour) so we got more food.
finally arrived home after we woke up some taxi drivers and gave them a fetching story about being stranded miles from home (in english) we all went our own ways.
hit the pillow at 11am.
TATA or Caca as it is spelled, (but sounds like tata) has been to the vet today.
i had him castrated, i didnt realise they would do it infront of me, the 2 vets walked out back leaving me and tata in the front. i though it was to say good bye or somthing, oo no no no, they came back with 2 needles, first one fine. second one must of hit a bone or somthing as tata screeched and run away. leaving the vet holding a bent needle.
the cat got sleepy and finally fell asleep, still being new to this i figured they were letting me and the cat have final time together so the cat wouldn't be so worried.. nope. out came blades and needles and small sharp disposable knives and string, i said i had to buy some water. they were ammused by this. i sat outside for 20 odd mins then got called back in. it was 37c out in the sun and there i was, getting redder and redder and wetter and wetter with sweat. tata looked dead. tongue out to one side, blood all over his white fir. god, it was horrible. i was told the cat would be peeling for 8 hours.
i got given a box and the vet made a nice little hole so i could make sure tata's head stayed in position. paid 100rmb and sent on my way. stupidly i chose the quickest way home, straight through the main gate. guarded by a load of police. with an in-built police station in campus...
the first cop looked and me and waved me over, he looked through the peep hole and saw what may as well have been a dead cat. he tried to send me away, telling me to get rid of the cat.
after being a pain in the ass english man, he sent me to the senior policemen... 2 of them in the office having a fag. i explained i took the cat to have a cut as i didnt want him to make love. they opened the box and one carefully poked tata. thank god, tata chose that moment to wake up, look around and roll onto his front so you couldn't see his tongue out or his eyes that weren't seeing anything. the cop laughed and nodded.
i got home to a cat that was fast asleep again. i put him on the bed and went out to let him sleep, checking on him 30 mins later to find he had wet the bed. i moved him back to the box. and went to clean up the bed. i heard a cardboard sound, i went to check on the cat to find him struggling to get up. i helped him only for him to fall on the floor and sleep. put him back on the bed and went to work. came back after 2 hours to find tata had......soiled... the bed and was halfway across the floor.
i have now given him water from the shower. (on the floor so he can drink at his own pace. bought a few day / week old cooked duck that he can have tomorrow for breakfast. he's now beside me sleeping, he's let me wash around the wound and clean him up a bit. poor cat was in such a state. i can see why in england they keep them in over night. you really shouldn't have to see your own pet go through that.
well, it's now 10pm and i'm off to bed. gotta work again tomorrow.. god, these 4 hour days are killing me :-D hehehehe i love my job. night night all
take care all
love mark
some images and a story or two about what i have been up to while liyang has been gone
images first.
we have a pic from my work. on the 4th floor you can look across the city and see mountains in the distance. its quite amazing really.
who want dried kiwi?????????
one image is of a small sweet that has been cut up to give to the kids. its about the size of a toe nail clipping now.
also one of liyang i found in my pink shirt.. why do my clothes look better on other people???? why???
ok, here's some intense reading now
so while liyang has been gone iv broken a couple of school rules. and i'll be breaking one or two more before liyang gets home (when ever that is) i'm happy the school cant log on to the blog or i would get in a some trouble for this.
a pupils dad invited me and 3 teachers that teach him over to his place for tea and some food.
so i met them nice and early on my day off and jumped in his black 4x4. after driving for 35-40 mins we arrived at the the guy's village estate (one house for the week and one for the weekend)
we got out the car and walked up to a big metal gate. he unbolted it and we all walked in. (the village outside was a bit tatty) inside was beautiful, a central courtyard with 2 buildings and a glass house that makes ones in England look feeble. it was maybe 30 foot long by 10 foot wide. the courtyard was well maintained with many plants, a nice tree over hanging a large pond that meanders through the whole of the walled off property, and a area under shade for sitting out and eating or reading a book. then walked into the main house. the building is a 2 storey building, i only saw parts of the downstairs, but it was amazing, with good furniture and a very homely feeling with built in bar and more tanks filled with fish (the tanks were either built into the wall or in one case was used as a divider to separate a studying room that had a nice desk and plenty of paper and pens and stuff.
the other building was used more for guests to stay in and relax.
then while being taken to eat at his restaurant. we stopped off at a bridge that had historical value (i though it was just a bridge but no no no, the original was dismantled and up inside a complex of buildings. i found this boring but there were some nice trees there. (dont know the name but the description should give it away if you know the one im on about) ((the trees were very large and had many many tiny leaves, maby 1 mm x 6mm. and millions of them. if you touch a stem then all the leaves on that stem fold up into the stem to appear as if there are no more leaves. even flys set it off.))
(i did get given some cut out of a tiger. apparently its expensive to buy as its signed and stamped by some one who did something with this bridge at some point. cant remember the story as i was sorta in a land all my own.) a few chinese asked to have there photo taken with me (im enjoying living htis way now, all those hugs and kisses)
After that we were taken to a temple.
very nice and old temple, free to enter, again some very long story about this, all i remember was that the trees were 1300 years old. (i know, i know, i was having a tree day.) and the guy (name unknown) used to climb trees like this when he was younger, oo oo oo also a seller hit a monk and the monks retaliated by shutting off one of the rooms for all but 2 days a month, and now the sellers are making less money.
then went on to his restaurant. where we were plasted with "grape wine", apparently i should have no problem finishing 2 bottles with him,,,,,,,,,, i did. by the end of the first bottle i was content to just sit there and enjoy the foods that were being brought out by all the staff. nooooo i had to finish the othere bottle with him, " you are english man, you drink. you ok, you are english man" the only sensible response was "oh god,, i really shouldn't i can all ready feel my head is lighter.. ok"
"good you are enlish man, you drink many, you need this" (points to his larger gut" any way then i was given a tour by one of the waiting staff, a very shy young women who didnt know any english and giggled when i said anything in chinese. this was good as it got me out of the line of site of my generous host.
after this i was shattered and wanted to go home, so being very polite i told a teacher, then it was decided to take us home, en route we stopped at a KTV, i cant spell the word so i'll describe it as a place you go to sign into a tv with the aid of a couple of microphones.
2 hours later i was on my way home.
i got home had a shower and felt a bit better. after sitting on the bed and getting ready for a 2 hour sleep to recharge, i got a phone call. i was expected at mike's house; a bbq was on the go and they knew i was alone. after refusing the invite several times to different people on the phone i eventually got dressed and jumped in a cab to mike's house.
the BBQ:
well it was very nice, more good food. more beers. english Bacardi and jack daniels that had been sent via UPS to mike. approaching 10pm i was totaly shattered and wanted to go home., i mentioned i was off and managed to be persuaded over to a little bar for 1 drink. i went there and had 1 drink. then left with several other people.
had a mcdonalds and somehow got talked into going to the scotland club. i went had a couple of drinks and we all sat round watching the professional dancers until 2-3am. they left, we used the different stages as dancing podiums. (2-3am we are the last ones there, even the police in riot gear have left), after a good work out on the stage we left. back out side it was hot and a feeling of being very happy wes among the group of 8 that was left. while walking from the front door of the club to the road (maybe 3 meters) it was decided that the 7 club (right next door to the scotland club) would be a good place to visit, it was open and fairly full, (the first time i've been in there) there were still dancers on poles and a lively atmosphere. (again a tree) we sat next to a plastic tree and one of the stages.
after a couple more hours we all left. (they closed)
and we walked (maybe staggered, memory isnt so good, i only have messages on my phone that i texted my self to remind me of what happend)
we ended up out side mcdonalds again, (24 hour) so we got more food.
finally arrived home after we woke up some taxi drivers and gave them a fetching story about being stranded miles from home (in english) we all went our own ways.
hit the pillow at 11am.
TATA or Caca as it is spelled, (but sounds like tata) has been to the vet today.
i had him castrated, i didnt realise they would do it infront of me, the 2 vets walked out back leaving me and tata in the front. i though it was to say good bye or somthing, oo no no no, they came back with 2 needles, first one fine. second one must of hit a bone or somthing as tata screeched and run away. leaving the vet holding a bent needle.
the cat got sleepy and finally fell asleep, still being new to this i figured they were letting me and the cat have final time together so the cat wouldn't be so worried.. nope. out came blades and needles and small sharp disposable knives and string, i said i had to buy some water. they were ammused by this. i sat outside for 20 odd mins then got called back in. it was 37c out in the sun and there i was, getting redder and redder and wetter and wetter with sweat. tata looked dead. tongue out to one side, blood all over his white fir. god, it was horrible. i was told the cat would be peeling for 8 hours.
i got given a box and the vet made a nice little hole so i could make sure tata's head stayed in position. paid 100rmb and sent on my way. stupidly i chose the quickest way home, straight through the main gate. guarded by a load of police. with an in-built police station in campus...
the first cop looked and me and waved me over, he looked through the peep hole and saw what may as well have been a dead cat. he tried to send me away, telling me to get rid of the cat.
after being a pain in the ass english man, he sent me to the senior policemen... 2 of them in the office having a fag. i explained i took the cat to have a cut as i didnt want him to make love. they opened the box and one carefully poked tata. thank god, tata chose that moment to wake up, look around and roll onto his front so you couldn't see his tongue out or his eyes that weren't seeing anything. the cop laughed and nodded.
i got home to a cat that was fast asleep again. i put him on the bed and went out to let him sleep, checking on him 30 mins later to find he had wet the bed. i moved him back to the box. and went to clean up the bed. i heard a cardboard sound, i went to check on the cat to find him struggling to get up. i helped him only for him to fall on the floor and sleep. put him back on the bed and went to work. came back after 2 hours to find tata had......soiled... the bed and was halfway across the floor.
i have now given him water from the shower. (on the floor so he can drink at his own pace. bought a few day / week old cooked duck that he can have tomorrow for breakfast. he's now beside me sleeping, he's let me wash around the wound and clean him up a bit. poor cat was in such a state. i can see why in england they keep them in over night. you really shouldn't have to see your own pet go through that.
well, it's now 10pm and i'm off to bed. gotta work again tomorrow.. god, these 4 hour days are killing me :-D hehehehe i love my job. night night all
take care all
love mark
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