Taiwan is screwed

Not sure if you guys heard, but there was a wicked bad earth quake in Taiwan. It was noticeable here in Wuhan, sadly I was a little preoccupied at the time and it didn't phase me. Taiwan is in bad shape and it is affecting even mainland China, for example, everyones internet has gone to hell. Local servers are slow and anything that has to go to a server overseas just isn't happening. Supposedly this is going to take a couple weeks to fix. And no we aren't going to get a discount on our service, that kinda thing doesn't go down here. and it is leterally country wide, it's bad at home, it's bad at the school, it's bad everywhere.
The day is drawing near, either I am going to keep my job or have to find a new one. People seem upset that Tom and I may be going, and the fact is many of my students are going to pass with flying colors, the ones that don't simply didn't pay attention. Of course the schools manager cares nothing about the students passing or not, he cares about how many are comign to the school and making them money. In fact, that is the only thing he cares about. He isn't the one to look to for educational advice, you always get the feeling that he really doesn't like you, and really has no idea what to do when it comes to teaching. For him it was either this or a starbucks, and the PRC wouldn't let him open the starbucks. Things are looking more posative, as hard as it has been I am getting the hang of it now. As little as the staff may like to hear it, some kids just don't want to learn english. Hell I really don't want to learn chinese but I haven't got much of a choice at this point.
I am thinking of giving China another year or two, then I have an idea of teaching for the same school in Mexico, it looks like they have one not to far from home I could almost drive home if I really wanted to put in the time. The Yuan is doing a lot better so I want to go somehwere where I can get more cash for my dollar. Pesos are still in dire straights so I will prolly teach there for a year. If all goes well I will have a degree in something by that point. I'll then book it to Japan and that will be my last year teaching abroad before I move back home. Well ... to be honest I dunno if the valley is for me anymore, but maybe texas. We will just have to see.
I plan on doing a little video on eating food in china, what you need to be careful of and stuff like that, look for it soon.

Feeling Artsy

Here is an artsy photo of me playing Tom's acoustic. I know there ar complaints about black and white, but I always thought black and white photos were very beautiful. If you guys want the color version I will put it up, but honestly China net has been having trouble I am lucky I can even make this post

My Christmas spirit was tested

first off guys I hope all of you out there had a very merry and happy Christmas. This day only comes once a year, and it always seems to end to quickly. On a good note, we went and had a great western style dinner at the holiday inn, it's a revolving restraunt. This was a new experience for me, the staff was great, I took some video and am attempting to lighten it up for you guys in premiere, I will have it up soon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGOJN_QI8i4

I got a really nice little guitar amp from Tom, that was really nice of him, I was playing a little last night and it sounded really good for an inexpensive chinese guitar amp, I am impressed. I got Tom many assorted things, I thought it would be best if he got several gifts. That way he would feel more at home, we spent time with our friends, truthfully I suppose it was as close to being at home as it could be. I really missed all of you and enjoyed all of your photos

DON'T READ THIS NEXT PART UNLESS YOU HAVE A STRONG STOMACH

So I was in the market looking for a pair of shoes for Tom, he has been wanting a pair some other color than black. I looked around but didn't find much, I found a few things but wasn't sure what international size he wears. I left the market and went to get a few other things while he looked up his international size for me. While I was in the market there was this small little dog sniffing at me, he is a nice dog, I have seen him in there before. Generally he leaves me alone and I leave him alone, he is just looking for some scraps to eat, honestly he isn't much bigger than a bread box. So i got the other things, Tom had called me with the size and I was on my way back to the market, I heard the dog barking loudly and I thought that some one musty have been giving him a hard time ... I couldn't have been more wrong. As I walked into the market there was a small crowd gathering around one of the last counters, the guy that owned the counter was beating the small dog to death with a wooden pole, The little guy wasn't going easy ... it was awful. The guy seemed very frustrated, angry, as though he was unable to figure something out in his life, he decided to take it out on the little dog. There was a moment where he realized what he was doing, stopped for a moment, and then continued realizing the little dog had no hope of recovery. The way his bottom lip was quivering the whole time, he must have been dealing with things he didn't understand. People beat animals to death in the states of course, it's just usually a little more private. Then some guy tried to kick a pigeon out of the air at the square. Some people are like children and never think abuot the end result, sometimes they never think about getting hurt or hurting something else, this is one thing that will stick in my head forever about China.

Merry Christmas!!!

Hey It's 1 am on the 25th here, wanted to wish everyone a merry Christmas. Man is WuHan hoppin. Christmas is deffinitly a strong holiday here, not celebrated for the same reasons, but it is alive and well in China. I am typing this out on my Christmas present to myself, you know i own a lot of computers these days. Anyhow guys, I have to get up early to get something for Tom so I had better go.

A whole bunch of stuff

Front loading washing machines are more common, and less expensive here than top loading ones. Many appliances are made in China which makes them very cheap. We do occasionally have trouble with our washing machine but it irons itself out usually. I am very willing to get goofy in class, I wouldn't mind doing that at all but in the end the students have to learn something. I can't get goofy just for the sake of doing so, the food thing is a good idea but frankly isn't allowed in class. We are well past the unit on food anyhow, I do give out treats as a reward or a gift for the holiday. In general I think things are going better at work, but I still need to work my ass off for a couple of weeks. If not then I have a contact here in WuHan who has already found me at least 2 other jobs. So, all in all I am not to worried. Things are going to be really relaxed for a couple weeks anyhow since all the classes are ending for a bit. I will probably make updates throughout the day so come back now and then and check this post.
One thing I have discovered I don't like in humanity is indecision, a friend of mine once said you should make all of your decisions within 7 breaths. I am starting to think this is a very good method of decision making, at least initial decisions. If you need to think on it further that's fine but not to much. Most decisions can be made in life this way, if you don't believe me try it for a few days, you would be suprised how long 7 breaths can be.
I am also starting to dislike lack of planning, especially when it comes to spending money. Generally I have two or even three plans for my funds, if those plans involve someone else then I really need them let me know whether or not they are up for the arrangement, that usually comes with a lack of motivation that is also disheartening.

Christmas dinner

Had a great Christmas dinner at Giano's last night. One ofthose dinners whereyou feel like gained 2 pounds the next day. There was turkey, and mashed taters, Stuffing with Chinese sausage, Gravy, Brocolli with cheese and mushrooms, and mac and cheese, also really rummy egg nog. And at 220 yuan itmaybe one of the most expensive meals I have ever eaten. It was only that expensive because 4 people didn't show. It was great, maybe the best western meal I have had since I have been here. More later guys I am kinda pressed for time.

suprise vid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_5MGz4kn5Y check this vid out, you'll like it but fair warning i become upset a couple of times.

guys some new vids for you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON0MNJ3REJ4 the asian games were on and I got some of this weird game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZV8dOtc9mI Our next one room at a time segment, this time our bathroom.

will update this post later I am going to get some video right now before it gets to dark.

Animals as pets ... what to do for Christmas

Although it is a fine gesture I have never felt that pets make the greatest gifts. They are a lot of responsibility, if you don't really have a place for them it can be a pain in the ass. I wouldn't buy someone a pet for a gift unless they asked for one, and maybe not even then, I would hate to be blamed for any discomfort that may come later. Again these are just my personal opinions, i doubt many people feel the way I do so don't read to much into it. Officially no pets as gifts for me though.
As for Christmas, no big plans. I hope to get Tom something and we are having a gift exchange at work. Remember guys, although there is some improvement i could still easily loose my job. Tom really wants to just go home, i don't think he would deny that. Funny ... I really thought I would be here a while, it all seemed easier with Tom here, he was always part of the plan. Flip the coin over and i see it a different way, if Tom wants to go home I have little right to say anything about it. I really want him to be happy, sometimes I feel like Tom means more to me than anyone. I always used to think that at least we had each other, as shitty as it was growing up from time to time I knew that as long as we stuck together we'd be alright. Well, I guess it will be time for me to go it alone for a while. I think I know what I want to do with my life now, Tom still hasn't found that for himself yet. I guess what I am getting at by all this is that I want Christmas to be good between us, it may be the last time I have with him. Anyway I will try and get some vids up tomorrow guys. Good night

Memories of the way we were

I agree with Tom, the vid was great and it's awsome that it got here unharmed. Man I remember how much we used to like to spin around in those bar chairs, and how much everyone wanted us to stop it. And life was much more simple back then, I always thought that I would be 15 again if i had a choice because I would be old enough to do anything I wanted with the oposite sex, but to young to work. Seeing those vids though made me think about just forgetting about the opposite sex and being 9 again, oh and I realized that Jason used to cheat at pool ... a lot. Speaking of Jason, how do i contact him? Grandma can you leave me a comment with his email address or something like that? We weren't on very good terms when he left, but I would hate it if things stayed that way.

Dad requested some residential stuff be filmed, so i got some stuff on Zhong Nan San Lu, just click on the link to enjoy the video. Bas stuff going down at work, but I have a connection in WuHan that can helkp me with new employment, so I think I may spring for a better computer, I found a good deal on some parts, and this laptop doesn't allow me to do all I need to do. Anyhow I will try and fil Hong Shan Square today for you guys.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atHYcHW2Idg

Couple of Vids for you.

found a couple of vids for you guys I took a while ago. My Newman is being used as an external HD so I need the space so they will reside on youtube from now on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T45in-MpXzk A market in Wuhan near our place

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-Rg8i7Orvo tom hiding in bed because he doesn't want to go otu with me.

In a bit of a pickle

I find myself in a bit of a pickle, I think many of my students will pass the classes but not many are going to come back ... so they tell me. Now i really like the salary and the pay schedual this job allows, and I'd like to keep working there just based on that. At the same time ... these kids, and they are only going to give me more classes. However i am not 100 % sure on how to go about getting a job here, i have ideas but nothing firm. I would like to find something other than teaching but that is virtually impossible with my lack of Chinese. Things are just going to have to play out, but one thing is for sure. I would rather them fire me than quit, if they fire me I don't have to pay any money back. If I quit, I will have to pay money back, besides as low as I am on cash right now I could use one more paycheck. I need to get some better internet gear and such if I can or it will be unbearable, at the same time I need money to support myself for a few months if I have to and If I am careful I could live quite a while on 4 large. Sorry the updates have become few and far between but the fact is a lot of my time is being taken worrying, I haven't had much to say other than that.

Christmas

Decorated the school for Christmas, here is the vid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PArfcp1r7fk

New job

I have decided to find other work, perhaps at a uni or another institution with adults only. It;s not that I don't like teaching kids, it's that I don't like teaching people that are unwilling to be there and unwilling to learn. I don't like teaching kids that are forced. They have a lot to do anyway, school 6 days a week, Tons of homework, they don't want more school right now. They want to play and have fun, their kids they should, but frankly this isn't my job. I want to teach people that want to learn, at keast teaching adults I know that they have paid for their own class and they are there to do something. These kids are to hard to control, I am honestly thinking they have to go to school so long and do so much homework because they are just horrible students. I am worried Baaska would hate me for saying that, she loves China and I can only assume that she thinks the students in this country work hard, and honestly some do, others just try hard enough not to get beaten by their parents, and others care more about playing gameboys in class, i hear it's twice as bad in a public school. Anyhow I'm not really having much luck at it so far, I'll keep everyone updated but expect less posts for a while. I'll be busy.

Why would I do that?

I like Wuhan, I don't see why I would want to go anywhere else. Not to mention all of the english first schools are going to be the same.

Staying In China

I have time left on my visa, and English is commodity here, and at this point I have experience at a school that is very hard to teach at. I'll be staying here, If I have to go to another school so be it, but I have no real interest in teaching any more student that have no wish to learn the language. I.E. kids forced to come by their parents. This is the biggest problem with this institution in my mind. After a year or two I am considering trying to get a job in Mexico, it looks like there is an english first not more than 4 hours from home, I could almost come home every weekend being that close. Not tomention my spanish is way better than my chinese at this point. Last night in bed was the most homesick I have been in a long time, still like China, but I am getting that familiar feeling that I am unhappy in my work. I like teaching, but hate the BS that comes with working for a corporation that is world wide. I hate having to think about how I am loosing themmoney rather than just teaching my kids something. Later guys