I know that he will cross paths with Hai Long again someday.
Man zuo Geoffrey!
Now going through the post holiday blues....
Thank god for the music my sister sent me for my birthday.... and for my new.... very flash... full suspension mountian bike. Sometimes it's the little things that are comforting.... Many of you will not understand the relationship I have with my bikes (it is a friendship).
This week I have been missing my neice. It was her 2nd birthday.... she's growing up so fast! Thanks to Lisa and David for sending me some photos of her celebration and also for the ones of her in the outfit I sent her. It was a Qing Dynasty costume in a beautiful blue satin with bright embroidery and gold trimming. It's way too big at the moment, but it won't be too long she'll fit it.
Congratulations to Rob too. After a couple of months of uncertainty over his future at EF Karamay, he has finally been offered another contract to see out the year. This was only after a lot of quite unfair treatment and arguing his case regarding the difference of teaching styles between him and our acting DOS. It has been a source of some tension here and I can't help but think it was handled very poorly over a long time. Double standards and mixed messages abounded.... convenient memories were exercised..... alot of trouble was caused for all parties concerned quite unnecessarily.
But in the end its all ok. We are meant to be getting a DOS by the end of the month. Long overdue! We also have another Aussie teacher coming.... once the Uni stops trying to saboutage our business by witholding assistance at getting work permits and residency visa's. They have a vested interest in our school going under.
Some Chinese business men have absolutely no integrity.... they are liars, cheats and back stabbers. The Chinese women on the other hand seem to be the upholders of the good values of honesty, rationality and integrity. I have very little trust or respect for the Chinese Businessmen I have met to date. I have a good working relationship with my boss (the owner of our school). He has only been hospitable and accommodating to me so far, however, I see the way he talks to his other staff and this raises my awareness.
But life is like that... every forest has its wolves and its rabbits and its wise old bears, mountian lions and slow dopey mooses. I want to be the eagle that sees it all but is not effected by it.... only choosing to swoop when its good and ready to.
I'm off to fly....
Zaijian
