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Published: January 20th 2007
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My intermediate A level class
From left: Terri, Susan, Sally, Daisy, Zhao Mao, April and Eva It's hard to believe, but I've already been in China for 3 months. Although I've been to China twice previously, 3 months was the longest I'd ever spent here at one time. Before I left the United States, I worried that I'd get to the 3-month mark and be longing to come home. Happily, this is not the case. It feels as though barely 3 weeks have passed, let alone 3 months. If I had to go home next week, I would be panicking because I have not accomplished what I set out to do. Even a year seems a short time to me right now.
There is something about living in China that fills me with an inner peace. I felt that I spent so much of my last year in college searching to find something, but I didn't know what I was looking for. Now, I'm closer to finding it. I still don't know what "it" is, but I feel like I'm on the righ track. Each day contains an opportunity for something new to be learned or something exciting to experience. I'm learning as much from my students as they are from me, and on some days,
probably more. My Chinese is progressing nicely; I'm often told that I sound like a native Beijinger when I speak to someone these days. . China feels like home. It feels like I never left in 2005. As much as I do miss family and friends in the U.S., this is where I am supposed to be. I am a Beijinger now.
I am ecstatic to announce that I have finally purchased a piano for my apartment! Although it is not a true piano in the sense that it lacks string and hammers, the digital pianos these days are quite good. The sound quality is amazing. It's touch-senstive with 64-note polyphony, which essentially means that when I touch the key gently, it plays softly, and if I really rail on the keyboard, it will be loud, similar to a traditional piano. I didn't actually realize how much I missed the piano until I brought it home and was able to play daily, nightly and ever so rightly. I am now tackling Mendelssohn's "Rondo Capriccioso", which will keep me busy for some time.
Other exciting news: the 3-month
View of Beijing from the roof of my building
There are 29 floors in my apartment building. It's possible to climb out onto the roof (don't worry, Mom and Dad, I'm careful!). From this vantage point, I can see the stars on clear nights. I often go up there to have 'China moments'...when I really realize where I am and what I'm doing. cycle of classes has come to an end, which means that beginnign Monday, I will have a new set of classes to teach. My new schedule is heavier than the last, but the classes will be more interesting. I have also begun teaching another corporate client, in addition to the one I have now. The new client is The George Institute, a medical research foundation that is based in Sydney, Australia. I am just getting to know the students, but so far they appear to be a serious bunch. The commute to the company is also tedious; an hour each way in a taxi, due to the traffic. My other corporate client, the big fashion house Mary Ma, is my favorite class to teach. The students and I have really connected, and they are all really fun, down to earth, stylish people. Their boss, Mary Ma, is famous in China and is quickly becoming internationally known. The photos decorating the company office range from fashion shows to runway shots, to pictures of Mary Ma with various celebrities such as Jackie Chan, Johnny Depp, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and others.
Some sad news: I came home after work one night to find
that one of my fish had died. You may recall that I have 3 fish-- Schubert, Mahler and Brahms. Sadly, Schubert is no more. Mahler and Brahms seem lost without him. The air is so dry here, that the water evaporated from the bowl far more quickly than I'd realized, and Schubert became entangled in the plastic plant above the water line. You can imagine his demise. I am now very observant of water levels.
I continue to make gains in terms of networking. I have collected business cards from people all over the world, all of whom have invited me to send them my resume, which they would forward to various contacts and colleagues. I am excited to see what the future holds in terms of job prospects. I am more seriously considering looking for a job in China after my contract expires. Who knows what the future holds?
As always, thanks for reading. I invite questions and comments on this and any of my blogs.
Take care.
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