megryan

Email from Gemma: In the next message you have to tell me all the positives about your time in China Have I been complaining that much? I’ve turned into a whinger. How did that happen? I put it down to being too comfortable after being here for an extended period of time. Nothing is surprising me anymore. So now it seems a good as time as any to reflect on the reasons I do really love this country. 1. Table topics Ever had plate envy? I get it ALL the time. It pains me to choose things from a menu only to have others choose something different….and in the end, better than mine. There is nothing worse having to chow through a substandard meal only to have a look at your friend’s plate and be ogling ... read more

Conversation with a fellow intern. Me: Does it make me an ass that I spend my weekends seeking out all things Western? Intern: If I answered honestly I would be calling myself an ass. And so begins the tales of my weekends of travel searching for home comforts. Sometimes these are successful missions, others end in heartbreak. At the start of these journeys it is always in my mindset that by the end I will be yearning to return to my Chinese life, having overdosed on McDonalds, English / Irish / Swedish / German people as well as spending a weeks worth of pay doing it. This unfortunately is not the case. I no sooner return then get to texting, emailing and planning the next trip. We call it the ‘Weekend of Awesomeness Hangover’ in which ... read more

On the last Wednesday of orientation our teaching posts were displayed in the foyer of the hotel. In the scramble to find where we were being placed for the next 5 months confusion and assumptions reigned. I was being sent to an Experimental School in Guangdong. The placement post stated that I was being placed with another intern from the 'month' internship group that we had minor interactions with. Some interns got quite about of information about their placement such as living conditions, timetables etc. As we were the first interns to be sent to the school we basically got a printout from the schools website. This was fine with me as expecting the unexpected was so much better than assuming something and being disappointed. There were about 8 of us being sent to the same ... read more

Ahhhh what a wonderful idea. One ridiculously hilarious and heatfelt week with two of my main partners in crime was just what the doctor ordered. After spending five days of fun and sun in Karon with my new American friend JT, who incidently teaches at a university in China, it was time to greet Cass and Rohan at the classiest resort in the unclassiest part of town. Patong Beach was no better the second time around in the shock states. Even when I knew was I was in for there were many, many times when I thought 'dear God, what am I doing back here?'. Very unattractive and old Europeans, both men and women, in what can only be described as the worst 80's outfits cut in half then worn in the skimpiest possible manner donned ... read more

****Photos and video will be uploaded when I get to a internet cafe that works properly ******** We couldn't possibly leave Thailand without experiencing the national sport of Muay Thai boxing. Having scrunched my nose every time Daniel brought it up when we were in the south, the persausiveness of the advertising ( a recorded voice booming from various tuk tuks around the joint- "Tomorrow night, 9pm, the best of the best" on repeat embracing the technique of repitition) had worked it's magic on me and we sought to see a fight the night before we left for Laos. Now, I'm not much for violence, or boxing in general but this had to be the funniest night I have ever had. Wearing a skirt (yes, very lady like of me) we took our VIP seats four ... read more