h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Still here, waiting patiently....

oops... missed ya again for a while. Sorry about that.

I've become involved in a tumultuous relationship with a guy, (cultural and temperamental differences keep things interesting) generally bike down to the beach for a swim after work, and just haven't been at the puter as much lately. This hot part of the summer makes me lazy, too.

Any word yet on finding the perfect job? It sounds as if it's a real pain in the butt to make it happen. Are you interested in teaching in a public school system or a private institution?

Doncha just love those cultural differences! Not Hispanic by any chance? ( Just a guess...).
Basically, it's only in the last couple of days that I've had my documents scanned and can directly apply for jobs. No replies as yet, and August is likely to be intense in the number of applications, if they still keep coming, as September is when most jobs start.
Basically , for Chinese jobs, the Govt. send you where they want, butI only really fancy Shanghai and points South. The only Vietnamese jobs I've seen are Volunteer jobs.
Come late August I might have to decide to just get on a plane to either country on spec, but that the thought of that fills me with panic.

Still head over heels hey?

Obviously.

Definitely NOT head over heels. I'm done with that one. He is hispanic, how'd ya guess? Imagine a stereotypical German-American trying an involvement with a stereotypical South American. NOT good.

I've been offline for a while, reading too much, painting and swimming a lot. The heat is making me extremely lethargic lately, have to be careful to move around some or I fear I'll take root.

What's the current update on the job situation? Any nibbles yet or are you preparing to jump headfirst?

Statistical probability m'dear. Don't know if Florida or California will be first to have a majority with Spanish as their first language, but it'll be close.
Think, (Yorkshire caution), I've got a job in Nanning, South China. The Tropic of Cancer, which is not too far away from you sits practically on top of it, ( hope the weather won't be too affected by a big blue line in the sky, ( cartographical joke).
It's about 200 miles from Hanoi, ( cheap silks), and 350 miles from Hong Kong, ( cheap electronics and virtually everything else).Plus about 800 miles from Eastern Tibet. Don't know if I'll be able to get to them easily ( answer for Tibet, No!), but I'll try.
Now, I'm about to embark on the whirlwind of arranging things, but, Bean's luck, this is a Bank holiday weekend here, and I won't even be able to get back on the 'Net till the 28th.
Wish me luck, energy and no adverse reactions to injections...

Get on that keyboard!
I'm actually leaving the U.K. on the 18th, arriving in Nanning on the 20th ,( stopover in Hong Kong),so I'll probably be off the Net for a bit round then.
I have been told that BBC sites are blocked in China, so if you want to stay in touch my non Beeb address is :- [email protected].
I haven't heard from the school I'll be teaching at for a couple of days, so in the way of Beans , I'm getting slightly worried....

Don't worry, everything is gonna work out for the best in this best of all possible worlds. When I get home I'll add you to my email list. I'm visiting my family in Kansas, of all places. Just snuck on dad's puter while the rest of them are busy.

This ain't Kansas Toto...

Want some ?

I had a wonderful visit with my family, probably the best ever. The dynamic of our relationship has totally changed somehow, seems as if they finally decided I'm an adult and they respect and support my choices for myself. What a feeling! Of course, I've done some serious changing myself over the last year or so, can't help but think that the semi-buddhist practice has had a lot to do with that.

Have you heard from the school yet? Tell me about the position you accepted. Any idea how long you're going to be staying?

I'll zap you a quick email just to open lines of communication.

hmmmmm.... The email I sent came back to me. I'm not sure what went awry. Here's mine but without the astericks. (spam control)

*[email protected]*

Oops! Just noticed I Got My E-mail wrong! It's [email protected]. Don't bother trying it yet as I'll be offline until after the 20th when I'm In China.
I decided that when Buddha talked about material possessions tying you down, he must have just moved palaces/Bo trees!
How does a Buddhist accumulate 8 boxes of non tropical clothes? Haven't even packed my books yet!Those I can't live without, tho' they won't be coming to China with me, ( they're sulking as they've already p\cked their sunscreen).
Will try your e-mail adddress quickly.

Had to leave my diary with your e-mail address in Leeds, ( 20 kilograms luggage allowance is NOT enough for going abroad for a long time ),but as you can see access to h2g2 possible from Nanning , China.
It's hot here, everybody is Chinese but generally friendly, I will write more later when I've wandered the street markets looking for eats.

I've been thinking of you, wondering if everything went well. Tell me everything! You know, it must have been a sign that you created this Chinese New Year Party and now you're there.

I've been busy as hell and loving it, finally got my new puter and it's a spaceship. I've got my first paying job using it, too . I'm now officially a photographer! surprise!!! am taking pics of merchandise for an antique and jewelry website and am doing the photoedits. I'm learning a lot and the extra money sure does come in handy. I'm still at my regular job, of course, and am also working on creating my portfolio to start my own small business.

Have only used one APS film so far, was going snapping today, but it's rained all day, it's still raining and I need to eat. Glad about the new job,( need a distant partner?), wish I'd bought a cheap digital so I could post some of the amazing images I've seen in these few days. Must see how expensive photos-CD service is over here, or convince the school to get a scanner.
Hong kong Is much more expensive than I hoped, China cheaper, except for imports and white bread,( can't find wholemeal), they don't seem to understand the concept of brown rice and I've still to find any bamboo steamers for sale.
Perhaps I'll ask the street vendors for their old ones.

Hey, we're under the same Tropic, let's talk about the good things in life and Smile!

All is well and I'm still incredibly busy.... not at all sure when things are gonna slow down, but that's just fine. I've only had a few minutes every few days to look on h2g2, so it's really easy to miss your posts here. How about emailing me if you'd like a more timely and reliable response? I'd love to know what your impressions of China are now that you've been there for a while.

Would love to, but your e-address is in my diary, which was thrown out of my suitcase in a desparate attempt to get under 20kg.
As to China, it's very Chinese, they have different ideas on privacy,the pavements are malicious goblins just waiting to trip you up, crossing the road is an act of faith, and I don't have any Chinese yet so it's surface impressions and only looking at the attractive women...

Look at post 72, darlin'. I'd replied to an email from you right before you left... not sure if you got it. Try me again, ok?

Have you been living in interesting times yet?