Run for the Border

Yes I am stubborn. It’s interesting how many times people have called me that within the past few days. Yes I am going to do what I have on my mind. And my mind is pretty fried right now.

I’ve signed onto another school and I hope to start work in a couple of weeks! Can’t wait to be productive again. It will not be the same position, rather I will be working as an assistant teacher/ literacy specialist. We’ll see how it goes.

Why am I here? Why am I still working in education? Why be a teacher for this age group? What is it that I want to achieve during the next couple of year How about the next 5 years? And for the next 10 years?

I definitely want to learn new skills out here, learn the language, and start my masters degree (either through Open University, Drexal Uni, or Chaminade Uni). Then I would love to do a research project. I don’t know what or where. Maybe in Nunavut or Alaska.

I’m a visionary and have been told I live life recklessly. I wouldn’t say reckless, I would say pizzazz! Ok, so I don’t have a retirement fund, but will any of us actually live to use it? I know I have not traveled as extensively as someone should at my age, but I have lived in quite a few places that lets me experience what life is like at that particular location. Why have a foot massage if you can have a full body massage for the same price? When living in, lets say, NYC for a few years, is not the same as visiting NYC for a few days.

Anyhow, I was put through the gauntlet (again) for the past few weeks. Got told on June 30th that June 30th will be my last day of work. I’m still waiting for my salary for June as the company is holding it hostage. Hopefully, things will resolve itself soon. So I MIGHT have to run for the border… well, just down to Hong Kong. My former employee is telling me that I have to cancel my visa, which gives me 10 days to leave the country. Not a happy thought. But it doesn’t sound that bad. It’s forcing me to have a vacation and have fun in the mist of this turmoil. When was the last time I had fun? As you know, it’s hard for me to relax. This is the first time I have had a solid month off of working. It’s not bad. But it’s not great either. Doing absolutely nothing everyday!

Sorry that there are no pictures up with this blog. I took my camera to the beach and now it no longer works. Cameras here are knock-offs and don’t last that long. The real stuff costs double the price of things back in America.

All in all, I’m hanging in there. I’m managing.

Will keep you abreast as soon things have smoothed out.

XOXO,
Sov.

Blocked

SO I’m not sure if this will make onto WordPress as it seems all free forum are currently blocked. Thanks to a wonderful brother-in-law, his proxy server at least allows me to sometimes access my WordPress account. Jeff, can you figure out how I can access my facebook?

So, since my arrival everything seems to be a mind trip. I will be in China for 3 months on July 15th. And I’ve been kicked out of an apartment, resigned from a job but to only be fired in the end, and now on the verge of getting deported (maybe). Maybe this whole thing is my fault. It’s definitely an experience and a life lesson. I’m impulsive, spontaneous, type A, control freak. I should have done what many have told me after my volunteering… take a couple months off and relax and digest my experience. Of course I didn’t do that. I went from The Gambia to a whirlwind tour in the States then arriving here in Beijing. And look at where my proactive situation got me: unemployed!

I have yet regret a life decision, though there are definitely some really BAD decisions that I’ve make, but I’ve suffered the consequence and that’s punishment enough. Now I’ve felt like I’ve just made either the biggest mistake of my life or the best bad decision. I’ve quit my job without having another one lined up. There were a lot things going on within the corporation that I did not agree with. At least now I know I do not have the stomach to deal with the BS that goes on in the corporate world. Since I’ve been here, I’ve spent about RMB4000 of my personal finance to operate the school, and now I’m not seeing a dime of it back. It just blows. I came to this country with barely any money and now I even less money. I spent almost my life savings moving out here. I’m distraught but I have to make an effort to stay here. It’s a beautiful city with beautiful people. Now I know how to lookout for “shady business”.

As an official unemployed professional, I have taken this “month off” to reflect my life experiences. You know that I got excited the other day because I discovered I can make ice cubes! Geez, I can’t remember the last time I made ice cubes in my freezer! It’s the simple things that makes me happy. It’s the simple things that I appreciate in life. I’ve learned that I am able to live life without much. Maybe that’s why I’ve always lived in the mountains every summer to balance things out from living in the city. It’s the whole ying-yang thing– balance between the natural world and the material world.

On a good note, I am interviewing at various schools throughout Beijing. I think I will be a bit more nervous if I wasn’t! Will let you know in a month if I’m employed or not. OR if I get deported!

	Temple Of Heaven