Things are moving.

I have a copy of the contract and have filled in the application for the visa. And I have more information, so I'm feeling a little more relaxed about it all. It is two weeks today before I leave.

There will be others going - so that is good and I shall meet them next week I hope. I haven't checked the weather in China, but suspect that things are settling down as everyone celebrates the Chinese New Year - the year of the rat.

One very funny thing has happened - the folk looked at my passport and at me and decided that I might have trouble getting into China as I don't look quite like the photo in the passport. My hair is a little blonder, but it is the shape of my face. The 7 - 8 kilos that have gone since Christmas have given me a new look! I'm pleased.

I think though that so few people really look like their passport photos - especially as you must not be smiling in your passport photo. And I so hate having my photo taken.

Books.

I found two books of interest in the library - had to go to Carindale Library as the local one did not have them. One was Living and Working In China by Andrew Williamson, and the other is Live and Work in China by Jocelyn Kan and Hakwan Lau.

Both books have great information, and I've learned quite a bit.

Today I am supposed to see and sign the contract - as I go to Springield to visit the folk I'm negotiating with re China. It will be good to get some of the information that I have been seeking and perhaps see the ticket for 21/2/08.

Magazine of Interest

I've kept up my research - there is so much to learn about working in China, and I found a magazine, that I have decided to subscribe to. It is called Get Up and Go, and is available from newsagents and by subscription. I'd not seen it before but it is a mag for Seniors. I had a look at their website, and into the Archives to look at some of their previous stories.

One featured a couple who worked in China for a while. Click here to read the article.

I'm impressed by the magazine - some really good articles.

Still no paperwork

I am just a little concerned - it is just over 2 weeks before I'm due to leave Australia for China and still have not seen any paperwork - other than the registration form that I sent back several weeks ago. I phoned the college and have made arrangements to go tomorrow (Thursday) and see the contract and the other material.

It's funny - I have complete trust in them - more because I have been in contact with others who have been very satisfied with their relationship with the College here in Australia and in China. But I do think it is a bit weird that there has not been more information "on paper".

There are many warnings about going overseas to work, and not all overseas English teaching positions are "safe". Only recently a big "franchise" went broke and stranded a number of teachers in Japan. One needs to have some funds to be able to survive when one does not get paid, or to pay for a return to Australia if necessary.

I will be glad when I have resolved things on Thursday! It's funny - when I rang, I was assured that there was indeed a ticket for me for Singapore Airlines on 21/2/08 - at least to Singapore. But I've not got it - and I've not seen it. And I've not seen any documentation that my Visa is ready. Scary?

In any case I proceed as if all is well.

I went to the Library yesterday and on the Catalogue I found some books on living and working in China. They did not have any copies at my local library so I went to Carindale and found them. One is "Living and working in China. The complete practical guide to living as an expatriate in the People's Republic" by Andrew Williamson.

I was very impressed with the book and have read much of it already. It is certainly a comprehensive guide to anyone who is thinking of living and working in China, though was printed in 2005, so I guess some things aren't quite up to date.

The book would be great for anyone who is living independently in the country especially as so many western countries are doing business with the Chinese and are sending people to live and work, or to negotiate. As I will not be renting/buying accomodation, hiring and firing staff (domestic or corporate), keeping dogs, driving (I can't imagine trying that - I couldn't read the road signs anyway!) much of it did not pertain to me, but I read it anyway.

With all the research I have done (in books, on-line and in person) I'm sure there is a lot more information that could be helpful to me - but I'm going to learn as I go. And fingers crossed, I hope I don't get into any trouble.

At my writers group yesterday I met a Chinese lady who attended for the first time, and I hope to meet with her next week for a few quick lessons in Chinese. I need to know more than one word!

The weather in China

I've got to say it is a little concerning - but at this point I am hopeful that the awful weather in China will be over by the time I arrive.

Snow and blizzards have caused much damage and inconvenience and many places do not have power. Shanghai has switched off a lot of it's night lighting to help preserve the power as there is a shortage and many people are suffering dreadfully from the cold. As well there will be food shortage as many rural areas have been decimated by the snow and storms. Oh, well, I'm going to try and lose more weight - maybe I'll lose more than I bargained. Food parcels from home? Could be interesting.

I've found a good site for news from China - which reminds me I will try to keep with news at home by visiting the Courier Mail while I am away. I remember when I visited Dr John Herron in Dublin, he was well informed, thanks t his visiting the Courier Mail website.

Meanwhile I keep my eye on the weather and other news from China, as I continue my preparation.

Prepared for the cold?

Well, a little more. I've managed a "donation" of a ski jacket which should keep me warm, some black "long johns", some great woolly socks, a beanie - all courtesy of my daughter from her snow expedition a couple of years ago. The jacket is great - and is now at the dry cleaners!

I also went into the city to see what other winter gear is available - and purchased a black skirt, and a teal blue long sleeved skivvy from Damart. Along with my new walking shoes, I'm happy that I have enough things to take. Sure to be cold there, but I can purchase extras I expect.

I walked from South Brisbane station, over the bridge to the city and around Elizabeth, Queen and Adelaide Sts, and back to Central station for the return trip. I noticed that there were so many people from other countries - languages other than English filled me ears wherever I went. And the only person I "bumped into" was a girl who was on the same TESOL course!

I'm still a little amazed that I have not received any paperwork from the College - it is less than 3 weeks and I'm still waiting for the "offer" and "contract" which were promised some time ago. I don't have the departure date in writing. I shall have to phone on Monday and hurry things up. I'm strangely confident that things will be OK - but just the same I'd like to see it in writing. (I would have thought it would be helpful to the College too, to ensure that we had all "signed off".

Today I am meeting with some great friends - women who have been in business, and with whom we have networked for a long time. We meet once or twice a year for a chat etc, and today we are going to the Wang Dynasty restaurant which is at Southbank. It was one of the restaurants that operated throughout Expo 88 - on the Brisbane River.

A Chinese restaurant - how appropriate.

The weather in China

Is attrocious right now. The news on several channels last night reported on the number of blizzards and snow storms and that the Chinese Army is being deployed to remove the snow from main roads. Also there were many power outages and some 60 people have died from the cold.

Airline chaos resulted and in places there were queues of people fighting as they are headed into the Chinese New Year celebrations and so many people are returning to their homes for this important celebration.

I hope it didn't register with my mother who is not keen on my going to China! And I hope the weather improves dramatically over the next three weeks!