For 30 seconds earlier today, i had a decent connection.
Soon, there should be a web connection worthy of the name.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
hmm
I seem to have an internet connection, but I'm at home. It's rather slow, but nonetheless it exists. full of existence, this connection. Unless it disappeared again. Let's see what happens tomorrow.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
update
still working on getting the internet for my house. Sounds like it might be happening this week, or early next week. Then you can hear more fascinating details of my life
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
classes
Had two more classes today. My classes are really long (1.5 to 2.5 hours) so it seems like a light loud, but there's a lot of time in those rooms.
So far, they are a very pleasant surprise. They tend to speak English better than expected. Many ask questions, admit when they are confused, and are actually providing feedback. Mostly I'm hearing I need to talk louder and slower. If you've ever taught ESL, particularly in Asia, it's shocking they will suggest I'm anything other than perfect.
According to the schedule, we were doing Unit 5, which is about HIV, safe sex, drug use, and homosexuality. 90% of them are women, so I was supposed to walk in and try to get them talking about the safest ways to have sex with a strange man listening them and critiquing them. Didn't happen, and is unlikely to. I'm sure they need sex education in this country, but not from me.
Instead, we repeated Unit 4, which many were confused by. It was about effective communication with some of it focused on job interviews. They were supposed to role-play out a good interview and a poor one. It's difficult to be confident and knowledgable with a roomful of people listening, but some did very well. When it was time for the bad interviews, they were awesome. One was late because he forgot his glasses, so he could drive fast or find the office. One wanted to work for a toy company because he didn't have enough toys as a child. In each class, one applicant thought it ok to light up. The best was probably the one who asked out the interviewer on a date, because "I have few skills in business, but many in the bedroom."
The challenge is generally getting them talking. I feel much more relaxed about that now.
In other news, I love pugs. Ok, that's not news, but I want a pug. Ok, not news, but I wanted to find out if they have pugs in China. In my mostly empty apartment complex, there lives an elderly couple and their pug. He taught me how to say "Pug gao" (Pug dog), and the dog seems to like me. The old man apparently does as well, as he called me over to let me know that the sign on the door says there will be no water from now until 8:00 tomorrow morning. Since I get picked up at 8:05 by a bus that doesn't wait, tomorrow's lesson my be an accidental lesson in the importance of bathing in interpersonal communication. Not every story is modelling and weird students
So far, they are a very pleasant surprise. They tend to speak English better than expected. Many ask questions, admit when they are confused, and are actually providing feedback. Mostly I'm hearing I need to talk louder and slower. If you've ever taught ESL, particularly in Asia, it's shocking they will suggest I'm anything other than perfect.
According to the schedule, we were doing Unit 5, which is about HIV, safe sex, drug use, and homosexuality. 90% of them are women, so I was supposed to walk in and try to get them talking about the safest ways to have sex with a strange man listening them and critiquing them. Didn't happen, and is unlikely to. I'm sure they need sex education in this country, but not from me.
Instead, we repeated Unit 4, which many were confused by. It was about effective communication with some of it focused on job interviews. They were supposed to role-play out a good interview and a poor one. It's difficult to be confident and knowledgable with a roomful of people listening, but some did very well. When it was time for the bad interviews, they were awesome. One was late because he forgot his glasses, so he could drive fast or find the office. One wanted to work for a toy company because he didn't have enough toys as a child. In each class, one applicant thought it ok to light up. The best was probably the one who asked out the interviewer on a date, because "I have few skills in business, but many in the bedroom."
The challenge is generally getting them talking. I feel much more relaxed about that now.
In other news, I love pugs. Ok, that's not news, but I want a pug. Ok, not news, but I wanted to find out if they have pugs in China. In my mostly empty apartment complex, there lives an elderly couple and their pug. He taught me how to say "Pug gao" (Pug dog), and the dog seems to like me. The old man apparently does as well, as he called me over to let me know that the sign on the door says there will be no water from now until 8:00 tomorrow morning. Since I get picked up at 8:05 by a bus that doesn't wait, tomorrow's lesson my be an accidental lesson in the importance of bathing in interpersonal communication. Not every story is modelling and weird students
Sunday, November 16, 2008
the best part
I left out the best news. I'm told my dear friend Snow had her second child last night. Some of you know her, and she sends her love.
it begins
Made it here.
The house is nice enough. A little small, and kind of far from the center of the city, but the building is new, the area seems safe, and a bus runs from the front of my house to downtown, so no real complaints.
The other foreign teacher seems very cool, and has been a blast. It seems we'll be living our separate lives, but hanging out together some of the time, which is the ideal. He also seems to be a competent teacher who plans on taking no bs from the school, so we seem to be on the same page.
I found out you can own and operate an elecric scooter in town without a driver's license or license plate, and they cost less than 1/3 of a month's pay. Being off the beaten path means its likely I'll have one in a month or two, maybe earlier depending on how my career as a model goes.
What's that you say? Yeah, I've been approached about modelling. I thought it was my rugged good looks they wanted, but it seems they just want to show that even I can sit on a chair without it breaking. Still, how many of you were offered a modelling job his week. They might also use me in a Harley Davidson ad campaign, which is far more respectable. It also means I'll be buying an electric scooter with money from Harley. Odd. Hopefully, modelling and teaching won't interfere with my career writing a tv show.
Oh yeah, I might be writing a tv show about a foreigner adjusting to life in China, a topic i understand fairly well. It's in the idea stage now, but it seems to be a serious idea. I'd like to be able to take China, show how its seen through our round eyes, and distort that through a funhouse mirror. I'm 95% sure my favorite ideas will end up on the cutting room floor, as they wouldn't entertain the Chinese people involved. I'll probably discuss it further as we plan my career in film.
Yeah, I'm likely going to have a very minor part in some Chinese comedy. I think I'm a gambler in Macu or something. They wanted to know if I'm happier delivering a few lines in Cantonese, Portugese or English. Odd question.
I had my first class today. Most of them seem bright and enthusiastic. Some seem painfully shy. A little better than expected. I didn't get the books until this morning, so it was tricky teaching for 90 minutes with no real plan, but I think it went fairly well. I only have about 5 or 6 weeks of class, but would like to accomplish something useful this term. I worry sometimes that perhaps only the students and i care.
The University didn't do a lot to instill confidence before I came, and aren't doing much to do so now. I had a monstrous time getting a visa, and they are in no rush to convert my visa into a multiple entry visa. Meaning that if there's any problems that arise after I have made plans to travel outside the country, I may not be able to be here when classes begin. I also received an apartment that had no means of cooking in an area with no real restaurants. Getting an advance on my pay is proving tough as well.
I guess if things don't work out, I can try to become a full time actor/writer/model.
That's my first four days in a nutshell. Should be a good time.
The house is nice enough. A little small, and kind of far from the center of the city, but the building is new, the area seems safe, and a bus runs from the front of my house to downtown, so no real complaints.
The other foreign teacher seems very cool, and has been a blast. It seems we'll be living our separate lives, but hanging out together some of the time, which is the ideal. He also seems to be a competent teacher who plans on taking no bs from the school, so we seem to be on the same page.
I found out you can own and operate an elecric scooter in town without a driver's license or license plate, and they cost less than 1/3 of a month's pay. Being off the beaten path means its likely I'll have one in a month or two, maybe earlier depending on how my career as a model goes.
What's that you say? Yeah, I've been approached about modelling. I thought it was my rugged good looks they wanted, but it seems they just want to show that even I can sit on a chair without it breaking. Still, how many of you were offered a modelling job his week. They might also use me in a Harley Davidson ad campaign, which is far more respectable. It also means I'll be buying an electric scooter with money from Harley. Odd. Hopefully, modelling and teaching won't interfere with my career writing a tv show.
Oh yeah, I might be writing a tv show about a foreigner adjusting to life in China, a topic i understand fairly well. It's in the idea stage now, but it seems to be a serious idea. I'd like to be able to take China, show how its seen through our round eyes, and distort that through a funhouse mirror. I'm 95% sure my favorite ideas will end up on the cutting room floor, as they wouldn't entertain the Chinese people involved. I'll probably discuss it further as we plan my career in film.
Yeah, I'm likely going to have a very minor part in some Chinese comedy. I think I'm a gambler in Macu or something. They wanted to know if I'm happier delivering a few lines in Cantonese, Portugese or English. Odd question.
I had my first class today. Most of them seem bright and enthusiastic. Some seem painfully shy. A little better than expected. I didn't get the books until this morning, so it was tricky teaching for 90 minutes with no real plan, but I think it went fairly well. I only have about 5 or 6 weeks of class, but would like to accomplish something useful this term. I worry sometimes that perhaps only the students and i care.
The University didn't do a lot to instill confidence before I came, and aren't doing much to do so now. I had a monstrous time getting a visa, and they are in no rush to convert my visa into a multiple entry visa. Meaning that if there's any problems that arise after I have made plans to travel outside the country, I may not be able to be here when classes begin. I also received an apartment that had no means of cooking in an area with no real restaurants. Getting an advance on my pay is proving tough as well.
I guess if things don't work out, I can try to become a full time actor/writer/model.
That's my first four days in a nutshell. Should be a good time.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
quick Hong Kong notes
Notice is hereby given to the guys on every street corner in the tsim Tsa Tsui area: I do not wish to buy a copy Rolex, regardless of how cheap it is. Feel free to ask other people.
Addendum: I am interested in buying smelly tofu. Very interested.
Imagined conversation a few weeks back.
"Hey, do you think we could make a lot of money selling bootleg Obama merchandise?"
"Why, yes, we can!"
Addendum: I am interested in buying smelly tofu. Very interested.
Imagined conversation a few weeks back.
"Hey, do you think we could make a lot of money selling bootleg Obama merchandise?"
"Why, yes, we can!"
The stench of home
I am sitting in a place with free, fast wifi, so you know I didn't make it to the mainland. Being in Hong Kong isn't something I'm gonna complain about.
I spent the flight pushing a large guy off me. Consider my build, and imagine what he must look like. So after 16 hours of him oozing into myspace, I'm rather stinky. I missed being on the last bus to the mainland, so some lucky folk dodged a bullet there. I wouldn't want to share a bus with me for 5 hours.
So, tomorrow I'm off to Zhongshan. No idea when I'll post again, but hopefully it will be next week. I think I'll be wanting internet access soon
I spent the flight pushing a large guy off me. Consider my build, and imagine what he must look like. So after 16 hours of him oozing into myspace, I'm rather stinky. I missed being on the last bus to the mainland, so some lucky folk dodged a bullet there. I wouldn't want to share a bus with me for 5 hours.
So, tomorrow I'm off to Zhongshan. No idea when I'll post again, but hopefully it will be next week. I think I'll be wanting internet access soon
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