Good evening all, I'm not in great condition to go through all the formalities of introducing myself to you at present, probably a couple too many Victoria Bitter beers while 'enjoying' my packing for my return to China,next week.
I'm Australian, female, late 40's, with 3 years of china teaching experience behind me and two years in Italy prior to that. Apart from teaching English my main life's work has been as a union official, not a popular career choice these days, or at any time really, probably why I'm still single, few friends and even my dog left home!
I think I could safely describe myself presently as a refugee from the 'puritanical forum' for ESL workers.
I'd asked a question about the availablity of particular eye drops in the part of China I'm heading to, some poor innocent replied that I should examine thc as a solution, I quite genuinely and seriously responded about my opthamologist explaining that thc only reduces internal optical pressure by a few points for around 20 minutes and may be useful in emergencies but is most definitely not to be considered a cure or solution, the thread was locked?? Cheers Mr. K!?
Sorry, I just realised I'm venting rather than introducing myself, oops.
I lived in Harbin for my first 3 years in China and loved it, really loved it, my students, my uni, coworkers, the skating, the food. I had to return to Aus for exensive eye surgery which took 2 years to eventually stabilise.
This time I'll be in the south, Guangdong, accepting the invitation of my old Harbin boss who moved south and who was one of the most honest and trustworthy people I met in those years, his recommendation was enough for me. I hate hot weather but like most people who have worked in China for any length of time I appreciate how important a boss you can trust is to your daily wellbeing.
I'd love to make contact with any other teachers who may be in or around Foshan.
I'm still struggling with deciding what to pack and what to leave behind, I keep realising I've packed for Harbin, and keep removing long underwear and padded jackets formmy bag, I've still got 7 days to work this out.
I'm delighted to be on my way back, and hope I'll be welcome in this forum.
There was one brave member of the other forum who pm'd me and gave me details of an eye hospital in Guangzhou so my eye problem should be ok, so I won't be causing any trouble by tempting anyone to suggest or discuss anything that could shock!!!
Thanks, R
Oh yeah, I haven't figured out where you're supposed to put this information but my birthday will be on February 28..... nobody remembers it, ever, anywhere, I'm an orphan, yeah yeah boo hoo, but it will be another birthday alone with a cupcake with a single candle on it, so, any Foshan people who would care to join me for a few quiet cold ales would be welcomed as possible new friends of we have anything more in common than a liking for cold beer.