Lonely, I'm so lonely .......

Feeling a bit lonely these days :~(

Tuya went back to Mongolia almost 2 weeks ago. I've started to make some friends in Shanghai but a lot of them don't go out at all. Or they can never commit to going out again. People here seem very flaky when it comes arranging a meeting. So usually it doesn't happen.

Seems like many Chinese people are into work and family but not into social life. Or at least not into making new friends outside their immediate social circle.

Also, at my morning schools almost no teachers talk to me, so I don't even have much human contact there either. I'm stuck in an office with the art teachers who don't speak much English and I don't speak much Chinese.

So, I'm thinking of either learning Chinese next term or moving to a more sociable country. People were much more friendly in the Phillipines but with the catch of they are trying to rip you off in Manila. In Cebu, it was more of a genuine friendship without the ripping-you-off part.

Well, I'm heading to Beijing and Mongolia in about 2 weeks so I'll have time to figure out what to do with my life. I've had no luck landing a CG job in Shanghai or a better teaching job. I should be patient and keep trying though.

I think getting one more semester of teaching experience combined with one semester of Chinese at Tongji university might improve my life. I could stay busy studying Chinese and still keep my hand in as a teacher. Also, I think there could be great social possibilities as a student.

Latest from Shanghai

Things are much the same in Shanghai.

I'm teaching and starting to realise what I like and don't like. I don't like the travel. Not because I don't like travel, but I don't get paid for it. And travelling 3 hours to a school for 1 hour 10 minutes of paid work, just doesn't make sense. So I'm thinking of ways of minimizing the travel. I also prefer having a teacher's assistant in the class than not having one. Especially large classes. Who can watch 35 kids efficiently? Especially if they're naughty...

In 2 of my 4 schools, I don't have a teacher's assistant and I have to teach AND try to control the kids. That's a bit difficult at times and frustrating. Also, I'm not making any friends at that school. I'm in an office with art teachers who don't speak English and I don't speak Chinese. I wish they'd put me in the office with local English teachers.....

I'm discovering more of the city of Shanghai --- it's awesome!!!!! Especially pubs, clubs, shops and restaurants. Not so much of the tourist stuff, though. Blah! Who needs it! I've made some friends, especially at the Thursday Night Quiz at the British Bulldog pub in Hengshan Road. It's popular with foreigners and a good night out. I'm going there tonight. I'm a regular now. One of the photos is of the pool table at the Bulldog.

Tuya, my longtime on-off girlfriend, went back to Mongolia to visit her Mum who is visiting Mongolia from England. So I'm alone again which I don't like. I am hoping to go to Ulanbaatar in January after the school semester is over. It's going to be -40 degrees Celsius so that should be, uh, cool. I or we may go somewhere warm after that. I have 4 weeks off if I decide to teach in the Shanghai elementary school system next semester. I still haven't decided if I will. If I do it will be with a different timetable / schedule.

I'd really like a similar job with less travel, more money, or possibly a Computer Graphics job. They say money doesn't matter, but I'm afraid that's a lie and it does in my life, especially with my love of travel and Tuya's love of shoes.