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.