Well almost. I have an interview tomorrow for a job working in a school in China, if it goes well then I'll be starting in August. Teaching. In China.
Yep, random and undermining change is the story of my life.
People ask 'Why?!', 'Why China?', 'Why so suddenly?' and 'Where are your trousers?'. All valid questions that need some kind of answer...
'Why?'
Realising that my life was marching on like the SS on speed was a bit of a shock. Here I am counting down the seconds of my life as they drain inexplicably away and I haven't done those things I thought I'd do when I was 18. Like lunge wildly at the Pope or be knighted for services to the tobacco industry. One of the things I have wanted to do for a long time was work abroad. To teach in another culture would be an unparalleled experience. And when, at the ripe old age of 37, as I lie on my death bed I want to say 'fuck you all, I worked abroad and it was awesome. Oh, and little brother...you're adopted'.
'Why China?'
Working in the West would be an incredible experience. But to go somewhere that is totally alien, that has its own identity rather than a scaled down version of America-Lite or Diet-Europe would be honestly the most exciting and terrifying thing I could do. China provides that. And also the food is great.
I've also always had a curious predilection towards Communism. Not as an ideology that I subscribe to but as something that I am fascinated by. Like an atheist reading the Bible or Tom Cruise watching videos of normal people.
'Why So Suddenly?'
Think of it as a quarter-life crisis if you will. Perhaps a sudden realisation of my own mortality and a lack of experience that I currently have of the world at large would be another possible explanation. I feel the real reason is that I am impulsive to the point of recklessness whereby I just decide. One day I wake up and say 'I will do this' and I do. In truth I have never regretted a decision made this way but it does make it a little difficult to plan ahead. It does also have major repercussions on The Duchess. She was not best pleased and more than a little hurt. Once I explained my reasons she was massively supportive and I know that even though I'm moving away for a long time a small part of my heart will remain here in Blighty, with her.
'Where are your trousers?'
I'm sorry officer. I thought it would be funny and I didn't realise that there was a parade of nuns going through town. Do you really think the handcuffs are necessary? Oh, ok then.
So I have to wait and see if I do ok in the interview. If I do, then I will have the opportunity of a lifetime. If not then I will be hugely disappointed but will carry on looking.
Its a long way to Beijing. A long way to go.
You know, as a PROPER English teacher, if your heart is set on teaching English in China, it'd be the easiest thing in the world for you to secure. Of course it might require moving outside of Beijing, but for the proper China experience that might actually be better. And be sure you get a 'proper' English school rather than one that takes the piss and skims profits off the side and then skipping town. Honestly.
ReplyDeleteIf I can make a suggestion, try getting on in Shanghai, Qingdao or Beijing. I would not, under any circumstances accept a job in the Guangdog province. I lived there while working with apparel factories and fabric mills, and there really is no redeeming qualities to it. Its very industrial, terrible pollution, and I really cant say anything good about it, except that its close to Hong Kong (which is cool). Look forward to hearing where you get stationed and what you think about it out there.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly where you're coming from; I'm doing the same thing, for pretty much the same reasons, only substitute 'China' for 'Japan'.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I overuse the semicolon and underuse the parenthesis--We're like Ying and Yang!
Or rather, Yin and Yang--I was tired when I posted, so you'll have to excuse my being an ass.
ReplyDeleteWoohoo!
ReplyDeleteI might see you there, on one of my many jaunts.
Good decision, my good man.