Job Hunting

What kind of job will I have in China?

Teaching is a natural choice. There's a demand for English teachers, I have a year's worth of experience to offer, and I'm enthusiastic about most aspects of it.

It's hard to find a job via the internet from half a world away, but TESS looks like it might be pretty great. I'm also considering contacting my old recruiter, Asia-Pacific Connections, to see if they know of any reputable recruiters for Chinese jobs.

If I don't teach, will I work as a maintenance man at an organic cooperative market?

In other news, Sara and I had our first language/culture lesson with Mike Kopalek recently. Most importantly, we learned how to say, "In my country, I am the emperor." More on that later..

Visa Considerations

Good news: a 12-month, multi-entry visa application is only 2 pages long!

It costs $130 to apply for the visa.

Proposed Timeline

Pre-China 2009:

Feb-save $200; pay Mom $200+ for tuition
Mar-save $200+; pay Mom $500 for tuition
Apr-save $500+; pay Mom $300 for tuition
May-save $500+
Jun-give notice at work; enjoy spring
Jul-live in Hanford Bay. Visit Adirondacks. Thoroughly enjoy summer.
Aug 12-depart for China

Reasons To Go, Vol. I

I want to check out some Chinese architecture. I loved the history and general lived-in-ness radiated by the alleys of Beijing. Some of the crappiest houses looked like they were built five hundred years ago, and they were beautiful. Some of the nicest were in the same style. Check it out for yourself. That's my motto. And that's why I want to go live in China.

From China

I took this picture in the middle of the night.

Anticipation

How about Kunming, China?

I'm getting pretty antsy to go. August is a long ways away, and I anticipate a fantastic spring and summer between then and now. But when Fall comes, I'll be on my way to China for a 6 or 7-month stay.

Hopefully I can get a job in a hotel or something. If necessary, hopefully teaching will be a good fallback.

I aim to start having some of my anticipations, expectations, research, and excitement posted on here regularly.

Here we go!