Take That, Censorship

Welcome to the first post of the new school year here in China. This is also the first post since the government started blocking all access to this particular blogging website. I toyed with the idea of starting a new one, but this one is so old and familiar--like a well-worn hoodie--that I opted instead for the software that lets me get around all the Internet filtering. Which is, I think, pretty cool.

I'm two months into my second year, and until now, I haven't really been thinking about home very much, except when I'm waxing nostalgic about Chicago to my students. Going back for the summer was definitely the right choice. But after I got here, I guess I unconsciously blocked out most of it, in an effort to readjust to life in China. This is my first real attempt at updating anyone in the U.S. on how things are going.

The new job is going well. The Zhongnan University of Economics and Law campus is right on the southern edge of South Lake, so there's some decent scenery. The school's actual name is 中南财经政法大学 ("Zhōng Nán Cái Jīng Zhèng Fǎ Dà Xué"), which is a real mouthful, even for the natives. I'm teaching Oral English again this year. It's pretty much the same job as last year, but with several more hours and a little more money. My schedule is more intense than that of most foreign teachers here, but compared to a real job, it's really not bad. Obviously, morning classes aren't my favorite, and the various ailments (respiratory, intestinal, etc.) that I and others have battled certainly don't help, but I feel like I might be starting to maybe figure out how to teach Chinese students effectively. At the very least, I hope to help them pass their tests and find steady work in an increasingly competitive job market. In any case, they gave me a sweet apartment.

Check out these pictures of varying quality and luminosity:

The Living Room

The Hand Chair I just boughtThe Kitchen

The OfficeThe Bookcase (full of shelves and a few books)The Front BalconyThe Spare Room
The Rear BalconyThe GuestroomThe Bedroom
The Master BathroomThe Guest Bathroom (a.k.a "the Squatter")
The FridgeThe WasherThe DryerThe Hallway and Cathedral Ceiling
(another perspective shot)

Now, I fully acknowledge that someone with my qualifications and work ethic has no business living here. These are just the apartments they give to the foreign teachers., regardless of age, background, etc. It's one example of a sometimes troubling practice of rewarding people simply for being white. And, sure, it's a seventh-floor walk-up, but I really don't mind the climb.

If only I could figure out how to decorate the place.

There's much more to tell you about what I've been up to, things you'd find more stimulating than what's included above, but for now I'll have to leave you with a picture of a friend, Croatian Ivan, cooking meat over a fire by the lake.