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[Marshall K]

Hi All!
I'm still eating with chopsticks, drinking Tsing Tao, and using the squatty potty.  Life here is still good.  I'm making a good living and we're moving into a better place this week.  I'm enjoying my teaching job a lot, and am getting to know the quirks of the culture and government more and more.  Some of it good, some of it bad.
I've got a blog, http://emsique.blogspot.com that relates some of my life here.  I keep it kind of low key because I don't want the dream police to run me out for criticizing the stuff that we can criticize back home.  Always value the freedom of speech.
What we do have here is a much better economy.  Even though there are unemployed people, the banks are sound, and the people are resourceful, thrifty and have families to help.  The government has lots of infrastructure projects going on, and I think they will come out this sooner than the US.  I gotta say that I'm more than a little alarmed at the trillions going to the same rat b*****ds that got us into this, with little accountability.  I guess all politicians are sellouts.
Anyway, my wife is a doll, and I am very loved.  I miss some things at home like good Mexican food, friends and family, but the love I have, and my work more than make up for it.

[Bear]

Glad you're enjoying life and hope it continues.

You say the banks are more secure.  Are they insured to a protect level like ours?  Any talk about what would happen if we defaulted here?

The Bear Family

[Capstone]

Hi Marshall,

It's good to hear that everything is going well for you in Zhangjiang. I have been following your blog on a regular basis and find the entries very interesting - keep them coming. Any word on when your wife will be able to interview again for a visa?

I have actually been laying the preliminary groundwork to spend about a year in China in the event that my fiancee's K-1 gets denied. There are so many loose ends and contingencies that I have to prepare for and tie down before making such a move but I want to be ready in case the necessity to play expat for a year occurs.

[Marshall K]

Bear, I don't know if your money is safe in a bank here.  I just meant they are solvent.  They avoided the toxic assets and try to avoid making bad loans. (except to the US govt )

[Bob_S]

Bravo.  You are to be envied, that is for sure.  Would that more of us had a chance to do the same.

Someday.  Someday.

[jm21-2]

I think quite a few of us could do as Marshall has if we really wanted to, but it's difficult to take the plunge and give up what we have here.

Anyways, you have some great posts on your blog Marshall. Look forward to hearing more about your sojourn in China (or is it permanent?).

[Marshall K]

It really has a permanent feel to it.  There was definitely a close your eyes, hope for the best and jump aspect to coming here, but after a lot of years of doing other things, I've found I have a real talent for teaching kids.  If I wanted to do this in the States, I would have to go back to school for at least a year, then try to get a job in a market that is laying people off now.
I've only been here for 3 months, and I'm finding myself more and more in demand.  I'm getting to a point where I can name my fee.  A school in a neighboring city drove me there last night after and excellent dinner, put me up in a 5 star hotel, had me teach/perform in front of 3,000 students today, gave me a lavish lunch, and paid me more than a factory worker makes in a month, and drove me home.
If I was at home, I'd be competing with a multitude of contractors for scarce work,  watching my savings dwindle, and riding the economic whirlpool down the drain. 

[Capstone]

Marshall,

It definitely sounds like you have carved out a terrific niche for yourself there and are living the good life with your family - what else could a man possibly desire? In reality this may have been the best thing that could have ever happened for you because it really affords you the opportunity to dive into and explore your wife's culture in a way that you could have never done back here in the US. I must say that I am more than a bit envious !!

[Dave H]

I'm still eating with chopsticks, drinking Tsing Tao, and using the squatty potty. 

Hey Marshall,

Those squatty potties are better than having your balls hang in the water every time you sit on a little Philippine toilet. I may have to import a taller one from the US. 

I found good Italian food here, but I also miss the Mexican food. I wish that Shadow still had his Mexican restaurant open! It would have been worth an overnight boat trip every month or two!

Dave