Still here and not dead yet.

[Marshall K]

Sorry I haven't posted in a while.  I'm still in China, but am coming back to the US for a six week visit and to take care of loose ends before coming back here.  I won't be bringing my wife, because unlike Capstone (congratulations, BTW!) we are still getting jerked around by immigration.  She doesn't really want to go to the US right now, which is kind of cool since I know she didn't marry me for the green card.
I got a good offer from the top middle school (high school) in the city to teach spoken English and jumped on it.  I sign the contract next week.  The pay is good by Chinese standards and has a nice benefit package including round trip air fare once a year to my hometown in the US.  Since my economic prospects in Oregon are truly grim at this point I feel very blessed.  I have adapted well to living here.  I enjoy the culture and the people, which is good since there are so damn many of them.  Every day is a mini adventure.  I also love my wife a bunch and she loves me.
At this point in my life I'm not sure if I will ever move back to the US.  My standard of living is very good here, the winter climate can't be beat, and I truly enjoy my new career.
There are things that are annoying, but the same is true of home.  The dream police limit the internet, which can be a pain.  The last few months has seen the end of Youtube, and they have blocked access to most free blogging sites, which makes it a pain to post on my blog http://emsique.blogspot.com, although I have managed some entries, I just can't post pix.  The weird thing is that I can get virtually any news I want on any subject including ones that make them embarrassed. 
My laptop has also been a pain since it has Vista as its operating system.  What a piece of cr@p!  Nothing but malfunctions, and nobody here can fix it.
I'm about 20 lbs lighter than I was six months ago.  The food is much healthier here.  However, I am looking forward to rare beef, burritos, IPA, drinks with tonic and cheese.
I will try to keep you all better informed in the future about my life here.  It has been an interesting change for me.  Who would have thought when I started emailing a cute Chinese lady two years ago that I would end up here?

[Jeff S]

Great to hear from you Marshall. Nice to see that life in China is good to you. I can imagine how much of an adventure it is. Congrats on your new job, too.

Instead of a blog you may consider setting up your own website. I'll PM you about that.

- Jeff

[Bear]

Glad to hear you are living your dream and things are going well.  If I didn't work for a "green" company that government practically forces schools to do business with, I'd probably be thinking the same way you are.  I've had several offers in the Middle East to do building automation because of my son being there.  Consider writing a book on the quaint culture differences that you can sell on the internet as a backup source of income.

As for Vista, I read it wll be abandoned like Millinium was sometime next year.  The two newest browsers explorers (7 & fix alot but on my 64 bit machine I can't start explorer without a blue screen of death.  Any other browser works fine.  The virus scans can't find anything but it has to be a virus, I can't see MS making a product that causes one of their own apps to crash a computer but I can't find it?! So I use Firefox on that machine.

I'd love so see pictures of some of the attractions in China, so if you get a chance post some (will your machine let you?).  In to weeks I'm going to travel the west for two weeks taking pictures of everything from the Grand Canyon to the Painted Desert, Petruified Forest, Meteor Crater, Four Corners, ride a train, lots of old time ghost towns, theme parks and caves plus let my wife visit with friends she chats with.  Going to be busy, busy, busy, go, go, go.  (BTW, if any of you guys know of an attraction I'd get a kick out of let me know).

How many of you know that last week Pravda reported that they have never seen a country rushing towards comunism as fast as the USA.  And that China's leader  stated 3-4 years ago that "the "American Experiement" is over?

The Bear Family

[texassingledad]

 

(BTW, if any of you guys know of an attraction I'd get a kick out of let me know).

Hey Bear=
   While you are there you should check out The Raoyal Royal Gorge. http://www.royalgorgebridge.com/ as I remeber remember its not far from Four Corners. It has been a while since I have been there but was really neat.

[Jeff S]

How far west you planning to come Bear?

[Bear]

Phoenix/Grand Canyon unless there is something fairly easy to get to.  I only have 10 days and eight are pretty much filled.

The Bear Family

[jm21-2]

Things seem to be going great for you Marshall, congrats. And don't worry, IPAs and cheese will put those 20 pounds back on fast .

[piglett]

Bear
The west is so big you couldn't see it all in 2 years.
so 2 weeks will only scratch the surface.
i think each state has a web site so you can check out what each has to offer.

by the way in some western states the speed limit is as high as 75mph
when you are near big trucks going that fast it is best to stay as far away from them as you can. At that speed they need about 10 seconds to come to a full stop
so it your unlucky enough to be 7 seconds in front of them you'll never stand a chance.
just use your head & you will be fine.

piglett

[Dave H]

I have adapted well to living here.  I enjoy the culture and the people, which is good since there are so damn many of them.  Every day is a mini adventure.  I also love my wife a bunch and she loves me.

Hi Marshall,

Congratulations on the new job! I would work in the Philippines if I could find a teaching job with perks like that.

Enjoying the "culture and people" and having a mutual love and respect with the  lady you love are the keys to happiness. I have read a few websites where the guys hate their wives' cultures and the people, but somehow try to justify in their minds that she is somehow different and an exception.

At this point in my life I'm not sure if I will ever move back to the US.  My standard of living is very good here, the winter climate can't be beat, and I truly enjoy my new career.

I can relate to that! I am a millionaire in the Philippines. I just need another house air conditioner and an air conditioned auto to make life complete. 

My laptop has also been a pain since it has Vista as its operating system.  What a piece of cr@p!  Nothing but malfunctions, and nobody here can fix it.

I'd better not get started on Vista again!

I'm about 20 lbs lighter than I was six months ago.  The food is much healthier here.  However, I am looking forward to rare beef, burritos, IPA, drinks with tonic and cheese.

Somehow I have managed to lose weight myself. I could use some good burritos and cheese myself! I found a good airconditioned meat market without flies, that looks quite sanitary.  But god only knows what the conditions are before the meat arrives at the store...oh well, a few less fly larve can't be bad for you. At least McDonalds still fries the apple pies here. 

Continued happiness for you and your family.

Dave

PS I bought one of those gold lucky money cat figures, with the raised arm that goes back and forth. I will let everyone know if it makes me rich. 

[Capstone]

Marshall,
It is good to hear from you again and I am glad that everything has been working out so well for you and your wife. Thanks for the congratulations on the visa - my fiancee will be here July 10th.

[Dave H]

Hey Capstone,

A VERY BIG CONGRATULATIONS on receiving the Visa!!!

Dave

[Bear]

Marshall,
It is good to hear from you again and I am glad that everything has been working out so well for you and your wife. Thanks for the congratulations on the visa - my fiancee will be here July 10th.

Wow!  Very kewl!  Congratulations.

The Bear Family

[Jeff S]

Congratulations, Capstone. I'll bet you're excited to have her arrive. Please keep us posted on the experience after she shows up. The "getting used to each other and her new surroundings" phase is always one of the most interesting parts of this process, especially for those contemplating making the step. It can be easy or difficult but is always filled with surprises for both of you.

- Jeff

[Bob_S]

(BTW, if any of you guys know of an attraction I'd get a kick out of let me know).

We drove back along Route 66/I-40 last Christmas.  The wife got a kick out of Acoma Pueblo in New Mexico just west of Albuquerque.  If you'll be up near Amarillo, get a can of spray paint and go to town on the Cadillac Ranch.
And grab a bite at the Heart Attack Grill in Phoenix (Chandler, actually)!   Either that or the Road Kill Cafe in Selligman, AZ.

[Bear]

We will be on 1-40/Route 66.  What is in Acoma?

The Bear Family

[piglett]

Bear
If your going to be on I-40 near Albuquerque you should stop for a bite to eat at the Indian casino it's about 20 miles west of Albuquerque. The building you want isn't the casino building it's the other one with the store & resteraunt, every time i was in the area i would stop & fuel up ( gas should be cheaper here than any other place in the area) & i was always happy with the steak, baked potato, & mixed vegtables.
the place is clean & the help is always friendly.

i don't gamble so i couldn't even tell you what the inside of the casino looks like.
but it is also there if you feel like trying your luck.  

have a safe trip
piglett

[Bob_S]

We will be on 1-40/Route 66.  What is in Acoma?

It's an historical site.  A native American village high atop a mesa.  They are famous for pottery (expensive artsy stuff).  A map is here, and their web site is here.

[masonb]

I'd love so see pictures of some of the attractions in China, so if you get a chance post some (will your machine let you?).  In to weeks I'm going to travel the west for two weeks taking pictures of everything from the Grand Canyon to the Painted Desert, Petruified Forest, Meteor Crater, Four Corners, ride a train, lots of old time ghost towns, theme parks and caves plus let my wife visit with friends she chats with.  Going to be busy, busy, busy, go, go, go.  (BTW, if any of you guys know of an attraction I'd get a kick out of let me know).

Bear,

If you will be in AZ, check out Sedona, Karchner Caverns, and Tombstone.  All awesome tourist attractions.  I hike in Sedona regularly and I can tell you it is easily one of the most interesting and beautiful places I have ever been.

Crater is ok.  If your going to The Grand Canyon check out that new glass bridge they built that goes over the canyon.  I'd like to know your thoughts on it.

-Mason-

[Jeff S]

The southwest is a fascinating place - especially Indian country. The petrified forest is pretty boring but the rest of the attractions you mention are really interesting. One more to add is Mesa Verde. Be sure to go to the different Indian reservations too.

Here are a couple of interesting places from my last trip to China last year:

Cliff Walk in Yandangshan




Dragon Falls in Yandangshan




- Jeff

[masonb]

I want to live in that hut on the cliff and be a complete recluse.  That is my life's ambition.  Sad?

[jm21-2]

Here's a few random pictures. EDIT: from the Qingdao area.

[Bear]

If you will be in AZ, check out Sedona, Karchner Caverns, and Tombstone.  All awesome tourist attractions.  I hike in Sedona regularly and I can tell you it is easily one of the most interesting and beautiful places I have ever been.

Crater is OK.  If your going to The Grand Canyon check out that new glass bridge they built that goes over the canyon.  I'd like to know your thoughts on it.

I went a month ago and I'm back now.  We did go to Sedona and I have to agree it's an awesome view riding the tram to the top.  As for the glass bridge it is on a different site of the GC from where we were staying, in an area it appears they are trying to get tourist to start visiting but several hundred miles from where we were.  We went to the routine tourist traps.  We couldn't get into Carlsbad Caverns because I had children 3 y.o. and under with me, Area 51/Roswell was corny but they are building a new and decent looking museum that will improve the site.  All in all we played around in San Antonio, El Paso, Roswell, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, the Grand canyon, Abilene, Wichita Falls, Dallas, Phoenix and few little stops in between including the Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, the Meteor Crater and I stood on the corner in Winslow, Arizona.  Not to forget the kids got to wiggle with the Wiggles at Fiesta Texas in San Antonio while Grandy got to ride the boats at the River Walk and I went to what used to be my favorite restaurant on the River Walk there too.  I wish I had a bit more money and a few more days because there was more to see but I had to do it all in 10 days and I needed 2 of those to recover.

The Bear Family

[masonb]

It still sounds like you had a great time.  I've never been to Carls Bad but Kartchner(sp) Caverns was amazing.  The inside of that cave is the size of two football fields which makes for an extremely epic view.  I was informed that it is the only cave still living that has been opened to the public.

Sedona is my favorite place.  I'm from Phoenix so driving an hour to go hiking in a spot like that is totally worth it on the weekends.  I know you had your kids with you but if you had a chance to hike some of the less touristy spots you might have enjoyed it much more than I'm sure you already did.

Kudos to you for all of that sight seeing condensed into 10 days thats impressive.

I'm sure that The Wiggles was most likely your favorite part of the trip, yes? 

[thekfc]

Those pics in China looks amazing.

On my trip to Hong Kong this coming January, I do plan on taking a side trip to China. I will be there a couple of days before my friends - They will travel on the weekend & I will travel mid-week as it is cheaper.

I have convince one guy to take the side trip with me. I have all the paperwork ready & will apply for the Visa in November.

I always wanted to take a trip out west - one of my former co-worker is a native American Indian from Arizona & she keep telling me to come visit. Yeah, I need to get out of New York City.

And yeah Vista sucks....I am sooooo happy that Windows 7 will soon be here.