I have been in school now over one week. Kids arrived today but only for orientation. I met with the homeroom, made sure they understand the way block classes work, and set the combinations for their lockers. Classes are tomorrow. Normally classes are 85 minutes long but with an extended homeroom they will be a little shorter. I have 3 classes tomorrow and they are my toughest. One IB Biology HL (high level) which is fast paced and two IB Biology SL (standard level) which goes a little slower. HL goes more in depth on the topics.

I have had lots of time to plan. It has been punctuated by meetings but I am grateful for the time to plan as the pace and content of IB Bio is quite a lot. As with any new place you have all kinds of ideas of what you can do and I am not sure what activities work and like any other year you do what you think and then adjust.

Besides co-advising Student Council, I am also assistant coach for cross country. Should be interesting. I’ll be running with them so at least I will still get my workout in.

Here are a smattering of notable things about this school that I thought is very interesting. First it is not a comparison between schools. This is a very different school. It is private but not for profit. They take in a lot of money in tuition.

There are a bunch of dedicated staff bathrooms and there is one really close to my classroom. Always one of the first things you need to find around your classroom. We were actually given two days before the rest of the faculty arrived to get our bearings. I was able to go through my room and figure out how to get places. I love how classrooms have air but stairwells (and then hallways) all open to the outside There are storm doors that they have but it is all very open.

Right around the corner of my classroom is coffee and a barista. We load money onto our school ID through We Chat and can use it to buy sandwiches, bread, and coffee. I have only bought one coffee so far and not making it a habit. Nice to have though. There are great places for the students to go hang out and they have done a great job of creating a variety of spaces everywhere.

I have a microwave and frig in the prep area that is in the middle of all of the science rooms. The TA preps whatever labs that we need and can get us equipment and does the ordering with companies.

There are really nice staff rooms on all floors with comfy couches and even a library of books and DVD’s you can check out. Over the summer, the ayi’s (house staff) takes care of all of the plants and then brings them back to the classroom. I will have to get an ayi for my apartment to take care of my plants and check the air conditioner when I come home next summer.

Each classroom has its own air conditioner remote. Which is great! Finally I get to decide the temperature! My computer connects to the projector through apple tv. The school is BYOD including the use of phones in the classroom. It is all about accountability. We also have water coolers in the classroom and they can also be found in the hallway. It is hot here and have to remember to keep drinking water.

There are lots of windows and even though the science room is not as up to date as I thought it would be, the materials you can use for labs and what they will order makes up for it. It is all very functional but definitely needs updated. There will actually be more building on the campus and we will be getting new facilities here.

I am amazed at the level of support for students and the faculty. We have access to the laminator and when we need supplies we fill out a list and we get it that day or within a few days if it needs ordered. It is nice to know I can find a new lab or material I want and can just request it (obviously within reason) and get it. Science department has its own color printer and when you print, there is a screen that attributes the printing to your name. You scan your ID on the control of the printer, and then a button for something called Follow You Printing. It is pretty neat because I can print anywhere in the school doing this. If you want things stapled or punched, you have to send it through the materials secretary.

The weirdest thing was having a TGIF last week. they but standing tables around the meeting room we use and had sncaks and wine. Was not expencting that. It does not happen every Friday, but definitely at the end of inservice week.  That afternoon bus is also a party bus. People bring snacks, wine, and beer and you pay a little money into the pot to purchase.

Quite a few continued the party after the bus. A drink is fine but not that much. Instead I went to buy a bike. Pretty cheap at about 2295 rmb outfitted (about $335 US). It is a really decent bike. It is nice to have one with shocks and be able to go longer distances. There is a group of people who bike to the school from the apartments. It is 10 miles away and takes about 55 minutes to an hour. About 3 miles can be nail biting but we go at a time when there are not as many cars on the road. (We never ride bikes home – too much traffic. The bus is not a school bus but instead from a bus company and has storage underneath.)

I found out that people here walk however they want, bike however they want, and drive almost the same way too. When you are biking, pedestrians, other bikes, etc. can pop out in front of you. However, they are very accomodating if you are changing lanes. They are not aggressive whereas in the US people are much more aggressive on the road. There is also an absence of road rage here. People are pretty polite and their worldview seems based on cooperation and common good.

Those who have been here awhile are really helpful. When you are looking for something, they know where to get it and will take you with them. It is really the only way to learn how to use the buses, metro, water taxi, didi (uber like service that also has auto taxis)… It takes awhile to know how to get around. One of the most convenient things they agve us on the first day was a card that has our address in English and pinyin and the school address on it.  When we don’t know where we are, we can show that to the didi!

The downside: There are very long days. We have faculty meetings after school one day a week and everyone stays for the late bus which leaves 80 minutes later. That bus also takes people home from practices and activities. Teachers and students can also stay late to work and take that bus as well. The long day is really only long because of the commute. The elementary school does not have that as they are really close to the apartment.

That is a lot but a few things I was thinking about this week. A new school always takes times with the different requirements and ways of doing things. So far pretty impressive and it is really nice to see how hands on all the administrators and staff are (you just ask and someone puts up colored paper on your bulletin board!)

Nice!

Science Park is a bus ride (provided by the school) from the apartment. It is in the Guangzhou Science City and looks different than many of the other areas of Guangzhou. All the classrooms are air conditioned but the rest of the buildings are open to the air. It is actually really cool and they are going through a renovation of various areas. Their sports facilites are amazing including a weight room that faculty can use (including a faculty locker room and shower), an outdoor rock climbing wall, and open pingpong tables scattered about.

There are student spaces to hang out as there is a break between all the 85 minue block classes. (This student area is not all rearranged yet as school has not started).

As we were touring the building, we walked by the innovation lab. The first room has at 10 3D printers. There is a second lab behind it. The best part: Any teacher can schedule to use it!

All the science classrooms are on the first floor and face directly to the outside. The middle school is on the second floor and the high school is on the third floor. It is weird not having other classrooms near you to visit others but I face a courtyard with greenery. My classroom door is in the middle of the bottom level.

And the view from another angle of the courtyard outside my door:

Inside it is a big space and I have since moved the tables into 5 groups with tables facing each otherThere is a prep room in the back where the TA works and where all the equipment is.

This school has a great fine arts program and they look at developing the whole child not just academics.

They are one of the few schools that is a full IB school. Every student takes IB classes but can choose on various focuses (more science, etc.) Not everyone takes the Diploma Programme, but they all take IB classes.

I have 5 classes: 2 9th grade Integrated Science which lays the groundwork for IB, 2 IB Biology SL (standard level), and 1 IB Biology HL (high level). The high level is more accelerated, has an extra module, and has more requirements for the students (and me). I see each class everyother day. I will have two classes one day, and three the second day, then it repeats but they change the order the classes run so those that met in the morning on day 1 will meet in the afternoon on day 3. I have an advisory which is a structured study hall and have a block of planning time as well as a block for PLC with the Science Department. Each block is 85 minutes long. There are breaks between classes and lunch is at the same time for everyone. Students and staff are welcome to grab their food and eat elsewhere.

As with any new place: It will be different than what I have known before. Just settle in and adapt. Home is what most would say is normal to them.

If you adopt the idea that home is a state of mind and not actually a place, you can do anything.

At night, we went to a Yunnan restaurant and sampled many foods including fried mealworms (which I have had before). This is the vegetarian foods:

All I can say is this school is the best. They take us to interesting places, the admin and HR are always around with us and helping us with whatever we need, and they feed us once or twice a day. There is so much food I know I have gained a few pounds. Once I’m back into a routing that will change though.

Last night we went to view a historic Chinese home and discussed Chinese culture. This was our longest bus ride to get there. We toured neighborhoods and the ancestral home of Bruce Lee.

I saw this saying on the tour:

Here is propaganda for the one child policy (and it is okay to have a girl). Having one child will tech the future!

 

We toured Shaiman Island – it used to be half owned by the British and half by the French. The archtecture was amazing.

 

We then went to Beijing avenue which is the original and oldest part of Guangzhou. It looks modern today but the oldest area. My apartment is in what would be considered the suburbs.  This is an old temple that has been rebuilt.

We ate at the best Vietnamese restaurant: Tiger Prawn. We had wonderful squid, calamari rolls, tofu rolls, spring rolls, etc. as well as pork for the meat eaters.

This is actually an entire squid cooked then sliced.

This is layers of really hard jello with a coconut milk cream layer. I like it but it was a mixed bag with the rest of the faculty. So much good food!

Here is the video from the first morning in my apartment:

I could not get it to load into the blog directly and my days have been pretty busy just getting my life up and running and learning how to work the controls on every appliance in the apartment (as the buttons are all in Chinese). I can say that the appliances (and daily life) here is actually very organized and efficient. More on that later especially after I figure out how to run the dryer cycle (the washer and dryer are the same machine).

One day we went to a traditional Cantonese Dim Sum lunch. They bring out dishes several at a time, very well presented and then take them away when half of the items on a plate have been eaten. They transfer them to a smaller plate so that they can bring out more dishes. Lunch lasts a long time and you are very full from trying everything and the food just keeps coming and coming.

The Canton Tower is a landmark in Guangzhou and you can go up to the top of it. It lights up at night. I actually can see this from one of my apartment balconies but took this shot  whilst traveling to one of the many get togethers.

I was able to get all of my clothes into the wardrobe which is a feat! It helped that I only brought clothes that paired well with others. Many buy another wardrobe from IKEA but have been working at owning less. My shoes are in a separate shoe cabinet in the apartment.

 

 

Yesterday we had the health check for the residence visa. In an hour and a half I had the following tests:

• Urinalysis
• Blood
• Chest x-ray
• EKG (they noted I had bradycardia – do they know I run? – and threw several PVC’s)
• Ultrasound of abdomen, kidneys, etc.
• Check ear, nose, throat
• Sight and colorblind
• Blood pressure, BMI
• Lung and heart sounds

It was actually very efficient and they moved you along from one station to the other. Afterwards we went to starbucks and was able to eat as we were not allowed to eat before. After that we went to IKEA. I have never been to one before and all I can say is that it is overwhelming. I did have a list of things to buy (towels, extra dishes/silverware, organizers for the wardrobe, bath mat, kitchen storage jars…) and bought three things that I did not intend but will probably be thankful later that I did.

I have gone for a run most days and it is very hot here. It is best to do so right when it gets light and before the sun hits the horizon. My favorite place to run is Ersha Island. There are large parks through the center of Ersha and running through them is not only pretty but cooler as it is shaded.

Today we set up some Chinese apps that make carrying money a thing of the past. We chat, which is the best app in the world is what we use to message each other. I speak to my kids daily using phone call or video call. It does not cost any money to call or video through the app. You can also pay anyone on the street for anything. Street vendors use it, stores use it, and even vending machines as well. They scan your QR code and you authorize payment – you can even split checks at a restaurant through the app. We set up the payment feature today.

We also set up Alipay and Taobao. Alipay is how you pay in Taobao and it is linked to your Bank account here in China. Taobao is the Chinese equivalent of Amazon and you can get everything. It sets up the time it is delivered right to your door. These two are set up but in Mandarin so knowing exactly what you order takes time as you have to translate.

So far everyone I have met has been very nice and they work hard to help understand what you are asking or need. So far I am enjoying every minute of the amazing city and slowly expanding the circle that I explore.

 

The adventure…

I was able to print only my boarding pass to JFK. Printing the one for China had to be completed at the ticket counter after I landed at JFK. Here is one thing I learned: you have to “exit” the airport to come back in on the international side. It is quite a site with many agents for each airline. However, China Southern only runs flights within a short time frame and the ticket counter only opens up a few hours before. So the adventure was technically being out of the general airport area and not being able to go back in until the ticket counter opened! Small issue and am glad my 4 large bags were already set to be put on the connecting flight and that there was at least one place to eat.

Immigration into China…

Farely uneventful after a 16 hour flight especially when you enter at 4:30 in the morning. The flight was long but was able to sleep a bunch, ate 2 great meals plus a small sandwich, and watched several movies… When you enter Baiyun airport (which is beautiful and very easy to find where to go) those staying in China need fingerprinted with self-serve machines. That slip and your passport is then looked at by the officer, your picture is taken and your fingerprints are verified again. No one really pulled my luggage aside to look through it. After that checkpoint I saw signs for my school and waited only a short time for a van to take me to the apartment. There three other people (2 from HR and one of the admin) took me to my apartment. Waiting for me: Part of my relocation money in cash, health cards, information, key cards to the room, forms to complete, tour of the apartment, questions answered, wifi password, and best yet: Food in the pantry and frig.

After they left I opened all of my bags and found running clothes to go on a short run after all of the sitting of the past day(s). The goal now was to stay awake until about 7 pm to try to avoid days of jet lag. I met another teacher, Erica, and we went to find Indian food nearby. The food was great and we also saw an organic food market. We shopped for veggies and some kitchen staples. Also we saw a vegetarian fusion restaurant we will be trying too. Pizza and salad will be delivered at 6 tonight to our apartment. Between all of this I did unpack my bags and was able to hang everything up in that one wardrobe. I also scoped out the rooftop pool and found the fitness center. Tomorrow I’ll iron everything that is wrinkled.

The apartment…

Small, but I do not need much. I made a video tour but it is not loading properly so will take pictures for the next post.

 

Waking up in China…

Jet lag caused me to only sleep a few hours at a time but used the time in between to finally get my VPN running on my phone, get my Garmin fitness watch to finally connect. I do have English speaking TV channels: CNN (has some American news but is mostly international with stories from all over), HBO, Star Movies, MTV, and a few others but all the others are Chinese. I have been able to connect to Netflix, and CBS All Access so will decide whether I want to keep those subscriptions.

I had intended to blog this official first day but was busy with a run in the morning followed by 6 laps swimming in the rooftop infinity pool. Beautiful. I did hang out there for some time just taking in the view.

Here is a cool running track I found outside. It is actually located in a running park.

Here are pics from the rooftop swiming pool:

 

We were picked up by van to go to the Shangri La hotel for a Dim Sum brunch that was absolutely amazing in the variety and freshness of the food. There we met others who are new to the faculty, met the admin team from both campuses, heard from the Director and took care of important business:

• Getting the Sim card for the phone. Now I can chat off of wifi. It is very cheap. We pre-paid 500 yuan for the plan: 99 yuan per month for 4G unlimited. This equals $14.53 per month.
• Filling out the forms to get a China Bank account where our pay will be deposited. The rest of the relocation money will open that account. We were not at the bank but filled out forms, they verified the passport and our picture was taken with a bank representative and one from HR to verify we were real. Seems strange but faster to do it this way. Tomorrow when we go to the bank, it will be fast and we will get our account numbers as they will already be set up. Yes, the bank opened up on Sunday just to open up our accounts. They have a special deal with the schools to do this.
• Picture taken for residence visa which we get in 4 weeks.

Picture from inside the Shangri La:

That evening we went back to the Shangri La for a pool party. More excellent food!

Tomorrow I’ll share pics from the apartment and other adventures. The food here is marvelous and one things that Guangzhou is known for!

All my bags are packed
I’m ready to go…  John Denver

Here are the bags:

Tomorrow afternoon I fly to JFK and then after midnight to Guangzhou, China. The second leg will be a 16 hour non-stop flight.

I am sure I covered all the bases with clothes and shoes as well as personal hygiene items I need to get started (it will take time to find where to get those products). As for clothes and shoes it is difficult to find American sizes there. My apartment is furnished with some items. I am bringing as little of those as I think I need.

I have received an itinerary for the week after I arrive as the school arranges what is needed to get established. Now to get there! Both excited and nervous about it!

I had intended to blog more but have spent the time with my kids and family as well as running 5k’s and eating out often! I will miss family and friends and remember a saying that I have used throughout the toughest of the years:

This is for my joy, not my agony.

Basically to look to the good and what strengths you can gain from a situation. I don’t expect the transition to be easy and I also expect the curriculum I will be teaching to be challenging as well. I will only be stronger as a result and have a lot to gain. I also remember a post from Martha Beck about focusing your life like a shelter animal. Just let yourself be here, then sit, and finally stay.

So for tonight I am spending time with the kids, brother, sister-in-law, and my dog. The next time I write I will be in China!

 

I have been reading a lot over the last few years about simple living and minimalism. There are many articles out there with some brilliant voices to make you think. Basically, these are the points that have stuck with me:

• Our actions follow our heart. The simple questions are What do you believe? What do you value? I’ve worked like crazy over a bunch of my life. The money and what I have learned has been great. What if there is something else? Is the pursuit of more money worth it? What if I juggled less, had less stress, and maybe more freedom for what matters. I have always been an environmentalist even when I was 7 and sent a letter to Jimmy Carter about our use of plastic (at that time plastic was replacing glass).  Am I really practicing what I preach? I have made mini steps along the way (composting, buying less packaged materials, using less, paying by bag for garbage colllection which guarantees you will start thinking about what you throw away.)
• Each step leads to the next one. It is easy to be paralyzed with what is next. After my divorce that was big on my mind. What if the step I was about to take is the wrong one? What if I really screw this up? I remember my family Dr. at the time telling me this gem. It really doesn’t matter if it is the right or wrong step. What is important is that it is a step. That step may not lead where you think it is going, but standing still is not an option for a real future. As I was cleaning out my Google Drive recently, I came across a document I wrote after my separation. I answered how I was part of what happened, my fears, my dreams, etc. Travel and extending myself was front and center in the document. I had forgotten about it.
• To make a change you need a change in mindset first. What do I need to let go of? Change is hard without the mindset and putting your goals first. Changing your mind and then changing your practice will result in not wanting to go back to what was. Anyone who just starts making a change without the change in mindset first find that it is difficult to continue the change. This article (again from No Sidebar) that I just read this morning sums it up: each step is designed to lead to a specific goal and by doing so it changes me and leads me towards another path. What can I now do, now that I have less to divert my attention?
• The more stuff you have, the less you remember what you have.
• If you were to leave right now, what would you bring with you?

One person I read is Coutney Carver from Be More With Less. Her post on A Toast to the Tiny Steps is what I try to tell people all the time when they tell me: “I can’t exercise like you” or “I can’t do what you do in the  morning”. I couldn’t either when I started. But I had a goal and I worked until it became routine. Each big change in our life is a series of tiny steps that get us there. Being consistent and even scheduling the little steps until they become a habit can help with meeting the little goals. Just being motivated or getting a reward doesn’t work in the long run. Setting an intention: What you want to do, when/what time you will do it. Without a plan, life gets in the way. I am not a pro, not like my daughter and her boxing, but I am intentional and have a plan.

Where am I now? The end goal is to experience a different culture(s). Now that the background documents are done, I have now sent for my work visa. I also purchased the tickets for my children to visit me over Christmas and applied for their visas too!

Another goal that I have had is to live more lightly. Over the years I have bought less (I have had a few setbacks there though) and sold a bunch of belongings. In the process I have felt lighter and unconstrained. As I start deciding what I really need to pack and take with me, I’m torn deciding how much is enough. Do I really need all my clothes (what do I still hold on to that is not necessary? What household goods do I really need when I am given a furnished apartment? There are many gadgets that I have right now still that can be accomplished more simply with a tool I would already have. Since I have a list of the contents of the apartment, I am looking still to bring as little as possible.)

There have been many articles through the years, most notably from Joshua Becker who has also introduced me to other voices such as No sidebar. This recent post, summarizes what I have felt through this process.

I’m really looking at starting over later with as little as possible and my move to that has been shaped by reading several articles. A recent one: I had the picture perfect, unhappy life speaks volumes of what life was like before my divorce. Not 100% what she wrote but close. I owe it to myself to see beyond material things and focus on using and acquiring less. Who knows where those steps will lead me…

Note: my intention was to blog this process along the way, but this all happened very quickly…

The dream…

I had often thought about living internationally. Actually have thought about it for a very long time, even as a child. It could be the books that I read, the thought that there was something else out there beyond what I know… As I did not take the leap once I finished college, this thought took a back seat as I had marriage, children, and a career. I know people who teach internationally and had been talking about it over the last few years. Fast forward to today, and an early retirement incentive from my current district has made it easier to be able to travel for a few years then have group health insurance to get me to Medicare.

Considerations…

I did not come to my decision lightly. After all, I have my family and though I don’t see some members very often, I do see them at holidays and that will obviously change. I also have my daughter and son who I love more than anything else. The fact that they are very supportive and encouraging in my dream has made this easier, though I am sure we will have moments of happiness and sadness in the future. I will fly them out once a year to visit and of course I will be home for a month in the summer. I also have dogs which I also love as children. The older chihuahua, Bruzer, had congestive heart failure that compromised his living. Ending his suffering was one of the hardest things I had to do. The setter, Maggie, has actually been adopted from the family buying my house. Nina, the younger chihuahua, is still with me but will go to a good home with my brother and sister-in-law. Not all of that was worked out when I made my decision.

How did I get here?

I joined Search Associates and entered all the required information. It is one of the services that International schools use to find interviewees. The site performs all the background checks and makes sure that all sources and items are vetted (not only the applicants but the schools themselves). Once my information was approved and I paid the fee, I was able to search job opportunities and connect with the schools. I crafted specific cover letters after researching each of the schools through their websites. I submitted approx. 20 emails with my cover letter and the resume. Within days, I had two job interviews. A second interview was scheduled the next day (from my actual first choice school) and within a week of being approved on the site, i received a job offer teaching IB Biology and Integrated Science at the American International School of Guanghzou, China. I was actually scheduled for a job fair which has been described as speed dating for teachers (to find their school match, obviously!) I accepted the job and was glad that I did not have to go to the fair! I actually received two more interview requests, but I liked this school. I am super excited as I have already been in contact with many of the staff at the school. The school has helped immensely with this process.

From there, it has been one task after another signing the appropriate forms and emailing back, and starting the work visa process. Each country is different, but most require a duplicate diploma be printed and authenticated and notarized by the official at the university as well as the Secretary of State of the state the degree was conferred. Clearances also must be authenticated and notarized by officials and the Secretary of State. Then, all of those forms must be authenticated by the Chinese consulate that oversees those states. Passport type photos of a specific size, health check with specific requirements, and contract forms all must be sent to China once everything comes back. Mostly it required working to be sure forms were completed correctly, sending them off by mail and waiting for them to come back for the next step, sending them off, waiting… You know, lather, rinse, repeat…

All of my paperwork is now in China and my work permit is in process. I will receive a work letter by my employer and I will use this to obtain my work visa from the Chinese Consulate in New York. Once I enter China, my work visa will be turned into a residency visa which must be renewed each year.

My house…

I listed my house as I thought it could take time to sell. Not really. It is a nice house and I should not be surprised. I had an offer on my house in 5 days and a contract within another week. On top of that, the buyer’s house sold just as quick. So within 6 weeks, I have moved out of my house. What is funny is that I have moved in with my daughter across the street for the next 4 months until I leave the country! Here is the last afternoon I was at my house. Over the 6 weeks, I sold my furniture. All that was left is what the buyer was taking. In the last few weeks I lived with my bed and a blow up mattress as a couch! It has worked out perfectly as I would rather sell the house early than worry about selling it when I am overseas. As a bonus, I get to spend more time with one of my children and less house to maintain to visit the other one.

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What I have learned…

It helps to just admit that all of the things that I had was just STUFF. Letting it go is actually not very difficult. Over the past few years, I have made a conscious decision to buy less and get rid of many of my possessions. It has actually been very freeing, my house had been calm and uncluttered, and it made my decision and actual moving much easier. My goal was to be able to move wherever and whenever I want.

My new digs…

I moved everything over to my daughters house in stages, packing up items along the way and moving them over into the room. I have actually looked at Project 333 to have less clothes in my wardrobe. Though I have a hard time going down to a wardrobe that small, I have actually used many of the principles to cultivate a better wardrobe with items that go together with multiple pieces. However, when I sat in the room with all I brought with me, I realized that I still have too much.

Now that I have the list of what is in my apartment in China (free apartment from my school – I just pay the utilities), I can take the items from my house that I know I will use. This has really opened my eyes to determining what I really need and items that are truly unnecessary. Some may be good for convenience, but there is a cost to convenience. I now need to decide if an item I have is worth taking with my halfway around the world!

I have since removed some items from what I have. Some items (like the fan), are not coming with me but items I will use for the next 4 months. I expect that I will need to buy items as I need them, but will make a conscious decision to only buy what is needed. Clothes and shoes I need to be more deliberate to pack, as it is difficult to find US sizes in China (especially if you are tall, have curves, and big feet). Check, check, and check….