I suppose that the surest sign of being “settled” in a place or situation is that things that once seemed like an adventure become routine, devoid of any real excitement. Teaching has certainly become routine, after eight or so harrowing weeks of terror in which I played the role of the stricken, unimaginative teacher while my students play the role of bored, unresponsive students. I feel kind of bad for my students this semester, because for the first half (at least) they got “John the Shitty Teacher” while my kids next semester are going to get “John the Shit Teacher Who Learned From Last Semester’s Mistakes” (who, by all accounts, is at least marginally better).

As the winter break is approaching, I have started to make plans concerning what to do. We have nearly two months off, and though I do plan on staying in Hangzhou most of the time I want to get out and see at least a bit of this massive country. So, despite my water-thin Florida blood, I’m going to Beijing for a week or so to meet Susan, my friend from Changchun. This will be in January (or February, but by no means in late-January during Spring Festival), so it should be about five degrees colder than a witch’s nipple, which means that I will probably need to stop wearing my sandals (this sucks because without my wicked sandal tan I’m basically nothing). The goal is to totally play tourist (hopefully without being an asshole, though) and, if I’m lucky, see snow. I saw snow once, apparently, when I was very young while visiting my grandparents when they lived in North Carolina. I don’t remember it (though there are pictures to prove that I was indeed there… unless my parents used a stunt baby…), so I’m really stoked about seeing snow for the first time. I’ll also get to use my unbelievably comfortable thermal underwear that is still too warm for Hangzhou, which kicks ass.

I’m also starting to plan for what to do after next semester is over. I’m not entirely sure that I want to stay here, though I wouldn’t be against the prospect, either. I like it here, but (and I can’t believe I’m saying this) miss being in school. I like the idea of learning things all the time, and while I am certainly learning things by simply living in China I think being in a proper academic environment would do good things for me. I’m looking into a number of opportunities (including a Chinese government scholarship program that would make this crazy “learning” thing totally free), and I’ll keep you all posted.

Posted by John on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2003 at 9:14 pm.