HI EVERYONE! LONG TIME NO SEE!

I miss you all!

I have such great memories from China and wish I could visit you all anytime I wished!
I also miss the food, the restaurants, the massages, and using chopsticks everyday.

Maybe most of all, I miss teaching English to you all! I really, really, really loved my job. Why? Because I met you! Because I got to know you, and share stories, ideas, dreams and opinions with you. And I loved you all! I think that I was really blessed to know you. All of you are unique and special. One thing that I believe, is that God loves me and he teaches me to love others. It’s not always easy to love, but it’s the best way to live. I think that I am the happiest when I am loving, serving and helping others, and not just thinking about myself. I believe that love comes from God, and that God is love. The more I know God, the more I learn how to love. It sounds simple, but it’s true for me. Anyway, I’m sure you also can teach me about what makes you happy in life.

I also know that you also taught me many things. Even though I was your teacher, in some ways you were also my teachers! I learnt a lot about Chinese culture and traditions, Chinese ways of thinking, Chinese history and the wonderful Chinese people! Thank you for all you shared with me. I hope I never forget you all.

I have been back in Australia for 6 weeks already! Time flies! My wife, Michelle, is 25 weeks pregnant!!!! And it's a BOY! Our baby boy will be born about December the 15th. How exciting! I still can’t believe I’m going to be a DAD! I’m sure it will be fun.

The weather here in Adelaide is cold and wet. It is raining a lot, almost everyday. So at home we have a fire going to keep us warm.

I know that many Chinese people use umbrellas in the summer to protect themselves from the sun, but here in Australia, we only use umbrellas to keep out of the rain!

Michelle and I really enjoyed watching the Olympics on TV! Beijing and China can be proud – it was a very successful Olympics! But poor Liu Xiang! I felt so sad for China. But there is always next time, right?

China did so well in the Olympics – so many medals! No. 1 in the world! But I think Australia also did very well. We have such a small population (21 million people), and yet we are No. 5 in the world. So I’m proud of Australians too!

Soon Beijing can return to normal. The city and its people can enjoy life without worrying about all the security and safety issues, and so many of the rules that were enforced. I hope that the pollution and environment will continue to improve, and that the people won’t forget to keep the city and air clean, because I want to come back to China one day!

So…what are Michelle and I doing?

Michelle is working full-time at the moment for the Australian Government. She is looking forward to a long holiday once our baby is born!

Also, I have a new job now. I work for a Christian organisation that does community work for young people, families, elderly people and refugees. At the moment, I am helping look after 6 siblings, aged 2-8 years old, who have been rescued from a very bad situation. They have had a very sad history - including neglect and abuse from parents. When they were rescued by the state government, they were sick, malnourished, uneducated, and emotionally unstable. It is hard to describe here. But now, with the help of government agencies and the Christian organisation I work for, these children are getting better and learning how to live a healthy and normal lifestyle. Their mum is in prison, and they can only see their father occasionally. It’s sad, but l can see their lives improving gradually. I like children, so playing with them, and eating meals with them, and helping them, is fun and rewarding.

I am also studying at Adelaide University part-time. This is just to help me get more qualifications for working in the future.

At the moment Michelle and I are living at her parent’s home in Adelaide. Her parents are in Thailand for 6 weeks, so we are looking after their house. In October we will go back to our house. Our house is being rented until then.

Now for a quick English lesson:
Shang Ke:

Remember these sentences to help you pronounce English well…
Sean usually pursues visually unusual Asian jewels.
Wayne waves farewell to Wally Wong on Wednesdays.
The thief thought there were three gold teeth in the mouse’s mouth.

Jai You!

I’m sure all of you will continue to improve your English and have chances to use it. All the best with your future - your work and study and everything else.
If you ever want to ask me anything or talk about something with me, please write an email or chat with me on MSN or Skype.
My Skype name is ‘Peejing’.
Please keep me updated with your stories and photos so that I won’t be able to forget you!
God loves you and so do I!
P-J

How's it goin?

Hi everyone,
How's it goin? I hope you're all well wherever you are, and with whatever you're doing. I'm still teaching English in Beijing. Currently I'm teaching at the Vivid English Club and meeting a lot of great students like yourselves. I think that's the best part of my job - meeting new people and making friends. And of course, I get to speak English everyday and talk about everything, from Dating... to the Environment. So everyday I'm working, but I'm also having fun, and learning from others.

Recently Michelle and I went to Sanya, in Hainan. We had a great holiday there. The beaches were beautiful and we went swimming everyday, and even my favorite activity - fishing. Unfortunately I only caught one fish!

Michelle and I really enjoyed the Spring Festival, especially the fireworks. I made a funny video of the fireworks for my friends in Australia. You can see it below:

Well, that's it from me.... now I'll show you some photos that you all have sent me as well as some emails that I have received from you. Sorry if I've missed anyone out. Some of my emails go missing! Anyway - enjoy the site, and I hope to hear from many of you soon.

Some of you experience the real desert!

Is that Vivian and Jessica?!!! Who's the guy??!!
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5/2/08
Dear P-J and Michelle: Long time no see! When we are really working, we do not have enough time to have fun together, so it’s a little boring now. Obviously, I miss our parents ,my friends in university and in Beijing ,and in this special festival we miss U and the time we spent together. Our boss arranged a move for the 9th of FEB , and we will have a BBQ at the East Ocean Park of SG. I can’t wait for it. The ice in Harbin is so beautiful, Maybe I will visit there someday. Happy New year and enjoy the festival in china.

Jason (Class B)
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Some of you enjoy the sun and the nice green trees and plants.

While others enjoy the water...it's the best way to cool down! ---------------------------------------------

8/2/08
Hi P-J

Happy New Year to you ,too.
Do you like China's Spring days? Have you celebrated happily?
We can watch the CCTV channels here and on Chinese New Years Eve we could share the happiness from home.
Good luck to you for the coming days of this year.

Yours sincerely ,Andy
-------------------------------------------------------------------8/2/08
Happy New Year, P-J
Did you celebrate the lunar new year in China? I believe it will be very interesting, because the Chinese have a lot of traditions connected to it. Especially the fireworks.
Did you fire some yourself?
Yesterday I went to a garden party with David and Scott. I should indicate that Scott is Scott in class C, not Scott in class B.
As Scott in class B is very lazy, he just stayed at home to have a sleep.
I should tell you that the lunar new year in Singapore is more traditional than in China, because a lot of traditions that were lost in China are still kept in Singapore, and I hope that you can come to experience it yourself.
We will have a BBQ on the 9th of Feb at the Eastcoast Park, I hope it will not rain that day.
Always miss u

From Eric
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17/2/08
Dear PJ,

I am very sorry to reply to you so late. Recently I was transferred to another site. I am not used to moving and adjusting to new environments so quickly. First I had to find a place to live on site. Second I needed to be familiar with all the staff in the office. To be honest, the experience is not very good.

However, everything is well up to now, and I found a place to live. We moved to a new office, and everything is new. Due to me getting used to the new environment, I no longer feel too “yu men”.
The lunar new year here is very plain. This is the first time I spent such an important festival overseas. I did not go around during the holiday, and all that I did was to play games and to see movies. Soon, holiday time was out. In the near future, there will be no public holidays in Singapore. I know that in China, there was a snow disaster. I think the weather in Beijing must be very cold. I love snow, but not too much. I do not know whether you and your wife are still in Beijing. No matter where you are, I wish you best luck in the new year, and wish that you can have a nice and smart son or daughter in the near future.
And that is all, I will write to you next time, and I will check the mailbox very often.

Yours sincerely, Clark
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7/2/08


Dear P-J,
I am so glad to receive your letter during in Traditional Chinese New Year, especially that I am now in an foreign country, which is far away from my hometown. It is a special new year gift for me. Thank you very much!

Yes, I miss my grandma, my parents, my uncles and ants, and my lovely brothers and sisters very much. I talked face to face by means of MSN with all of them in the afternoon of 6th Feb. When I saw my grandma, my tears broke out, because I remembered the days in which she took care of me when I was a child.

It's OK. I think I have overcomed this difficulty though I am a homesick person. Maybe I have to face this in the following years as a member in construction industry.I think people are growing up day by day just like this. Nothing is difficult in front of people's souls.

The truth of life is simple, so is my life in Singapore, even in Chinese New Year. Also I think I can create some wonderful memories to make life more colorful. I have recognised this, so I will try to do it in the future.
Singapore is good, but it is so small. Every time I go out for a visit, I will think this. It's not a suitable city to live for the high cost. Also the chance of development is slow. So I have decided to go back to China after the contract. But I think it is not bad to have a tour here, so your beautiful wife and you are wellcom to vist. All classmates will be happy for that.

Your blog is good, thank you for doing this for both you and us!

Best wishes
Yours sincerely, Keke Sun (Scott)
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Christmas, 2007

Nicholas, Class C

Dear P-J,
First of all, merry Christmas to you and Michelle, I really miss you, especially her. Please give her a kiss instead of me. Wow wow! Calm down; don’t be angry, it’s just a joke.
It’s my first time to write to you, but doesn’t mean that I don’t miss you; on the contrary, I always thought what you were doing when I was not busy.
As you look, my English level has degenerated because of lacking of practice, I hardly spoke English here, but it’s not your fault but mine. I will catch up.
Robert and I get on well because we have the same habit and hobby that become the subjects of our conversations which always make us not stop talking until the late night.
I am well, so is Jolin. We get on happily...

I am not busy these days, so I begin to think. My mom has told me that life is not easy, I begin to believe. Life is boring, work is uninteresting. I don’t know what to do and what I should be. I am a little anxious. But worrying about life and future is a symbol of being a mature adult, isn’t it? So don’t worry about me, I have not changed. I am always a optimistic man.
Last Sunday, We (Jolin, Robert, Ronda, Hunter, Jason, and so on…), 14 people, went to the beach and had a great day. It was my first time to swim in the sea, so I was very excited and stayed in the sea nearly a whole day, although the sea was not very clean and the sand of the beach was not tiny enough. But you should know the result of that because you are a surfer. Now my skin is a little hurt. Enclosed please find our pictures of the exciting day. If you want some hot bikini girls’ pictures, please don’t be shy and hesitate to contact me, oh yeah.

From Nicholas

Nicholas wanted me and you all to know that some people are having ALL THE FUN!

In my opinion, you all are not working hard enough!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!


I hope you all enjoy the Spring Festival wherever you are. Michelle and I are staying in Beijing and just relaxing. Many people are letting off fireworks every night, so there is a lot of noise and excitement about the New Year.

In January we visited Harbin, and saw the Ice and Snow Festival. It was amazing...and also VERY COLD (-17 to -25 degrees!).

We could even go to an Ice Church!

I'm still teaching, and loving it. We will stay in China until July this year, and then go back to Australia. We will really miss China when we go home. Do you miss China?


How are your lives going? Let me know your news and stay in touch OK. I miss you all and hope that we can meet again.

God Bless!

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1/01/08

William says:

Dear P-J:
Today is the first day of 2008. Wish you have a nice begin of 2008 and hope you enjoy your life in China.
I have stayed in Dubai for more than 4 months. During this period, I experienced a lot. At least, I have learned how to be proffessional. Working is not like staying in campus, sometimes the consultants don't give me a chance to make mistakes, but I know it's a normal procedure. If I get through, I'll become more mature.
The life in Middle East is not bad. I play basketball with my colleagues every week and sometimes we go out for fun. I have no doubt that the one year life in Dubai will become my golden memory of my life, although the salary is poor!