The End Is Near...

Wow, is a year really almost over? Just a few minutes ago I paid my final rent payment (rent is paid on a three month at a time cycle here) and gave my official notice that I would not be renewing my apartment lease. It is a little sad to think that in three months time I will be leaving Zhong Guo. Nine months ago coming here felt so strange and foreign, now it feels just as much like home as anywhere else does.

Before that three months is up, I still have a lot to see and do. I haven't been on any of Beijing's roller coasters yet or in any of the museums. I still need to see the Chaoyang acrobatic show and make another trip or two to Yashow to load up on pirated clothing. Mutianyu Great Wall with its cable car to the top is a must. I also promised everyone back home I would do an in depth blog article about the Wal Mart here. April 20th I am headed for a two day trip to Xian to see the Terra Cotta Warriors.

What will I miss about China? Do you have a few hours? First and foremost, my coworkers and students, they have truly made the experience memorable. Occasionally as I am in the classroom, the gravity of what I am doing hits me and I realize how truly lucky I am to be here. I will miss my wonderful apartment that gave me a taste of what its like to be wealthy. Ayi Ling and her weekly cleaning and laundry visits will be missed, she is sort of a Chinese Ms. Garrett. The church family at Congregation of the Good Shepherd will be missed; I am proud to have called COGS my spiritual home for the past year and am glad to call Dan Sandifer-Stech and his family friends. Eating at Chef Paul's Steak and Eggs and seeing Paul's antics has truly been an experience; I will never eat steak and eggs again without laughing about Paul trying to chase fighting cats out of his restaurant ceiling. Walking down Sanlitun, late night pizzas in Wudaokou, and Beijing Duck will really be missed! I could go on for hours but I will stop there.

I am excited about what lies ahead and know that I will never forget what I have experienced this year. For those of you that don't know, this fall I will be teaching high school English at the Desoto School, a small private school in the Arkansas Delta. I don't feel like my career in China is over, just on hold for awhile. I will get my application on file with an international school placement agency and see what happens there and I also have plans to be back to China short term as early as next summer (more on that later). Keep watching this blog as there is much more for you to read about as my adventure in the Middle Kingdom winds down.
Paying My Rent To Jason Jiang, My Real Estate Agent. Since the 100 yuan note is the largest bill in the economy here and paying rent requires 12000 yuan every 3 months, you have to carry around a small suitcase of money.