Good day...

August 27, 2011

This morning I woke up at 6:30 am (CST). I enjoyed waking up at 4:30 and puttering around before going to work. What was really special is that Heather, Renee and Elyse call me. The Doritos were on the counter, I saw three smiling faces looking at me in my PJ’s, and Heather had a beer in hand. It was like I was enjoying a Friday afternoon after a long week with my family. Only I was sharing a coffee with them. We all chatted and got caught up on the goings-on. Elyse told me she had an interview. Hope she gets the job.

Today I had to go to work as I have much to learn and prepare. Before I went to work, I “SKYPED” with my folks. I returned home at noon (CST) to find my mother on SKYPE. How great it was to have a quality conversation. Then I connected with Heather again. I am feeling less homesick now that I know I can connect with them virtually. This will allow me to focus more on the tasks at hand.

I spent the afternoon preparing for the staff meeting, gathering information and discussing student placement. Every day is becoming easier. I am looking forward to sightseeing. It looks as though I will have to wait until next Saturday. Be patient Great Wall, I will be visiting soon enough.

It’s coffee time!

August 26,2011
My reflection for the day - Always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks … Test all things; hold fast to what is good. (1Thess 5:15-18)

I woke up this morning at 4:30 a.m. I made my first cup of coffee. As Heather always says “There is nothing like the first sip”. Mmmmm …. Mmmmm good. It was so good I made two pots. Now that I have the Internet, my communication with family and friends will be more frequent.

Today I was extremely busy learning about the Ministry of Education’s Inspection, setting up a staff agenda, dealing with timetabling issues and meeting staff in Beijing.

I met two new staff members, Michelle and Mark. Both bring varied experiences and seem quite nice. I can see this is shaping up to a great year as I meet and learn about everyone’s gifts and talents. We all went out for dinner and got to know each other.

A full day and a load of laundry

August 25, 2011

Scott Sorell suggested that the two most powerful weapons are courage and persistence. Nothing can stop a person armed with both.

Today I woke up at 4:30 a.m. (CST) I am beginning to wonder if this will be my normal time to wake up or if I am still in Ontario time somehow. Today I took over as Principal. There is no time for sight-seeing at the moment. In fact I will be working full days both Saturday and Sunday in order to get ready. School starts August 29th. Only four more sleeps!

Before I went to school today, however, I did my first load of laundry. This is a courageous act because all the instructions on how to use the machine are in Mandarin. I believe it is important for people to try assembling items, doing tasks or going places without reading the instructions or maps. Why? Because when you find yourself in China you have no choice. I am happy to report that all my clothes turned out well.




Today, I had hoped to get the Internet hooked up. Bob, my assistant, is doing everything possible to get a provider. There is some kind of confusion. I am told that we can’t use one provider over another because the building I live in is committed to one of them. It is not as simple as using Rogers or Bell. It is a difficult experience when all I know is that I want Internet today in order to stay connected to friends and family. Sylvie has agreed to let me use her Internet at her apartment tomorrow morning. I am very grateful. Hopefully I will be able to connect with everyone soon. I was informed that hook-up will be no sooner than August 26.
I went to a government office and the hospital in Tianjin with Krissy, the Visa office assistant. Downtown Tianjin is a 30 minute car ride away from my school. The population of Tianjin is around 12 million. You might say, it is slightly bigger than Tillsonburg. The majority of residents in Tianjin are Han Chinese. Minorities include Hui, Korean, Manchus, and Mongols.

People from urban Tianjin speak Tianjin dialect, which comes from the mandarin subdivision of spoken Chinese. Of course I can’t tell the difference. I realize though that I really need to begin to look closely at the language and learn key phrases. Once more, I find it strange to be in a municipality where everything is written in characters I don’t recognize. It makes me empathize with how a non-reader feels in Canada.

Once in Tianjin, I had my picture taken at a government office and then went to the hospital for my Chinese check-up. What an experience. The Chinese check-up consisted of the collection of chest x-ray, ultrasound, blood pressure, height and weight, drawing of blood, ECG, urine sample, and a general checking of the lymph nodes. It was truly an assembly line of exams as they did not all happen in the same room or from the same person. I felt like a product or specimen who walked to several rooms down a long hall to be examined by a person charged with the assigned task. It’s all business, and bedside manner is out the window. Sadly, somehow I lost my gold chain and cross that my parents gave me in all the hustle and bustle. We called to see if anyone turned it in. Unfortunately, I am told the likelihood of anyone turning it in is zero to none.

I returned to the school and I met my Chinese co-principal, Mr. Sun. He seems very gracious and respectful. He invited me to dinner this evening to meet other Chinese school leaders. Unfortunately I had to decline, as I had to pick up the new teachers from the airport. On our way to the airport, I learned that one of our teachers will be arriving later than expected due to a personal issue. I now am going to have to problem-solve the issue and rejig the timetable. It is not like I can call human resources in a Board and ask if they could send in a supply teacher.

Once at the airport in Beijing, I bought House Blend coffee (30 RMB) and a French Press coffee maker (240RMB) from Starbucks. I can’t wait to have a good cup of coffee for breakfast tomorrow. At the airport, I welcomed three terrific new teachers: Al, Karen and Yulia who I last saw August 4th. It was exciting to see them again. Knowing that they were in Canada 13 hours ago, gave me a feeling of home.
We all returned and I showed them to their apartments on campus. We went out for dinner to the same restaurant from the night before. We had pork, tofu, spinach, broccoli, rice and beer. It was delicious.

I crashed at 22:00 (CST). I am looking forward to having my first cup of coffee tomorrow.

Waking up in China!

I woke up today at 4:30 am in China. Breakfast consisted of yellow bread, strawberry jam and an apple. I spent most of the morning unpacking and getting myself organized. I am meeting Sylvie and Bob at 10 a.m. (CST) I am looking forward to speaking with my wife and girls at 9 a.m. (CST)


My goal today is to buy a list of necessities and some food. Hopefully I will get my Internet up so that I will be able to e-mail and blog from my own apartment. I am looking forward to speaking to my family. I know that they are out shopping as I am blogging.

To get to the school I cross through beautiful park like settings. I pass sculptured bushes; I walk through a Greek style marble and stone structure. I go leave my gated community to the school’s gated community. There I make my way to Sylvie’s apartment where the Internet is available to me. I can’t wait until I get my own hook up. But this will do. I just spoke to my family. The pain is beginning to dissipate now that I have seen their smiling faces. The longing for home and desire to be with everyone is still strong however.

After the SKYPE call, I made my way to the school where I interviewed an EA. Then I spent the next two hours going over school administration “policies and procedures”. I am learning that the “policies and procedures” are similar but vastly different. I will blog what I mean about this at a later date on my educational blog quiet treasures.

It is 12 p.m. (CST) and I am to go to the bank with Bob, to exchange CDN money, get a phone and buy a few items. Before we go, I get a food card from the school canteen. I will be able to have hot lunches at the school. I walk into the canteen and it is huge. This place holds over two thousand people. I was told that there is assigned seating for the students. On the walls there are celebrations. To celebrate student achievement, the school will make posters with pictures of students who are successful (high marks or entrance to University generally define success). For lunch I had a tomato based chicken and noodle and egg drop soup. It was delicious. Interestingly, we ate on metal plates, with a metal bowl, with metal spoons and forks, unlike in North American school canteens where it is throw away and filling our landfills. I think China is onto something.

It is time to go to the bank and I have forgotten about the 2.5 hour lunch. So I answer a few e-mails and explore what kind of phone I intend to buy. To exchange money is quite simple with some nuances. I get to the bank and they would like me to fill out some forms before I exchange my money. I get to the window, give my passport, give my forms, and give my money. I wait for the clerk. Everything seems to be in order; however, one of my twenty dollar bills is slightly ripped. So the clerk returns my twenty and also returns my forms. My assistant Bob explains that I have to fill in the forms all over again and have my twenty repaired in Beijing before they will accept it. In Canada, the bank accepts most money, slightly ripped or not, and if there is a mistake or a change needs to be made on the form, we make the correction or change and initial. I think Canada is onto something. Finally, I get my money and we go to the cell phone store.

Buying a cell phone in Canada is fairly straight forward, minus having to choose the plans. I was looking for a deal, but electronics in China are similarly priced to those in Canada. So I am quickly sobered to the idea of buying an Iphone 4. I choose the phone, after an hour or so trying to understand the features. The choice of the phone number was extra and separate from the plan. Phone numbers range from 20 RMB to 380 RMB. I asked why the range? I still don’t understand. I just go with it. Imagine how difficult it is choosing a phone plan in Canada. In China there is no difference except I can’t read it and I depend on my assistant to translate and explain. Having done translation, one needs to be aware of translating and interpretation. I was getting what seemed to be interpretation. So I just went with the cheapest and will hope for the best. One item I can’t seem to change… all my apps are written in Mandarin. LOL

Then I went shopping for some items. I was able to find what it is I needed except for a toaster oven. I had great difficulty explaining to my assistant Bob what a toaster oven even was. So I am on the quest for a toaster oven.


I finally got back to my apartment at 17:00 (CST). Sylvie called me on my new phone. We have a dinner engagement at 18:00 (CST) with a new student’s family. We got to the restaurant for 6 RMB by Bong. We met the family Winston (the new student), LingLing (older sister) and the mother (whose name escapes me). We headed to the restaurant together. Once there we walked up four flights of stairs and were ushered into a private dining room. Our hosts ordered for us. I don’t know the name of all the food, but, I tried eel (pretty tasty), pork, chicken, broccoli, spicy greens, soup … tea and Chinese beer. Suffice it to say it was all delicious. One of the traditions I learned was that it is important to make a toast to or about the hosts of the dinner. Apparently there is a whole custom that surrounds this practice. I will have to learn more and let you know.

After dinner 21:30 (CST) we walked home and I crashed.

Welcome to China!

August 22/23

I am on the plane row 34 seat E, right smack dab in the middle of the plane. If you know me, I like my space, especially with people I don’t know. I have thirteen hours of flying time ahead of me.
The flight was uneventful. Over the course of the flight they served us chicken and rice, wine, pretzels, noodles, water, fruit … typical airplane food. Overall the food was good and service was great. They gave us earphones, so I watched four movies, slept, and listened to music. I get up from my seat from time to time and stretch.

Time shift – 14h00 (CST) –

It is August 23rd and I am 34 minutes from landing in Beijing. We have been flying at an altitude of 30 to 35 thousand feet at 552 mph. I can’t believe that I traveled 6766 miles today. I am looking at the online map and I am dumbfounded that I am in China. It’s surreal.

I disembark the plane. It is humid. Once inside the airport, I get to the customs officer. I hand over my passport and work visa. I stand before a camera and my face is matched to my passport using facial recognition software. Welcome to China!
I follow the crowd to a train which takes me to baggage claim. I find my luggage and make my way out the doors. I was told the outgoing principal (Sylvie) would be there to pick me up. I would know who she was because she would be holding a sign with my name on it. First, I am astonished at the sheer number of people outside the doors. Then I begin looking for the “sign” and every second person seems to be holding a sign. I found Sylvie and the drivers without delay. I also meet Bob, my assistant and two teachers Eric and Emma.


We drive from Beijing to my apartment in Wudiq. I live in a newer high rise building. I am on the third floor. Sylvie has arranged everything. I have a clean 2 bedroom apartment with living area, kitchen and bathroom. The school even provided me with my next day’s breakfast. How wonderful.

I freshen up and we go for dinner. First we walk to the school which is literally 5 minutes from my door. The school is huge. We walk up 4 flights of stairs and I bring my passport to Krissy as she needs to inform the government that I am where I am supposed to be. Then Emma and Sylvie suggest this hole in the wall close to my apartment. I had a cold Chinese “Snow” beer, string beans, chicken and green pepper, and eggplant . It was all delicious. For four people, including alcohol, we ate for 54 RMB. That is $8.30 (CAN). Overall, food and drink are incredibly good and cheap.

I’m a leaving on a jet plane…

August 22,2011
Alexander Stoddard suggested what we feel, think and do this moment influences both our present and future in ways that we may never know. Begin. Start right where you are. Consider your possibilities and find inspiration… to add more meaning and zest to your life.

I woke up around 2a.m. (EST) this morning to the tears of my wife next to me. My chest sunk in. I prayed. Her tears soon subsided as she had lulled herself back to sleep. This is going to be harder than I thought. How do the peace keepers do it? A tear of sharp sadness and overwhelming joy fell from my eye; reminded of the outpouring generosity of friends and family to help us through this adventure. Everything is going to be ok.

We all woke up around 6:30 a.m.(EST) and made it to the airport by 10:30 am (EST). The mood was positive. The sun was shining. As we approached the airport, feelings of fear of the unknown began to swell in waves. But change is inevitable. I drew inspiration and trust from the following excerpt “For I know the plans I have for you”.

Once at the airport the piercing reality my adventure hit us square as we drew closer and closer to the security gate with my luggage, my boarding pass, and my passport in hand. The ache in my heart grew more intense with every step. Stopped at the mouth of the gate - holding my daughters in my arms brought me back when they were little. With great difficulty, my wife stayed strong for both their sake and mine. My daughter’s boyfriend was helpful and compassionate to the situation unfolding before him. Everyone’s eyes like faucets I could have held them all endlessly.

But I had to get going. As people started streaming by, I knew I had to get into line. Tearing me away from my family and moving into line was like quickly ripping a Band-Aid off an open wound. But it had to be done. Once in line, I would turn and wave between my own tears. I was so overwhelmed by the acuity of emotion it was slicing into my being. I realized how much I would miss them and yet how blessed I am to have such a beautiful family.

I slowly made it through security, glancing back at my family who had no choice but to stay at the entrance. Took off my belt and my shoes and put my gear onto the conveyer belt. At that point I see my youngest daughter on the shoulders of her sister’s boyfriend. It took everything in my power not to go back for one last hug. I continuously signed – “I LOVE YOU”. Once through security, I glanced back once more and they were gone.


I am now facing gate 177 alone. Who will I meet? Where will I live? What challenges and celebrations lay before me? I decide to make one last call to my family before I board the plane. Assurances that all will be well are exchanged. There is an overwhelming peace. Soothed, I called my dad who encouraged me and gave me his last pieces of advice.

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1Cor 2:9)

Ready, Set, ... GO!

It is official ... I am Asia bound August 22, 2011. I am flying out of Toronto to Beijing non-stop. The Air Canada flight will be 13 hours. Beijing is the capital of China. It has a population of approx. 12.6 million. More about Beijing when I arrive.

I am packed and ready to go. I have all my documents in order including my passport, my work visa, my immunization records, my contract and my ticket. More importantly, I have pictures of my family.

I will be well dressed as I have some new clothes. Just bought the greatest pair of shoes priced at $119.00 for $6.00. Who says you can't find a good deal in Canada? I was told at my orientation to buy my clothes and shoes prior to departure as I am much larger than the average Chinese man. That said, I would have difficulty finding clothes and shoes that fit.

Emotionally, my departure has become very real. Overall I am quite excited but have my moments of sadness. I am going to miss my family. However, unlike when I lived in Saudi Arabia some years ago,with today's technology of e-mail, blogs and Skype I should be connected to family and friends more easily.

I look forward to your questions and our conversations. I hope that you continue to share in my adventure.

It begins...

Quick Facts
China, or People's Republic of China, is one of the oldest civilization of the world and is situated in Eastern Asia. It is the third largest country in the world next to Canada and Russia, it has an area of 9.6 million. The Border stretches over 22,000 km on land and the coastland extends well over 18,000 km.

I will be living near Beijing, the capital of China and a population of 12.6 million people. So I am moving from a town of 12 thousand to 12 million. Looking at finding some personal space.

I am moving to China to be a secondary school Principal. In order to prepare for my adventure, most recently I attended an orientation with my employer and learned a little about China, its rich history, geography, climate, subdivisions, natural resources, food and cuisine, transportation, some attractions and so forth.

I also had the opportunity of meeting some of the teachers of my school as well as new teachers and principals of other schools within China. There was excitement in the air. Everyone shared the same questions and similar concerns. I am quite taken by the three staff at the orientation I met from my school: Al, Karen and Yulia.
They are professional, keen and bring a variety of experiences.

My feelings?
I am nervous and excited. I am going to miss my family like crazy. Which is why the presenters really stressed the importance of bringing things that remind me of home including family pitures. It is one thing to learn about the history, geography, climate and so forth; but to see, smell, taste, hear and feel the culture is quite another.

I am looking at updating this Blog quite frequently and sharing some of my personal and professional experiences with you.

Stay tuned...