What's the real name of the book, I can't remember? This was the first Harry Potter book I've ever read. On a scale from 1 to 10, 1 being teletubby material and 10 being great, I give this book an ........... 8!!! It's exciting, it really does suck you in and keep the action, suspense and excitement at a level that makes you want to read on, and on, and on. It's hard to put down. It begins with Harry's summer holidays living with the Dursley's. Though he does have a better existence now that his god-father has put some fear into the family, Harry still can't wait to get back to school. School is the most interesting part of the book, learning new magic in classes, having arguments with friends and foes alike. First day back at school there is a rude shock when the students are told there will be no quiddich this year, instead there is the famous triwizard tournament taking place at Hogwarts. Three students, three schools, and Harry is too young to enter. Like I said, I haven't read the other books, so I can't compare them to this one, but I like it. It's definitely worth a read it you've got a few days to kill. I have seen the first two movies though, and whoever was responsible for the cast did a pretty good job. Some of the characters in the movie (Hagrid, Ron, Hermione, McGonnogal?, Dumbledor) match really well with what is in the book. My wife told me the Dumbledor actor died recently, so Gandalf will take over. That would be good. Maby that's what he went onto after he sailed with the elves away from Middle Earth. It's a nice adventure with a good, but not so happy, ending.

This is one of the many times in my life where I need to do a lot of patient waiting. Trying to organise a job does require this. Over the last week I've spent days waiting by the phone for a promised call that never comes, is then promised for the next day, and doesn't come again. But that's all part of the job. Include that in the problems that come along with every job. One thing that is different about looking for work this time, is that I'm doing it living at my friends' house. There needs to be a balance between, on one hand, getting a job quickly to start getting paid and not outstaying my welcome, and on the other hand, waiting to get a good job. At the moment I've been offered a job teaching down in Guiyang, which would be ASAP. I should really accept this in the next day or two. But it's not the job I really want. The job I want is in Shenmu, a crappier town, but it's a better job. The only catch is that it is far less definite that I might get this job. What do I do? Accept the first though I want the second, or wait for the second and miss out on the first? Tough decision. See what happens over the next few days.

Waiting........ Takes forever, doesn't it? It's times like these, Friends are great. Friends with DVDs. Thanks Peta & Dors!

What are the differences between China and western countries, like Australia.
I've been living here in China for about 7 months, and I can say it hasn't been easy at times. There are so many differences between life here and what I'm used to. One benefit from this experience is that it's changed my view on immigrants to Australia or Germany, where I've lived. I used to think they should try harder to blend into society, to speak the language, learn the culture and generally behave more like a 'local'.
When I left my native Australia for Germany I tried to assimilate into the culture. I began to learn the language. I didn't seek out other Australians, I enjoyed the local food, drinks, customs. Sure I still celebrated Australia Day, but I felt like my view of immigrants was justified. They could try to assimilate and blend in. If you want to be there, then learn the local ways.
Then I came to China to work as an English teacher. Things here are just so different to any western ways I've experienced in Australia, Germany or any other country I've been to. I can't even begin to blend in to the local population, and I've foudn that I don't want to. I don't put this down to a belief that my culture is superior, and that I won't take on this 'inferior' culture. I don't have this belief. Modern Chinese culture is as valid as any other, I just don't want to be a part of it. Blending into German culture was reletively easy, because I could adapt my customs to fit theirs, but here in China it would mean throwing away my customs to take on theirs.
I can fully understand now how a Chinaman could feel immigrating to Australia, or any person going to live in a strange and unfamiliar country. You don't want to throw away the way you've learnt to live, or the customs of your home. You want people to speak your language with, who understand you and have a common background to you. You can complain together about what surrounds you, and compare it always with the things you are used to. I know from experience that this can be really helpful in a strange country. It's perfectly natural to not like some of the things about the new country you're in, while still appreciating it enough to stay there and get along with the people.

It's time to do something with the time given to me, while I wait for a result in my lon-running problem here in China, so I'm writing in Blogdrive.
Here in Jinzhou, north-eastern China, I've been teaching for 6 months, and most of the time have been trying to convince my school that they should follow the law. Just recently we reached the half-way mark of our contract, which means I am owed my airfare bonus. I had been waiting for this moment for months, because if I leave the job after that point, I can still get that bonus. And left I have, but no bonus.
It's a long, complicated story, full of frustration and what I would call lies/stealing/cheating, and finally it might just about be over. All I need to do is rely on the honesty and effectiveness of chinese beaurocracy, that will give me a fair result against the owner of my former school, who happens to be the wife of a prominent local official...... damn! At least I'll know the result in a few days, and can begin to put it behind me.