Living and working as a 'foreigner' in China forces a massive revision of one's own concept of culture, lifestyle and perception of Society.  For starters, there is the huge amount of people here.

I did a University unit here (from Australia) which offered the interesting concept of 'them and us'. The 'in crowd' vs the 'out crowd'. Especially in terms of ter***sm. We take formalised Democracy as a hard-earned right. However there are some folks who consider Democracy... an instrument of Satan, a society corrupted to its very roots.  

The main paradigm of Australian Soldiers is to 'not leave your mates behind'.... because they would not leave you behind. Many Australians have won the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for galliantry under enemy fire.

This kind of action is not exclusive to Australian Soldiers, they are not the total shining warriors. Acts like this are done by Soldiers from every country.

That means running across a muddy field, getting shot at with a machine gun, grabbing your mate, putting him in a fireman's carry and squelching back in the mud, back to safety and a medevac chopper flight for emergency treatment.

In most Western societies, especially Australia, most people have access to wealth of education and employment opportunities. In Australia the minimum wage is (maybe more now, this was a while ago) AUD $13.47/hour : USD $11.09915 /hr, 83.970/hr Chinese RMB.

If the boss pays less that this, he/she will be in deep shit. Really deep. We take our societal responsibilities very seriously.

Getting back to my positive approach to the world :  Just in. Good news, as Jamieson has tried to stay positive.

****************************************

Taliban militants in Afghanistan have now released 12 of the 19 South Korean hostages they have been holding for the past five weeks.

The International Red Cross says the first three Christian missionaries to be released were all in good health.

The Taliban has said the remaining seven South Korean hostages will be released over the coming days.

South Korean presidential spokesman Cheon Ho-Seon has defended the Government's decision to strike a deal with the Taliban.

"I believe it is the Government's duty to act flexibly when it comes to saving its people's lives," he said.

"I can't elaborate on details, but we stuck to international principles and attempted to save people's lives."

Their release comes a day after the Taliban announced it would free all 19 hostages in the wake of South Korea's pledge to withdraw its small military force from Afghanistan, and ban missionary groups from the country.

Copyright belongs to BBC.

Even Mrs. Jamieson who usually does not care about any International news reported this to me, so I had a quick look-up on the web. Great, guys... after you shot and killed 2 Korean missionaries.

You lot disgust me. "If you save the life of one peson, you save the life of the whole world. If you take one life, you have taken the lives of everyone".

Fuck 'em. Find these illiterate, subservient Taliban arseholes, root them out, drag them out kicking and screaming and shoot them on the spot.

Muslim or not, an eye for an eye. As I will mention below, I am a Muslim, but I have no time for Muslims. Nor their petty bullshit primary school approach to Islamic teaching, ridiculous "kill them" teaching,the sequestration of women.

Those Korean Missionaries were gentle, kind, soft. They perhaps wanted to spread the kind, loving Gospel of Jesus, without violence. The love of Jesus is the love of God - and the love of humanity. Did they come to Afghanistan with weapons ? No, they came with self-sacrifice and Bibles.

http://www.google.com/search?q=christians+koran&hl=en&newwindow=1&start=10&sa=N

B. Islam Teaches Salvation by Law-Keeping without Sacrifice.

"Islam offers only a vague concept of how man is saved. Evil is balanced against good, and if good outweighs, a person might be saved. Outward obedience is emphasized, not faith, love, or the condition of ones heart. [CRI-81f,84f]"

I just love it when the boot arrives to give Islam a good kicking. Knowing the inside story provides a different perspective.

As a Muslim convert, I believe this is NOT true. Yes, in Islam, animal slaughter is permitted on certain festivals, but the meat is given to the needy. They are ceremonial 'sacrifices' but nothing is wasted.

Bah, the condition of one's heart is a private matter between yourself and God. Faith and the expectation of love from God is paramount in Islam. Trust me. Accepting that you will probably fall well short of the requirements is normal. Just try harder.

For instance, I will not give money to beggars in China. I pay tax here, and the Central Government has provided shelters for the homeless and beggars, and provided repatriation benefits. However, it is more lucrative to beg in the big cities !

Revise my lifestyle.

It is a work in progress.

Love to you all, Jamieson.

PS: I will get back to you later about the Hendrpriyono arsehole later.

I thought it was difficult to get work/ residence visa in China.

No. As my mate Matt suggested, do your research, get your ducks in line.

Get all your paperwork in order and you will have no troubles.

I got an extension on my residence, permit and Foreign Experts' Certificateas well as my "Alien" Employment Certificate, plus a medical check that verifies I do not have HIV, Syphilis or Gonnorhea.

We have a British guy, trying to get a full time job at the Spider (fool), his residence permit is ticking. Just like I was, 2 days left. He is flailing.

The Chinese Government whispers softly in my ear. It is Female Police Sergeant Wang.

Lovely lady, voice smoother than ball bearings going down a greased chute.

I listen attentatively to her.

"Mister Jamieson, all seems in order, your residence permit is stamped in your passport and will be issued in 3 days. Please come back then to pick up your passport."

I have to head to side-town and get some striking double-breasted suits made, tailored.

 I awake from my dream. I pull up the bike and ask a Flemish Guy.... Belgian.... I have a job interview at a local Kindergarten..... Could you tell me where it is ?    Heard:"Ahh I think it is over dere yah ?"

"Thanks I will try to find it."

Found it. Had the interview. Lovely Singaporean Lass with a flower tattooed on her largish left breast (Professional, Jamieson !)

Wants to send me out to woop-woop. Until late hours......nah Weekends ? Are you mad ? Perhaps I did not make it clear that I refuse to work weekends.

Here comes the cavalry, perhaps.

I get an interesting call from a head-hunter, then chat on the phone with the hunter.

SUZHOU UNIVERSITY. THEY WANT ME BACK.

Well, isn't that that interesting ? Mrs. Jamieson is urging me... have to attend the Interview and sign. She says she does not care about the salary.

In China, one has to listen to your honey, or face the unpleasant consequences.

Sometimes, we as foreigners use our bullshit copmpasses, expensive, hand-made.

We use these compasses to determine which companies or schools will be appropriate. We sometimes ignore advice from our partners in China (which is stupid, always)

OK, Honey. I'll drop the Spider and swing over to SOOCHOW UNIVERSITY.  You endorse this choice, Chinese women definitely know best. 

I ke-tow to you my wife. I will do it 3 times.

By gosh, I have taught from pre-verbal children up to PhD Holders. 4.5 years. Ummm, did you want experience in China as an ESL Teacher?

Sorry guys. Chinese Girls and Women are far better students. I have said this before.

Pre-pubescent testorone makes for a contest between a Foreign Male Teacher and male students. Pubescent testosterone is worse.

Who wants to be the Alpha Male ? Fuck it, it is ME. And YOU do not forget it. If I have to display violence, I will. I will assert my dominance over the 'pack'.

The University gives me power in the classroom.

Teaching kids 11 to 18 ,boys, ramps my anger level up, to ahhhhhh here. You can imagine.

Women students, pre-menopuasal are the BEST. Anyway, I hope I will get released from the spider and go to SOOCHOW UNIVERSITY.

Think about frying pans and fires.

Whew.

Calm Down J !

Calmed down. J. Got to fix those anger issues Jamieson, J you really need help!

US soldier withdrawn from Iraq after brothers killed

A United States soldier has been withdrawn from Iraq after his two brothers were killed in action.

Jason Hubbard will return to his family's home in Northern California after his younger brother Nathan was killed in a Black Hawk helicopter crash in Northern Iraq on Wednesday, 22 August 2007.

Another of his brothers was killed three years ago by a roadside bomb in Fallujah.

He has been withdrawn from service under the US military's "sole survivor" policy, which is aimed at preventing parents losing all of their children to war.

Copyright AFP/BBC.

I am sure his parents feel a mixture of relief and grief, and whole-heartedly endorse the war in Iraq. Yeah, right. Losing 2/3 of your children in a futile war (ALL wars are futile) must want them to fly the Stars and Stripes proudly on their front lawn.

However, there are thousands of cases - families losing ALL their children in an instant as some fuckwit suicide bomber pressed the button in a crowded market. Civilians going out to buy food, ladies dressed in compulsory Hijab sporting shopping bags.

Bang. Screaming. Blood on the sidewalk. Blood on the floor in the market. Body parts everywhere.

I vociferously CURSE the US Administration that sends young soldiers, airmen to die in a strange land. I do not curse American people, on the contrary, I have met many Americans here in China. In 41 years in Australia I never met one. However, the ones I have met here in China are generous, kind, humorous, realistic, open-minded, Critical of the Bush Administration (earns approval from Jamieson).

As I type this I am listening to George Benson off the CD. Does that make me a lackey of America ?  Nah, It is a pirate copy CD). Oh yeah smoking fake Marlboro cigarettes bought in Suzhou for USD$1.40 a pack. Virginian US tobacco, my arse/ass.

Met two, ahh three - inc. daughter (Neighbours, Hubby worked for Borg-Warner) in Singapore, 1972. I will never forget it. My Dad bought me a Mamod steam engine as a Christmas gift. I was 10 years old. It is a tiny boiler with a steam powered piston mechanism and a flywheel. A rather inappropriate gift for an inexperienced child, I would say.

The fuel for the burner under the boiler was alcohol, methylated spirit. I crossed the road to display the device to their 5 year old daughter, start it up and she accidentally got the alcohol in an eye when I was not looking. All hell broke loose. Furious eye flushing event... Never forget... even 35 years later.

Let us examine why China has declined to get involved in this mess and not send - even peace-keeping troops - to Iraq ? 

It is as obvious as the nose on your face. The U.S. will probably never get the oil under the sands of Iraq despite its frantic efforts. Neither will China.

This is a wise decision by the Chinese Government.

Fuck Haliburton. Fuck Dick Chaney.

Yeah, I have views that are contestable, if you wish (with polite language, of course, staying firmly within the bounds of political correctness), we can have an on-line debate.

However, a debate must have an amicable ending, with a solution, a winner decided by an impartial judge panel of 5 judges, not Chinese or American. I am thinking German, Finnish, Swedish, Cuban and Irish.

You decide ?

Let me re-iterate : This is a wise decision by the Chinese Government.

An extract from a real young lady living in Baghdad.Rather Grim, I am afraid.

"I always hear the Iraqi pro-war crowd interviewed on television from foreign capitals (they can only appear on television from the safety of foreign capitals because I defy anyone to be publicly pro-war in Iraq).

They refuse to believe that their religiously inclined, sectarian political parties fueled this whole Sunni/Shia conflict. They refuse to acknowledge that this situation is a direct result of the war and occupation. They go on and on about Iraq's history and how Sunnis and Shia were always in conflict and I hate that. I hate that a handful of expats who haven't been to the country in decades pretend to know more about it than people actually living there.

I remember Baghdad before the war- one could live anywhere. We didn't know what our neighbors were- we didn't care. No one asked about religion or sect. No one bothered with what was considered a trivial topic: are you Sunni or Shia? You only asked something like that if you were uncouth and backward. Our lives revolve around it now. Our existence depends on hiding it or highlighting it- depending on the group of masked men who stop you or raid your home in the middle of the night.

On a personal note, we've finally decided to leave. I guess I've known we would be leaving for a while now. We discussed it as a family dozens of times. At first, someone would suggest it tentatively because, it was just a preposterous idea- leaving ones home and extended family- leaving ones country- and to what? To where?

Since last summer, we had been discussing it more and more. It was only a matter of time before what began as a suggestion- a last case scenario- soon took on solidity and developed into a plan. For the last couple of months, it has only been a matter of logistics. Plane or car? Jordan or Syria? Will we all leave together as a family? Or will it be only my brother and I at first?

After Jordan or Syria- where then? Obviously, either of those countries is going to be a transit to something else. They are both overflowing with Iraqi refugees, and every single Iraqi living in either country is complaining of the fact that work is difficult to come by, and getting a residency is even more difficult.

There is also the little problem of being turned back at the border. Thousands of Iraqis aren't being let into Syria or Jordan- and there are no definite criteria for entry, the decision is based on the whim of the border patrol guard checking your passport."

http://riverbendblog.blogspot.com/

(Banned in China) - use anonmymouse.org as a proxy to pole-vault over the nanny concern.

Jamieson.Yeah, he does give a shit.

I was about to ride home this evening after an insufferable ...until 9 pm class when I bumped into Pommy Dave. A former teacher at the spider, reasonable guy. We sat streetside on our electric bikes, smoked leisurely, chatted, and he grumbled that he arrived at the nearby pharmacy and that they had shut up shop at 9 pm and he could not get his Diabetes medication.

I have something dark to confess to you. I worked for the Butcher of Lampung. I even prayed out loud in Indonesian for him, his wife and his daughter in a mixture of Arabic and precise Indonesian, at his home, at a family feast attended by 70+  people and 10 servants.

I will elaborate on a subsequent post about this guy in elaborance. Igorance is bliss, but when you know the facts, ignorance is an excuse best left at home. Intel did not brief me about this vermin. I just hope he has a 'cardiac event' which leaves him lifeless and with blue lips.

Yeah, I know this information, this blog is inconsequential. Suffice it to say that this reptile may or may have not been reponsible for the Bali bomb blasts that wrecked the Sari Club in Bali. I choose door number 1 Clive.

Just a trifle of anger from a Laowai living in China, regretting decisions. Why am I so angry ? I admire the Internet, so much information on un-punished offenders. Sic em Cujhou.

He speaks like Ricardo Montelban. If this fucker ever gets reported as being in Australia, I  will howl like an injured dog to get it deported. I WILL demand answers from the Australian Parliament, even a Parlimentary Comittee and from the Opposition.

Damn it I will ask pointed email questions from the Prime Ministers Department.

You think I am puffing air out of my arse ?

I am not kidding.

As an Australian Citizen (whilist living & working overseas) I still have constitututional RIGHTS in my country whilst in China.

I have the right  by email or telephone from China, yes even from China if he has time, to query the Australian Government, even the Prime Minister and  the Leader of the Opposition and encourage the Opposition Parties to grill any member*s bill offered by the Government. And get an answer.

Opposition Politicians even cross the floor in the Senate and vote for the Government. That is OK. Vice versa if Government Senators want Political Suicide.

Then the bill goes to the Upper House with votes for deliberation.

Isn't democracy wonderful ? Government versus the Opposition parties.

A humble voter, way over in China can vote for the Opposition parties, one vote, one man. Shanghai Australian Consulate. Thank you for your expediting my vote legitimately. 

Actually we do things rather differently here...

It is rather complex. SHUT UP !  We do things harmoniously. There is another way.

OK, I will shut up (maybe) ... but democracy...  SHUT UP.... OK

Jamieson, too observant of observant of Australian Politics, even world-wide Politics - sorry. Just very interested in what is shaping our world, what is occurring. Slovenia is next :-)

Hendropriyono attack is next. I do not care if my life is in danger.

Gosh, what have I been thinking about lately ? Pride in becoming a grandfather at the meek age of 45 ? Worrying about finishing my University assignments before 28 August and emailing them ? Getting a new gig at a Kindergarten real soon ? (Hate teaching until 9 pm).

What else ? Oh, yeah, Mrs Jamieson organising a sheepish guy to come and re-gas the master bedroom aircon. A blown light bulb in the master bedroom. A charger for the Ni-Cd batteries that run my MP3 player does not work. F. Or the batteries were f***ed when I bought them.

Buying AAA batteries for the player is a joke. They are all dead before I buy them.

Ah, shut up ! You promised good things, not whining !

I struggle to think of good things that have happened to me this past week.

Ah, I got it ! Hail a Taxi, get in, announce my destination and get a 100% compliance. Guess my Chinese is improving [4 years, 6 months and 2 days ought to shake some logical stuff out of my mouth :-) ]

We take from China, but we should also give.

Get home, open up an ice-cold beer, sit in the highly air-conditioned study (bugger global warming, it is the warming of Jamieson that is unacceptable, sweat like a pig, wet shirt thanks -  even when teaching at the spider) and then play on the Internet with a lovely kiss from time to time from Mrs. Jamieson.

Yeah, I am selfish at times, insular, arrogant. However....

Isn't it better to be at a nearby call centre helping expats who are at their wit's end ? Newbies. Ones who don't know shit from clay here in Suzhou, fresh off the plane - the overwhelming sentiment from them is : now what ? Just 2 x 2 hours a week. That won't kill me. 

It is balance, balance between my responsibilities as a husband and my *altruistic motive* responsibilities as a member of the 'Foreign' community in Suzhou. Balance is good, the 'Yin-Yang' thing.

Volunteer work might help unravel my anger issues. Soothe me. Do some good. Why so angry ? Dunno. I really have not thought why I am so angry. However, as I said, my anger is masked, suppressed. Am I angry at myself ? Am I angry at Suzhou ? Am I angry at China ?

Is it boredom ? Lack of hobbies ? Why I am I such a sullen bastard ?

I worked in the Royal Australian Air Force Psychology Directorate and regularly counselled members with mild depression and anger issues. Those who were obviously struggling were immediately referred to Medical.

Now I face the some of the same issues as previous clients, the stress of changing from a free-ish culture to a semi-regimented lifestyle. Air Force Military life is not for the faint-hearted. Self-diagnosis ?

What is the cause of this free-floating anger ?

Is it the stress of stepping out of the shelter of one's own apartment into Greater China, and having to change gears. Or is it a resistance of failure to function effectively in a culture when "They just don't do things like we do back home"....

I am so spoiled with my apparently luxury lifestyle here in Suzhou, yet I still rail at what I perceive to be infringements on my rights.  These infringements are a daily serve of events. (Whining, again). STOP WHINING.

I have been here FOR YEARS, I figure I now know some of the ropes, put my arse in a sling and thumbs up, raise it ! I can smell a football field full of rats.

Speaking of rights, you can forget the idea of personal rights here. Leave 'em at home. Here, just do not cause too much of a ruckus and you will be left alone. It is NOT a Junta.

However, Canada Kevin raised a ruckus with our Apartment Management  Authority by threatening to have an angry meeting of the Whiteys, Singaporeans and Taiwanese over the lack of security cameras, after having his electric bike nearly stolen.

My - didn't that achieve immediate results ? SHIT YEAH. Now we have a camera in my bathroom. Infra-red illumination, too. I saw their monitors, you know 4 sub-screens on the monitor in the guard hut.

Getting back to the whining about foreigners in Suzhou....

I wonder how many 'foreigners' in Suzhou have the honesty to confess their feelings, like this.

Alienation ? Having an Alien Employment Certificate ?

Do I have 2 heads, tentacles and operate an inter-galactic spacecraft by mind control?

Bad translation there mate, perhaps "Overseas Professional Guest - Employment Certificate" might be more appropriate.

Be as it may, Foreigners face enormous adjustment issues when they arrive here. Learning curve is near vertical for years. Some might say 'fuck em', "they can learn the hard way like you and us did".

However, I have personally met 2 ladies, Italian, Mongolian. I was happy to help. Why is it that women open up so rapidly ? Sure, bursting into tears is pure frustration, not knowing what, where or how, and definitely NOT speaking Chinese. NOT being in control of their lives.

A soothing anonymous fluent English speaking voice, yes, I understand. Perhaps you could go to ......

Just listening, not condemning. Suggesting. I might have time.

J.

Well, that is a few days of letting go !

I rode an alumnium horse, 10,000 kilometres 100,000 steps to return to you from the lucky country.
I travelled 90 kilometres
I met you.
I taught with you.
I loved you when I understood you.
We lived together for 3 years.

I won first prize in the Shanghai Daily, Valentines Day poem contest, diamond and platinum rings for the 2 of us. Do you know that means the I am the BEST in in a city of 17 million ? Well, maybe 200 thousand speak English but shit, it is probably the largest vs. Mexico City.

"If all the trees in the world were brushes and all the seas were ink, it  would not be enough to describe the depth of love that I feel for you."

I played my Gu Zheng for you, You laughed. I was ashamed.

Then I Married you.

If I dealt a pack of cards, I would get Aces every time.

Thank you my wife. You balance my hysteria about living in China against the outside world.

Jamiesons Luck

Thank you, click your back button please. But, wait until the next edition of the Luck.