Friday, March 4, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Housing, Work, and All Things Nice
Exciting news...We have an apartment, and I have a teaching gig! Bad news, Amanda is still waiting for a contract and we are unsure how all the money is going to work. Since we've had no orientation, I keep pushing on our boss for information. I think he is a bit frustrated with me for pushing so hard, but I need the details.
Yesterday was great, we nabbed the boss for a few hours in the morning to nail down the apartment situation. We looked at 4 apartments and found one that really looks nice. It's a one bedroom with a courtyard view. The only trouble with apartments in China is that they want three months rent up front, a month deposit, and an agent fee (this was news to us). For our apartment, this means 18000 yuan or $2800. I'm glad that I have been saving for the past two years, because as a result of the past few days, our savings and budget have been smashed. The company agreed to pay the three month fee and to continue each billing cycle so they could keep the apartment after we leave.
After apartment hunting, we had an interview with the Beijing Normal University. I landed a teaching job for students who want to learn to write well enough to attend American Universities. It's about 8 hours a week and pays pretty well.
Things to think and talk with the Captain about:
Yesterday was great, we nabbed the boss for a few hours in the morning to nail down the apartment situation. We looked at 4 apartments and found one that really looks nice. It's a one bedroom with a courtyard view. The only trouble with apartments in China is that they want three months rent up front, a month deposit, and an agent fee (this was news to us). For our apartment, this means 18000 yuan or $2800. I'm glad that I have been saving for the past two years, because as a result of the past few days, our savings and budget have been smashed. The company agreed to pay the three month fee and to continue each billing cycle so they could keep the apartment after we leave.
After apartment hunting, we had an interview with the Beijing Normal University. I landed a teaching job for students who want to learn to write well enough to attend American Universities. It's about 8 hours a week and pays pretty well.
Things to think and talk with the Captain about:
- Teaching jobs for Amanda and me (although I have one, we need to be at 20 hours each and I'm at 8)
- Income - we will have it, I just don't know how it will all work yet.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
One Night in Beijing
After a full day in Beijing, I've learned a few lessons:
More things to think and talk to the Big Guy about:
- Although it says Starbucks, it doesn't mean they take Starbucks cards, even when they advertise the exact card you are trying to use.
- Just because your general manager says you will figure out the housing situation when you get here, doesn't mean that anyone will help you find lodging in any real way.
- Not knowing Chinese really makes doing anything tough.
- Pedestrians always cross at their own risk, but when you have 22 million people, you can make even the most aggressive driver slam on his breaks for a green light.
- Sometimes you just need peanut butter and chocolate Skippy.
More things to think and talk to the Big Guy about:
- Lodging - still numero uno
- Bank - we will be getting a Chinese account, hopefully it will be one that allows international transfers
- Interviews - we have one tomorrow and Saturday
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