Thursday, 31 January 2008
Monday, 28 January 2008
update
Freedom and technology
It appears that it was October the 4th since I actually wrote anything-in the blog that is. My Laptop had a hardware problem and I couldn't get it repaired until about 10 days ago. I have been rebuilding it since then and backing up all the pics etc(see below).
I have been here for 6 months now, and I tell you time flies very quickly indeed here.
It is a challenge.It is a challenge paying for the kids' school fees. I accepted a job which I thought was quite reasonably paid,which was okay as long as I topped it up with some extra hours elsewhere. This has proven wrong on two fronts- with the travel that I am expected to do for my job, I have not had the time for any other work, and on the other, with the depreciation of the US dollar, the cost of living here has risen very steeply.
I have enjoyed the work that I do, I have written a whole English 1 year course for 6 primary levels, all with worksheets, multimedia-videos, powerpoints and detailed lesson plans.As well as this I have also put together a 4 level phonics programme, and observed and trained new teachers.
I am now job hunting again, 'my work is done here' as they say.
Despite the 'struggle' life is good here, on the island. You don't need any money on the beach! Except for the weekend just gone we have been 'out' either on the beach, cycling or hiking every single weekend since we arrived in Hong Kong. Generally we meet friends on the beach on a Saturday afternoon/evening, enjoy the sunshine and leave the beach around 9-11pm, sometimes to sit outside my house until the early hours.
I have only drank in the city twice in the last 3 months!
The kids love it here, their school, and extra-curricular stuff(football and Taekwondo)-Joseph scored 10 goals in his last footie match, the only scorer!
My parents came over for 3 weeks at Christmas and will now come for 3 months in the Autumn, they loved it so much.
We are in a cold snap right now, you may have seen the snowstorms causing chaos in China in the news. We are on the very far fringes of that, which means it is 13c as I write this, which considering I got sun burnt last week, is chilly. It should only last for a week or so though, I hope.
Now that everything is up and running again, I will post more-which may not be so good, as I bore the shit out of everyone I have ever known, blogging is really an extremely arrogant thing to do really.The idea that people actually read what you write.At least an author knows the truth when he doesn't sell bugger all, and the letter writer is told quite bluntly to stop sending letters if they are not wanted.I digress!
More later
Follow the link below(Mercers on the move) to see new pics and videos.
It appears that it was October the 4th since I actually wrote anything-in the blog that is. My Laptop had a hardware problem and I couldn't get it repaired until about 10 days ago. I have been rebuilding it since then and backing up all the pics etc(see below).
I have been here for 6 months now, and I tell you time flies very quickly indeed here.
It is a challenge.It is a challenge paying for the kids' school fees. I accepted a job which I thought was quite reasonably paid,which was okay as long as I topped it up with some extra hours elsewhere. This has proven wrong on two fronts- with the travel that I am expected to do for my job, I have not had the time for any other work, and on the other, with the depreciation of the US dollar, the cost of living here has risen very steeply.
I have enjoyed the work that I do, I have written a whole English 1 year course for 6 primary levels, all with worksheets, multimedia-videos, powerpoints and detailed lesson plans.As well as this I have also put together a 4 level phonics programme, and observed and trained new teachers.
I am now job hunting again, 'my work is done here' as they say.
Despite the 'struggle' life is good here, on the island. You don't need any money on the beach! Except for the weekend just gone we have been 'out' either on the beach, cycling or hiking every single weekend since we arrived in Hong Kong. Generally we meet friends on the beach on a Saturday afternoon/evening, enjoy the sunshine and leave the beach around 9-11pm, sometimes to sit outside my house until the early hours.
I have only drank in the city twice in the last 3 months!
The kids love it here, their school, and extra-curricular stuff(football and Taekwondo)-Joseph scored 10 goals in his last footie match, the only scorer!
My parents came over for 3 weeks at Christmas and will now come for 3 months in the Autumn, they loved it so much.
We are in a cold snap right now, you may have seen the snowstorms causing chaos in China in the news. We are on the very far fringes of that, which means it is 13c as I write this, which considering I got sun burnt last week, is chilly. It should only last for a week or so though, I hope.
Now that everything is up and running again, I will post more-which may not be so good, as I bore the shit out of everyone I have ever known, blogging is really an extremely arrogant thing to do really.The idea that people actually read what you write.At least an author knows the truth when he doesn't sell bugger all, and the letter writer is told quite bluntly to stop sending letters if they are not wanted.I digress!
More later
Follow the link below(Mercers on the move) to see new pics and videos.
Tuesday, 22 January 2008
Monday, 3 September 2007
the mercers on the move
the mercers on the move
termtime
As you can see from the pics below we have all been reunited. Joseph started at his new school today, Jack will go next week.We have all acclimatised and I think the kids and Teosdee are really starting to enjoy Island life. We moved into our new place about a week ago-completely unfurnished, so we are still sleeping on the floor. We went up to the Big Buddha yesterday and met some friends(see pics). We went to 2 barbecues last weekend, and caught up with some good friends. The village where we live is very picturesque and Chinese, it has a village square with a nice temple, in the midst of streams, fields and mountains, and only 5 minutes from the beach...........(follow link above to continue)Wednesday, 4 July 2007
do not stand
" Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there,I do not sleep.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!"
(Mary frye 1932)
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there,I do not sleep.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!"
(Mary frye 1932)
Sunday, 1 July 2007
Heading East
I have just returned from a month in Barcelona,where I took a CELTA-certificate in English teaching to adults.This should help in my quest for a better job in Hong Kong(for now), or anywhere(in the future). I missed the family very much whilst in Barcelona, and it has been nice being home this weekend.Unfortunately I will leave again on Friday, and return to Hong Kong. Teosdee and the kids will follow 5 weeks later. Teosdee is busy filling up the biggest box in the world to send to the Philippines, where we can pick up the stuff later this year.
Sunday, 6 May 2007
Sunday, 22 April 2007
Saturday, 21 April 2007
Friday, 13 April 2007
Friday, 30 March 2007
Monday, 26 March 2007
Sunday, 25 March 2007
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