**LanguageCorp Group (from the left): Phoebe, Michele, Pablo, Chi, Mike, Your's truly.**

So it seems that the nightlife in Shanghai improved itself last weekend. The last time I posted, I recall heavily complaining about the night scene in Shanghai; it seems it was solely due to us not knowing where to go and not the fault of Shanghai the city. We found this place called Barbarossa in People's Square in Puxi, which immediately became the official hang out spot for us on any Thursday/Friday/Saturday/Sunday evening. I befriended one of the DJs there, this guy named Rafee, he isnt Chinese and he also happens to be the Entertainment Manager for the entire establishment! Rafee is giving me a few mix CDs, and he also wanted me to design a couple flyers for him for a few club nights, in exchange for some VIP treatment in the place, networking at its finest.

Like ive recently learned, "It isn't about who you know, but who KNOWS you."

My classes have been quite stimulating for my teaching improvement, yet at times I feel that I can be a little hard on myself. It is my first time teaching, and if students don't entirely understand the unit in one lesson, it does not mean that i didn't teach them correctly. Despite the countless times i reassure myself of this, i fall into slight depression when i teach a lesson and only 70% of the class retained it; i can be a perfectionist at times...someone hit me.

The thoughts I have pondered in the last week or so have varied in importance day by day. Each night I catch myself gazing out of my window at the lights of Pudong in complete awe that I am on the opposite side of the world from all that I know and am familiar with. My parents have been so supportive of my endeavors; my mind is consistently at ease due to their unconditional foundational support. I am conflicted in my thoughts, on one end I feel secured in this position as a teacher. I am thankful that I came here with LanguageCorps and not on my own, I dont think I would have made it this far in China without them, thanks.

In contrast, I also feel alone...very alone. I continue to drown myself in thoughts of home, its not "home sickness" but more a yearning for wanting to just be apart of the crowd. I am sick of being a blatant spectacle in every situation; sticking out like a sore thumb can get annoying at times, especially when you just want to run to the store to get something to drink or eat. Walking down the street and getting the countless stares and herds of people trying to practice their English, its cute...but sometimes you want your alone time. So I find myself at times feeling alone, alone in that undescribable kind of way.

Wow overdramatic, but thats my description.

So I plan to fix this issue by being more active in the various activities of Shanghai. Be it a sports team, social life or another side job that is fun, there will be a remedy to this issue.

Until next time.

"The greatest personal limitation is to be found not in the things you want to do and can't, but in the things you've never considered doing."

- Richard Bandler

This was a Jade Sword me and Pablo bought for the room, its nice....

So I think this whole teaching thing is truly beginning to hit my heart. I never thought I could care so much about making these kids masters of English. In all honesty, teaching is the greatest feeling in the entire world. I had multiple kids on Friday come up to me and give me a card and flowers and said "Happy Teacher's Day teacher! We really love that you are showing us how to talk like you!" and ran off... Absolutely amazing feeling.

The children are so smart, absolute sponges of knowledge and information; i teach them one thing, they mimic, then it is instilled in their brains immediately. I am very impressed with the retention level. I cannot express the feelings I have at the moment. Of course there is a side of me that misses my family, my friends and the overall American way of life; and then there is this other part of me that is overwhelmed with joy that I am able to experience this opportunity. So as I struggle with that paradox, we will see how it unfolds throughout this year.

I had a girlfriend back in the States, an enormous side of me misses her; but our paths are headed in two different directions... Besides the drastic levels of incompatibility.

Overall I would just say that Shanghai is amazing, and now that I am just embarking on being settled in my year long way of life, I am beginning to reflect more on who I am, and what happens when I leave in June. I want to go to Graduate School, but at the moment I haven't taken the GREs and I am slightly concerned about how I can take them here. I am looking at: University of Chicago International Relations MA, Duke, GW, Georgetown, Northwestern, American U, Yale(haha) and Maryland. If anyone has any advice, please do not hesitate to provide it.

On a more humorous note, Shanghai nightlife is absolutely hideous. Imagine the greatest clubs in the world, the greatest deals and the greatest decor...with no PEOPLE in them! Shanghai must hold the record for the most uninhabited nightclubs on a Saturday night!!!! We club hopped throughout Puxi for like 3 hours at night in cabs, every club was completely empty!... upsetting, we really need to get in the loop. I think we were just given bad information on the good areas to go.

All in all everything is going well, I am taking these days on one day at a time, keeping my head high and striving towards being a better teacher. Wish me luck.

Did I mention that my apartment is amazing?...

the living room


my bedroom


another shot of the living room

Long time no talk to!! Ok so ive been out of internet for like 2 1/2 weeks. But good news... I am not in ZHUHAI anymore!! Thats right i moved up to a Penthouse in Shanghai, no more Projects!! Here are some images. Its like our living standards went from like 2 to 10 in like a 2 day period, being certified really helps with getting jobs and salaries!!!

(By the way...the photo of the city buildings was taken from my BEDROOM)

We took a 24 hour train ride to Shanghai from Zhuhai which was quite unpleasant, because it was four Expats with a year's worth of luggage in one cramped quarters for 24 hours, kinda sucked.

But I have officially taught my first week of school at my official job wtih ESL Shanghai. The kids are adorable and it is truly a pleasure to begin my teaching experience with them. I will have photos of them later this week.

This is going to be a quick post because it is Friday night, and the social life is calling. However I will keep you all up to date very soon about everything that has happen and will happen.

Plus I will give you all my address to the "penthouse" so you can send me care packages, large wads of cash and perhaps your souls if you would be so kind... thanks a bunch... HAO LE!

and plus today was teacher's day, so i got flowers and chocolate from the kids, kinda warms the heart, who knew eh?