Here I go again...

[Scottish_Rob]

In the 6 weeks since I have been here, I have looked for work, to NO AVAIL.  When I first arrived there were supposed to be 3 students that I was to teach, but none got back to me.    This morning I decided that I was returning to the UK.   However, after a lengthy and 'tearful' chat with Sophie, the upshot is, that she does NOT want me to return to England (nor do I really).  She wants me to stay here in Zhucheng.  The problem I have with that is, NO WORK, ergo no income...

Now after this mornings events, she took me all over the place to find work.  We went into about 6 different schools, were she 'knew' someone   The short answer is, that SHE...MAY just have come up trumps   There is ONLY one school here that employs foriegn teachers, and after much chatting with others she got 'us' in to see him.  While I was there, he spoke top the principle and is going to get back to us as soon as he can.  They are going to be having a meeting to talk about costs involved.  This school has already employed an American and Austrialian before, so they know whats required, i.e working visa etc...She has very high hopes abouty this meeting we had, it was discuss about the pay, and the hours and classes I would be working (4500 yuan, 4 classes x 5 days a week)  Now I know this is NOT a lot, but it is BETTER than NOTHING coming in...  Failing that this coming monday I will have a mornings teaching at Amio International (which we found today), hopefully something will happen soon.

Now my plane ticket back to the UK is due to be used on Monday 11th October, after that I will have another 17 days of my 60 day visa left.  My plan is, to see if I can put the airflight back for those 17 days, I think Maxx already told me that this can be done, on my last visit, if I remember rightly

Anyway, Sophie has told me repeatedly that she does not care if I don't work or have no money, but you all know what us 'good' guys are like, we don't like to be the 'kept man'.  However, the way I feel about this lady, I really don't care about visa's.  On the 22nd October, me and Sophie are going to Weifang to get married, that is all I care about.  (If any of the Brothers would like to come you are more than welcome...)I want to spend the rest of my days with her.  She is delightful.  I remember early in our relationship, she made these, 'rules' up (remember ), well they are out the window.  We BOTh want to be together - no matter what it takes...

Once I marry, will I still NEED A WORK VISA

David E, have sent you a couple of PM's mate...

[Scottish_Rob]

What ?

no more rules?
he he he he
you two really are "love sick"  eh Rob ?

 

Yes Mike NO MORE RULES... And I have her permission to say this...hahahahahah

Lovesick...WO?

[Paul Todd]

Rob,

After your are married you will be given an extended "L" or tourist visa the same as you have now. First time you apply they usually give you 6 months then it can be anything up to 2 years unless of course your Willy and you only get 3 months! The L visa does not give you the right to work in China only to stay with your wife. So if you do get a job offer then you can get your Z or working visa in Hong Kong. If the school has employed foreign teachers before they know what to do and the paperwork you will need to take with you. 4500rmb is not that bad over here you should see what the Chinese teachers earn!

[RobertBfrom aust]

Our fingers and toes are crossed for you Rob , at 4500 rmd bet you could bank half of yours and Sofie half of hers and still enjoy both wife and life , regards Sujuan and Robert ,
by the way any luck with the cow , I cannot find one on Ebay either , how about giving a farmer 100rmb for you to be able to milk the cow 1 time a day per month ha ha .

[Sylvain D]

Rob, of course I'd be more than glad to be here at your wedding day... but I am still in France right now so I won't be able to be there
by the way, I cross all my fingers (and feets) for everything to be ok about your visa and about the job.
4500 RMB'S , well, that's about 430 €.
Don't forget you are in China, Rob, not in Europe and that income is more than significative for any chinese citizen.
Liyan told me before that she got about the same income in her company and that it was also a good income.
Not a bad one, not the best one, but anyway, it was good.
Oh, I forgot to mention. If you can not find any cow in China.... please promise me to not try to get any milk from a taurus....
haha!
Just kiddin', robbie ^^

[Scottish_Rob]

Sly i won't try to milk any Taurus...

Well I tried to get a refund on my ticket but couldn't...It was non returnsable, I done something that I may live to regret, I saw the look on Sophies face when I was dealing with this thing, so I TORE my ticket up, to prove to her that I want to live here with her. Good idea, (God knows)?   but after recieving a text message from one of my kids in England later on last night, IT WAS A GOOD IDEA  I am so fed up with the crap that is happening back there, that I am glad to be out of it.  A body can only take so much and in my case, I've had enough.

I said we were getting married on the 22nd this is a mistake, the papers will be sent to us from Beijiing on the 22nd, so we have decided that it will be the 26th October that we get married.  God I'm getting as bad as her for giving out information

[shaun]

Rob don't feel bad about giving out inaccurate information.  The older you get, the worse it gets.  Right Willy?  Oops. 

[Willy The Londoner]

Rob don't feel bad about giving out inaccurate information.  The older you get, the worse it gets.  Right Willy?  Oops. 

If your saying I give wrong information then I will stop giving it here.

Willy

[ttwjr32]

Rob,

you need to watch that visa renewal and do it after marriage

[David E]

Rob

You tore up your ticket...but that does not mean it is invalid !!!

How about telling the airline to keep it open indefinitely so you have it there in case you need it.

They wont give you your cash back, but I think that they will hold it for you to a later date....maybe some small fee to do this.

But congrats on your decision to stay with Sophie...now get this teaching sorted and you have got it all 

Cheers...David

[Sylvain D]

and even if you can not find a job by day right now... what about working on afternoon by giving some lessons? May that also help you to win some money, even if for short time?
Anway, fingers crossed (difficult to write on the keyboard but well... haha)

[maxx]

Rob like DavidE posted.Tearing up the ticket is just a symbolic gesture.It is still valid.And for a small fee.They will probably move the date of your return to Scotland.

[Jimmy]

Rob you know buddy I have seen that look on my wifes face too. And it was the day I was leaving. I had no choice I had my girls at home and could not stay.
We talked about it later and come to find out she was more scared than sad. Because we are so far away, well let's face it, it would be an easy task to just never come back. And thats what she was scared of. This was the last day of January, and our plan was for me to come back in June after the kids were out of school.
Man I was missing her like crazy and we were on qq everyday all day she had settled down a little.
And one day I sold a nice machine so had a little windfall of cash I said nothing to her. But the look on her face when I called her on qq from the Shanghai airport and asked her if she would come get me at the Harbin Airport in 5 hours was priceless.
And after 15 days had gone by I had to leave again. But this time she was sad when I had to leave, but not so scared she now knew I would come back for sure.
And I had promised her when I come back in June we would never be separated again. A promise that so far I have been able to keep.

So I guess the point I am trying to make for you is do what you must do, The love is there and as long as you do what you tell her (Or More) Her love for you will only grow stronger. My wife and I over the past 6 months have become more than a man and woman in love. We are a real team we work hard for each other. And we know the other will always be there. And if you need to finish up a few things in Scotland before you are there permanently them go do it. And when you get back your reception will be like you have never seen. And most all of the doubts and fears she may have they will be gone forever.
In fact I didn't have to waste a ticket to show her I was here for her, when I came back the ticket I bought and showed to her was ONE-WAY. That was all it took.

And now when she gets a VISA I will buy 2 one-way tickets home. And have promised her we will visit China to see her family the summer of every even year if she likes.   I hope my little story helps you out some, if what we are doing was easy then everyone would do it right.   

[shaun]

Rob don't feel bad about giving out inaccurate information.  The older you get, the worse it gets.  Right Willy?  Oops. 

If your saying I give wrong information then I will stop giving it here.

Willy

Sorry, I was only joking.

[Scottish_Rob]

The tearing of my plane ticket was just my showing her I wanted to stay here.  It was a 'Smbolic' I know, but it was the only way I knew that she would understand...

Comforting words Jimmy thank you
Yes Sly I am going to try to do this...
Shaun, I think Willy knows this was a joke...
Thanks David and Maxx...
Ted I will keep this in mind...
Paul and Robert, THIS was really good to know...

Well this morning I went to Amio for my teaching interview, the 'principle' wasn't there, she was in Qingdao all day, but I still carried on with the lesson.  I will have to do it again I think, but no matter, today was just keeping my toes in the water

I was putting the rubbish into the bin last night, and she found a picture shop leaflet.  So she phoned them.  This Sunday we  go to get our pictures taken.  I am defo going to find a hat, so Paul does not feel like he is the only one. hahahaha.  I asked her about the cost of this, and she told me it was only 199 yuan.  I am not sure for how many, or what size, will let you know as soon as I find out...