HI Brian,
Not long now! Sounds like you have every thing ready for take off. Just think this time next week you will be in the arms of your sweetheart. You wrote "Yes its a little scary giving up your entire life to fly around the world to live in a foreign land with different language and customs and culture, but with Zhen at my side I am sure we can make this work." You missed out being a little crazy as well.:icon_cheesygrin:
From what I can make out, its all about networks here. A network will adopt you and make all the introductions you require to find a good job. Not to help you, but to further there own networks aims and power base. The fact that you get loads of help really has nothing to do with you personally, only the network! So don't mistake this for friendship often if you are introduced to someone they will say pointedly that you are my friend now, which means you are part of there network. This extends to goods and services too. For example if you require a 3G connection for your laptop one of your network will take care of it,again not only does this help you and make life a little smoother but benefits the network as well. I'm only just scratching the surface of it at the moment but several different people have made me quite temping offers so far, but until I have worked this thing out I'm staying neutral or trying to anyway. Any one else with a view on this I would be very interested to hear.
For example, Yesterday we went down to the local police station to get a piece of paperwork I needed to give to the Immigration department to get my 6 month residency visa. After we passed out cigarettes and sweets they were all very helpful and asked if I was going to teach English? I said cautiously that I might, thinking I do not have a Z visa and they know it. When to my surprise they offered me a job teaching the police English. Now what do you say to the police, Errr no thanks. I don't think so! I told them I had just got married and that we were off on honeymoon as soon as my visa was in order and that on my return I would come and see them. The rate of pay was 5000 per month for a couple of days a week. So offers of work come from the strangest of places.
One other thing I found out that may help, is that you Z visa is valid for one month if you leave a job.This gives you time to find another after which your Z visa remains valid for the rest of the year. So no problems about switching positions.
If your ever around Baoding with your lovely lady Brian drop in and maybe stay for a couple of days! We have a spare room so no problems! That goes for you too Vince so get yourself sorted out my friend!:icon_biggrin:
Best of luck with your move,
Ming Zhi,Paul