Lament

I sometimes don't like Beijing. I often think of my life in Shijiazhuang and wish for a return to those days. Life was much simpler when I wasn't working 6-7 days a week and catching a 6:50 A.M. bus only to return home late in the evening. Part of it I like. I like the responsibility of being a manager again. I enjoy putting together the pieces of the puzzle and orchestrating. Of course, I love teaching. My students and I are close and I enjoy working with them. But, I miss the students and lifestyle of Shijiazhuang. Can I go home again? Please?

A few days ago, April and Victoria came to Beijing to see me. Both represent why i like SJZ. They are dedicated students from humble backgrounds trying to better themselves and make a difference. They are warm hearted and grateful for what they think I've done for them. They are the kind of students that I came to China to teach. And, they like hanging out with me, they're mentor.

Perhaps it's my sub-conscious desire to have had more children, but I have to admit that I love playing the role of surrogate father and mentor to these students. Keeping in touch with the students has been wonderful. For example, Brando stopped by the other day to help Sophia with her computer problems. It was a wonderful reunion seeing him again. I  have secretly always hoped that he and Sophia would become a couple, but that was not to be. Sophia told me she was in love with a boy with whom she went to middle school. They have been spending a lot of time communicating with each other via QQ (like MSN Messenger). She told me she loved this boy and asked my advice about what to do. I advised her to tell him. She might be pleasantly surprised by his response. Sophia went home to SJZ over the New Year holiday and talked to the boy. She returned to BJ and the look on her face told me all was well. She said he felt the same way. I am so happy for her and so relieved. Her mother has been trying to match her up with some eligible guys for awhile now and I know this has made her very unhappy.

So the relationships are important. But, so is the place. I like SJZ. In spite of the pollution and low pay, I was happy there and I often think of returning. I've been invited to return to Hebei Normal University to teach and, frankly, I'm tempted. I've also been asked to meet with the director of the Center for Academic and Cultural Exchanges here to discuss my plans for next year. They're anxious for me to stay at Tsinghua and want to lock me into another year as soon as possible.

One thought I've had is to spend another year in Beijing, retire in the U.S. to draw on my social security, and return to teaching in SJZ. For a long term plan, it sounds rather intriguing. What do you think?

Comments

[wg]

If I were you, I would stay in SJZ. It is definitely not a pefect place, but gives you a better chance to feel and touch the traditional Chinese culture, especially in those sort of isolated villages.
By the way, I really like the video you posted on Youtube, which guides me here. Although I am not sure which village it is, I do know it is some place very close to my hometown. Thank you for the sharing.