Well, well, well. When I was struggling in a second round interview for a Communications Executive post at IDA Ireland last Autumn, little did I know my escape from the Year Six torpor of RTÉ.ie would come from the Far East! (And given the jobs agency's negative performance in 2008, I really dodged a bullet there.)
Myself and my darling Megan are decamping to Guangzhou, China's third largest city with an official population of more than 9m, in a little over a month's time. I'm starting to get really excited about it now.
We will be teaching Oral English to students at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, thought to be one of the most prestigious in southern China. Our future employers are giving us a rent-free furnished two-bedroom apartment on campus and on the metro, and it looks like we'll be required to teach for a mere 14 hours a week. [Gar's average day in other words]
In the sub-tropical climes of the Pearl River Delta, we'll be treated to everyday temperatures in the 20s and 30s as well as a relative salary fit for a king. Teacher holidays, a day off for St Patrick's Day, two hours by boat from Hong Kong - need I go on?
So I've been taking great pleasure in dismantling the appendages of my young professional life in Dublin - potential buyer for car secured, book and clothing bonanza for charity in Africa, direct debits directly cut off. Everything that won't fit in 30kg of baggage's got to go. As an aside, I would recommend to anyone to get rid of half their clothes - I still have everything I wear and my wardrobe's now a model of organisation and accessibility.
One other thing that takes up no space whatsoever but is also not coming to China is Silly Billy - as far as I can make out, you can't view any Blogspot pages over there.
Fear not dear readers, myself and Megan are starting up a new one on Travellers Point - check back there or get the link under 'Things To See & Read' in the left-hand menu. It's called '2across: Bill & Megan in the Middle Kingdom'.
Furthermore, you can also keep up with this young Dubliner's thoughts and musings on the other side of the blogosphere at Silly Billy's new home. Goodbye recession, hello sunshine.
Myself and my darling Megan are decamping to Guangzhou, China's third largest city with an official population of more than 9m, in a little over a month's time. I'm starting to get really excited about it now.
We will be teaching Oral English to students at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, thought to be one of the most prestigious in southern China. Our future employers are giving us a rent-free furnished two-bedroom apartment on campus and on the metro, and it looks like we'll be required to teach for a mere 14 hours a week. [Gar's average day in other words]
In the sub-tropical climes of the Pearl River Delta, we'll be treated to everyday temperatures in the 20s and 30s as well as a relative salary fit for a king. Teacher holidays, a day off for St Patrick's Day, two hours by boat from Hong Kong - need I go on?
So I've been taking great pleasure in dismantling the appendages of my young professional life in Dublin - potential buyer for car secured, book and clothing bonanza for charity in Africa, direct debits directly cut off. Everything that won't fit in 30kg of baggage's got to go. As an aside, I would recommend to anyone to get rid of half their clothes - I still have everything I wear and my wardrobe's now a model of organisation and accessibility.
One other thing that takes up no space whatsoever but is also not coming to China is Silly Billy - as far as I can make out, you can't view any Blogspot pages over there.
Fear not dear readers, myself and Megan are starting up a new one on Travellers Point - check back there or get the link under 'Things To See & Read' in the left-hand menu. It's called '2across: Bill & Megan in the Middle Kingdom'.
Furthermore, you can also keep up with this young Dubliner's thoughts and musings on the other side of the blogosphere at Silly Billy's new home. Goodbye recession, hello sunshine.
