The Apartment, The Job, and The Olympics

Well, here I am writing from the comfort of my apartment. It was a long frustrating process but I finally have an apartment. My company referred me to an agent named Frank. Frank is a very nice and patient man. I emailed him my preferences in regards to an apartment and within one day we were taking cabs all over Beijing looking at different complexes. Frank and I spent three days together and must have looked at seven apartments. Finally, I settled on one.

I am living with Bryne in what is definitely the nicest apartment I have ever lived in. As for the location, it could be better. I am living about seven subway stops from my work and it takes me about 45 minutes to commute. I don't mind the commute so much because I am in love with my apartment. The complex is only about eight years old and it is has quite a few conveniences that I am unaccustomed to having at my disposal. Included with our rent is membership at the gym which is located underground. The gym has a pool, sauna, and steam room. Above ground, the complex has a small grocery store (vastly overpriced) , hair salon, and a dentist.

I don't want this post to become one long ode to my apartment BUT,I really love the furniture. In China, when you rent an apartment it comes fully furnished. This was yet another factor to consider when I was looking at apartments. We actually have three couches! Couches are important to me. I like to sit on them. We have three bedrooms and two bathrooms along with a kitchen and a laundry room (sans dryer). I am extremely happy with the apartment.

Two days after moving in I began my training at Wall Street English. The 40 hour training was at times tedious but it was necessary. Wall Street has a lot of processes and paper work that are not intuitive. After the training, from September 3rd to the 8th, I had the weekend off before beginning live teaching on Monday the 10th. I was given an option for my schedule. Since the clients of my English school are mostly working adults, the majority of classes are booked in the late afternoon and evening. On most days I go to work from 1pm to 9pm. Also, as a result of our clients working full time, the weekend is a very popular time to schedule classes. The center where I am working is the largest center Wall Street has in China; 2,500 students study there.
All this means a funky schedule. Currently I am working a six day week. I work four days consecutively and on the fifth day I only work four hours in the morning. The sixth day I have off and the seventh day I work four hours in the evening. This schedule is terrible considering my 'weekend' is only one day and it is usually a Tuesday. I will talk to my boss when I return to work and see if I can do something about this situation.

The only weekend I did have off, after the training, I was able to get out and have some fun. During the summer Beijing plays host to many different concerts and festival. The first weekend in September brings the Beijing Pop Festival. I went for one reason and one reason only. Public Enemy was the headlining act on Saturday night. The Beijing Pop Festival does not attract many great or famous bands but how could I miss Public Enemy in Beijing? I must say that I was a little disappointed. It just doesn't fit my memories and perceptions of Public Enemy when the concert is sponsored by Master Card, Dior, and American Airlines. They played what is probably their most famous song, 'Fight the Power'. As they began I had to take a step back. I was hoping they wouldn't play it. Think about it, Public Enemy, one of the most politically charged hip-hop groups ever, playing a song called Fight the Power to a group of Chinese youths. All sponsored by Master Card. The meaning was incredibly diluted for me.

In other news my favorite bar, Nan Jie, was officially destroyed two weeks ago. It was a sad day. I was there the last night before the dawn that brought the wrecking ball. I found solace in the fact that the owners of Nan Jie were opening a new Nan Jie just a few blocks away form the old one. I attended the New Nan Jie 's opening night party. I must say it is not the same. The new location attracts an older and more elegant crowd. The old place let people write on the walls and it was nothing more than an overgrown trailer with a dance floor. The new one has two stories and a balcony and even has bottle service. I am not a bottle service type of guy. It seems that New Nan Jie is devoid of the character and charm of the old locale but it has retained its cheap drink prices so...I'm there.

Things have been extra busy for me recently. I work a whole lot more than I did last year and I'm still getting used to my six day schedule. All in all it is still good to be back in The Jing.

I ALMOST FORGOT!!!!

Almost immediately after publishing my last blog I got an email from the Beijing Olympic ticket sales office. I got tickets! I am extremely excited. This was one of my biggest reasons for returning to Beijing and I will definitely be there. I got four tickets in all; two for track and field on the day of the men's 100m final, and two for swimming on the day of the men's 4x100 relay. I love the Olympics. I love it so much that I capitalize it every time. I love it so much I am thinking about paying an exorbitent amount for basketball gold medal game tickets. I love it so much I am thinking of ordering a Captain America superhero outfit on EBay just to wear at the Olympics (and any other time I feel super). My love of the Olympics goes back to 1988. I remember watching Riddick Bowe and Roy Jones. I remember Greg Louganis almost dying. I remember Flo-Jo's three golds and a silver. I became fascinated with sport and it is a fascination that has lasted to this day. All this being said I am secretly pissed that I didn't get my team handball tickets. I love team handball, it is something you should know about me.

Happy New Year!