Lessons

Getting a job in China has definitely given me lessons in patience and learning how to live according to China time. From the beginning of my application process to finding out when I will leave has been a long, and I mean looong, process. I sent my application to Sias in March, had my interview via Skype at the end of April, waited a grueling two months until I heard back that I got the job at the end of June, completed my paperwork in July and was told that I would need to be in China by September 15th. It is August 31st and I do not have my working visa or my flight information. I have no idea when I will leave for China.
The stress is definitely getting to me and I can't sleep (which is why I'm writing this blog right now). I'm trying to stay positive and I know it will all work out, but as September approaches I'm definitely feeling the time crunch.
As I have found out, China does not operate on the same time schedule as America. It will be something to get used to but I'm definitely looking forward to finding out when I get to go to China.

Where am I going?

Many people have been asking what city I am going to be teaching in. Since most people have no clue where Xinzheng is, I usually say it's a rural city in central China. It is located in Henan Province. Zhengzhou, the capital city of Henan Province, is an hour flight from Beijing and an hour and a half from Shanghai. Xinzheng is about another hour drive from Zhengzhou.

Here is a little more detail about where I will be living in China:

• Henan Province is the most populous province in China.
  
• Henan is the birthplace of the first emperor of China.
  
• It is also the birthplace of Chinese kung fu.
• The famous Shaolin Temple is located here.
• Sias International University is the first American owned University in China.