What's Next - My Options

After nearly 5 years of teaching in China it may be almost time to "pull up stumps". As expected, the school has been unsuccessful in renewing my Work Visa for another year, because of my age. So, my options are:

1. Look for a teaching position in a province or country where they value the knowledge, experience and wisdom of senior people.
2. Stop teaching, apply for a Business Visa, and increase my involvement with IELTS Examining.
3. Return to Australia and try to occupy myself with casual teaching, or take up a hobby.

At this stage, I'm exploring option 2 as it would mean travelling around China (at the British Council's expense) examining the English level of candidates wanting to continue their studies abroad. What's more, it would mean working mainly on weekends, with most weekdays free!

Failing the necessary requirements to qualify for a six-month Business Visa I would favour returning to Australia, unless some super job comes up in some attractive location (especially if it were in Europe).

I guess I'll know where things stand in a couple months or so. In the meantime, I'm happy to be in Dalian, China, and am looking forward to warmer weather in summer.

Regardless, I will return to Melbourne in July: either as a holiday or to stay. Besides, at that time, there are some 50 students from my class of 2010 who will be going to LaTrobe University - I'd like to welcome them to Australia.

Melbourne - Son's Wedding

24th August 2010

As per my just-sent report (which should have been entitled "Melbourne Report 24/08/2010"), attached are some wedding photos of my son (Craig) to Stephannie on August 14, 2010 (now condensed to 2MB):

• Craig prior to the marriage ceremony
• With his younger brother and groomsman (Mark)
• self explanatory
• includes Sheryl (proud mother) and Daniele (Craig's best "man") in black
• in the church, post ceremony
• in the church, post ceremony
• at the reception
• proud father making a speech
• figurines depicting their profession, next to wedding cake
• Mr and Mrs Rossi heading for the privacy of their bedroom, after an enjoyable and memorable day.

As I write this, they are undoubtedly having a good time on a cruise ship, half way between Dover and their ultimate destination of Rome.


Regards... Renzo

Melbourne - Meeting China Students Here

24th August 2010

I've now been in wintry Melbourne some 5 weeks and have enjoyed getting together with family and friends. As there are now a number of Chinese students in Melbourne whom I have taught in Wuhan, Shanghai and Fuzhou I have tried to meet up with them and get some networking going across the three groups. The photos highlight some outings that have taken place:

• From the left, Sarah (Fuzhou) meets Mody (Shanghai) meets Tia (Wuhan)
• Lucky me with 2 of the students
• Part of a group who lunched at Smorgy's restaurant near LaTrobe University
• Dining out with mostly Wuhan students near RMIT University
• Me taking delivery of a brand-new Rolls Royce convertible (haha) at a mere $1.4M (yes, $1,400,000) - after all, it does have my initials!
• A student who could not afford the convertible opted for the cheaper RR at $1.2M
• I took Mody and Sarah on a bike ride to St Kilda beach, on a reasonably sunny day during our Melbourne winter.

Undoubtedly the highlight of my return visit has been the wedding of my older son Craig to Stephannie, who are now enjoying a honeymoon in Europe. For those who may be interested I have sent a seperate email containing 10 photos (7.5MB).

As for myself, I will soon be returning to China to teach English. Although classes will not start until Sep 20, I will be going to Dalian on Sep 5 to renew my visa and attend a teaching freshner course.

To those Melburnians I have not caught up with, I hope all is well with you; to those residing in China, I hope the summer has been bearable and the temperatures declining for my return.

Regards... Renzo