Me is just that ME. I am me and no one can take that from me and no one can change that from me so therefore I am me. Ok? Now maybe someone out there can see a change in how they look at life and about themselves. Now they can call themselves Me. A few yers back while in Taipei, Taiwan where I taught oral conversational English one of my students did just that. They called themselve ME.

I asked why? No, why was the reply. You could have a beter name and show someone that you are you and are different. No, was the reply. My name is ME. I like it and no one can change my mind. Well very simple was my thinking so ok you can call yourself Me. She still does. It is strange but it is her choice.

A name. A simple one at that and life will go on.

Good morning or Good day wherever you are. It is Monday morn here in Zhengzhou and in about an hour will depart for classes. The kids are wonderful, eager to learn and happy to see me every day. We both love each other and they do want to learn more English.

Our weather has been pretty warm and still love the warm days. A little cloudy but normal for this section of China in Oct. China indeed is a great place to be and will most likely remain here for a long time. Do not miss home as home is not what it should be but what I like is here to me is home. So in some small ways I am home really.

My neighborhood is grat. All Chinese! I am the only foreigner here and most people have accepted me although I do know they watch me or see what I do. Think it is their own way of keeping tabs on me, which I do not mind. It still is China and how people look after one another. I still miss a few things from home but realize that I have to put up with some things and do away with others in order to really survive here. It is just the plain facts.

Hello! I have been in Asia for at least 16 years and decided to post something different. You might agree with me or disagree, which is your own feelings. In another journal will be what I do like.

I don't like the men pulling up their shirt to show off their fat ugly belly and smoking. I find it disgusting as hell. True it might be warm but keep your shirt down and not smoke outside. It adds to the pollution of our air. It also looks dirty.

I don't like those who drive fast at lights trying to make it through. Slow down you jerk people will be trying to cross the street. The same for the bus drivers. They think that they own the road. They also blare the horn way too much. Makes me feel bad.

I don't like those taxi drivers who see me as a foreigner stop and want me to take their taxi. Hey stupid if I wanted a taxi you will know. It is just plain annoying to me and really think these drivers are careless morons who want a fare. Pay attention to your driving as well.

I don't like those idiots who shove their way to the front of the line. I am in line and have been waiting. No need for you to think that you should go ahead of me. Wait your turn. It is being polite.

I don't like all that yelling you do. It does not sound good and to me it is one way of ignoring you as well.

I don't like those idiots who ask the same questions to me all of the time. Such as, "Where are you from?" Why the hell do you want to know. "How old are you?" None of your business. "How much money do you make?" That is my own business not yours.  Age is a private matter.

I don't like those who look in my shopping cart while i am buying food. Why do you want to know what I am purchasing? Or they might ask, "How much did you spend for that?" Again, it's none of your business. Hey I do not look in your cart so why do you look in mine?

I don't like it when people stare at me. This is one way to get a good punch in the face although this will be violence and I am a non violent person. I do not like to be stared at in the grocery store as well.

I don't like being watched like a hawk. Some people do this and it bothers me. Give me some privacy please. I might be a guest here in your country but I really cherish my privacy and do not like being watched.

I don't like it when eating in a restaurant when people come up and ask many stupid questions. It might be something you do but think about me the foreigner who might not like it at all. I want to enjoy my meal. The same on the bus. Yes, I know you are trying to improve your English but let me enjoy the time by myself.

I don't like well you get the picture many things but have come to the conclusion this is China and yes I might be the only foreigner here but please give me some privacy and peace. This is only being respectful.

Ok these are some of what I don't like.

Helllo! To continue on with remembring from my early days. I did mention the space race I do believe and how the Russians beat us (USA) but we did finally make it to the moon. Neil Armstrong was the lucky guy to actually walk there first. I really wonder just how he really felt. Most likely there was so much on his mind he had little time to really think.

The 1960's was a changing period for the USA and the world. The president was assassinated, riots were taking place in some of the more poorer neighborhoods of cities, while Dr Martin King was also assassinated. It was a scary period of time and many changes were taking place.

The war in Viet Nam was building up while many of the young men who were deplyed to that troubled spot were either killed or hurt. Then protests against the government began to take form. It was also scary to see people marching against the government but being America it was totally ok to do such a thing and in time maybe the leaders were finally getting the message.

It was a testing of time for me and changing one at that. So many things going on with me and yet at times felt no one really did care or really were willing to be by my side and give me more moral support. My family was rejecting me while mom just told me to remain where I was and not bother to return home as she just did not fully give any care about her son. This was the case with her until she departed this world in early 2001.

More later

Well we all wonder at times and I often wonder about the past and things which have happened to me or what could of been different. Indeed the past 16 years has been very wonderful, exciting and a great learning experience. Been to many places, seen many wonderous places, met some very great people. Yet at times still wonder if it was good or bad and what could I have done different.

One cannot take back the time but we can learn from what we have done. I do think that in general life has been ok for me. Being able to live and work in China or S Korea as I have been doing is one great experience. I wonder at times if it would of been different if I did it at an earlier age. There is some thinking as to what could be diferent if I did not come here and what would I be doing. Would I be happier? Not so sure but still wonder.

I ooutoften wondered about my upbringing as well as my parent did not fully seem to be more caring nor was she that great although she had a very difficult time in caring for 7 with no help from anyone and did a fair job at doing so. At times we kids feared her with a vengence and wondered if she'll end up killing one of us or not or if she really did care at all about how we really did feel. Over the years at times I have wondered about this fact. she was very difficult in talking to and yet she hated everyone who came into her path. Very sad for her. She died several years ago and no one really cared about it and it was sad indeed.

Wonder about the state of the world and would like to know when things will be better. I doubt very much if this could be at all possible. I seriously wonder about the threat of terorism and where it will happen next. It is a little scary though and still have thoughts about 9 11. Scary though very for me. I will tell you why.

I was visiting home just before that date as I was living in Taipei and teaching. I took a later vacation to see family since mom died. i was supposed to return back to Taipie via Los Angles. Flying from Boston to there since Boston is my home. Instead flew out to San Francisco to see a Chinese friend and then fly from there to Taipie. I left on 9 8 then take a flight 9 10 arriving Taipei 9 11. Ok? Well did just that and arrived safe. To my horror while watching CNN did se what took place. sad is all that I could say but was happy that I did not take that flight. I wonder what would of happened if I did? Most likely would not of been sitting here really.

I always wondered about life and what life was realy like. As I have lived a number of years and found that life is really a matter of great wonderment and we just do not know what to really expect or when to expect. I expect nothing and yet wonder what people really expect of me. It is just a matter of well being where I am and whom I am with that matters.

As a young man there was a time where I really wondered what it would be like to live in another land far away from what I was used to and oh yes it was exciting at that time to really think about it. Little did it dawn on me that in later years it would be true and i would not wonder any more. It was exciting really but then life might not be that exciting. Told a few people that yes I will depart this area and most likely not return back. They asked, "where are you heading?" my reply was, "China or S Korea to work as an ESL teacher." Oh, really? yep! When are you departing? As soon as I can get a confirmed flight and position.

Ok so today am living in China. It is one of the very few countries where it is safe. I mean really safe. I can walk down the street at night without fear. Fear that some lunatic will hurt me, Fear that I will enter my home and find someone else has had the opportunity to get in and take what he wanted or maybe break in at night and try to kill me. Ok you get the picture.

In the USA I fear that man who thinks he knows what he is doing. Then I question his judgement and came to realize he is not that smart. My dog is smarter than him. I do fear him and how he is handling the country and question even more his ability to get things done in a more responsible manner. I am not sure what he is thinking or if he can really do a better job. He does like to well who knows what. I do not fear being here and yet find it better although there are millions of people in this city. They are kind and of course really super.

Do you want to know more just ask.

Hello! This is my secod entry here and think this is about the best blog site. So many out there though. I like where I'm at duringthis present period of time. Zhengzhou is a nice city. Like other cities in China it is huge, has many denizens, heavy traffic and oh yes pollution as well. No city really is immune from it really except maybe way to the west or up in the mountains.

Have been in these parts for a long time. Get back to the USA not very often but then why should I when there is so much to really see here. Many places have yet been discovered by this person while other places have been seen. A few have asked me, "where is the most best place to visit?" Guilin comes to mind. Any Chinese can tellyou about this beautiful area. The Lijiang River is great and viewing the many mountains along the way down it gives one a great sense of happiness. It is really wonderful. Kaifeng here in Henan is old which at one time during the Song period the capital. Many artifacts can be viewed in this city. Then we have Xi'an home to the Qin emperor who built those great warriors which still amaze many who go there to witness the beauty of such great workmanship. These people were highly intelligent and did a fantastic job in creating a splendor which is a must to see if you come to China.

Don't forget Beijing the capital. A city of 15 million and so huge it takes a long time just crossing the city. Many great places to see and places to go. Today one can find many western restaurants, shopping and of course go to the zoo and spend a day there enjoying those great animals. Maybe you want to see the wall. Ok not bad. Go but go maybe during the middle o fthe week. Less tourists or locals.

Have a great day.

Hi and greetings to all from this old city. I'm in Zhengzhou, Henan China. Pretty vold city while the city of Kaifeng which is nearby was once the capital during the Song dynasty. Is anyone out there interested in old Chinese history. I'm not an expert but am learning. Teach young kids here and love it. Would i return back tothe USA and live again? No, simply put.

Ok so give me a shout zi chen

Greetings and hello. I am on the other side of where you might be but then just do not know where you are at this moment. I love what I do but at times do feel sad but then this is how life goes. Yes, life still goes around and around and no where else.

China is a vast land and has many people. Many big cities plus places where the population remains small. Teaching kids oral English is fun but hard work really so we all must be on the ball. They are lovable to down right demons but still they are kids who need that extra care and understanding as well. Guess it'll be a long time before I can say yes I will head back to the USA ad remain until it's my time to be put to rest but then just do not know.

Have been over in these parts for 16 years. Seen many places in asia and love it all very much. I just cannot see myself packing up again and returning to a land full of the unknowns but of course this is how life is and what life should be like,right?

Then if home in Boston have no place to live as I have no home at all. Family is about gone from the area while there remain no friends whom I know there. So for me at this point in time being here in China is the best thing that has happened to me. So let me say something about one of my favorite places here.

Beijing is the capital and a very massive sized city. The pop numbers close to 15 mill people. It is really huge and in some places very crowded as well. Cars are the main problem but bikes are still numerous and plently of them as well. The public transportation system is great while the the best means of getting around is the subway. Fast, clean safe and very efficient as well. I love it when there. Taxis are ok but expensive. Some drivers might want to cheat you if you are a foreigner so be careful. Have the destination down in Chinese. Most times you will have no difficulty in getting to where you need to go.

The Forbidden City built in the 1400's is magnificant in size and scope. It is of course just the last remains of the MIng Dynasty but it's still a great place to visit. Takes a couple of hors to realy go through if you get a private guide. It took about 20 years to complete but today parts are closed as they are undertaking a massive remodeling efort and trying to preserve what is there. I reccommend it. Then of course the Great wall which stretches across the land and in many places it is gone or lost to ruin. One can get to the wall by bus. It is a great place to go but too many hawkers trying to sell all kinds of goods. It is just outside the city. I love it there as well. very much of a great piece of sound engineering and the Chinese did it pretty good.
Tinamin Sq is huge indeed and you never know whom you'll meet while there. A great place and many people flock there every day. It's a great place really. A few people are there trying to sell fake watches or other goods. Be careful.