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November 29 sail awayIt's raining so badly for the following day in a row. So boring weather! Only from time to time there's a short break... I met Windy today! Oh, I haven't seen her for so long time! She told me she would help me to do the laundry. So nice! Wow, I am so grateful to her! How could I handle without her help?
Kevin called me today in the morning. We supposed to go to the cinema tonight with girls but... He had to go home (to Shaoxin) because his grandmother died... I'm so sorry. In moments like that I feel we're hopeless. No-one can escape from the death. We need to accept it - like something normal, something inevitable. It's a part of everybody's lives. We are all sailors and death is the final harbour.
Sail away
It's time to leave
Rainy days
Are yours to keep
Fade away
The night is calling my name
You will stay
I'll sail away November 28 birthdayOn Friday I had 25th birthday. There was also my English corner in WEB on that day. I decided to cherish it together with my students, my friends. Together with Kevin (big help!!) I bought a cake... and we spent a pleasant time with everybody. I taught students how to sing "Happy birthday"! Haha, and they sang it quite correctly! That was so touching! It was so incredible moment of my life! I'll remember it for the rest of my life. And those smiling faces, so warm and friendly! For those who don't remember it or were not in my class I'm writing it once again: Sto lat Sto lat Niech żyje, żyje nam (2x) Jeszcze raz Jeszcze raz Niech żyje, żyje nam NIECH ŻYJE NAM!! I got many gifts. More than last year, more since I was a child!
Calvin, Oliver, Jack, Kevin, Sally, Janice, Cherry, Tim, Ben, Bob, Chen Chen, Lily, Freda, Yo Yo, Mandy, Ricky, Victor, Ania, Sylwek, even my boss!!... and all others who wished me a happy day - big thanks and kisses. It was a wonderful time thanks to you all! November 27 meds"I was alone, falling free,
Trying my best not to forget What happened to us, What happened to me, What happened as I let it slip I was confused by the powers that be, Forgetting names and places. Passers by were looking at me As if they could erase it Baby did you forget to take your meds?" [Placebo, Meds, Meds]
Hitlist #299
November 27th, 2006
November 24 25In Poland it's sad. There was a terrible accident in a coal mine in the south... It was a methane explosion which killed 23 miners. I watched news from Polish TV, everybody is so depressed and crying... Even my boss was different, didn't joke as always. We have national mourning in the whole country until Saturday. It means that all entertainment events should be cancelled to worship the memory of those who died. Southern Poland is the area which often suffers from disasters. In January (earlier this year) many people died because of the collapse of the shopping hall's roof... My god, how much can people stand? I'm 25 years old today. Yes, I have a birthday today. Let this day be good and calm. Last night I already got wishes: from Kevin, Tim, Lily, Ricky... I was so touched. How beautiful friendship is! And today in the morning Ania called me from Ireland! Oooo... Remember Ania? I dated her before I came to China... and then she went to Ireland. Sweet girl. We will meet in December. 25 years have passed. A quarter of the century. November 23 sleepThe best sleep is in the morning. Oh, I love it when I don't have to get up early! Today I woke up at 10:30... I know it's very late but the rain makes my sleep longer and better. Yes, still raining. Actually it's nice because the world seems to be much calmer when everybody prefers to stay at home. I had only one class today, in Web. Nice, nice. I was talking about my family, where we have specific dependence related to the children's gender. My great-grandmother had five sons (no daughters), my grandfather has six daughters (no sons) and my mother has three sons (no daughters). So according to above I should have daughters, no sons. Haha, we'll see in future! The business I do for my Polish company goes quite smoothly. I'm glad to notice it because I can feel that my work is well received. I can feel that I'm useful and it is terrific feeling, isn't it? November 22 retroI guess it's a rainy season in Hangzhou. It's been wet since last weekend! And last night, and today.. so cloudy and crying. For many people November is the saddest month of the year, the most depressing. December is much better because then there's a Christmas time.
I had Western dinner yesterday. Oliver read in my last post that I don't want to eat Chiese food, and he suggested to eat something else. Sweet Oliver! It was a nice time, we ate pizzas and fruit salad. Today I can eat Chinese food again - it seems that everybody needs a change from time to time. This is also a reason why people travel during holidays.. to change something, to refresh themselves, not to fall into a routine.
I'd like to present an autumn song. It's "You're Lost Little Girl" by The Doors. It's from 1968, very old. I like old sounds. My soul is retro now.
*****
You're lost little girl
You're lost little girl
You're lost...
Tell me who are you?
I think that you know what to do
Impossible? Yes, but it's true
I think that you know what to do
I'm sure that you know what to do
[The Doors, You're Lost Little Girl, Strange Days] November 21 complaintsThese days I'm not very happy. So this post will be a complaining one... The weather makes me feel depressed; I have no news from my company so I don't know what I should do next; I didn't get my salary on time and no-one replies... what's going on?! I feel lonely in the evenings because everybody around is so busy; I have no energy to learn Chinese; it seems like I haven't seen my family for too long time; they haven't been online for several days... and it makes me feel more lonely; I miss Joyce (busy), Calvin (busy) and Lily (busy); Chinese DVDs are so poor and I can't watch anything smoothly, what makes me so mad!! I don't want to eat Chinese food. ***** I'll meet Oliver tonight. I need to get rid of bad emotions, negative vibes, dark thoughts. November 20 weekendThe weekend was very interesting. On Friday evening I had nice class about Leonardo da Vinci - funny, one student thought it is about "Titanic"-star (Di Caprio!), another one thought it is about football star Ronaldo (the pronunciation of "Leonardo" and "Ronaldo" is almost the same in Chinese). After class I met Ben and we had a dinner together. Ben is a receptionist in language training centre where I taught business English. I ate so much... but fish soup is something I will never refuse! I had a great talk with Ben, he's a nice boy. Only the weather was bad. It was raining for the whole day. Also Saturday was rainy. In the morning it seemed to be better (that's why I went to teach to the library by bicycle)... but later it was worse with every hour. I didn't want to leave my bike in the library, so I decided to go back home despite of rain. Then Oliver called me and said he wanted to have some beers with me. OK! But I was so wet and cold... We spent evening in night-club. Nice place - where we could chat and watch beautiful dancing girls. I came back home very late... I would have stayed longer but on the next day I had to teach (Chen Chen!). I also had English corner on Sunday. It was a special class for me because as I counted, I've taught for the 100th time! Wow, so many! I still enjoy it and always wait for more classes! November 19th is Kevin's birthday. Kevin is my student from Web, he always comes to listen to my classes. He invited me for birthday dinner together with his friends. I was so touched. And again... I ate so much... but fish soup is something I will never refuse! Haha! We drank some beers and wine; later we went to K-TV. K-TV is a place where you can sing karaoke, it is very popular entertainment in China. Well, I sang some songs  , even Chinese ones!!! We finished at about midnight. Good thing that I didn't have to get up early today.Today I'm a little bit sad. Maybe it's because I'm not very busy. Everybody around me is busy so I would also like it. I downloaded many old songs today. The Doors (I remember my fascination when I was 17-18 years old!), Led Zeppelin ("... been dazed and confused for so long time!!"), King Crimson and "sweet child in time..." (that's Deep Purple, the only song by them I like). So beautiful and moving. Just for my lower mood. I want to sleep long and wake up when the world is better. all good things"Flames to dust
Lovers to friends Why do all good things come to an end" [Nelly Furtado, All Good Things, Loose]
Hitlist #298
November 20th, 2006
November 17 da VinciI will have English corner about Leonardo da Vinci tonight. During my preparation I've become fascinated by him! It was a genius - I always knew it but now it seems to me that I knew too little. He represented what today we call the renaissance humanist ideal. He was interested in so many fields! Painting, drawing, architecture, anatomy, botany... He was an engineer of the future! Some of his projects were realised after 400 years!! And what about "Mona Lisa" and "Lady with an Ermine"? Beautiful, mysterious, universal and timeless. Perfect! Can we meet people like da Vinci nowadays? Infinitely creative, always curious about the world, not afraid of taking risk, brave enough to ask questions and break stereotypes and myths. With bright future! Tu be a human - that sounds proud! I finished business English course. When I started to teach business (for the first time I was the only teacher for the whole course) I was full of doubts. What experience could I share with the students? Many of them work for years... some of them expected me to tell them how to do business. But I also don't know it. Everybody should find a unique way to achieve success. I could provide some vocabulary and useful expressions. Now the course is over; I could handle it! This is my small victory. November 15 catharsisI like writing. It makes me feel so relaxed. I find it wonderful to share my feelings with others! So humanistic! If I only have more time, I will write a story. Many stories. Writing is like catharsis, emotional release; also when I'm in a bad mood. After I write something down I can feel that actually it's not as bad as it looked previously. This is a great act of creation. Incredible how much of my life experience I can "dress up" with words. Incredible how much of it can't be "dressed up" and will stay only in my mind... until it is finally shaded by new ideas and experiences. I like to imagine that through writing I can live forever. I can leave at least small part of me for next generations... even if this, what I write, is totally useless and worthless. To tell you the truth, I don't care. I'm immortal!  Catch the moment. Life's changing. Memorize it. Pantha rei. November 14 seven adjectivesI chose seven adjectives describing my world today.
November 13 rootsI get to know with so many people! All the time: even after almost eight months here, in China. There is Jack (sometimes he is Jake; he can't decide which name sounds better!) We went to the pub (with European design), had some beers together. Then he told me that he felt it was a real friendship. I have an impression that in China people are easier to make friends. Maybe it's because of the one-child policy. When you don't have brothers and sisters, you look for friends.Anyway, Jack/Jake is very nice. Chen-Chen - every weekend I teach him; he's preparing for exams to American highschool. And each weekend I'm in great mood. I enjoy our lessons and so does he. Learning with laughing seems to be more effective! Ben, Delu, Mandy, Cherry, Janice, Mandy #2... so many wonderful people! I experience kindness everywhere. Lucky me! I talked to my Mum yesterday night. I guess she would like me to come back to Poland... I was not very happy to hear it. But what can I do? ***** - I heard you had bought a ticket to China. - Yes, but I still haven't received confirmation. - So how long are you going to stay there? - Hmmm.. I don't know. - Your roots are in Europe, not in Asia. - I enjoy living here. - So far from home? - It doesn't matter that it's far. - You're talking like you could come back home every week. - You should be happy that I can handle here... and instead you complain it's far. - You can handle easily somewhere nearer. - Yeah, sure... nothing in my way"And why'd you say [Keane, Nothing In My Way, Under The Iron Sea]
November 11 sadThese days I'm quite easy to get angry.
I'm often sad... with or without reason.
Who cares??
I always care about details.
Details make the life... more interesting? spicy? more harmful?
Oh.. maybe I'm just homesick.
In four weeks I'm going back home. November 08 our worldRecently I listen much to Polish songs by Marek Grechuta, an artist who died last month. His songs are so poetic and moving, melancholic and beautiful. They're old (late 1960s. and early 1970s.) but they come straight to my soul. It's autumn and this kind of music is just perfect for now.
The lyrics are more important; in most cases they are poems.. but also music is wonderful. The sound of violins and flute and other acoustic instruments - so gentle!
*****
"Our world, our world, I want to live in accord with you... give us many bright days, give us joy that we are eager to find" November 07 congratulationsSylwek passed his master exam! I'm so happy to hear this news! We started studies together, I still remember our first class (computer class!) when I sat next to him. It was in autumn 2000... 6 years ago!! Later he had some personal problems, that's why we couldn't have master exams in the same time. Anyway, it doesn't matter because now we can celebrate this great success!! I sent him a piece of Jay Chou's music - he said he liked the style, very oriental and interesting. I knew he would like it! Victor from Wenzhou finally connected to the Internet at his home! Now we can talk more. Have I said that Chinese people are very kind? Yes, many times... but I have to say it one more time. I just feel that this is the right place for me! And I'll come back to China next year. I even bought a ticket - by the way, it was quite expensive... but it is worthy to spend money to experience those great Chinese emotions. More adventures still to come! Life is wonderful. Never fade away! - Oliver, you're a great friend. ***** Give more than you take; you'll see that actually it's just the opposite - because the feeling of giving is so memorable. November 06 霍元甲"Life has a few rounds
The platform for the martial arts contest is waiting The death consent What have I won? Smiling coldly Who owns the world? So what if you are number one Stop the war My generation still has martial virtues" [Jay Chou, Huo Yuan Jia, Fearless Soundtrack]
Hitlist #296
November 6th, 2006
November 05 recipeIn Poland it's winter. Incredible! So early this year... We had very strong and long winter last year - it finished in the end of March! And now again people should get used to snows, winds and low temperatures. But in China it's unusually warm! Although mornings and nights are cold, in the daytime I can even wear a T-shirt only! T-shirt in November!! Anyway I know that colder days are coming. I bought a warm jacket today. It seems to be quite thick, although I don't know what will be the winter in Poland this time. Yes... I'm going home soon! And I'm getting excited! I have to mentioned about my new friend, of course student. It's 16-year-old boy, I call him Chen-Chen. So nice talking to him! I borrowed him a CD (Coldplay's "X&Y"), he borrowed me some movies about detective Poirot... We have lessons together every weekend and I always appreciate our meetings. Sometimes you just know that there's a good communication between two persons. Some students ask me why I am always so happy... because I'm always smiling. Well, how to say that - that's just the way I am. Personality which I don't want (don't intend) to change. It's a good recipe to live longer, trust me!! Smile, sleep long, live happily, eat more apples and take care. November 03 last week's eventsThere are many things awaiting to be described. I didn't have much time but luckily my memory is quite good.
Last Saturday I attended Grace and John's wedding. John is a boss in a training centre where I teach English, Grace also works there as a office staff. Their wedding was so great! Wow, for the first time I ate shark soup! And many other Chinese delicious dishes. Licking fingers!! And luxurious hotel could impress...  I wonder when and where my wedding party will take place. Maybe sooner than I think?The next day I had a Halloween party with Web - my second school. Busy man, huh? Yeah, I teach in two schools, I have business class in another training center and I'm a businessman for the Polish company. Sometimes it's hard to explain how I can organize all things in one moment! Halloween party was in "Casablanca", small pub near West Lake. I had wonderful time! Together with students and other teachers we were celebrating the Ghosts' Day. Drinking beer, eating peanuts, dancing, laughing, taking photos (so many students wanted to have it with me!) - it was one of the greatest parties I have been! Later, when almost all students and teachers went home, I stayed for a couple of beers more with Kevin, my student from Web. We were a little drunk.. and smoked.  This week is very busy for me; in business... I planned to visit Rose and her company producing motorcycle helmets (my company placed an order and usually I meet with our co-operants). On Wednesday I went to Yueqing. Before that I called another co-operant whom I knew by MSN, he works in Wenzhou, near Yueqing. Actually Yueqing is near Wenzhou, I guess it's a part of Wenzhou city. To meet all people and to see all what I planned, I decided to stay in Wenzhou overnight. It takes almost 5 hours by bus to go from Hangzhou to Yueqing; I was so sleepy on the bus.. zzzzzz.... I met Rose and her husband (I gave him an English name - Simon!) and we had lunch together. Then we visited her company, her office; I met her boss - very young and nice man! I also want to be a boss, maybe younger, haha! In the evening they drove me to Wenzhou where I met Victor. Victor is 1 year younger than me. We went to his office, and I met his boss - so many new people! Then we had dinner with his another colleague (Charlie). Ooh, nice time, I can tell! In the late evening I went with Victor to a nightclub... we drank some beers, watched beautiful girls and enjoying ourselves. I was very tired so we didn't spend much time there. Wenzhou is a beautiful city! I felt very well there. It's smaller than Hangzhou but the same pleasant. And people living there are so kind. I came back to Hangzhou the next day - yesterday. I would like to stay in Wenzhou longer but I must have taught business class. Busy man, huh? My best university friend, Sylwek, finally finished writing his master thesis! I am so proud of him! He will have a final exam today. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for him. I'm sure he can be a master! We are both masters.  Next month, when I come back home to Poland, we will celebrate this success. I miss my Polish friends but on the other hand in China there are so lovely people, so kind and friendly! Or maybe it's because of me? Maybe I have a gift to attract nice people to me? Oh, I know what this gift is: it's a SMILE. |
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