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September 29 Friday before holiday7:00 am - woke up
8:15 am - took the "23" bus to the library
9:00 - 11:00 am - was teaching Arthur
11:15 am - went to the bank to pay for the samples from Rose
11:50 am - was looking for a fax machine, bacuse Rose's boss didn't trust I really paid
12:30 pm - came back home to prepare the topic for English corner
1:30 pm - talked to Marek, the manager from Poland
2:15 pm - took the "23" bus to Jiahua Center (there is Web)
3:00 - 4:00 pm - English corner #1 - about water
5:30 pm - ate dinner with Kevin
6:00 pm - prepared the topic for English corner
7:00 - 8:00 pm - English corner #2 - about quarrels
... tired.
September 28 west lake and naked professorSmall talks: - Have you been to West Lake recently? - No... - The viewsight is so beautiful. And the climate suits for tourism. - I don't want to go there alone. - Why don't you ask me? - You're busy now and I'm busy in the evenings. - Maybe weekend is available. (...) - I live in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. - Hangzhou is a beautiful city in China. People always say Hangzhou is like a heaven. (...) ***** [Reuters]
September 27 moviesI bought some movies for lonely evenings. Not all evenings are lonely, but sometimes they happen. And after I finish talking to my parents, my manager in Poland, my students, my friends.. I watch movies. You can buy cheap DVDs in China - for 5 or 10 yuan. Of course they are not original but nobody expects it for this price. Therefore there is always possibility that the DVD will not work...
I decided to buy one of my favourite movies of all times: "Forrest Gump" directed by Robert Zemeckis. The movie is based on the novel by Winston Groom - I have read it many times and it always made my mood good. The same is with the movie... I love it, although sometimes the disc blocked itself and I couldn't watch it very smoothly.
The next movie I bought is "Flight 93"; I guess it hasn't been released as DVD yet - but in China everything is possible!
 It tells the story about 2001-September-11th tragedy in USA - about one of the four hijacked planes. The movie is good and very easy to understand, even when you don't speak English fluently. Of course it is without happy-end... I think everybody knows what happened on that day.I'm also reading; this time I have Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code". I haven't seen a movie yet, I'll watch it after I finish reading. I like to compare the books with the motion pictures.
It looks like I become a businessman. I want to help my Polish company seriously since I have more free time nowadays. I never wanted to be a teacher for whole my life, I think now it's a good moment to start doing something else, maybe more challenging. I'll still be teaching, though. I don't want to resign completely from this great feeling I have everytime I talk to my students. This is so memorable! And so far teaching gave me so much experience in interpersonal contacts, self-confidence, ability to express my thoughts, to talk on various topics... Yes, this is creativity, something my university teachers couldn't teach me. Maybe you can't learn it? Maybe you have to find it in yourself?
It may seem that I'm having a happy time. Yes, generally it is... only those lonely evenings make me feel scared that deep inside I'm hopeless and pitiful shy boy that nobody cares about.
"Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get". September 25 bikeSomething wrong started to happen with my bike. Suddenly the front wheel has blocked and I almost fell down on the pavement. I was in a hurry to school and I couldn't do anything. It was quite near to my flat; I had no choice and left the bike in the gate of some unknown building... No time to wait for the bus, so of course I took a taxi. Luckily it was not a rush hour so there was no problem to catch a car. I'm so mad because of my poor bike!! I wish I could throw it away! Perhaps I'll do it and buy another vehicle - because I want to have it. I need a bike, I like riding it, I like to feel wind in my hair - this is freedom!
My manager from Poland (Marek) has bought a microphone recently. He bought it just to communicate with me, he said that typing is too time-consuming.
 Today I heard his voice for the first time in 6 months! Wow, the feeling is so strange, I can say that I missed the sound of Polish language... The microphone in my family is broken and there's no-one who remembers to buy the new one.  Monday, beautiful day. The weather is so calm and still warm. Autumn is my favourite season; I think I'm a melancholic person and autumn is just melancholic. I'm waiting for the leaves to start to change from green into yellow, red and brown... Is Chinese autumn the same like Polish one? In my country we say "golden Polish autumn".. because of the amazing colours seen everywhere. September 24 in the morningIn the morning you know you won't remember a thing. In the morning you know it's gonna be alright.
Hitlist #290
September 25th, 2006
September 22 chasing a starlightI just recalled myself about twinkling stars. When I was in Poland (earlier this year) I talked to Joyce and told her I missed her very much. Then she said I should look at the sky and see the stars... and then think about her. She would do the same. Tonight I'll be chasing a starlight, for all those whom I left far away, in Poland... Far away The ship is taking me far away Far away from the memories Of the people who care if I live or die Starlight I will be chasing a starlight Until the end of my life I don't know if it's worth it anymore And hold you in my arms I just wanted to hold you in my arms My life You electrify my life Let's conspire to re-ignite All the souls that would die just to feel alive But I'll never let you go If you promise not to fade away Never fade away Our hopes and expectations Black holes and revelations [Muse, Starlight, Black Holes And Revelations, 2006] September 21 WindI was in the park yesterday. Finally I met Wind, my dear friend who helps me a lot during my staying in Hangzhou. Our talk was so nice! And suddenly I noticed that many other people started to surround us and listen. I was trying to speak my poor Chinese and people seemed to be delighted! I felt wonderful! It was enough to say Zhongguo hao! (China is good) and they smiled and answered Ta xihuan Zhongguo! (He likes China!)
 Oh yes, in the moment like that I like this country so much. And I want to learn Chinese immediately. I try to learn everyday; only if I have time and I'm not too sleepy.It would be much more convenient to teach and do business if I knew Chinese. For example this week I teach a businessman who is a beginner in English. I have to speak a little Chinese to him, how else can I teach him English? So... my poor Chinese is better than no Chinese, haha. And his poor English improves quickly.
Together with Oliver I'm going to Hong Kong in October. I'm excited by this trip. We will spend 5 days in this city, we already booked a hotel room. In 2 weeks time I'll see Hong Kong again.
Useful expression if you want to take the bus and you don't have coins: Huan wu kuai chen! (Change five yuan!)... I didn't know it previously, I had to use my body language, I showed banknote and some small coins - the lady in the shop understood what I meant. Learning Chinese is not so difficult; anyway, is timeconsuming. September 19 special wordsHancy is in England. I miss my little sister. It's she who wrote special words for me on paper cups when we had lesson together. I wonder when we could see each other next time... not soon, I'm afraid.
Time flies... time flows like Qiantang River in Hangzhou - I didn't realize how wide it is! September 17 七里香It was easy to predict that Jay will have his #1 hit. I'm impressed by his music and voice. Just great and pure!
Hitlist #289
September 18th, 2006
September 16 busy SaturdayBusy Saturday. I had many lessons today. First in the library, then in Web where I had English corner for 2 hours. I noticed that recently my legs hurt after teaching. Usually I stand in front of students so my legs hurt the most... the same like voice. Anyway, the voice doesn't bring any problems.
I was talking about little dragon. Haha, it was quite interesting because nobody knew why I wanted to talk about it for 2 hours. And little dragon is just "xiao long" in Chinese - and it is a nickname of Bruce Lee, famous Chinese movie star. I like to surprise the students.
I'm going to Hong Kong again! This time I'll go with Oliver - on October 4th. I can't wait! I like Hong Kong, I want to show it to Oliver.
I had a dinner with Freda, one of the students in my business class. Wow, so sweet! And the food was mmm... hao chi! delicious! She told me not to mention it but it was a lovely evening. Thank you, Freda. Looking forward for next meetings!
The song of the day is "Słabość chwilowa" ("Momentary weakness") by Polish alternative band Pustki (Emptinesses). It's terrific!!
Męczę się (...)
Kiedy zaczynam (...) To słabość chwilowa, zaczynam od nowa, nie mogę wytrzymać, kiedy męczysz mnie męczysz się to samo od nowa, to słabość chwilowa kolejny raz dzisiaj tobą męczę się Dopadam (...) Kiedy to minie (...) Kiedy męczę się (...) To słabosć chwilowa, zaczynam od nowa, nie mogę wytrzymać, kiedy męczysz mnie męczysz się to samo od nowa, to słabosć chwilowa kolejny raz dzisiaj toba męczę sie Basically it's about that I'm getting tired and you're getting, too. When will it pass? It's only a momentary weakness, the following time I'm getting tired by you. Just fantastic and fresh. Polish only! September 15 hospitalIt's still raining what makes me sleep better. It also make me drink more coffee than usually. I don't mind, coffee is one of my favourite drinks. I had to wake up earlier today because I had another appointment in the hospital. Yes, my tooth is still not completely recovered. It's raining, I didn't want to take the bus... it's always so wet and dirty inside with this weather. I decided to take the taxi, but of course I forgot about rush hour. No taxi available at 8 am!! I was waiting for about 20 minutes, then I changed the place to catch it. Finally I took one. Rush hour in Hangzhou... of course I was late! Oh, I guess more things make me angry recently. Doctors already waited for me. Doctor Joe (female) and doctor Harry (male) - we've had a great co-operation. They were just saying "open your mouth", "wider please!!", "take it easier", "are you OK?", "now I'm going to root in your tooth", "oh, the root is so long!". Oh my god, in one moment I felt I'm getting weaker and that I start to fly somewhere. I felt so hot and uncomfortable. It was very painful, when Harry rooted inside my tooth. I was saying "ooohh...", "aaah..", "Harry, please!!" with terror in my eyes. Joe had some qualms because everytime she heard my moans, she stopped. Harry seemed to not care about it, just wanted to make my tooth clean inside. Unscrupulous!  Finally they finished. I was greatful. The next appointment is on Wednesday. Teeth are the only thing God didn't succeed in when creating the human. September 14 random thoughtsThe nights are colder.
I miss my family.
I'm drinking too much coffee.
I'm busy with doing business.
I'm getting mad because of the slow decision process in the company.
Chinese producers ask me whether I have any information for them.
I don't have any news.
People say I'm friendly.
I bought Jay Chou's new CD.
It's raining again.
I'm getting pissed off.
Don't translate "to be pissed off" to Chinese.
Phillip, my Austrian friend who works here, doesn't like China.
He's still complaining.
I'm not used to complain, although sometimes I do.
Wind doesn't reply my emails.
I want to eat something Polish.
I miss the taste of cheese.
I'm not prepared for the business class.
I'm supposed to talk about import and export.
I'm listening to Sigur Ros - gorgeous band from Iceland, but not for Chinese tastes.
I'm sure of that.
Everybody is busy or pretends to be busy.
Mao was not a great person.
It's good to have brothers and sisters. September 12 rainToday is the following rainy day. The weather makes people melancholic. I'm in melancholic mood, I'm listening to calm music - piano music is the most suitable. I can even listen to Chopin. He's one of the most famous Polish people. Now, when I live abroad, I started to listen to his compositions. Perhaps because his music contains so much of Poland. OK, OK, I also listen to Chinese music. Yes, Jay Chou! By the way, one of Jay's CDs is called "November's Chopin". And Jay can play piano very well. I get familiar with his songs, I have quite many! Raining still... September 11 coffee, music and booksI had a very nice dinner on Saturday. It was raining all the day and I didn't have very good mood. I came to school earlier to prepare the topic for English corner. Of course I turned on my messenger. I always turn it on when I use computer. Is it an addiction? In my MSN I have more than 100 people...  Hmmm.. it's not an addiction, it's just a will to communicate with the world!I talked for a while with Eric, my student in Business class. He invited me for dinner after I finish teaching. He told me he would take another friend, Benjamin - who would like to talk to somebody in English. Well, it is also a good motivation to meet people, isn't it? The dinner was so delicious! And Chinese beer - I love it. Haha, this can be an addiction, that's for sure! After dinner we went to another place to drink some coffee. I am a big fan of coffee and also places where I can drink it. And the place we went with Eric is just lovely! You can drink coffee, listen to classical music (yes, classic fits coffee) and read some books - even English. Good place for chatting. In Poland there is mushroom-season. My parents go to the forest to pick them up. They say there are lots of!! Mushrooms are so good, I will taste them when I go back home. It will be a great time. September 10 qi li xiangHitlist #288
September 11th, 2006
familyI can feel the autumn. It's colder in Hangzhou, raining frequently. I even decided to sleep under the quilt again. For the whole summer I slept only on the bamboo sheet - without any blanket. Without any sleeping clothes. In China I learnt to sleep totally naked because the hot weather encouraged to act like that. I guess I'll have to change this habit. Today is teacher's day in China. I didn't know it, Lily has sent me the wishes in text message. Very nice, I didn't expect it. Thank you, my students, for all nice words. You're great people, all of you. It's a pleasure to be your teacher. Few days ago I had an honour to get to know with Lily's sister and brother. They are so kind! I liked them from the very beginning. And... they told me that they would like to be my second family since I don't have a family here. I was touched. Very touched. Like when Calvin said the same about his parents.... that they are now like mine. People here are so lovely. I'm happy to meet them. Lily's sister lives in Chengdu; she invited me for Spring Festival there. The whole family will celebrate it in her home. Chengdu is so far away!! My god... I said I would love to go. I want it. Spring Festival should be spent with your family, shouldn't it? For the past week I didn't have too many lessons. Low season. Now I have time to do some business with my Polish company. Possibly my boss will have a business trip to China. It would be a great challenge for me to organize it. After five months of being a teacher I missed doing something else. Maybe it's time to do business? To be a businessman? This is crucial in human's life to set up new goals for future. We never know what and when happens. Life is full of surprises. Have you recently watched the sky and seen the starlight? Just try, find your own star and reach for it. September 06 socksThe temperature dropped dramatically. Now we have not 35 degrees Celsius, but only 20! So suddenly. It's quite pleasant but I guess I will have to wear socks again. For the whole summer I haven't worn any socks because it was too uncomfortable for my feet. I had lunch with Lily. She told me a happy news; her older sister will visit her in Hangzhou. Lily is very happy because she hasn't seen her sister for four years!! She lives in Chengdu, very far away on the west from Hangzhou. Wow. I haven't seen my family for five months and it's difficult for me. I can't imagine how I could not see them for four years!! I miss them now, and I can understand the happiness and excitement that Lily is feeling at the moment. She even invited me to her home when her sister arrives. We'll have dinner together, also with Lily's older brother. It's always so nice to get to know new people. September 05 coffee and TVDo you feel like a chain store? Practically floored, one of many zeros kicked around bored. Your ears are full but you're empty, holding out your heart to people who never really care how you are. So give me coffee and TV peacefully; I've seen so much, I'm going blind and i'm braindead virtually. Sociability - it's hard enough for me. Take me away from this big bad world and agree to marry me. So we can start all over again. Do you go to the country; it isn't very far. There's people there who will hurt you 'cause of who you are. Your ears are full of the language, there's wisdom there, you're sure... 'Til the words start slurring and you can't find the door. So give me coffee and TV peacefully; I've seen so much, I'm going blind and i'm braindead virtually. Sociability - it's hard enough for me. Take me away form this big bad world and agree to marry me. So we can start all over again. Oh...we could start over again. [Blur, Coffee and TV, 13, 1998] PS. I don't watch TV. I don't have TV. TV is too time-consuming. September 04 messengerHancy, my meimei, went to UK today. She will study there in highschool and then university. I met her on Friday, we had farewell dinner together. I wish her lots of successes. I'm gonna miss her laughter. Well, she'll be back to China in December, but then I will go to Poland. Hope we can be in touch by messenger. Messenger is a great invention. For sure I wouldn't have come to China if not messenger. Is it one of the most important inventions for me? Could be. Internet is powerful, isn't it? How were our lives before Internet-era? Hard to imagine it again. My Polish boss is planning to come to China. He would like to have a business trip here. And I'm supposed to organize it if he finally decides to do it. It'd be great! Recently he's asked me to find some producers and to establish business relations. I've done it immediately. Wow, on the next day I was afraid to open my mailbox - it was full of new emails! And when I opened messenger... oh my god, suddenly those producers wanted to talk to me. Everybody wants to do business. Everybody wants to earn money. I think here, in China, it is more remarkable than anywhere else. It's been raining in Poland all the time for recent few days. The autumn is very near. But not in Hangzhou... here there's still summer. I have to admit that I'm tired of it. It's definitely too long. I miss some cooler breeze! Maybe next month, haha! I'm planning my next trip to Hong Kong. Hong Kong again! I'm a fan of this city. I should buy a T-shirt with "I  HK". I guess I will go there in October. Possibly with Oliver! It'd be terrific! I believe we can do it. Making dreams come true is cool.September 02 starlightBehind my window there are so many clouds. It's going to rain. No starlight, only streetlights and the silence of late summer evening. But "Starlight" is this week's #1 song. Hitlist #287 September 4th, 2006
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