My Diary

Hello from Zhaoqing for the last time in 2002. What a year it has been here ......a quick scroll through the index of 2002 photos brings back so many happy memories. DG for 2002!

Hope you have had a Happy Christmas Season. What a Christmas we have had in Zhaoqing:

* Tuesday December 24 we welcomed Stephanie from HK....a volunteer friend of Sr Theresa.....returning to HK today (Dec 31). Thank you for your visit.....sorry about the freezing weather.....hope other HK volunteers also can come to Zhaoqing.

* Christmas Eve, CAS Kindergarten Concert at one of Zhaoqing's main shopping centres: carols, dancing, Santa (make that 2 Santas!), gifts. A very happy time.

* Christmas Day...our most recent sunny day....a lovely Christmas Dinner at Josie's home, with Hazel and Jock's Christmas pudding/pies and mulled wine! Followed by visits to classrooms.....and our 2nd annual evening CAS Christmas Concert in the school gym. Peter & Ling were with us in spirit, as the founders of this function.

* Dec 26 Boxing Day: beautiful lunchtime dinner with the kindergarten staff, and a Christmas Party in the evening for China8 English Corner Primary 5,6 and older students.

* Dec 27 - the coldest day in these parts for many years - 3 degrees inside, minus something outside in the wind and rain - the first of three visits to the town of Jinli, about 1 hour from Zhaoqing, for a CAS promotion to find more students. Other visits were on the next two days, Dec 28 & 29, during which about 200 children and parents from Jinli came to CAS for a tour and free lunch....and as they entered and left the school canteen they saw our beautiful 2002 crib.......The promotions continue from now until mid-February....with overseas teachers due to take part in each one.

* The same night saw the final class of a China8 Centre free computer course for migrant workers. About 50 men live in the building next to the Centre.....they are from one of China's poorest areas, Sichuan, and work on building sites (when the weather allows)

+ Dec 27-29. My phone was out of order..... "fixed" on Dec 29.......only to find yesterday that my line had been swapped with our tv room line (...a different number and only for incoming & local calls...). Hope "your man" comes today to re-fix.

+ One Minute English website English trial page is up....thank you, Peter in HK.....which reminds me: radio station in Foshan (1 hour from here) has now started a copy-cat OME.....and a Zhaoqing information station (many such stations in Zhaoqing and right through China) will soon be carrying OME with a special dial-in number.

+ So many church leaders in many countries have called for "no war with Iraq".....Pope John Paul's words in updated Middle East File

Wishing friends everywhere - China, Hong Kong, Australia, other countries, Family, OMI -
A Safe & Happy New Year !!

If China8 is "down", this diary will temporarily be at our school address....please make a note of it: www.cas.net.cn >> John's Diary.
On the other hand, if China8 is ok and HotMail happens to be down, my reserve email address is: john@china8.org

Christmas Eve hello from Zhaoqing where many Christmas parties/concerts/concert practices/activities are happening in an extended working week (last holiday - Sunday Dec 22; next holiday - Wed Jan 1!)

* Friday-Sat December 20-21: visit of HK C.A.I.S. to CAS and China 8 English Corner. Thank you King and team. Hope you can come back again. All students & teachers really enjoyed your visit.
Same day: welcome back HK volunteer Florence to help with Christmas activities

* Saturday Dec 21: Jaap & Michaela left after helping for a while as volunteers. Thank you! Hope you can return some day.....(and thank you for info that Vietnamese visa can be obtained in a few days at Kunming.....no need for 2-3 week wait in Beijing/HK)

* Tonight: Kindergarten Christmas Party at one of Zhaoqing's main shopping centres, Good World, with Jock & Steve as Santa Claus x 2 (...need 2 to give out presents...so many children..)

* Tomorrow night: 2nd Annual CAS Christmas Concert in Gym for whole school (c. 800 people). Peter & Ling would be pleased......they arranged the first one last year...

* Thursday night Dec 26: Christmas Party for secondary & adult China 8 English Corner students.

+ At each and every party/concert: Christmas Carols/games/prizes etc. And check the past week's broadcasts of One Minute English (Dec 13 onwards..). Which reminds me: a new Christmas baby on the way: www.oneminuteenglish .com (trial main page in Chinese up temporarily...)

+ Some disturbing and provocative reading in update of Middle East File: Reasons behind the USA's obsession with war on Iraq....and the sad situation of Christmas in Bethlehem. May this Christmas influence world leaders to think peace instead of war, and as a condition for peace, show more concern for justice and the poor ...think poor instead of more

Wishing friends everywhere - China, Hong Kong, Australia, other countries, Family, OMI -
A Happy Christmas !!

One week to Christmas....may this Christmas bring a little bit more peace to everyone and everywhere.

Our CAS oral English classes are all about Christmas....preparing songs like these .... and putting up photos like these.....as well as our crib outside the school canteen

* Wed Dec 9: Welcome Jaap & Michaela....thank you for help with English conversation for a week or so.
Jaap is from Holland, Michaela from UK.....and they met in the world's friendliest city: Brisbane!

*Frid Dec 13: Open Class day for many primary classes, including all of Primary 3 + 9 overseas teachers

* Same day: welcome dear HK friends Daisy & Fanny. Thank you for prizes for children. Thank you also for happy re-union dinner of CAS HK Tour Group on Sat Dec 14 + followed by visit to Zhaoqing Daisy's home - thank you Daisy and family.

* Sat Dec 14: Trip to Yun Fu caves by some overseas & local teachers. Thank you, Steve, for photos.

* Last night, Mon Dec 16: Farewell for Langford, to HK today, to UK tomorrow. Thank you for all your friendship and work at CAS over the past 2 months. Safe trip and Good Health! And...welcome back to Peter and Ling, in Zhaoqing overnight with Anthony, Tanya and Caliph. Photos

+ Sorry: some emails not received....maybe lost in some 80 junk messages each day.

Only 15 days to Christmas.....hope this season is a happy one for you. Oral English classes here are focusing on Christmas, preparing for Christmas concert on 12/25. Santa Claus starting to appear in local shops.....and how about that link 2 weeks ago with the History of Santa Claus....how Saint Nicholas became Santa Claus ....showing how our present Santa comes not from the North Pole but from Coca Cola!!

* Beautiful photos of Simon & Lilian's wedding (Dec 1 in HK) at family home page. Click "Simon & Lilian's Wedding". Congratulations again Peter & Ling and families!

* Friday Dec 6: Hazel, Jade, Jock, Langford & Stephen joined primary school trip to Pearl Land theme park in Zhou Hai (next to Macau). Thank you, Steve, for photos

* Secondary sports were on the next day....Jade a relay runner....photos at CAS site (click photo of students with flag)

* Also on Sat Dec 7: visit by Sandra, Jorgen & Judy to Primary 3B oral English. Hope you can come again!

+ new teachers (as in Feb 2003): if convenient, could you please bring a few AUD$2 Australian calendars (the ones with Australian scenes ....available at discount book stores). Thank you

+ From Dec 6 (Santa Nicholas) until Dec 12, One Minute English is all about Santa Claus. One Minute English games starting to be used at CAS & outside.

Good morning from a very, very humid Zhaoqing....humid as in March/April...not December! What happened to Winter? Moisture is in everything and on everything......just like a few days each year in March/April..........caused one overseas teacher to speculate a phantom had been using his shower..."mirror is covered with steam & there's water on the floor of my bathroom".

Another full week has just steamed by:

* Wednesday November 27: CAS Primary Sports

* Same night: enjoyable gathering of Primary 3 & 4 students at Paddy's English Corner

* Thursday Nov 28: visit by Zhaoqing Radio DJ's Yaya & Alexis to CAS for Primary 5B Oral English, to Paddy's Centre, and to local canteen for evening meal.

+ Which reminds me: in case anyone thinks, because of so many restaurant gatherings, that I eat like a king, please check the above link with its photo of the local canteen where I eat nearly every night (Y3 for the most beautiful fried rice), often with local poor people as guests. An un-official soup kitchen....

* Friday Nov 29 to Monday Dec 2: visit by CAS teachers Hazel, Helen, Jade, Jock, Langford and Steve to Guilin, one of the loveliest places in China. Thank you, Steve, for most colorful photos.

* Sunday December 1: Congratulations to Peter & Ling's son Simon and his dear bride Lilian - married in Hong Kong today. "May you see your children's children" flying from Hong Kong to London in 2 hours (Simon is a Cathay pilot....and wedding invitation was folded as jet-liner)

* Monday Dec 2: Photos of meal for Happy Birthday of Jinky (Iona's Mum)........and farewell for Gayle & Tony - thank you for spending last/fast 3 weeks at CAS as volunteers. Hope many more such kind friends can follow you (...free accommodation and free school canteen meals in return for help with oral English classes...).
Other volunteers will be interested in this info from Gayle & Tony: get a gold credit card, buy your air tickets with it...and you get 3 months free travel insurance....
Tony & Gayle are from Wynnum in Brisbane, with long/strong Iona College connections: their sons Brent and Morgan were students there in the 1970's .....and Tony has the distinction of putting in the concrete floor of Iona very first/famous tuckshop/canteen. Thank you for coming to CAS!
Word check: Iona is name of a lovely young teacher at CAS....and the name of a famous college!

Updated: Middle East File - includes interesting comment re Australian media being somewhat pro-war

" Something Beautiful for God" - website re Mother Teresa of Calcutta, with new info re her letters etc.

Good afternoon from fine but cool Zhaoqing....with slight wind outside assisting a breezy report on the last week's sailing:

* Tuesday November 19: Dinner to celebrate Wedding Anniversary (19-11-1960) of Tony & Gayle ...and birthday tomorrow of Steve.

* The same night: Paddy's English Corner resumed for another week. Now 100 students enrolled....with computer and special adult English classes due to start next month, plus an extra VCD movie showing for children. Photo of Nov 19 Primary 1 & 2 group....with Lucy....

* Friday Nov 22: Secondary students trip to theme park in Shenzhen, with Garth, Jade, Langford & Steve.

* Nov 22-24: visit by Hazel and John's son Brian & friend Ian....with final banquet on Sunday 24. Brian & Ian are film producers in the UK; Ian is also a BBC presenter. In the past, parents visited their sons working overseas; here in Zhaoqing it's the other way around....and like last semester when Jan and Denis were visited by Mark and then by Steve....... loving parents leave no stitch undone to prepare the red carpet

+ FAQ at top of this page has been updated, as has Middle East File with new story about ethnic cleansing in Palestine - a process approved by the American "Right"

+ Quote of the Week 01 - from Gayle, after Primary 6 Oral English: "The girls are so good at speaking English, but getting a few words out of the boys is like a dentist extracting teeth"!

+ Quote of the Week 02 - also Gayle: "My eyes need testing, I can't read the place names on that map.....O, no wonder.....it's in Chinese"!

+ Same Gayle is now Mrs Chocolate after students at her table won 80% of this week's chocolate prizes in Primary English games (....just a co-incidence? She keeps wearing brown clothing ...even brown shoes?!)

+ Revived: "How Much is that Doggie in the Window?" - now sung by all of primary...even on way to canteen.

Hello from a cool and windy Zhaoqing. Must be near the end of the year .....on way to 9pm supper last night one class of primary students was singing "Jingle Bells"....and the annual CAS Christmas Concert is about to leave the planning stage and enter the realm of practice. On stage over the past week have been many acts:

* Last Tuesday, November 12, all 8 full-time overseas teachers + volunteers Gayle, Langford and Tony ...were on deck for a special Oral English class with Primary 2

* Saturday Nov 16 was a glorious day DG for a small group hike to Bei Ling Mountain, in preparation for a very large group hike DV on Saturday Nov 30 (everyone welcome...see Nov 16 link for details). Also: more photos of Nov 2 hike now available

* On Sat night after the hike, HK very special friends Kevin & Pao joined us for the Breaking of Bread and then paid another visit to Paddy's English Corner in their capacity as long-time consultants.

Found: Gayle's Ruby ring, after being lost for a few days, then showing up in a place that had been searched and swept several times.

Discovered: ... by Josie, after weeks of cool showers in her unit: The way to get warmer water, by turning the control nob (..."I could have been having warm showers all this time!"...)

Growing: Paddy's English Corner....now has 87 students enrolled....and hoping soon to start computer and Cantonese courses....and....how could I forget after above item....about to have a gas shower heater for the use of poor people in the local area (instead of using a bucket with wood-fire boiled water ...or cold water....once or twice a week). And....last Sat saw start of weekly movie showings: 40 children watched "Mulan" on Sat afternoon

Visited: Zhaoqing Radio Station , by Gayle and Tony, to check out recording of One Minute English....Their son Brent having been a DJ in Australia for some 15 years....

Planned: Tonight....a meal outside to celebrate Tony & Gayle's Anniversary today...and Steve's Birthday tomorrow.

Good morning from a warm Zhaoqing. Summer is making one of its usual comebacks before finally giving way to Winter. Another week has passed here very quickly:

* Last Tuesday, November 5, a special class of Senior One for extra English. Now numbers 9 students, meeting each day in our primary English room. Tutors are Garth, Langford and I. Garth & Josie also looking after a second special class.

* That night, start of English Classes at Paddy's centre. Primary 1 & 2 (Tues), P 3&4 (Wed), P5&6 (Thurs), Secondary & adults (Frid). 71 students now enrolled, including 11 for free (poor families....including several who have no school.....one little 8 year old girl now attending class for the first time in her life...)

* Wednesday, November 6, thank you Margit, Nicky & Sandra for helping with Oral English at CAS. Hope you can come again.

* Saturday, November 9: Welcome Tony and Gayle! Due to stay till Dec 2 helping with English classes.
Very dear old friends.....from Iona College in Brisbane (where Brent & Morgan were my students)...now enjoying a busy time at CAS (... 3 nights, 3 special dinners, starting with BBQ on Sat night + 100 Senior One students...)

* Yesterday, Monday Nov 11, very happy classes for Primary 3A & 3B (with extra teachers free to help because of exams in secondary). Hoping for a repeat in another hour's time for Primary 2!

Fair Trade Coffee:
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You too can make every cup of coffee you drink a vote for Fair Trade coffee farmers! To learn more about the Fair Trade movement and how you can get involved, contact the U.S. JPIC Office at the Provincial house in Washinton, DC. To view a list of companies that carry Fair Trade coffee and other Fair Trade Certified items, see the following Internet web sites: www.equalexchange.com or www.globalexchange.org/economy/coffee. Also, join the ongoing campaign to promote Fair Trade coffee. Contact Global Exchange for an Action Pack, which includes organizational materials to support farmers and articles describing the importance of Fair Trade to farming communities. (U.S. Province JPIC Report).

Melbourne Cup hello (at 11am Melbourne time) from Zhaoqing. Hope you have/had the winner....maybe Jardines Lookout? (= a place in Hong Kong!). Many gallops over the past week:

* Wednesday October 30: Halloween party for Junior One & Two students. Thank you Garth, Hazel, Jade, John, Josie & Langford for singing of "All the Saints" (...Steve on the bench with cold....)

* Thursday October 31 Halloween itself: army camp party for Senior One students. Same choir, same song - play it again, Sam...

* Saturday November 2: All Souls' Day hike to Bei Ling Mountain (passing graves..) for 28 people. Next hike, DV, Sat Nov 30.

* Sunday November 3: Happy Birthday, Iona! ...and class for JW at Longman (Josie & I helping out for a few weeks until teachers can be found)

* Yesterday, Monday Nov 4 (..long weekend..) November visit to old church and cemetery on bank of river. Church is about 100 years old....in bad repair....too costly to renovate....weekly Saturday Mass now in building next door. Main church in city also has Sunday Masses.

* And on way home yesterday....beautiful views on fine sunny Winter day (...Winter has arrived early...heavy blankets in use the past few nights).

+ English Corner at Paddy's Centre starts tonight. 57 students enrolled so far for Primary 1 & 2 (Tues), P3&4 (Wed), P5&6 (Thurs), Secondary & Adults (Frid). Will run for 8 weeks. Over the past few months many unemployed men from poorer parts of the country have arrived in Zhaoqing looking for work. About 60 men are living in the buildings next to Paddy's place.....and at night are (free of charge) using the computers at Paddy's.

Good afternoon from overcast and rainy Zhaoqing.....not sure where October's good weather has gone....but the rain is always welcome and makes sleeping extra peaceful...
The past week has been full of happenings:

* Last Tuesday October 22 we welcomed a "volunteer" for the next 6 weeks, Langford from the UK where he is a deacon at Sacred Heart Parish in Fareham. With 50 other brave souls (of whom he was the eldest & possibly the fittest!) Langford traveled to the Great Wall for a fund-raising activity arranged by Action Aid which has many projects in China. Welcome, Langford, and thank you for coming! I hope many more short-term "volunteers" can join us (...free accommodation and free canteen meals...in return for help with conversation practice with small groups...).

* True background story: about 1988 when I was in Hong Kong, before attending a ceremony in the cathedral, I was sitting on a park bench in the nearby gardens reading a book ....and made friends with an elderly UK couple Michael & Margaret Litrizza. Over the years we kept in contact by Christmas cards etc. Margaret went home to heaven some years ago, and Michael followed her last year.....but before leaving this earth, he placed an article in his diocesan newspaper.....just one article in one issue....about the need for teachers in Zhaoqing......and article was seen by Hazel and John (now here in Zhaoqing as part of our team)....and by Michael's friend John McDonough who heard that Langford was coming to China and suggested he spend some time in Zhaoqing. Thank you, Michael: 3 fish so far!! Don't stop!

* By the way, one of Langford's married children lives in Sydney....so this lessens the fears of the 5 Australians here about being challenged by a growing colony (what an appropriate word!) of English people!

* Friday Oct 25, One Minute English campaign began at CAS: notice boards, daily playing of sound tracks...
Fifteen years ago today (Oct 25, 1987) the very first Western movie was shown on television in China.....so what better day for our classes to start watching The Sound of Music

* Sunday Oct 27, visit to home of CAS office worker (& great cook!) Mrs Shen. Photos

+ The Longman Centre's urgent appeal for teachers has been answered by some kind Brisbane folk who DV will be here in February (more Australians to keep outnumbering the Brits...).

+ Many computer viruses in China at the moment. I have found the "Vet" program most invaluable. Much better than Norton anti-virus.

Wishing you luck in picking the Melbourne Cup winner next Tuesday. Any horse/jockey/trainer with Chinese connections?!

Hello from gradually-getting-cooler Zhaoqing....... The days are flying.....teachers are already saying "only 12 weeks till the end of semester".

* Speaking of flying time: party last Wednesday October 16! (....First present of the day was attendance by 6 overseas teachers at 7.30am Breaking of Bread....)

* Friday night: visit to Longman Centre which urgently needs overseas speakers. Can't re-open until at least two overseas teachers/speakers can be found. Salary of Y6,000 per month! Please email me for more details: jdwomi@hotmail.com

* Saturday October 19: recording of 40 more "One Minute English" segments at Zhaoqing Radio Station

* Sunday October 20: excursion for Overseas Study Group to Dinghu mountain (50 photos!). Teachers have done a lot of walking lately....some even walking back from town last Sunday.

+ Regards from Ulrike & from Pam & Bruce ......all hoping to visit Zhaoqing early next year

+ To use search engine at top of main page of China8: type in a name/date/place/item in China8...and it should appear. Automatically updated 12noon each Wednesday Zhaoqing time.

Again: Eternal Rest to all who died in Bali.......consolation for their families........may justice and sharing be seen as the only way to prevent terrorism....in Indonesia, the Middle East, India-Pakistan. May the war lobby be stopped from bullocking into Iraq and causing more terrorism.

Mid-October hello from fine and sunny Zhaoqing.....weather-wise this is the best time of the year...except for those poor people (including several teachers & many students) who have change-of-season colds and flu. Hope you all are well soon.

Happy Birthday today, Ling - and Happy Anniversary today Ling & Peter! See 2001 photos Peter and Ling are now finishing up in Shunde and are due in HK tomorrow. Expedition No. 2 completed. Well done!
To contact them: plingbarry@hotmail.com

"One Minute English" went to air last Saturday on Radio Zhaoqing DG. Broadcast times are on index page of www.china8.org Thank you again, Yaya and team...and CAS for being the sponsor. Hopefully this activity will encourage more students to come to our school.

Last Saturday night the overseas teachers took part in our secondary school's fortnightly English Corner. Everyone is pleased how the senior students are so keen to speak English....and we ask the same grace for more of the younger students!

Last Sunday I was able to do a bit more work on my family tree and one of the photos uploaded that day was dated October 13.....61 years ago to the day

Eternal Rest to all who died in Bali.......consolation for their families........may justice and sharing be seen as the only way to prevent terrorism....in Indonesia, the Middle East, India-Pakistan. May the war lobby be stopped from bullocking into Iraq and causing more terrorism.

Good morning from sunny Zhaoqing.....hot weather has gone for the moment (usually comes back a few times before finally giving way to Winter) and jumpers/blankets were needed for a cool night. From now until mid-December is the best time of the year weather-wise.

School resumes today after a week's break for National Day (Oct 1st). Has been a busy holiday week:

October 1-4: I was in Hong Kong conscientiously attending OMI meeting, Canossian meeting + shopping. Meanwhile back on the ranch the other overseas teachers were living it up at Zhaoqing Radio Station's promotion for "One Minute English" which required them to spend a little time on stage and a big time in two restaurants + tour of Seven Star Lakes. Photos

October 5: I returned to Zhaoqing....for visit by Peter and Ling who work in Shunde: plingbarry@hotmail.com Thank you for visiting Zhaoqing again. Muslim Restaurant meal was preceded by Breaking of Bread to celebrate 450th birthday of Matteo Ricci who spent 6 years in Zhaoqing.

Ricci was born on October 6, 1552......the same year that Francis Xavier died off the coast of China (Dec 3). Also on October 6 (1994) a modern Ricci went home to Heaven: Fr Ned Kelly, one of the founders of AITECE which helps overseas teachers and institutions in China make contact with each other. Lots of new information about Matteo Ricci

October 7....Seven hikers made trek to Bei Ling Mountain....from 1pm to 6.15 pm yesterday
.......scratches and bruises should heal in a few days.....Photos (new teachers coming For Feb 03: bring old shoes/clothes?!)

Problem of junk mail (now about 100 per day): I've put my HotMail filter on "exclusive"....and as I detect genuine messages in my Junk Mail (which I check each day), I shift them to "Safe List" so that in future they go to Inbox. But in sifting through 100 messages, I might miss one sometimes. So...if you don't get a reply from me in 1-2 days, please be kind enough to re-send your message. Thank you.

Happy National Day. Modern China was born on this day in 1949. A week of holidays for all educational and many other types of institutions starting today.
To gain a full week's holidays, CAS (like most schools) has just had an 8-day week, which contained among other highlights:

* Thursday, September 26: Photos of Hazel, John, Jade, Josie & Steve during secondary Oral English. See if you can pick whose blackboard was cleaned by computer after the photo was taken....because...well...because the board needed cleaning due to a small spelling mistake which will always remain a secret!?

* Basketball games and gym work by some members of our team. No photos yet......

* Several afternoons (after school) of giving out info sheets re Nov-Dec evening classes for poorer students at Paddy's China8 English Corner.

* Yesterday, Monday Sep 30: Photos of Iona & Sunny during kindergarten Oral English.

+ Last night, Sep 30: Dinner to farewell Florence who for the past 2 weeks has been helping out in primary & giving daily English lessons (before breakfast & at lunchtime) to Paddy at his centre. Thank you....please come back again. Also at dinner were Yaya & Alexis from Zhaoqing Radio Station....who very kindly invited everyone to radio station for tour and for recording of promotions for "One Minute English". Photos

+ STOP PRESS/EXCLUSIVE: After living here for a year, I recently discovered that Australian butter and ....CHEESE ...are on sale in Zhaoqing....in only one place: our local village, a few minutes walk down the hill from CAS!

+ FAQ at top of this page has been updated. Lots of info for anyone interested in working at CAS.

+ The ten overseas teachers due for CAS next semester (Feb 03) are: Hazel, Iona, Jade, John C., JW (all continuing DV), Aron, Kieran, Matthew & Michael (all from Iona College, Brisbane) & David (Perth, W.A.)

+ Atomz search engine at top of this page is now working. Put in any name, date or place of an item anywhere in China8.org website, and up will come all references to that item. Will be automatically updated each Wednesday at noon (China/HK time).

We have holidays Oct 1-7 (National Day break) and I'm due to go to HK this afternoon for OMI meeting. Staying at Notre Dame (852-27157263). Will try to check email each day: jdwomi@hotmail.com
Due back Zhaoqing on Saturday, Oct 5, DV with Felly & Roger from Lantau.......and also due to stay at CAS on Sat night are Peter & Ling! With a meal + Peter on guitar to follow Breaking of Bread!

Hope you had a happy Mid-Autumn Festival.....lovely full moon here on Saturday night....plenty of moon cakes. Has been another full week:

+ Paddy & Janet's China 8 English Corner is getting ready for business for 8 weeks in Nov & Dec (..will be using it instead of hospital canteen). Photos Aim is to provide English for less well-off students.

+ Thursday Sep 19: Florence arrived in answer to call for volunteer teachers. Welcome back!

+ Friday Sep 20: new photos of Walk 3 (at last I know where the goats live!)

+ Saturday Sep 21: Overseas teachers joined in Secondary School Mid-Autumn Concert....contributing "The Month Song" (Hazel & John ....about UK weather..) & Waltzing Matilda (Jade, Josie, Steve, JW). Have to admit that most of my heart that night was at the Gabba in Brisbane where the Lions were playing Port Adelaide... well done, Lions....to win Grand Final on Sat 28 at MCG by 50 points?!

+ Sunday Sep 22: Visit to CAS by very dear and old Foshan friend Mrs Pang & family. Photos

+ Last night: Dinner for CAS overseas teachers: welcome cousin Garth (Sydney, Australia....our No. 8 on the overseas team for the next few months) and his Beijing DJ friend A-Fei.....both arrived in Zhaoqing a couple of hours before the dinner. Garth has just spent a year as a GAP ("Global Action Program") teacher, working near Shanghai. Welcome also Sybil (Sydney) and husband Graeme (Brisbane, Australia), with Neo (USA) and Susan (Hunan). Sybil & Neo are teaching at the Longman's Institute in Zhaoqing. Seven Australians now constitute about one third of the total number of Westerners in Zhaoqing. Photos

We have holidays Oct 1-7 (National Day break) and I'm due to be in HK for meeting Oct 1-5. Staying at Notre Dame (852-27157263). Because of the Oct 1-7 break, we - like most educational institutes in China - are working an 8 day week (including this Sunday Sep 29)....a common practice before a long holiday.

Rec'd from a friend. Not a hoax. I have signed the petiton.

As many of you may have heard, a Nigerian woman was recently sentenced to death - for having a child out of wedlock. Amina Lawal has been sentenced to death by stoning - she is to buried up to her neck in the ground, after which her punishers will surround her and throw rocks at her head until her skull is crushed and she dies a painful and horrible death.

I'm sure you all feel equal shock and disgust at this sentence, and I want you to know that she has only thirty days to appeal her trial. Please go to the Amnesty International site, http://www.mertonai.org/amina/ and sign the letter addressed to the President of Nigeria. It literally takes only a minute, and could help to save her life, as well as help put an end to this kind of cruel and disgraceful judgement in a country that calls itself a democracy. Please copy and forward this letter to others in your address book as well. Please help her!"

Even if you're hesitant to sign the Amnesty petition yourself, please pass this e-mail on, so that other people have the opportunity to decide for themselves.

Brenda Gardner

PICCADILLY PRESS

London England

BBCi at http://www.bbc.co.uk/

U & U International Service

31 South Harbor Road

Northport, NY 11768

Voicemail & Fax: 212-865-5404

Telephone: 212-864-0130

Good morning from overcast Zhaoqing....after a week of beautiful rain associated with HK's recent typhoon.
Place really needed the rain....but if Mr Sun (Chinese name!) would like to pay a visit soon he'd be most welcome. Hazel & John asked whether their being British might have caused the wet weather.....which reminded me of something I read last month in a book by H.V. Morton.....while in Middle East he met an Englishman who'd lived there for 20 years.....why?...."because life is short and I don't want to spend half of it in fog and rain"!

All overseas teachers are full of running going into week 3:
Josie has just enjoyed long weekend in Guangzhou (Canton) with friends she met in Italy last year..... shares in local shoe shops have gone up since Jade hit town.....Iona is most diligent in preparing her daily kindergarten classes (...has to be the most difficult job...).....Steve, having been here before, is an excellent tour guide for the new teachers, with most roads leading to the Dynasty Hotel......Hazel, John, Jade, Josie and Steve have starred as Bingo Callers..photos.

Last Saturday, September 14, I enjoyed lunch visit to home of one of our loyal cleaners and laundry workers, Mrs Chan - photos. After lunch I re-visited sites where Mateo Ricci lived - photos

On Sunday, September 15, it was a pleasure to welcome to CAS a dear HK Notre Dame friend, Mrs Lau with her family -- photos. The family came by car from HK and traveled on the recently opened expressway between Guangzhou and Zhaoqing (...used to be 2-3 hours...now only 45 minutes!!).

Update from Peter Barry: His English Centre in Shunde (about half way between HK & Zhaoqing) urgently needs more overseas speakers/teachers. Please email Peter: plingbarry@hotmail.com

Update from Ulrike: Enjoying life as a student again. Her phone number in Suzhou: 86(China country code) - 0512 (area code; omit 0 if dialing from HK or overseas) - 65194144

Atomz seach engine at top of this page has not been updating. Hopefully problem is now solved and engine will automatically update each "Wednesday noon" (USA time?)

Learning Curve.... how to use a digital camera.....after so many photos have been poorly focused I re-read manual and found "..auto focus not so good in dark places...best to use manual focus". Will try to do better job in future....

Over last few days, thanks to Rosa, Bible Quiz now has many files in not just English and traditional Chinese, but also in simplified Chinese (which is the script used in mainland China.......traditional is used in HK). Thank you also, Rosa, for Survival Kit

We have holidays Oct 1-7 (National Day break) and I'm due to be in HK for meeting Oct 1-5. Staying at Notre Dame.

6pm hello ...has been a busy day....if nothing happens in the next 30 minutes this diary should be updated.

* Last Tuesday night, Sep 3, all 7 overseas teachers were privileged to attend an orchestral performance of Zhaoqing government No. 16 Primary School - ....very, very professional. Photo

* We are now in the second week of school....so far so good except 2 of our group have had a few tummy troubles....par for the course..... Swimming pool is temporarily closed to take precaution against conjunctivitis which has appeared in several parts of the country. Please/thank you, Lord, for good health..

* School has decided not to employ 8 overseas teachers next semester.....because it has decided to employ TEN overseas teachers next semester! 4 boys from Iona are getting ready for 2003....as are many young ladies here (mainly in the school office) who have seen the boys' photos. One of this semester's new overseas teachers is named Iona (from the Philippines) .... I can see some interesting conversations on the horizon.... Which reminds me, Iona's dear Mother, Jinky, is now working part-time at our school....Welcome!

* Update from Ulrike: now studying in Suzhou where she has qualified for Grade 7 in the local university special Mandarin course for overseas students.

* Today in China is the 18th Annual Teachers' Day....and to mark the occasion our school treated the staff to its annual start of year dinner at the Dynasty Hotel last night. Photos

* Today, September 10, is the 30th Anniversary of the best man I've ever met in my life.....my dear Dad....who went home to Heaven 30 years ago today..... I never really appreciated him until I left home....and in the last few years as I've put his letters & poems on the internet I've become more and more aware of what a good and great person he was. His voice also on www.

We have holidays Oct 1-7 (National Day break) and I'm due to be in HK for meeting Oct 1-5

Good morning from Zhaoqing. Good to be back. Thank you again HK friends for meetings etc.

* August 24: The Silver Cowboy near HK's outlying ferry pier. Have you see him?!

* September 2 CAS : Welcome six new overseas teachers! And every good wish for the future, Susie. Thank you for spending last semester here at CAS

Thank you for a prayer.....rather busy here...start of year settling in, shopping, meetings, preparations, +shifting goal posts....

We have holidays Oct 1-7 (National Day break) and I'm due to be in HK for meeting Oct 1-5

Hello from Hong Kong, where my Qantas 767 had a very rough landing last Monday night because of a nearby typhoon. Holiday in Australia is now just a (very happy) memory - thank you again Pete & family and other friends for hospitality & get-togethers.

Thank you also to Slawek & Peter for hospitality this week at Notre Dame, where I find myself in the same room where I spent 10 years (1985-1994). Leaving as I was arriving was famous philosopher George McLean O.M.I. whose Centre for the Study of Culture & Values has published many works on Chinese culture. Click here for details

On Wednesday night Josie & Jade arrived in HK from Australia, and on Friday morning Hazel & John arrived from the UK .....all 4 are now "painting the town", before the 5 of us leave for Zhaoqing on Tuesday 27th DV. Steve is due HK on 29, then to Zhaoqing on 31st. Will try to post photo of all new teachers sometime next week.

And an "old" Zhaoqing teacher is in HK for the weekend: Peter Barry (now working in Shunde). Looking forward to catching up with him tomorrow at Mui Wo. Ling is in UK visiting their family....to whom I extend sympathy and prayers in loss of Peter's brother (UK) and niece (Portugal) recently.

Update from Ulrike: has been to North West China, eaten camel and sat at many wonderful restaurants......or maybe it was ridden a camel and enjoyed many local dishes.

My final and 4th visit to airport this week was today to meet Fr Don - on way back to Australia after meeting in Canada. Happy 70th yesterday! (....and thank you for being one of my "old" teachers 40 years ago in Brisbane.

p.s. important journey......down the Nile.....from juvenile to senile (thank you, P)

pps. Don't open any email with subject "Assumption" or "Happy Assumption" (....= virus)

Good Morning again from sunny Gold Coast (photos)......where people would love to have some of Europe & Asia's flood rain to ease the drought here. Maybe someday governments will get together to build water pipeline grids.....around Australia.......between continents......excess rain in one place will then ease the drought in other places DV

Dear Mum continues to enjoy good spirits and good health DG. A few days ago on our daily walk, as her wheelchair was crossing the busy Pacific Highway on way to beach, she jokingly said "I need a dose of brandy after this".....so on the way home we stopped at bottle shop for same.....she's in good spirits....

Small world: while doing a little work on the family tree I made contact with a cousin at Roma, Qld, who said she had a sister on the Gold Coast.....at Southport.....in Worendo St....right next door to Mum's nursing home. Mum enjoyed visit to Maida & Mick's friendly home.....Mum's grandmother and Maida's greatgrandmother were sisters. Tip: Mick & Maida are part-owners of a Brisbane quadruped named Blazing Dancer.....due for a win soon....

Thank you Pete, Yve, Louisa & Paul for hospitality .....hope I can repay you some day in China (...don't forget to bring your table tennis bats..). This is the busiest time of year for Pete & Yve in their work for the Queensland Cancer Fund

Thank you also to Gold Coast Computer Guru Ian Jones for weekly lessons and help. All audio files now working again: e.g. Mum & Dad Gospel.....and see several new links ("August 2002") on links page.

Enjoyed seeing Fr John Halloran again (worked in China for 4 years) ....and 2nd annual Gold Coast China Mass at Gwen's home....thank you Gwen, Les, John, Louisa & Group: photos. 12 months ago Pam & Bruce attended this Mass and soon after found themselves spending 5 months in Zhaoqing. This year's Mass was especially happy for them as they shared their experiences with the group.
Have also had Gold Coast get-together with Jan & Denis who were with Pam & Bruce in Zhaoqing....and whose son Steve is preparing to carry on the family Zhaoqing tradition at the end of this month.

Which leads me on to wish all the new teachers a safe trip in traveling to Hong Kong in the next week or so:
Hazel & John from UK; Jade, Josie & Steve from Australia (..not forgetting Iona from the Philippines...already in Zhaoqing..). Looking forward to seeing you all soon.

I'm due to return to HK next Monday 19/8, help with Lantau Masses Aug 24-25, then back to Zhaoqing with the new overseas teachers on Aug 27 DV

John W omi

p.s. Let's continue to pray for peace in the Middle East: Iraq....Israel....Palestine. Powerful program August 7 on SBS "Dateline" re the courageous Israeli soldiers who are in prison for refusing to serve in the occupied territories....they are called "refuseniks". Click here for transcript of this report

* Each afternoon I visit Mum....in good spirits....after Communion we do a crossword or play Euchre (...Eucharist & Euchre!) ...then go for a walk in the park next door....one day we made it to the beach........when I was a baby Mum took me for walk in pram, now I take her for walk in wheelchair.....last Wednesday I said the monthly nursing home Mass.

* Computer lesson each week with Ian .... my little laptop was 5 years old yesterday and has never once let me down (except when I made a mistake..)

* Have enjoyed many programs on TV: "Australian Story" (about an orphan Vietnamese girl, adopted by Brisbane family, became famous chef - transcript); "500 Nations" (how North American native peoples were terribly exploited by British, French and Americans); "The Baby Crash" (how most developed countries are below zero population growth....e.g. most people in Japan will soon be over 60); "Kill 'Em All" BBC & Four Corners August 5 report on "No Gun Ri" (massacre of civilians by US forces during the Korean War).....and the Commonwealth Games....and the Brisbane Lions!!

* Last Thursday to Sunday was spent in Brisbane....saw many old friends ....so many families have someone seriously ill..... we need You, Lord...... was privileged (with help of Greg!) to officiate at Iona College wedding of HK dear friends Kevin & Pao - photos ...... + Iona & Ormiston Masses......and to have meetings with past and future China teachers & supporters - photos. Jan, Denis & Steve shared experiences & answered questions for 3 hours at historic Iona meeting last Sunday. Iona is a wonderful place - College website (in 2002 Iona had a Gold Medalist at Sydney Olympics & a Rhodes Scholar...in the one year!)

* Similar meeting planned for 2pm Wed Aug 14 at Gwen & Hiho's home on the Gold Coast....where Pam and Bruce will be sharing.....happy birthday today, Pam!.....your words about "a kangaroo being loose in the top paddock" got many smiles in Brisbane...

* New teachers due to start in Zhaoqing on Sep 2 are Jock & Hazel from the UK, Josie from Gold Coast, Jade from Sydney, Iona (what a beautiful name!) from the Philippines, and Steve from Brisbane - after visiting his parents Denis & Jan in Zhaoqing he "wants a bit of the action" (Josie's phrase).

* Update from Ulrike: Has been to Dali in Yunnan Province and to Xinjiang. Safe traveling!

I'm due to return to HK 19/8, (+ Lantau Masses Aug 24-25) then back to Zhaoqing with the new overseas teachers on Aug 27 DV

Good morning from The Gold Cost in Australia. Arrived in Australia last Tuesday morning from Hong Kong and am staying with my brother Peter & family in Southport. Have visited Mum each day in her nursing home and she is in good spirits, right up with the news thanks to her radio, and mobile thanks to her wheel chair & walking frame. Yesterday I took her for a 2 hour walk (in her wheel chair) to the beach at Southport. A fellow senior at the home is a lady from Sanhui in China....has been in Australia for 50 years.

While in HK I enjoyed OMI dinner for John C's birthday + 4 weekend Masses on Lantau & Peng Chau. Thank you Michael & family for Tung Chung meal + computer repairs.....and Mui Wo friends for red packets. Also had meetings with Jan, Denis & Steve and Pam & Bruce (all now back in Australia after their time in China). At meal last Sunday night July 21 with Daisy, Pam & Bruce was Sue from Foshan (.....on ND Australia tour 1994...now a factory manager in China...in HK for meeting). Turns out that Sue & Bruce have same birthday - July 22. Thank you also Michael Ho, Mr & Mrs Tse and Mr & Mrs Wu for Wednesday buffet ...and Rosa & Cecilia for airport snack....and Daisy & Florence for help with travel etc.

News from Ulrike - has been to Yangshuo, Guilin and Kunming and is continuing to enjoy her tour of China. Like the other overseas teachers she also is missing Zhaoqing "and those crazy, loveable Australians".

I'm due to be in Australia until 18/8.....and on Sunday August 4 am due to have a gathering in Brisbane for old and new China teachers. All Brisbane friends & anyone interested in working in China most welcome to join this gathering. Time = 12 noon - 3pm. Please bring a plate. Place = The Fitzpatrick Room, Iona College, 85 North Road, Lindum . (Iona 7.30 Mass = JW). |

On either Wed Aug 14 or Thurs Aug 15 there will also be a gathering at Gwen's place at Palm Beach on the Gold Coast. Gold Coast friends and anyone interested in working in China most welcome to join this gathering. Time 2pm.

I'm due to return to HK 19/8, (+ Lantau Masses Aug 24-25) then back to Zhaoqing with 5 new overseas teachers (Hazel & John from UK; Jade, Josie & Steve from Australia) Aug 26 or 27 DV

Hello from Hong Kong where I arrived yesterday afternoon after lovely trip from Zhaoqing on ferry, accompanied by Jenky (whose daughter Iona is due to teach at CAS from September)....& Herman (whose client has a factory in Zhaoqing & whose grandfather was a Papal guard!) & a group of young people from Canberra (hope some of you can return to work in Zhaoqing!). Thank you also to Yaya, Grace, Candy & Steve for farewell at ferry pier.

Thursday July 11 was last day of school. Photos (not very good....sorry..) of the year's closing ceremony

Friday July 12 there was an impromptu lunch to celebrate birthday and departure of popular and most helpful local teacher Jonathan. Photos

Last Sunday night was the final, final, final meal together for this semester's overseas teachers, joined by CAS teachers Candy, Joanna & Winnie + Radio Station DJ's Yaya & Grace + Ulrike's visitor & traveling companion for next month Nadjia. See photos

Susie left last Friday for China tour....to be joined soon by her dear Mother and sister. Jan, Denis & Steve are due to travel to HK today, then to Australia tomorrow. Pam & Bruce are due in HK on Thursday for a week or so before returning to Australia.....so the party is over for this Semester. Has been a memorable experience for everyone....not least for the fact that so often we heard the comment "you're the first overseas people we've ever spoken to". A wonderful privilege for us.

This week in HK, while at Notre Dame where I'm staying, one of my hopes is finally to finish sorting through three large travel bags of records of the past 18 years in HK, dividing them into three categories: OMI history, family tree items, and rubbish.

On Thursday night there will be an OMI dinner. Also on Thursday night & on Saturday afternoon there are two funeral services I hope to attend - sympathy to two special families. Sat night I have 6pm Mass at Tung Chung....then across island to stay the night at Mui Wo where I'm due to have Sun 9 & 11 Masses....then 4pm Mass at Peng Chau.....then evening get together with Pam & Bruce to celebrate Bruce's birthday....before leaving on a jet plane for Brisbane/Gold Coast on Monday night July 22 DV

I'm due to be in Australia 23/7 - 18/8.....and on Sunday August 4 am due to have a gathering in Brisbane for old and new China teachers. All Brisbane/Gold Coast friends & anyone interested in working in China most welcome to join this gathering. Time = 12 noon - 3pm. Please bring a plate. Place = The Fitzpatrick Room, Iona College, 85 North Road, Lindum . (Iona 7.30 Mass = JW). I'm due to return to HK 19/8, (+ Lantau Masses Aug 24-25) then back to Zhaoqing with 3 new overseas teachers Aug 26 or 27 DV

Final hello for this academic year from Zhaoqing. School finishes this week and the Summer Holidays begin this weekend. Like students in any part of the Northern Hemisphere, our boys & girls are now recovering from exams, having end of year parties ...and already living in next week......as are the teachers!

Two of this semester's 8 overseas teachers - Susie & I - are due to continue at CAS next Semester (Sep-Jan). William is already back in Canada - wish you every success with your university studies, as we do Ulrike who will be continuing her Chinese studies at a university in Suzhou (near Shanghai). Jan & Dennis, Pam & Bruce will be returning to Australia....with many special memories. Thank you to all of you for spending the past 6 months in China! Thank you to all CAS & Zhaoqing friends for a wonderful year!

* Phone call a few days ago from Peter in Shunde......his evening classes are going well and he's enjoying the free day time for other projects. Ling this week is in UK to visit their daughter Tanya & family & Peter's family.

* Last Tuesday was spent at Zhaoqing radio station for the recording of 56 "One Minute English" spots, which, starting next week DV, will be broadcast 5 times a day on each of the station's two channels....that's the same OME ten times each day. 56 = 8x7 = enough for the next 8 weeks... Thank you, Yaya and team!

* Last Sat & Sun I went on another CAS trip, this time to the city of Nanhai, one and a half hours away, just to the south of Guangzhou (Canton). Like previous trips, many new friends..... photos

* Jan & Denis are now enjoying a visit from their older son Steve who arrived last Sunday and is due to return with them to HK & Australia. Welcome Steve (a loyal Lions supporter!). Photo

* Next weekend I'm due to be on the road one more time (leaving early Sat morning, staying overnight, returning Sun night) with the school promotion. This time to Sanshui (one hour from Zhaoqing)

* I'm due to be in HK 15-22/7 (Lantau Masses July 20-21) before going to Australia for holiday 23/7 - 18/8.....and on Sunday August 4 am due to have a gathering in Brisbane for old and new China teachers. All Brisbane/Gold Coast friends & anyone interested in working in China most welcome to join this gathering. Time = 12 noon - 3pm. Please bring a plate. Place = The Fitzpatrick Room, Iona College, 85 North Road, Lindum . (Iona 7.30 Mass = JW). I'm due to return to HK 19/8, (+ Lantau Masses Aug 24-25) then back to Zhaoqing with 3 new overseas teachers Aug 26 or 27 DV

End of school year (Northern Hemisphere) hello. No more oral English classes for Primary or Secondary students....exam time.....Kindergarten still has classes. ...Congratulations Brazil on winning The World Cup.

It's very, very hot....too hot even for the mosquitoes...they've just about gone. Swimming pool is also too warm to swim in.......global warming is bringing earlier and warmer hot weather....

* Tuesday June 25: welcome to visitors Mark & Emily. Mark is younger son of Denis & Jan...and a professional chef! Photo

* Saturday-Sunday June 29-30: CAS visit to Wuzhou (Guangxi Province), two and a half hours from Zhaoqing.
Photos (+ more watermelon!)

* For the next 2 weekends I'm due to be on the road (leaving early Sat morning, staying overnight, returning Sun night) with the school promotions. Tiring but very, very worthwhile and enjoyable.

* I'm due to be in HK 15-22/7 before going to Australia for holiday 23/7 - 18/8.....and on Sunday August 4 hope to have a gathering in Brisbane for old and new China teachers. All Brisbane/Gold Coast friends & anyone interested in working in China most welcome to join this gathering. Time = 12 noon - 3pm. Please bring a plate. "Old" teachers please bring China photos! Place = The Fitzpatrick Room, Iona College, 85 North Road, Lindum . (Iona 7.30 Mass = JW). I'm due to return to HK 19/8, then back to Zhaoqing Aug 26 or 27 DV

p.s. 2 years ago, Israel and the Palestinians were ever so close to peace. Enter Mr Sharon with his provocative visit to the Jerusalem Mosque which was the clear, definite and actual match which lit the present fire of conflict.....a fire fanned by the same Mr Sharon's counter-productive policy of settlement building etc. And now Mr Bush in his "wisdom" has laid the blame for the conflict at the feet of Mr Arafat & called for his resignation. No wonder British Prime Minister Tony Blair and other world leaders have publicly expressed their astonishment at Mr Bush's "wisdom". Background

Warm hello on a hot Summer morning. Hope you have been enjoying World Cup. Once China was eliminated, local support swung behind Japan and Korea....now it's Korea.....C'mon Korea!

* Many thanks to principal's secretary Doris Li for all her help to overseas teachers during the past year. See photos of lovely restaurant meal & home visit on Tuesday, June 18.

* Wednesday June 19, true story: As I left the primary English corner room at 3pm there was heavy storm rain falling. Noticed two little Primary 2 girls standing at door of their classroom (next to English room) with their hands joined and heads bowed ..as if they were praying. I waited till they looked up and said "Are you praying?". "Yes". ....."What for?"....."For the rain to stop.....our class is due to go swimming next period". No kidding.....within 5 minutes the sun was shining and the kids were on their way to the pool! ...so I asked them to say one for a friend in hospital in HK.... and they've kindly been doing that each day...

* At this time of the year the school arranges activities in Zhaoqing and surrounding cities to find more students.....with the help of the local radio and tv stations. Last Sat-Sun was the turn of the city of Yunfu. Four office staff & I spent the night there. See photos of some memorable gatherings......including meal with local tv & radio notables, guided tour of tv station by general manager, and contact with many other groups of wonderful people...for many of whom it was the first time ever to talk with a foreigner. Photos include a visit to Fr Ma....now 82... last time I saw him (with Peter Barry at end of last year) he was in hospital, getting up each day for morning service. This time....not in hospital, but riding a bike! See photos. Fr Ma is also now teaching English to many students...and is looking for 2 or 3 Chinese volunteers from Hong Kong to help him with a little Summer School July 7 to July 31 for some 80 children. Free (very basic) accommodation and free meals. Email me (address at top) for more details.

* On the same theme: had phone call from Peter & Ling last week. They are enjoying their work in Shunde and are also trying to help other areas. Ling recently went to one of the poorest parts of the country....and the people there would love to have a (volunteer) teacher to help the many dozens of local children learn English. For more details please email Peter & Ling: plingbarry@hotmail.com

* Yesterday, Monday June 24, in company with John Bap, I spent the afternoon at Zhaoqing's (only) local radio station....as a result of school promotion outing on Sunday June 16 ( see last week's diary). Restaurant lunch was followed by tour of studios, then first recording of "One Minute English" ( to be broadcast 4-5 times a day, seven days a week, from next week), then DJ's staff party. See photos of another unforgettable day! DG
(Also: One Minute English)

* For the next 3 weekends I'm due to be on the road (leaving early Sat morning, staying overnight, returning Sun night) with the school promotions. Tiring but very, very worthwhile and enjoyable. Should add: this is my last week of classes at CAS....exams next week...before end of academic year on July 13

* I'm due to be in HK 16-22/7 before going to Australia for holiday 23/7 - 18/8.....and on Sunday August 4 hope to have a gathering in Brisbane for old and new China teachers. All Brisbane/Gold Coast friends & anyone interested in working in China most welcome to join this gathering. Time = 12 noon - 3pm. Please bring a plate. "Old" teachers please bring China photos! Place = Iona College, 85 North Road, Lindum . I'm due to return to HK 19/8, then back to Zhaoqing Aug 26 or 27 DV

As Fr Ma said on Saturday, many things have changed greatly here.....and there are so many opportunities for English etc....China is bursting with energy to develop.....just wish more HK/overseas people could spend a year or so here...

Good morning from Zhaoqing....two week update this time because of Hong Trip last week:

Saturday June 8: On train to HK I met kind HK & USA managers of a company whose factory in Zhaoqing needs some local Zhaoqing young people (18-22) for its office......must be good at computer & English.....starting at Y800....email me for me details.

Same night: celebration at OMI Primary School for Stan's Golden Jubilee. Photos. Congratulations, Stan!

Sunday June 9: Jubilee celebration part 2, at Notre Dame & Tokwawan restaurant. Photos

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday June 10-12: OMI mission vision statement meeting at Cheung Chau Island. Photos

June 12 Page One headline in "China Daily": "Israel marches on with US support". How to make enemies and breed terrorists...

Thursday, Friday June 13-14: Visit to Zhaoqing by Slawek and parents. Photos. Poland in 2006 World Cup!
....we traveled together by boat from HK.....to be greeted by a young soldier in uniform at ferry pier who insisted on helping carry one of my huge travel bags full of English books (...not the soldier's job....other people on hand to help carry passengers' luggage....but soldier knows me from previous meetings at pier and at railway station where he and his team do duty each day: am at station to farewell daily train, midday at pier to welcome & farewell ferry, evening back at station to welcome returning train)

Saturday June 15: Pam & Bruce traveled some 300 km to visit fruit farm owned by close friend of CAS teacher. "The best experience so far.....worth coming to China just for this .....beautiful country hospitality, such wonderful people.....better than going to the Great Wall.....we've been to the heart of China.....and for many of the people we met it was the first time ever to speak with a foreigner". See Pam & Bruce for photos

Sunday June 16: CAS special day for c. 70 outside students, arranged by Radio Zhaoqing. Photos A lovely theme park/garden, right next to The Helping Hand Seniors' Home (Caritas-HK Jockey Club). For most of the children it was their first time ever to speak with a foreigner. A number of DJ's and radio station personnel attended the day....a great bunch....one DJ yesterday on his program gave CAS & www.china8.org a plug, telling listeners they can see the day's photos on www (thank you, Tim!). And the station program manager has kindly asked me to help prepare some "One Minute English" spots (as on HK radio). Put in "Door keep opening DG" file.

Monday June 17: Farewell to William who has been wearing No. 8 jumper for past 3 months. Now on train heading for Beijing before returning to Canada for university studies in September. Thank you, William....Bon Voyage!
....which reminds me....secondary Oral English classes have now finished (..end of academic year exams on horizon...)...so Bruce, Pam & Susie will be helping Jan, Denis, Ulrike & me in primary for next week or 2....could be interesting World Cup-wise: Susie is from USA, Ulrike from Germany......USA & Germany due to meet in next game....

Also yesterday: Farewell English Corner at neighboring Zhaoqing Middle School for Melissa & Nancy, volunteer teachers from UK. Photos. Hope many more young people can spend a year in China!

* I'm due to be in HK 16-22/7 before going to Australia for holiday 23/7 - 18/8.....and on Sunday 4/8 hope to have a gathering in Brisbane for old and new China teachers. All Brisbane/Gold Coast friends & anyone interested in working in China most welcome to join this gathering. Time = 11am - 3pm. Please bring a plate. Place = Iona College, Lindum . Due to return to HK 19/8, then back to Zhaoqing Aug 26 or 27 DV

Nuclear shadow over the Himalayas

The disputed state of Kashmir could once again spark war between India and Pakistan. But this time both sides have nuclear weapons. A journalist in Islamabad looks at the people, the policies and the pressures behind the build-up.

ONCE again the heavy artillery shells have begun thudding across the front line which carves through the disputed Himalayan peaks of Kashmir. This time the shelling has been accompanied by provocative missile tests and a massive deployment of troops along the border between India and Pakistan.

India’s Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, has told his army to prepare for a “decisive fight”. Pakistan’s General Pervez Musharraf replied that Pakistanis will defend themselves until they “shed the last drop of blood”. Their rhetoric and posturing may be the prelude to a devastating war between the world’s two newest nuclear powers.

Kashmir, with its fabled turquoise lakes and snow- glossed peaks, has been fought over for centuries. When Britain suddenly pulled out of the subcontinent in 1947, all the Muslim- majority princely states were expected to join Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s Pakistan: the rest would stay in Jawaharlal Nehru’s India.

But Hari Singh, the autocratic Hindu maharajah of the largely Muslim Kashmiri people, acceded to India. Pakistan has felt cheated ever since. The campaign to recover Kashmir is so entrenched in the soul of the country that it is now perhaps the single clearest element to Pakistan’s muddled national identity.

A decade ago, a quiet insurgency began in Kashmir against Indian rule. Pakistan quickly provided covert support and for years a guerrilla war, a “liberation struggle”, backed by Pakistan’s powerful intelligence agency has been waged there. India’s army in turn has been guilty of human rights abuses which are so prevalent that international rights groups have been banned from the state.

India almost attacked Pakistan in December, after a particularly stunning attack by militants on the parliament in New Delhi. More attacks have followed and India is threatening war once more.

In India Vajpayee, an ageing Hindu nationalist with aspirations as a poet, leads the Hindu nationalist BJP party – one that few expected to see in power. His political loyalties are mixed, sometimes starkly right-wing, at other times preaching reconciliation with Pakistan. Looming behind him always has been the dark shadow of his hardline Home Minister, Lal Krishna Advani, perhaps the real power behind the Delhi throne. And so four years ago, in a display of nationalist might, India tested its nuclear weapons and inevitably Pakistan reciprocated. Then two months ago 2,000 Muslims were brutally killed in the Indian state of Gujarat by nationalist friends of the BJP. Astonishingly, Vajpayee concluded in public that Muslims “don’t want to live in harmony. They don’t mix with the society.” Now, in pushing hard against the “terrorism” of Pakistan’s militants, he has forgotten the progress made at peace talks in the shadow of the Taj Mahal last year and is threatening a war with India’s bitter rival. Perhaps accurately, Vajpayee concludes, Delhi has the world’s support – for now.

A few hundred miles to the west in Army House at Rawalpindi, General Musharraf is fuming. After risking his credibility by dropping his Taliban allies and supporting the American war in Afghanistan after 11 September, he suddenly finds the international community against him.

The “liberation struggle” Pakistan has so long supported, and covertly fuelled, is now “terrorism”. And “terrorism is terrorism”, as Jack Straw, the British Foreign Secretary, said on a tense visit to Islamabad.

In January Musharraf promised to curb militancy in his country with a ground-breaking speech painting a picture of a moderate, secular, progressive Pakistan. But the promises were not kept. Militants continued to raise money and train young men for the Kashmir war. They continued to cross the Line of Control, the front line in Kashmir, and unleash brutal attacks, often on civilian victims. More than 2,000 extremists were arrested and half were promptly released without charge, including the leaders of militant groups which are listed as terrorist organisations by Britain and the United States.

All this time American and British diplomats were well aware that militancy was continuing unhindered. But in the expedient world of George Bush’s “war on terror” there was little criticism. Pakistan remains a vital ally for American forces who still hope to round up the remnants of the defeated Taliban regime and Osama bin Laden’s amorphous al-Qaida network. But now that war looms on the subcontinent, the West has turned on its new Pakistani ally.

Suddenly the normally dexterous Musharraf faces an unenviable dilemma. Either he finally cuts off support for the Kashmir war and risks an Islamic backlash at home, or he defies Indian demands, turns a blind eye to the militants’ activities and risks unleashing nuclear war.

Although his government insists it provides no more than diplomatic and moral support to the guerrilla war in Kashmir, the reality is quite different. Within the army’s powerful Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI) is a Kashmir cell which hands out money and directions to militant groups fighting there. Soldiers on the Line of Control provide covering fire as militants cross. “There is a policy of support. It is the time of proxy war and proxy armies”, one senior militant who operates as a recruiter in Karachi admitted.

Musharraf’s advisers insist that a diplomatic imperative pushes the Government into supporting the militants’ campaign. Pakistan claims Kashmir as its own and uses its support for the guerrilla war as its only edge over India in negotiations.

“To maintain a level of resistance in Kashmir is the only leverage Pakistan has”, said Khalid Mehmud, an analyst at the Institute of Regional Studies, a policy group in Islamabad which often reflects government thinking. “The only course of action is to let the militants maintain a level of resistance against the Indian army. Therefore you cannot totally stop outside support for them.”

For years the ISI, run from a high-security, windowless building in Islamabad, has manipulated political parties, propped up the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and helped direct the militant war in Kashmir. Now the support for the Taliban has been dropped and pressure is mounting on the agency to cut off links with the Kashmir militants. In the days immediately after 11 September, four top-ranking generals secretly opposed Musharraf’s decision to side with the United States. Two were later sacked and two promoted to largely ceremonial positions. Hundreds more in the ISI are believed to be deeply disaffected with the general.

The discontent within the army is matched by a growing anger among militants themselves. There have been three brutal attacks against foreigners in Pakistan this year, all of which are believed to be linked and all of which seem to be a reaction against the American- directed war in Afghanistan and Musharraf’s government.

“America has brought up thousands of suicide bombers by what has happened in Afghanistan”, said Khalid Khawaja, a retired ISI officer who maintains close links with militant organisations and with Taliban officials. “We have done the worst possible thing. We have been responsible for the miseries of our brothers and sisters because we didn’t believe in God but we believed in Bush and Blair.”

This secret, violent campaign of protest began with the kidnap and murder of Daniel Pearl, a Wall Street Journal reporter who was examining the links between Pakistan’s militants and al-Qaida. Six weeks later five people, including an American diplomat and her daughter, were killed in a bombing at a church in Islamabad. Last month 11 French submarine engineers died in a suicide bomb attack outside a Karachi hotel.

Britain has withdrawn most of its diplomats from Pakistan after receiving several threats against its offices in Lahore. Police in Pakistan have warned that more terrorist attacks are likely. If Musharraf takes a harder line on militancy, as the West wants him to, he risks increasing this backlash.

As the rhetoric intensifies, generals from both India and Pakistan are already plotting how they might use their nuclear arsenals in the event of a war. India has hinted it wants to keep the attack limited to a raid on militant camps in Pakistani Kashmir. Few believe any conflict can be contained.

In a conventional war the Pakistan army, though widely accepted to be better trained than its Indian counterpart, is heavily outnumbered. With 1.2 million soldiers, India has the world’s third largest army, a force twice the size of Pakistan’s. This basic mismatch, long analysed at Pakistan’s military colleges, means the generals at army headquarters in Rawalpindi consider their nuclear weapons not as a deterrent but as a key element in their weaponry. While India has committed itself to a “no first use” doctrine, Pakistan has not.

“Because of the arithmetic, Pakistan becomes very vulnerable”, said General Talat Masood, a retired Pakistani officer and military analyst. “My view is that for Pakistan it would be much easier to use the nuclear option, even though it would be totally suicidal. I think they are very prepared now. I think the mood is changing and they are more or less completely ready for war.”

There is little in the way of a hotline between Delhi and Islamabad and few of the confidence-building measures which controlled hostilities between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Real-time intelligence on each side is limited and the risk of error or miscalculation is horribly real. In the crowded cities of the subcontinent a nuclear strike would have devastating effects on some of the world’s poorest communities. Today’s shelling across the valleys of Kashmir may bring an unimaginable

Summer hello from Zhaoqing. Hope you've been enjoying the World Cup. China playing today....no Australia so....C'mon China!!

* These few days are Zhaoqing's first annual International Tourism & Culture Festival. Many Hong Kong & overseas people here for dragon boat racing etc.

* Several squatter families now living, legally it seems, next to part of Walk 03. One family of 4 (photo of their home in Walk 02) last Tuesday showed me hospital report re their baby son (10 months) having serious chest infection...needing operation. Prayers by many people followed.....then local doctor (who had seen hospital report) kindly visited the home last Sunday....only to find, to family's great delight, that infection had just about gone. DG!

* Paddy & Janet's computer centre now has one more computer...that makes 7. Latest photos. Business in first month of operation was Y346.50.......hoping that will double in June....many thanks again to kind Hong Kong sponsor helping this family move from US$1 per day bracket.

* Yesterday ( a CAS holiday), at request of a CAS teacher, I visited a local (Government) technical school which doesn't have an overseas teacher and which each semester tries to find an overseas teacher for a couple of English classes. About 70 students aged 16-19 in each of the 2 classes. A delightful experience. We sang the Watermelon Song and then had a learned discussion about the World Cup. Photos of a great bunch of teenagers.

* James & Rebecca - I've lost your email address....sorry.....please contact me soon. Thank you

* I'm due to be in HK June 8-13: Stan's Golden Jubilee Sat-Sun (congratulations!), OMI meeting Mon-Wed. Will try to check email each day (staying at Notre Dame Sat/Sun/Wed nights, Cheung Chau Mon/Tues nights)

To class now. Students today will be studying (?) a little bit of World Cup English....

Warm after-school afternoon hello from Zhaoqing. Teaching getting more tiring as year winds down, temperature goes up, student interest in study goes down....interest in holidays grows etc ....as in all Northern Hemisphere schools at this time of the year.

* Sunrise here now at 6am ....light at 5.30.....walks at back of school beautiful before sunshine gets too hot and as sun goes down. See Morning Walk 01 and Morning Walk 02 and Afternoon Walk 03 (with goats & ducks!)

* Phone call last Sunday morning from Peter in Shunde. After a few hassles finding accommodation, he & Ling are now settled in and enjoying their new surroundings. Their centre needs more "native English speakers". Just for evening work 6 days a week (no daytime work)... 6,000 Yuan per month (+ free accommodation, return airfare etc). Contact plingbarry@hotmail.com

* School information/promotion class last Sunday was enjoyable affair...with another watermelon. See photos
Followed by shopping trip to buy 6th second hand computer (& table) for Paddy & Janet's Computer Centre which is going well DG. Some of the security guards from CAS are using Paddy's computers to learn both English and computer skills. Children are mainly still on games but that will change when a part-time tutor can be found for the centre...to help people use the Learn English CD's.

* International Children's Day here is June 1st and is very widely observed. So our Monday night Primary 1,2,3 English Corner for outside students - at a nearby canteen - had a great party last night. See photos

* Had a slight tummy upset last week. Bruce prescribed the ideal medicine (Mum would be pleased): a glass of Brandy.....only 5 Yuan (AUD$1.20) for a 110 ml bottle!

* James & Rebecca - I've lost your email address....sorry.....please contact me soon. Thank you

Pentecost Week hello from Zhaoqing...on Feast of St Eugene (died 21-5-1861). Special greeting to all OMI's.

* Muslim Restaurant meal last Tuesday night to farewell Peter & Ling (now working in Shunde plingbarry@hotmail.com ) and to celebrate Susie's birthday. See photos

* Open Day for our Primary School last Saturday - 400 parents & visiting teachers attended. Local education department regularly arranges for teachers from 100's of kms around to come and see our modern facilities and ways of teaching. One of our local English teachers, Winnie, recently won a Province-wide award for video of her class teaching. Overseas teachers helped Open Day with special Watermelon Class. See photos of practice on 16/5 and class with visitors on 18/5.

* Since I came here, I have had many, many happy experiences. But Number One would have to be last Sunday night's Pentecost Sunday English Corner with teacher visitors from Hong Kong's Christian Alliance International School (C.A.I.S.!) next to Notre Dame. Many thanks again King, Nick & group for visiting our school last Saturday afternoon, then attending the Double Rainbow English Club on Saturday night, then attending Sunday night's China 8 English Corner with a packed house. See photos of this happy time which included 80 people of all ages heartily singing "The Butterfly Song" & "Everyone Moved By The Spirit" (helped by great sound system)....also "The Watermelon Song"!

* James & Rebecca - I've lost your email address....sorry.....please contact me soon. Thank you

* I'm due to be in Australia for holiday 23/7 - 18/8.....and (tentatively) on Sunday 4/8 hope to have a gathering in Brisbane for old and new China teachers. All Brisbane/Gold Coast friends & anyone interested in working in China most welcome to join this gathering. Time = lunch & afternoon. Place = to be decided (any kind volunteer?). Someone pointed out that "old" and "new" teachers is not politically correct. So I was going to say "those who have been" and "those who haven't been" but that can become "hasbeens" so .....??!!

* Congratulations nephew Paul Wotherspoon on Gold & Bronze medals at World Surf Life Saving Titles just concluded in Florida, USA. Paul tied for 1st in Surf Paddle, & his Northcliffe team came 3rd in the Beach Relay. Details at special website: www.rescue2002.com Well done, Paul!

Today's a school holiday here (end of long weekend Sun-Mon-Tues). Hope to go hiking with Eugene this afternoon to hills ..... sun has just come out after storm.....spectacular views now that pollution has been washed/blown away.

p.s. Lions, courageous effort last Sat night against Magpies.....same again this weekend against Fremantle please. www.lions.com.au .

Hello once again from Zhaoqing....beautiful here after spring rain. Swimming pool is being well-used by both students and staff..

Has been a happy time the past few days with a visit by Peter & Ling (who were the first to make contact with our school, and arranged our jobs here). See photos of last Saturday night's party outside our rooms ....and tonight we have a restaurant meal arranged to farewell Peter & Ling ...and to celebrate Susie's birthday.

Peter & Ling leave tomorrow morning for Shunde (about half way between Hong Kong & Zhaoqing) where they will be working at the Shunde Daliang English Training Centre.....which is urgently looking for more native English speakers: salary of Y6,000 per month + free accommodation + return airfare - for (wait for it!) 2 hours work each night for 6 nights a week (no daytime work!). Suits Peter & Ling as they want to be free in the daytime to support local community projects for the poor etc. Anyone interested in working at the Centre can email Peter & Ling: plingbarry@hotmail.com or phone the Training Centre: (86)-(0765 omit 0 if outside China) -2200660

& Happy Birthday tomorrow Paul in USA for world surf lifesaving titles!

& DG for end to Bethlehem siege

Good morning from a very hot and humid Zhaoqing, where I returned yesterday afternoon after a week in Hong Kong. Thank you all HK friends for your hospitality. One sign that HK's economy is in trouble: canteen meals are getting cheaper.....a soup, rice, meat & vegetable meal used to cost $27... now only $20

Our students and teachers return this afternoon after the May Day week's holiday. Some travel from places more than 4 hours away.....on our school buses which run a shuttle service every long weekend and long holiday.

Some overseas teachers have been ill with flu related illnesses over the past week.... like good teachers who get sick only in holiday time...then are ok for start of school. DV everyone will enjoy good health from tomorrow. Water in our Olympic Pool is an extra incentive to recovery.

Paddy & Janet's Computer Learning Centre is growing. Maybe soon there will be internet available, with Family Filter on.......Many thanks again to kind HK friends who have supported this project.
2nd part of Paddy & Janet story ( First part of story)

Church of the Nativity talks hit Italian snag　

Talks over the release of 123 people who remain under siege in Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity have stalled again, despite both sides saying a resolution is close.

Under the proposal to end the church siege, at least six Palestinian militia men would go into exile in Italy and 35 other Palestinian men would be transported to Gaza where some would face Palestinian courts.

But Italy's Deputy Prime Minister says his country has not agreed to accept any deportees.

Israeli army retraction

In other news, Israel's Army had retracted its claim that a roadside bomb was detonated against a tank before soldiers opened fire, killing a Palestinian woman and her two children in the northern West Bank yesterday.

The army is now admitting there had been no prior attack on its soldiers.

Clashes overshadow talks to end Nativity Church siege

The killing by the Israeli military of four Palestinians and the arrest of a further 12 has stalled the finalisation of a deal to end the five-week stand-off at Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, where more than 100 Palestinians are surrounded by Israeli soldiers.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell told reporters in Washington that an agreement was near, but added: "We need one or two little problems solved".

Among those involved in efforts to end the stand-off is the Pope's special envoy Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, who arrived in the Middle East last week.

It was expected that siege would end earlier. On Saturday, Fr Raed Abusahlia, from the Latin Patriarchate, had expressed hope that the people trapped in the Church of the Nativity would be freed in time for the Orthodox Easter Sunday.

Peace activists who managed to slip through the Israeli security cordon around the Church of the Nativity, have said conditions inside the compound are desperate.

Alistair Hillman, 30, from Porthcawl in Wales told BBC Wales that many inside the Cathedral are very weak, living on a diet of pasta stew and lemon leaves. He said: "We have a couple of people who are injured and need more treatment than we can give."

Hillman, who described the mood inside the building as "hopeful", said the Orthodox section has suffered heavy damage in the crossfire, with windows blown out. The ancient frescoes were ridden with bullet holes, he added.

LINKS
Timeline: Bethlehem Siege (BBC)

Just a brief hello from Cheung Chau Island in Hong Kong where I'm attending the annual OMI retreat. Arrived here last Sunday 28/4, and am due to return to Zhaoqing on Monday 6/5 (after staying at Notre Dame 4/5 & 5/5). Can be contacted by email: jdwomi@hotmail.com (..which reminds me....some recent email ...in both directions...has not been getting through....old problem.....if you've received an empty email, or didn't receive a reply from me, please let me know....)

* School now has a week's holiday for Labor Day.....wish all staff & students safe travelling a happy holiday

p.s. This article says it all:
-- Bush's Middle East ducking act
Analysis

By Jon Leyne
BBC State Department correspondent (30-04-2002)

Three weeks after President Bush demanded an immediate withdrawal of
Israeli troops from the West Bank, Israel may be about to oblige.

Negotiations to end the stand-offs in Ramallah and Bethlehem may
finally be approaching a conclusion.

Time and again, President Bush's response to the crisis in the Middle
East has been to do as little as possible, as late as possible

A deal would enable Israel to end the incursion it launched following a
series of Palestinian suicide bombings though Israeli troops are likely
to return on an ever more regular basis.

Those three weeks have been a period of deep frustration for US
officials and embarrassment for the president.

Above all, they have highlighted the crucial role of President Bush in
US Middle East policy.

Interest groups

The US attitude towards Israel is the foreign policy issue that
touches, most acutely, on American domestic politics.

For President Bush, it is particularly sensitive.

He has worked, from the start, not to repeat what he sees as his
father's mistakes.

The first President Bush's confrontation with Ariel Sharon was an
important factor which led to his defeat in 1992.

Support for Israel is a touchstone for the right wing of the Republican
party and the Christian conservative movement - all key constituencies
for George W Bush.

And the president who has staked his career on the war on terror has
always found it particularly hard to deal with a man many of his
colleagues see as an unreconstructed terrorist: Yasser Arafat.

All of this has been played mercilessly by the Israeli leader Ariel
Sharon.

The American Secretary of State, Colin Powell, was sent to Israel to
negotiate with only limited support from the White House.

Hence an Israeli withdrawal Washington thought would take only a matter
of days has taken weeks of patient negotiations to move on.

Arab pressure

But there are other pressures on President Bush. The message from the
Arab world is slowly filtering through to the White House.

It could not have been put any clearer by Crown Prince Abdullah of
Saudi Arabia when he visited the president at his ranch in Texas last
week.

Even the most hardline members of the Bush administration are beginning
to respond to the desperate pleas from their Arab allies to do
something to help the Palestinians.

Hence the arm-twisting by Mr Bush that seems finally to have wrung
concessions from the Israelis over the siege in Ramallah and possibly
also Bethlehem.

But, time and again, President Bush's response to the crisis in the
Middle East has been to do as little as possible, as late as possible.

It is a strategy that has, so far, prevented the region from moving
from the current desperate state of affairs into a complete disaster.

It is not a strategy that holds out hope for the future.

Some commentators believe that, with the Israelis and Palestinians
exhausted from their recent battles, now is the moment to launch a
major peace initiative.

However, there is no sign that President Bush is willing to take the
political risks that entails.

Instead we could be at the start of a period one diplomat likened to
the first two years of the Bosnian crisis back in the early 1990s.

Under that scenario, the administration would launch repeated
initiatives to lower the level of conflict while avoiding the tough
decisions real peace demands.

Good morning from a hot and humid Zhaoqing....and it's still only Spring. Summer doesn't start till June....
We've just had a long weekend (Sat-Sun-Mon) during which most students enjoyed a home visit....and teachers recovered energy.

* Last Wed night there was a great birthday party for one of the staff and several overseas teachers attended. Quote of the night was from Pam (at her 1st ever kareoke): "must make sure that work doesn't interfere with our social life"

* The story of Paddy & Janet continues ....their family now has several 2nd hand computers and is soon to open a little computer learning centre. 2nd part of story ( First part of story)

* I'm due to be in HK 28/4 - 5/5 for annual OMI retreat (coinciding providentially with May Day mid-semester holidays). Can be contacted by email: jdwomi@hotmail.com

* Good News: our olympic swimming pool will soon be open again (after being closed/empty for Winter)

p.s. I hope that someday very soon, the following true story is made into a powerful movie:

Survivor's tale of the siege of Bethlehem (from the Daily Telegraph, UK)
(Filed: 20/04/2002)
ONLY one person - a 16-year-old boy - has emerged from the Church of the Nativity to speak of conditions inside. Alan Philps reports

It was the stench that finally drove Jihad Abu-Qamil out of the Church of the Nativity, besieged by the Israelis for almost three weeks. The 16-year-old who looks no older than 12, ran away from the church, giving himself up to the soldiers.

He is the only person who has emerged to tell the tale of squalor and defiance in one of Christendom's most holy places, built on the site of Jesus's birth.

His parents took the same view. His father refused to embrace him until he had spent 45 minutes washing. His mother threw all his clothes into the bin.

There are some 250 people crowded into the church - priests, nuns, Palestinian civilians and police, and some 30 armed militants whom Israel is demanding to put on trial as terrorists.

The crisis, which first appeared to be a surreal side-show to the main battles in Jenin and Nablus, is now the main obstacle to a ceasefire between the Israeli army and the Palestinians.

Israel insists that it will not pull out its troops from Bethlehem until the wanted men either give themselves up for trial or go into exile in perpetuity.

The Palestinians say they will only leave with safe passage to Gaza. Without a withdrawal from Bethlehem, there will be no chance of a ceasefire. The longer the siege of such an emotive site goes on, the more damaged Israel's reputation risks becoming.

No one can get close to the church, which Israel has declared a closed military zone. But it is clear that life inside is increasingly grim. Jihad said: "We had one bowl of rice once a day to share between two people.

"There is no salt. The tea and coffee ran out on the third day. I don't think a bird would be satisfied with what we had to eat. Prison would be infinitely better. We have to sleep on the floor of the basilica, sharing one blanket between four."

A well provides water. There seems to be one power point working, which can charge seven mobile phones at once.

The smell of the unwashed bodies is mixed with the stench from the four working lavatories and the suppurating wounds of the injured. Two dead bodies are slowly decomposing in a cave below the church.

There are no doctors in the church, but Dr Peter Qumri, director of the Al-Hussein hospital nearby, gives telephone advice to the four Catholic nuns who treat the wounded. One man, shot in the stomach by an Israeli sniper, had his guts spilling out.

He told the nun: "This will not be pleasant but you must push the intestines back inside and line up the skin so that it can heal and then wrap him in a linen sheet."

He was eventually removed on Wednesday, along with another man shot in the leg and an epileptic who was having constant fits, to the prison wing of an Israeli hospital. Communion wine seems to be the strongest antiseptic.

The doors remain closed but all the while the church services go on. Twice a day the Franciscans say mass in the grotto where Jesus is thought to have been born.

"We are used to fasting. To eat just a little rice is not a problem for us," said Father Amjad Sabbara, a Palestinian and parish priest of the Catholics in Bethlehem, when contacted on the telephone yesterday.

The only thing that everyone agrees is that the crisis began on April 2, when the Israeli army re-invaded Bethlehem as part of its campaign to "root out the infrastructure of terror" following the Passover bombing on March 29, when 28 Israelis were killed.

Some of the Bethlehem gunmen zoomed off to Manger Square, assuming the Israelis would not dare to attack them there. But they were wrong.

Tanks poured in from the east, and they were cut off. Amid a hail of bullets, they found the gates to the Catholic part of the church complex locked. They shot off the lock and rushed in.

In all there are thought to be about 150 armed Palestinian policemen - with whom Israel probably has no quarrel - as well as a couple of dozen militants of Hamas, the Islamic Resistance Movement, and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the armed wing of Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement.

The fact that they entered by force and have kept their guns - they still use them - in the place from where the Christian message of peace was launched has taxed the church's tradition of offering sanctuary.

There is no doubt that the Franciscans, a multinational order founded by St Francis of Assisi, are deeply disturbed by the presence of armed men. But the local priesthood, who are Palestinian, see this as part of their people's struggle against the occupiers.

Michel Sabbah, the Latin Patriarch - the leader of the Catholics in the Holy Land - said: "They should not have entered the church as fighters.

"But once inside any human being - whether Palestinian or Israeli, armed or not - who asks for protection will receive sanctuary. A basilica cannot give up people to be killed or made prisoner."

The Israeli army website lists 11 wanted men said to be inside the church. Two of them are known to me. One is Ibrahim Abayat, a 29-year-old with movie star looks from a bad family, who is accused of killing three Israelis.

He took the leadership of the Bethlehem branch of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs, after the Israeli army killed two of his cousins. The other is Kamel Hmeid, the secretary-general of Fatah in Bethlehem, said by the Israelis to be involved in financing terrorists.

Every one agrees that there must be a peaceful solution. If the Israelis stormed the sanctuary - which they have pledged never to do - it would "turn a symbol of peace for all the Christian world into a place of blood", according to Monsignor Sabbah.

But the two sides have not even agreed how to negotiate. Mr Arafat, controlling the Palestinians from his besieged compound in Ramallah, wants to include clergymen and a "third party" - presumably the European Union - in the talks. The Israelis want it to be strictly between the army and the Palestinians.

The governor of Bethlehem, Mohammed Madani, a diabetic who now finds it hard to stand up, said by mobile phone from the church yesterday that he was willing to agree on a list of the wanted men with the Israelis and then send them to Gaza under foreign supervision for trial before a Palestinian court and imprisonment. The Israelis want to try them in their own courts, or exile them.

Israel yesterday accused the Palestinian gunmen of holding some 50 young people in the church hostage. But Mr Madani said they were staying in the church out of solidarity with the besieged - and fear of arrest and interrogation.

Meanwhile the besieged are hungry and weakening. Israel is turning away food deliveries provided by foreign well-wishers.

The shooting incidents that break out every day reflect badly on the army, and its psychological warfare - nightmarish sounds broadcast at the church, stun grenades and appeals to give up - look like a desecration of a holy place.

Hello from a warm and humid Zhaoqing....after a brief cool spell at the end of last week. Winter usually comes back a few times before saying goodbye for the year.....last week's effort might just about be it....

* Guangzhou Trade Fair is on at the moment (April & October each year) and our No. 8, Rebecca, has had to go there for 2 weeks, her place being taken for the moment by William from Canada - welcome!

* Last Sunday morning there was a special English Corner, organised by the school, at the Dynasty Hotel. About 40 of our students sat at tables with 8 overseas teachers....for conversation and an English game....watched by many parents and other local people....and covered for the local news by Zhaoqing TV. No photos available yet for internet.....will be posted soon I hope. Activity was followed by lovely Yum Cha at the hotel for local & overseas teachers.

A: May Mr Powell's visit to Israel/Palestine be successful. May the Israeli people follow the example of the Filipino people....realise they chose a bad leader (Estrada/Sharon) and replace him quickly. Also: See today's ABC report
May Mr Powell help the 200 people trapped in Bethlehem: c.f.... Pope phones besieged Franciscans in Bethlehem:
“Continue with courage to resist and guard the holy sites” was the message of the Holy Father when he telephoned the Franciscan friars in Bethlehem yesterday afternoon (April 15).
The community has been holed up for more than a week in the Church of the Nativity complex in Bethlehem without essential supplies.
Meanwhile, on Monday morning morning two wounded Palestinians were evacuated from the Nativity complex by health personnel.

C: If China8 is "down", this diary will temporarily be at our school address....please make a note of it: www.cas.net.cn >> John's Diary.
On the other hand, if China8 is ok and HotMail happens to be down, my reserve email address is: john@china8.org

Good morning from fine and warm Zhaoqing. Don't know about other places, but Summer is knocking on door here...earlier than usual...

* Lovely Yum Cha last Saturday morning with Wong family, two of whom (Mrs Wong & daughter-in-law Candy) were on HK tour earlier this year. Photos After Yum Cha, same kind family helped me do some shopping for sound equipment for our canteen which now has 3 evening English Corners: Primary 1,2,3 on Monday night (began last night....thank you Even, Helen & Zoe for making this possible), Primary 4,5,6 on Thursday night, with secondary students + adults on Friday night.....each Corner from 7pm to 8.15pm.

* Sincere sympathy to Littrizza family in UK in loss of Michael on April 2.....a very loyal friend since we first met in HK in c. 1986. Michael now with his dear wife Margaret in Paradise.

* At last the international community is starting to make effective noises about the terrible situation in the Middle East. "China Daily" cartoon on April 1 says it all . Jews continually ask why no-one stopped the Nazis from killing Jews in the 1930's & 40's. Someday people will ask why no-one stopped the Jews from killing Palestinians in 2001-2002. On the optimistic side: countries which were savagely at war 60 years ago...are now peaceful partners in the European Union. Maybe someday DV there will be a Middle East Union (...as suggested in "Joshua in the Holy Land" by Joseph Girzone....available ordinary bookstores)

* On a happier note: is it just a co-incidence that all 5 overseas teachers here from Australia are....Lions supporters??!! (Pam, Bruce, Jan & Denis, JW) C'mon Lions against Essendon at Gabba on Sat night!

B: If China8 is "down", this diary will temporarily be at our school address....please make a note of it: www.cas.net.cn >> John's Diary.
On the other hand, if China8 is ok and HotMail happens to be down, my reserve email address is: john@china8.org

Happy Easter! Hope you've had a peaceful few days and a good holiday. Easter Sunday was a holiday here, but Good Friday, Holy Saturday and yesterday (Easter Monday) were all working days. We catch up on holidays at other times...
Our students have shown a keen interest in Easter Eggs, the Easter Bunny, Hot Cross Buns etc....and we overseas teachers have had several special gatherings over the past week - including a lovely Easter Sunday evening dinner - see photo

* Special guest at the dinner was King from the C. Alliance International School (C.A.I.S.!) in Hong Kong. Thank you, King, for spending these past few days at our school, helping with English Corners (photos).

*On the same theme: Last week there was another special visitor from HK - Tom from Lantau International School. Thank you Tom for helping with English Corners (photos)

* To both King & Tom: Thank you also for looking after our HK tour group when we visited your schools in HK back in February. Let's hope that contact between our schools continues to grow.

* Click here for some new photos of kindergarten with Ulrike, Pam & Bruce & for photos of secondary English Corners with Rebecca & Susie, Pam & Bruce, Steve & Melissa

C: ....prayers please for justice & peace in the Middle East:

* In his Easter message to the people of the Holy Land, Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah insists that the key to peace lies in the end to Israeli occupation of the West Bank.

* The Palestinians have suffered great injustice by being driven from their homeland by force, with the support of western powers, particularly the US which continues to give billions of dollars a year to Israel. But while there is no way to undo what has been done, the Palestinian people are still suffering greatly, with the demeaning humiliation by the Israeli military checkpoints and the security apparatus. - Bruce Duncan - C. Weekly

* Please, Israel, STOP your occupation of Palestine and START putting United Nation's resolutions into practice!..... And could the world's media please give a fairer coverage of this whole situation....not so one-sided in favour of Israel. Let's hope that moderate voices prevail soon and remove Mr Sharon whose provocative visit to the Jerusalem Mosque ignited this current BUSHfire

Holy Tuesday hello from an overcast Zhaoqing.....recent Spring rain has been most welcome.

* Some lovely photos of our primary school English conversation groups - click here. Also photos of meal at home of recently married Mr & Mrs Lam - click here (Mrs Lam a loyal helper at evening English Corners)

* Thank you and goodbye to Steven & Melissa who've been wearing "Jumper No. 8" for the past 2 weeks. Bon Voyage on your travels around China.

* Welcome to Rebecca our new "No. 8" for the next 2-3 months....before going to university in USA

* Nos 1-7 (Bruce & Pam, Denis & Jan, Susie, Ulrike, JW) are all well and enjoying the satisfaction of small groups rather than the frustration of large classes......as are most students who now have 2 English Corners per week to practise their conversation skills. I'm learning a lot from Jan, a retired school principal, whose organizational skills are a great blessing.

* The school has kindly installed a brand new computer in our primary conversation room - to add to the TV, video player, guitar, cassette player etc ....all of which are helping with the conversation corners.

* Recently we've been helping students check the meaning of their English names...using some books and a great website: Behind the Name (which also has names in many other languages besides English)

* A busy Week - we work right through till 4pm Saturday afternoon. Then Sunday off. And back to work on Monday.

A: English spelling joke...thank you Denis:

TV program host: Please say the missing word and spell it - "Old MacDonald had a ......."

C: If China8 is "down", this diary will temporarily be at our school address....please make a note of it: www.cas.net.cn >> John's Diary

D: ....prayers please for justice & peace in the Middle East. Hope you've read:
Ten Things You Should Know about U.S. Policy in the Middle East. Please, Israel, STOP your occupation of Palestine and START putting United Nation's resolutions into practice!..... And could the world's media please give a fairer coverage of this whole situation....not so one-sided in favour of Israel. Let's hope that moderate voices prevail soon and remove Mr Sharon whose provocative visit to the Jerusalem Mosque ignited this current BUSHfire.

Tuesday night hello from a warm Zhaoqing....after a short cool spell. Spring is here but Winter keeps coming back to make sure Spring is on the job. Our school gardens are beautiful at this time of the year. Click here for a sample of the Azaleas

Our Thursday & Friday night English Corners have shifted from the restaurant opposite our school (rent 100 Yuan per night) to the hospital canteen next to the restaurant (rent 50 Yuan per night)....for 50 good reasons.

For the past 3 Monday nights there's also been an English Class at the Dynasty Hotel, for some 100 staff. I've been asked to explain the meaning of Easter at next Monday night's class. Doors keep opening.....many opportunities here for English teaching.

Last Sunday there was a progressive party for Denis' birthday.....afternoon tea at home, then dumplings and noodles at a restaurant in the evening. Click here for photos of 2 happy get-togethers.

Next week we are due to have classes right through The Week.....no holiday till Easter Sunday. I wish you a Happy Easter and safety for anyone going on holidays at this time.

B: If China8 is "down", this diary will temporarily be at our school address....please make a note of it: www.cas.net.cn >> John's Diary

C: ....prayers please for justice & peace in the Middle East. Hope you've read:
Ten Things You Should Know about U.S. Policy in the Middle East. Please, Israel, STOP your occupation of Palestine and START putting United Nation's resolutions into practice!..... And could the world's media please give a fairer coverage of this whole situation....not so one-sided in favour of Israel. Let's hope that moderate voices prevail soon and remove Mr Sharon whose provocative visit to the Jerusalem Mosque ignited this current BUSHfire.

Tuesday morning hello....after a long weekend (Sat-Sun-Mon) during which most of the students went home for a holiday....some staying for extra study for public exams.
We've had the first rain for a long time - lovely. Has been a very dry and warm Winter.

Special visitor from Indonesia/Australia last week was John McL....thank you for making the pilgrimage to Zhaoqing and for helping with outdoor English classes...see photos

Fiona (Ireland) left yesterday after helping out for 2 weeks....thank you....and may you have a safe tour around China and other Asian countries. Taking Fiona's place wearing the No. 8 jumper for the next 2 weeks are Melissa (Wales) & Steven (England)....with Peter B on stand-by for the end of this month. Wearing jumpers 1-7 are: Pam & Bruce (Australia), Susie (USA), Ulrike (Germany), Jan & Denis (Australia) & I.

Four jumpers (Pam, Bruce, Susie, Melissa-Steven) are looking after the small groups in Secondary, with Jan-Denis-Ulrike-JW minding the Primary groups & Kindergarten.

Last Sunday night the 10 overseas teachers were invited to the wedding reception of one of our teachers, Candy. A lovely night....see photos

A: If China8 is "down", this diary will temporarily be at our school address....please make a note of it: www.cas.net.cn >> John's Diary

B: ....prayers please for justice & peace in the Middle East. Hope you've read:
Ten Things You Should Know about U.S. Policy in the Middle East. Please, Israel, STOP your occupation of Palestine and START putting United Nation's resolutions into practice!..... And could the world's media please give a fairer coverage of this whole situation....not so one-sided in favour of Israel.

Hello from a windy Zhaoqing. There's a gale blowing.... the thermometer is dropping rapidly....the sky is dark (at 2.30pm) and rain must be just around the corner. So our early Summer has ended for the time being.

School went back last week.....the busiest week I've had since being here. We now have 6 overseas teachers: Pam & Bruce, Susie, Fiona, Ulrike & I....with Denis & Jan due on Thursday. Still looking for a replacement when Fiona leaves at the end of this week. Thank you, Fiona, for filling in during these most important 2 weeks! Peter & Ling are back in HK after their visit to the UK and Peter is very kindly on stand-by for our team if no-one else is available.

Sincere sympathy to Bruce & Pam and family in the loss of Bruces' father George who went home to Heaven on March 1st.
And...sincere sympathy to my oldest Wynnum friends John McGrath & family in the loss of Billie who went home to Heaven on February 28. ...So many happy memories....next door neighbours for 20 years

Our English Corner experiment has begun in Secondary School (4 teachers per class ....small group conversation practice) and is going really well. Primary will start next week.

Thursday and Friday night English Corners also have resumed....and last night saw the start of a 7 Monday night Hotel English Course for about 100 staff at the Dynasty Hotel (which belongs to the same stable as our school)

A: If China8 is "down", this diary will temporarily be at our school address....please make a note of it: www.cas.net.cn >> John's Diary

B: ....prayers please for justice & peace in the Middle East & India-Pakistan. Hope you've read:
Ten Things You Should Know about U.S. Policy in the Middle East. Please, Israel, STOP your occupation of Palestine and START putting United Nation's resolutions into practice!

Happy Chinese Valentine's Day (15th day of Lunar New Year) from Zhaoqing after the warmest February (=Winter!) day in many people's memories. Second semester (= 2nd half of the academic year) began yesterday...and after 2 days it seems like we've been back for 2 months.

So far there are 5 overseas teachers on deck/at the base/at the crease: Pam & Bruce from Australia, Susie from USA, Fiona from Ireland (helping out for a week or so) and I.......with Ulrike (Germany) due on Friday, and Jan & Denis (Australia) due at the end of next week.....and one more gap to fill soon DV because Scott (whose place Fiona is temporarily taking) had to return to Australia for health reasons after 2 weeks in HK .... during which time he helped the teachers' tour with conversation practice....and during which time he made many new friends....see www.china8.org >> photos >> Zhaoqing 2002.....Thank you, Scott.

On the boat from HK with Pam, Bruce, Susie and me was Michelle & family from Australia....and they enjoyed a visit to our school on February 23.....see their photo with Pam, Bruce & Susie

It seems that retired hoteliers have a special talent for English teaching in China. Peter & Ling used to manage a hotel or 2 in HK, and Pam & Bruce had a hotel in Australia. Hope to find more such spirits in the near future!

Many thanks again to all friends in HK over the past month....especially those who helped with the teachers' tour to HK ( www.china8.org >> photos >> Zhaoqing 2002 >> February 2-9). The teachers here hope that many HK friends can visit Zhaoqing in the near future.

Happy Lunar New Year of the Horse! I wish you and your families "Lung Ma Jing Sun" (the good health/spirit/energy of dragon & horse). "Horse" = "ma"!

I am still in Hong Kong where today, the second day of Lunar New Year, a public holiday, people continue the beautiful custom of dressing up and visiting families and friends. DG the weather has been perfect....yesterday, New Year's Day, was a lovely sunny day....the first for some weeks. I am staying at Notre Dame and have the use of a mobile phone - (852) 92066088 - until I return to Zhaoqing on February 22 (..thank you, Ivan!)

Last week's teachers' tour to HK went really smoothly and happily DG. See each day's photos (more than 100 of them!) and schedule at: www.china8.org >> photos >> Zhaoqing 2002 >> February 2-9. Many, many thanks to all who made the tour possible. See the same site just mentioned for the names of all kind helpers. May the Good Lord bless all of you for your generosity and time......until the tour is repeated at the same time next year??!! And a reminder...... all tour helpers are most, most welcome to visit our school in Zhaoqing....the 19 teachers/staff on the tour would love to show you around our school and around Zhaoqing.

A: If China8 is "down", this diary will temporarily be at our school address....please make a note of it: www.cas.net.cn >> John's Diary

B: ....prayers please for peace in the Middle East & India-Pakistan. Hope you've read:
Ten Things You Should Know about U.S. Policy in the Middle East. Please, Israel, STOP your occupation of Palestine and START putting United Nation's resolutions into practice!

Hello from Hong Kong where I've been the last few days...preparing visit of Zhaoqing teachers. DG website is now back on line after a break of nearly 2 weeks, needed by HK guru Peter On for very troublesome task of transferring server. Thank you, Peter!
In future...if China8 is "down", the diary will temporarily be at our school address....please make a note of it: www.cas.net.cn >> John's Diary

* As you can see from top of this page, a FAQ/Information link is now ready for people interested in teaching in China. Includes photos of our units....even a photo of a "Western" toilet. Also includes many details about our daily life here. FAQ/Information for people interested in teaching in China

* Special visitors from Hong Kong recently were Kevin & Pao. Please come again! Photo

* On Sunday January 27 Peter returned to HK (with Kevin & Pao) to see his new grand-daughter (Beautiful photos!) and help Ling with some urgent jobs in their business on Lantau....before heading to UK last night to see their daughter Tanya & family and especially to see Peter's Mum (89) and Dad (91). When they return to HK after a few weeks they plan to go back to Zhaoqing andl expand their community project work in Zhaoqing and surrounds. They have had a wonderful 5 months at our school , the highlight being the beautiful Christmas Concert they organized and presented (photos). Thank you, Peter & Ling......wishing you a safe trip to UK....and may you come back soon for "Zhaoqing Chapter 2" (Peter's phrase).

* From next Semester (Feb 25) there will be 8 (!) overseas teachers/speakers based at our school:
Jan & Denis from Brisbane, Australia
Pam & Bruce from the Gold Coast, Australia
Scott, from Brisbane, Australia
Susie, from USA
Ulrike, from Germany
JW

When the 8 of us go to the local village for the best dumplings in the world, it should be quite a site!
And....there are several other generous people from overseas preparing to come here soon. DG!

* Our holidays are Jan 28 - Feb 25 - for Lunar New Year (Feb 12).
I'm due to stay in HK until Feb 22....at Notre Dame College, Kowloon - phone: (852) 27157263. From January 29 to Feb 9, thanks to some kind friends, I have the use of a mobile phone (for use during teachers' tour to HK): (852) 92066088

* Our teachers' tour to HK got over the final hurdles of obtaining passports/permissions from the local government authorities.....not without a few last minute hiccups. DG all is well ..... The tour number is now 19 teachers/staff, none of whom has ever before been to HK or been out of the Mainland. HK friends are most, most welcome to meet the group and share an outing or meal or bill with us! Our schedule is:

Any help in supporting this tour would be most appreciated. It's a shoe-string operation. The teachers' salaries are only about HK$1,000 -$2,000 per month (AUD $250 -$450). Many thanks to several kind friends who have already offered to support the tour.

p.s. Once again ....prayers please for peace in the Middle East & India-Pakistan. Hope you've read:
Ten Things You Should Know about U.S. Policy in the Middle East. Please, Israel, STOP your occupation of Palestine and START putting United Nation's resolutions into practice!

Hello from Zhaoqing where rain fell overnight - first rain this month. Lovely.
Many things have been happening over the past week:

* Congratulations to Peter & Ling's son Steven & wife Stella in Hong Kong on the birth of Jasmine last night! Dear Lord, continued good health for mother & child please.. Beautiful photos!

* Last Thursday a group of 14 people from the U.S.A. visited our school for English activities with our primary & secondary students. Many thanks again to the kind visitors....please come again! Photos of the visit at: www.china8.org >> photos >> 2002 >> January 10. In the evening the group also visited the Thursday night English Corner at our neighboring restaurant....another happy time....made even happier by the surprise presence of a local TV station crew ...whose report was shown several times over 2 days on the local news....and ...the same station is now interested in a joint-venture with our school to produce a regular English learning program. For all of which I just say: DG!

* Some "never-before-seen" photos of our kindergarten Christmas concert at the Dynasty Hotel can now be viewed here: photos 1 & photos 2 ....Santa Claus is Peter and MC is JW.

* Seven (7!) new overseas teachers/speakers are due to join our team next month. One is from Germany (lived in South Africa as a child), one is from USA, 5 are from Australia (2 from Gold Coast, 3 from Brisbane). Again..DG! See last week's diary for school's bold new English Corner plan for next semester.

Tour to Hong by 23 teachers/staff/family is nearly finalised. Visas from the local security branch are still the current hurdle.....our application was signed by the education department ..and now needs to be signed by the Mayor! DV everything will be ok. I'm due to arrive by boat in HK on night of January 28 (Monday) and will have Tues-Frid to prepare for the group's arrival on Saturday Feb 2.

For all of the 23 it will be their first time out of the mainland and first time to HK. HK friends are most, most welcome to meet the group and share an outing or meal or bill with us! Our schedule is:

Any help in supporting this tour would be most appreciated. It's a shoe-string operation. The teachers' salaries are only about HK$2,000 per month (AUD$450). Many thanks to several kind friends who have already offered to support the tour.

Again wishing you and your families the Lord's special peace right through 2002

p.s. I had a dream the other night: Fremantle won the 2002 AFL....although I can't work out why the celebration balloons where white & light blue (North Melbourne)!

Hope you have had a happy start to 2002. Has been cold here, much colder than Hong Kong, colder even than Zhaoqing city, because our school is on the side of a mountain, and there's quite a temperature difference between here and the bottom of the hill!

Tour to Hong by 30 teachers/staff/family is nearly finalised. Visas from the local security branch are the current hurdle.....our application needs to be signed by the education department, too. DV everything will be ok. I'm now due to arrive by boat in HK on night of January 28 (Monday) and will have Tues-Frid to prepare for the group's arrival on Saturday Feb 2.

For nearly all of the 30 it will be the first time out of the mainland and first time to HK. HK friends are most, most welcome to meet the group and share an outing or meal or bill with us! Our schedule is:

Any help in supporting this tour would be most appreciated. It's a shoe-string operation. The teachers' salaries are only about HK$2,000 per month (AUD$450)

From next semester (Feb 25), our Thursday & Friday night English Corners for outside students will be held in our school canteen (holds 700!), instead of the restaurant opposite the school. Many thanks to our kind principal for allowing this to happen. Visitors are most, most welcome to help with English conversation at these Corners....and at our regular day time classes in the school. The school can help provide free accommodation for visitors.
And ....from next Semester, there won't be any more Oral English classes in our school....with one teacher trying to work with 20-30 students. Instead, every class in the school, from Primary 1 to Senior 3 (= 12 years of classes) will have two English Corners each week in regular class time.....with one team of 4 English speakers working in primary, another team of 4 in secondary. We just about have 8 speakers (including several new overseas speakers). If you'd like to be part of one of these teams, or help them, at any time in the coming months, please email me. The idea is that each class will divide into 4 (or more) groups, each with an English speaker.....and talk, talk, talk......which is the way many foreigners learnt how to speak Chinese at the HK Chinese University. This is a bold and commendable and exciting policy decision by the school and will greatly benefit all of our students.

A reminder that photos of our school Christmas Concert, which Peter & Ling put so much work into, are now at: www.china8.org >> photos >> Zhaoqing. Also, photos of beautiful altar!

Again wishing you and your families the Lord's special peace right through 2002

Happy New Year....from Hong Kong where I've spent the last few days....at Notre Dame College in Kowloon....where each year at midnight on December 31 (& also at midnight on Lunar New Year's Eve) the next door ambulance and fire brigade sirens ring out happily. Hope you've had a happy start to 2002.

While in HK I joined in a Christmas-New Year OMI gathering (...turkey & potatoes..!) & NDP gathering...and spent quite a bit of time preparing for the visit to HK by a group of about 30 teachers from our school in Zhaoqing. For nearly all of the 30 it will be the first time out of the mainland and first time to HK. HK friends are most, most welcome to meet the group and share an outing or meal or bill with us! Our schedule is:
February 2, Saturday: 6.30pm arrive HK.....go to Guest House (near Jordan MTR)....7.30pm light meal ......8pm to Peak
February 3, Sunday: am -walk around Tsim Sha Tsui; 5pm Temple St; 7pm Meal at Food Court of Grand Hotel, Mong Kok... then to "Women's Market"
February 4, Monday: to Lantau Island (lunch at Mui Wo, visit Big Buddha, airport, 7.30pm meal at Tung Chung)
February 5, Tuesday: St Bonaventure School (Diamond Hill), Wong Tai Sin Temple & Diamond Hill Nunnery, walk around Tokwawan
February 6, Wednesday: Hong Kong Island: Peak, Botanical Gardens, Caritas Centre, Cathedral, Aberdeen, Repulse Bay, Stanley....and then (invited) evening meal at Happy Valley Jockey Club (+ watch a few races....Year of the Horse ...)
February 7, Thursday: Chinese University, Shatin Town Plaza
February 8, Friday: Ocean Park, Causeway Bay, Wan Chai
February 9, Saturday: am leave (...but I hope to stay in HK for another week or so...)

Also: once again I've learned that some of my emails, not just china8 but hotmail emails, have been arriving "empty". I don't know the reason for this and can only say sorry.....just notify me and I'll send the message again.

In 2002,
May the Lord bless you and keep you,
May his face shine upon you and be gracious to you,
May he look kindly on you and give you peace (Numbers 6.22)