2003 Diary for May, June, July, August

Tuesday, August 26, 2003: Dear Friends

Good morning from Hong Kong.  Group & I ..and new CAS teacher Megan...arrived  last night ...after a very long day of traveling from the Gold Coast....up at 3am...plane to Sydney (where Megan joined us from Brisbane) ....plane to HK...then group & Megan on bus for 4 hour trip to Zhaoqing!  Thank you Lord for all the many blessings of the past 34 days!  Daily photos of tour (including yesterday). 

Farewell yesterday on Gold Coast to Josie and in Sydney to Jade. Many, many thanks to both of you for all your TLC on the tour.  Last Sunday's Sydney "Catholic Weekly" and Brisbane "Catholic Leader" have report/photos of our tour.

I'm staying with OMI's at Notre Dame College (27157263). Tonight I'm due to go to Tung Chung for OMI meal.  Tomorrow will be spent on sorting out tour banking jobs and some shopping for Zhaoqing. Then Thursday 28/8 I'm due to take train for Zhaoqing - with Australian teachers Chris, Rosemary and Robyn who will stay at CAS until Sep 4. 

Wishing all students/teachers in this part of the world a happy last week of Summer holidays and every blessing for the new academic year.

Thought for the week, from "Sydney Morning Herald" of last Saturday: The invasion of Iraq changed a country that was not a terrorist threat ....into....a terrorist threat"

God bless!

John W omi

Tuesday, August 19, 2003: Dear Friends

Hello at start of week 4 of CAS Australia Study Tour  ........ on the Queensland Gold Coast. 
Daily photos tell the story.

Continued thanks to the many, many kind people who have helped our Australia tour. All my Masses this tour month are for you. DG for 3 weeks of blessings. 

Tour group, Jade and I are due to travel to Sydney next Monday morning Aug 25;
group + new CAS teacher Megan and I due to travel to HK later the same day;
group + Megan to Zhaoqing the same night. 
After a few days in HK, I'm due to return to Zhaoqing about August 29.

Remaining on Gold Coast: Josie - thank you for 3 weeks of TLC/ driving/ room-group supervision.
Remaining in Sydney: Jade - thank you for 4 weeks of TLC/room-group supervision.

God bless!

John W omi

Tuesday, August 12, 2003: Dear Friends

Another sunny hello from the Gold Coast.  Thank you Lord for 22 straight days of fine weather. 

Many, many thanks to all the kind people who have helped our Australia tour. All my Masses this tour month are for you. 

Daily photos and reports of our tour - see CAS Australia tour schedule .  About 30 photos each day.

Thank you for a prayer

God bless!

John W omi

Tuesday, August 5, 2003: Dear Friends

Sunny hello from the Gold Coast.  Thank you Lord for 15 straight days of fine weather. 

Many, many thanks to all the kind people who have helped our Australia tour. All my Masses this tour month are for you. 

Daily photos and reports of our tour - see CAS Australia tour schedule .  About 30 photos each day.

Thank you for a prayer

God bless!

John W omi

Happy Birthday "Aisla", my faithful Toshiba laptop....6 years old today and 100% reliable.

Tuesday, July 29, 2003: Dear Friends

One more hello from Sydney after a week of perfect weather and so many happy gatherings. DG!

Many, many thanks to all the kind people who have helped our Australia tour. All my Masses this tour month are for you. 

Daily photos and reports of our tour - see CAS Australia tour schedule  

We are due to leave for the beautiful Gold Coast on Saturday. Thank you for a prayer

God bless!

John W omi

Tuesday, July 22, 2003: Dear Friends

Very special hello from Sydney where 22 students and 2 staff from CAS arrived right on time this morning at 8am on Qantas QF 128....welcomed by Jade, Garth and myself...and later in China Town by Thomas.
Today's photos Many thanks to Hong friends who met and fareweled the group at HK airport yesterday afternoon when they arrived from CAS by bus.  Thank you also to many friends in Australia (Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra) who are arranging activities/meals for the group.  Thank you also to my dear family on the Gold Coast for your warm hospitality over the past two weeks , and Sefton OMI's for the same over the past few nights.

I will try to upload tour photos on a daily basis, but sometimes may be a day or so late. 

Before I forget: Happy Birthday today Bruce (former CAS teacher) & (belatedly) Natalie (July 12)...with greetings also to other CAS teachers still in China (Summer Schools) or traveling.

Thank you for a prayer for good health and safe traveling for our group....and may the Good Lord especially bless all our helpers and benefactors.

God bless!

John W omi

Tuesday, July 15, 2003: Dear Friends

Good afternoon from the Gold Coast.... where the clear blue sky and lovely sun are so beautiful....Someone sure did a good job in making this world.
During the past week I've spent every afternoon with Mum at her nursing home (+ walk in wheel chair...even as far as Southport shopping centre), every morning & some nights working on the CAS Australia tour, other nights enjoying table tennis (after scrumptious home meal) with my brother and family.
Many kind people and schools are inviting our group to visit....see Latest CAS Australia tour schedule (still being updated each day as fresh offers come in).  I'm due to go to Sydney this Friday, stay at Sefton OMI church Frid-Sat-Sun-Mon, then meet group on Tuesday, stay with them till Aug 2 in Sydney, travel with them to Gold Coast on Aug 2, stay with them on Gold Coast till Aug 25, return with them to HK on Aug 25.  Have enjoyed chats/meetings/phone calls with former CAS teachers Josie, Pam and Bruce, Steve, Thomas, Jade and Garth ....as well as many other friends......to get the tour ready.  Many thanks all of you! Next diary update will DV be from Sydney next week after the group arrives.

Something new to make the phone calls really cheap are the "GoTalk" and other brand cheap phone connections....which make long-distance and overseas calls so economical (e.g. AUD$0.4 for one minute to HK or China!). Available at newsagents and post offices. 
...phoned Kieran at CAS for his 18th birthday on July 10....spoke to his Mum Donna (at CAS)  and on same day phoned  Mums of Aron, Matt & Michael. Thank you, all 4 familes, for Aug 9 BBQ's.

Reflected recently on role of AITECE in supporting China teachers during  SARS crisis. As you can see from AITECE  newsletter (SARS  Updates), AITECE cautiously kept its cool and helped teachers do the same.....unlike many other organizations and companies which hit the panic button and directed their members to flee the country.  Interestingly, AITECE adopted exactly the same approach in post-Tiananmen Square 1989-1990 China.  Not a bad organization to belong to!

* Five vacancies to fill for September 2003....two spots already confirmed, going to Erin (already in China!) & Megan (due to return with group 25/8)  from Brisbane...with three more people needed.  Many folk have expressed interest in the following semester (Feb 2004) but our immediate need is to find three more starters for this September (...and as well as three needed for ordinary oral classes, CAS is also still looking for two qualified secondary teachers for a special group of senior students). So if you know of anyone interested, especially couples, please let me know: jdwomi@hotmail.com

 Middle East File articles from about 2 months ago throw a lot of light on present issue of who lied and why re Iraq invasion. Notice how Mr Bush and the Murdoch press are now going after North Korea ...which was just starting to be friendly with the world...c.f. marching with South Korea at 2000 Olympics.....until Mr Bush proclaimed an "Axis of Evil" consisting of Iraq, Iran and North Korea ...which counter-productively sent North Korea hurrying away from peace talks. See especially the "Move On" link at top of Middle East File for latest comments from USA.

Family Tree now has password protection for main tree section at top of index ....please email me for password.

Please/thank you Lord for safe traveling for the Australia tour group July 21 - Aug 25.....and a special blessing for all benefactors and helpers. 

God bless!

John W omi

Tuesday, July 8, 2003: Dear Friends

Good morning from the sunny Gold Coast in Australia.... Winter weather here has to be the best  in the world. My brother and his family have kindly opened their home to me again.....my 6.30am alarm clock is a chorus of Kookaburras perched on a neighbour's TV aerial.
Dear Mum is well....I've taken her for a walk every afternoon since arriving here last Thursday....we cross the busiest roads with ease: traffic quickly stops for a 92 year old silver-haired granny in a wheel chair......pushed  by an aging dude with a cross around his neck in a big white hat that  would scare John Wayne's horse.  Thank you niece Louisa for mobile phone: 0416 366 213 (until August 24)

Was good to spend a little time in HK last week....meeting OMI's and friends at Notre Dame, OMI Primary School, Tung Chung and Chek Lap Kok.  On QF128 I found myself thinking: who was the first saint to travel on an airplane? (Mother Teresa?). 

Since arriving my time has been divided between getting the CAS tour ready (mornings) and Mum (afternoon). Unfortunately six of our students were denied visas by the Australian consulate in Guangzhou.....so the tour group now comprises 22 students and 4 staff (Daisy, Doris, Jade and I).....helped in Sydney by friends including Thomas, Garth & Kath......and on the Gold Coast by Josie, Pam, Bruce, Anna, Steve and other friends.  Our schedule is undergoing continuous updating as more schools invite us to visit and more kind people offer to arrange meals. Latest CAS Australia tour schedule.  Had re-union/ planning meeting with Josie and Steve last Sunday.

I hope all other CAS overseas teachers are well, safely traveling (Hazel, Jock, David, Matt) or safely staying at CAS (Aron, Kieran, Michael)....the latter group receiving special TLC from  Kieran's dear Mum & brother - Donna and Anthony.

Latest  from Hazel & Jock (thank you!):
Just a quick e-mail to let you all know that we've arrived home safely.  Many temperature checks at Macau and Hong Kong but none at Frankfurt or London!  Plane from Hong Kong was only a third full, and both Hong Kong and Macau were short on tourists!  Even managed to get into the Peking Restaurent without queueing at all!  Very strange being back in the UK.  Everyone seems very large and fat!  but oh it is so nice to sleep in our own bed again and to have a comfortable chair to sit on too!  Still trying to come to terms with our present location and decide what time to wake up.  Do miss daily Mass though! We had a memorable time and miss you all and think of you often. Love to everyone"JOCK" and HAZEL

* Five vacancies to fill for September 2003....two spots already confirmed, going to Erin & Megan from Brisbane...with three more people needed.  Many folk have expressed interest in the following semester (Feb 2004) but our immediate need is to find three more starters for this September (...and as well as three needed for ordinary oral classes, CAS is also still looking for two qualified secondary teachers for a special group of senior students). So if you know of anyone interested, especially couples, please let me know: jdwomi@hotmail.com

 Middle East File has sobering article from New York Times of June 24

Wishing everyone  Good Health and thanking you for your prayers. 

God bless!

John W omi

p.s. last Sunday.....during evening meal time at Mum's nursing home....80 year old lady next to Mum kept calling out "please bring me my tea (= dinner)".  Having worked in and visited nursing homes over several decades I know that some people call out when they don't need to....so I didn't take any notice for a while...but as she kept on calling out I eventually went into her section (her curtain was drawn) ....her dinner was on her tray so she indeed was calling out unnecessarily. Eventually a nurse went in to check her and discovered that she wasn't saying "bring my tea" but "bring my teeth"....without which she couldn't eat her meal....and without which she couldn't say "teeth" but only "tea"!

Monday, June 30, 2003: Dear Friends

Hello from CAS on the last day of the academic year.....students will go home this afternoon after a Speech Day ceremony with parents in gym after lunch....and some overseas staff have already gone (because today was last day before their visas expired)

David, Jade & Matt went on HK train at 9.37am, due HK 2pm....Jade due to leave on Qantas QF127 tonight for Sydney.....David & Matt staying HK overnight before going for holiday to Japan (where Matt spent a year as an exchange student). After Japan they will return to HK....and David to CAS....with Matt taking up new post in Shandong Province  to work at a brand new kindergarten (opening Sep 1) run by dear HK friends Mr & Mrs Wu.  As a most-gifted all-rounder (languages, sport, you-name-it) Matt has made a big impression here and will be missed by the whole school community.  Every good wish for the future, Matt, and thank you again for helping Mrs Wu in Shandong (...in the city of Chingdao....home of the famous Tsing Tao beer...whose stocks will rise as Matt takes on the locals for "Gun-baying"!).

Hazel, Jock & Jade have been here for two semesters - the first overseas teachers to spend a full year in my time at CAS,  and their going will  leave a large hole in the heart of the CAS family.  

As mentioned in our farewell dinner last Friday night Jade will be remembered especially for the guessing game she caused among  local staff last semester ("which one is her boyfriend, Garth or Steve?"....to which we'd answer: Mon-Wed-Fri & long weekend Sun it's Garth; Tues-Thurs-Sat and short weekend Sun it's Steve)....and if Jade thinks being here was just a dream, she soon will have 30 visitors on her Sydney doorstep in a few weeks as she generously helps with the Australia tour which includes a BBQ at her home!

Jock & Hazel will long be remembered for their kindly parenting of our young people, the way they joined in everything (from mountain climbing to trying every type of restaurant and food + their ability to order dishes in Chinese!), Hazel's faithfulness to daily Mass,  Jock's profound and prolonged analyses of the (crazy) SARS quarantine rules, the many friends they made in so many places, their help with English Corners...and above all the fact that they spoke England English!

Thank you, all four of you - Hazel, Jock, Jade and Matt -  for coming to China and CAS.  Thank you also for the proceeds from your auction of unwanted items last Saturday.  May the Good Lord go with you always,  and may you all come back again some day DV. 

Not forgetting Aron, Kieran and Michael who are planning local trips + helping with Summer School(s),  Kieran looking forward to visit early July by his loving Mother and devoted brother. Kieran, please email me some photos of the visit....I know you know my email address after you sent me a very thoughtful reply to my education  reflections of last week...... and if any other friends would like to join the debate, most welcome.

* Five vacancies to fill for September 2003....two spots already confirmed, going to Erin & Megan from Brisbane...with three more people needed.  Many folk have expressed interest in the following semester (Feb 2004) but our immediate need is to find three more starters for this September (...and as well as three needed for ordinary oral classes, CAS is also still looking for two qualified secondary teachers for a special group of senior students). So if you know of anyone interested, especially couples, please let me know: jdwomi@hotmail.com

+ Preparations are now in final stage for  July 21-August 25  CAS tour to Australia DV!:   28 students and 4  staff (Doris Li, Daisy Cheung, Jade & I.......Daisy taking place of Oliver who was unable through no fault of his own to obtain a local passport from his home town).  Photos of group at preparation meeting last Friday.
Australian Consulate-General in Guangzhou will hopefully issue 30 visas in next two weeks. Thank you, Consulate staff, for your patience & help in processing our SARS-delayed applications.

  In Sydney and on the Gold Coast we are looking for many kind friends to join us for meals and outings - to practise speaking English. If anyone would like to arrange/sponsor a meal/outing I'd love to hear from you: jdwomi@hotmail.com .  There's room for some dozen more friends to join us for day trip from Sydney to Canberra on July 28 (cost = only $30 return, including lunch!).
We are especially keen to visit some schools if convenient.  And....would any kind friend in Sydney and Gold Coast be in a position to lend me a mobile phone please for 22/7 - 2/8 (Sydney) and 2-25/8 (Gold Coast)...for which I'd be most grateful.

I'm due to travel to HK by train tomorrow,  July 1 (need to be here for  parents' meeting today), then to Australia (by plane!) July 2 to make final preparations for the tour (and have some time with my dear Mum & family), returning to HK with the tour group on Aug 25 and to Zhaoqing c. Aug 28 DV.   Next diary update should be from the Gold Coast.

Wishing everyone  Good Health and thanking you for your prayers. 

God bless!

John W omi

p.s. Sydney Catholic Weekly very kindly published my letter (also sent to Brisbane Catholic Leader & Gold Coast Bulletin), but left out our schedule link....and got dates wrong.  Spot the differences:

Tuesday, June 24 (JB), 2003: Dear Friends

Good morning in the last week of the academic year....classes finish this week....secondary oral English staff busy with exams......parents' day on Monday 30th....and start of Summer holidays.   Most traveling overseas teachers will be leaving on the 30th: 
Hazel and Jock are set to journey  to Macau and HK for a few days from June 30, before returning to UK.
Jade is due to go to HK on June 30 and take plane that night to Sydney.
David and Matt are going same day to HK...and plane to Japan for a holiday (where Matt was an exchange student for a year).  They  will then return to HK and Matt will take up new post in Shandong Province to work at a brand new kindergarten (opening Sep 1) run by dear HK friends Mr & Mrs Wu.  
Aron, Kieran and Michael are planning local trips + helping with Summer School(s),  Kieran looking forward to visit early July by his loving Mother and brother. 
An end of year & farewell dinner is planned for Friday night June 27 at the Black Swan restaurant.

Last night we had a simple meal at local canteen as a chance for departing overseas teachers to say goodbye to some special friends.  Not all overseas staff present as several were indisposed ...with a nasty flu (not sars!) that has been hitting quite a few students and staff.  School clinic yesterday resembled battle scene with many students (and one overseas teacher) on drips.  

CAS quarantine has been completely lifted for overseas staff, and partly lifted (Frid night to Mon am) for local staff. 

Last Sunday Hazel and Jock enjoyed visit to Guangzhou to say farewell to friends.....same day there was a CAS promotion at the Dynasty Hotel (CAS website photos)...well done, David & Matt in running some 21 games of Bingo!

Sad night last Saturday....live broadcast from Melbourne of Rugby Union victory by England over Australia

Last Tuesday was a little reminder for me that life wasn't meant to be easy all the time: 
- security guard wouldn't let me leave property for morning walk
- computer refused to start for some 30 minutes
- zip broke on trousers
- trip to Guangzhou with principal's secretary Doris was delayed by detour to downtown Zhaoqing for school job
- driver had to stop journey half way to Guangzhou when our van ran out of oil
- we spent over an hour in a monster traffic jam on outskirts of Guangzhou
- Australian Consulate officials found that many students' visa applications for Australia tour were incomplete
- driver was served a  fine for parking somewhat irregularly near the Consulate
- on return to CAS I was warmly welcomed by my troublesome computer which again refused to start fullstop

On the sunny side: while at the Consulate I applied for a new passport for myself (on Tuesday) and it was delivered by mail to CAS on Saturday!

Back to a pessimistic perspective: after being involved in education for some 30 years in Australia, Hong Kong and China, I can't help feeling our education systems have lost the plot. Education Goal Posts

* Five vacancies to fill for September 2003....two spots already confirmed, going to Erin & Megan from Brisbane...with three more people needed.  Many folk have expressed interest in the following semester (Feb 2004) but our immediate need is to find three more starters for this September (...and as well as three needed for ordinary oral classes, CAS is also still looking for two qualified secondary teachers for a special group of senior students). So if you know of anyone interested, especially couples, please let me know: jdwomi@hotmail.com

Which reminds me: Australian government "Hints for Australian Travellers" booklet is really excellent for anyone preparing to go overseas. See also www.dfat.gov.au/travel 

* Middle East File has two new  Guardian updates 

* Thank you, Bill, for beautiful Scripture sand photos

+ Preparations are now in final stage for  July 21-August 25  CAS tour to Australia DV!:   28 students and 4  staff (Doris Li, Daisy Cheung, Jade & I.......Daisy taking place of Oliver who was unable through no fault of his own to obtain a local passport from his home town).   In Sydney and on the Gold Coast we are looking for many kind friends to join us for meals and outings - to practise speaking English. If anyone would like to arrange/sponsor a meal/outing I'd love to hear from you: jdwomi@hotmail.com . We are especially keen to visit some schools if convenient.  And....would any kind friend in Sydney and Gold Coast be in a position to lend me a mobile phone please for 22/7 - 2/8 (Sydney) and 2-25/8 (Gold Coast)...for which I'd be most grateful.

I'm due to travel to HK by train on  July 1 (not June 30...that day there's a parents' meeting at CAS which I've been asked to attend), then to Australia (by plane!) July 2 to make final preparations for the tour (and have some time with my dear Mum & family), returning to HK with the tour group on Aug 25 and to Zhaoqing c. Aug 28 DV. 

Wishing everyone  Good Health and thanking you for your prayers. 

God bless!

John W omi

Monday, June 16, 2003: Dear Friends

Monday instead of Tuesday good morning.....tomorrow I'm due to go to the Australian Consulate-General in Guangzhou  with CAS Australia Tour visa applications...so.. brief diary today. 
Highlights of past week:

* Wednesday June 11: screams and cries from TV room as Queensland defeated by New South Wales in State of Origin football (...live broadcast!)

* Friday June 13 was last day of school (life!) for our Senior Three students ....we wish them every success and blessing in their future lives

* Same day - visit by dear Hong Kong friend Mrs Wu, due to open a new kindergarten in Sep 2003 in Shandong ...and urgently looking for overseas people (don't need to be qualified...see green print at top...)

* Sat/Sun June 14/15: CAS promotion to Sanshui (about one hour from Zhaoqing). A very happy experience...complete with watermelons! About 100 children received Sacred Heart cards at final activity...as prayer for protection from SARS...

* Last night: Birthday Party for Hazel at one of Zhaoqing's Muslim Restaurants. Many happy returns! (i.e. many more birthdays, as well as returns to the restaurant...)

* SARS is no longer a threat in this part of world, but CAS weekday quarantine continues....to chagrin of overseas team. We wear our ball and chain, so to speak,  Monday to Saturday... (except if on promotion/special mission etc...)

* Computer saga now over for MAK (Michael, Aron, Kieran)....all three now have super fast computers....in fact, as you go along the walkway outside our units...and pass all our homes...the sound effects remind one of an internet cafe!

* Five vacancies to fill for September 2003....one spot already confirmed, going to Erin from Brisbane...with four more people needed.  Many folk have expressed interest in the following semester (Feb 2004) but our immediate need is to find four more starters for this September (...and as well as four needed for ordinary oral classes, CAS is also still looking for two qualified secondary teachers for a special group of senior students). So if you know of anyone interested, especially couples, please let me know: jdwomi@hotmail.com

* Middle East File has most interesting Guardian update by a UK  Jewish M.P.

+ Preparations are now in final stage for  July 21-August 25  CAS tour to Australia DV!  28 students and 3  staff.   In Sydney and on the Gold Coast we are looking for many kind friends to join us for meals and outings - to practise speaking English. If anyone would like to arrange/sponsor a meal/outing I'd love to hear from you: jdwomi@hotmail.com . We are especially keen to visit some schools if convenient.  And....would any kind friend in Sydney and Gold Coast be in a position to lend me a mobile phone please for 22/7 - 2/8 (Sydney) and 2-25/8 (Gold Coast)...for which I'd be most grateful.
I'm due to travel to HK on  July 1 (not June 30...that day there's a parents' meeting at CAS which I've been asked to attend), then to Australia July 2 to make final preparations for the tour (and have some time with my dear Mum & family), returning to HK with the tour group on Aug 25. 
Hazel and Jock are set to travel to Macau and HK for a few days from June 30, before returning to UK.
Jade is due to go to HK on June 30 and take plane that night to Sydney.
David and Matt are going same day to HK...and plane to Japan (where Matt was an exchange student for a year).   Aron, Kieran and Michael are planning local trips + helping with Summer School(s).
An end of year & farewell dinner is planned for Friday night June 27 .....at an outside restaurant, complete with ball and chain if necessary!

Wishing everyone  Good Health and thanking you for your prayers. 

God bless!

John W omi

Tuesday, June 10, 2003: Dear Friends

Holiday hello from Zhaoqing.....we've just finishing a four-day break.....no quarantine....students allowed home for the first time in two months....to coincide with senior three students university entrance exam for which they need to go out to various exam centres....and quarantine resumes tomorrow....we'll be allowed out only on Saturday nights and Sundays till the end of the month.
Quarantine regulations have caused a bit of murmuring among the troops....but government policy is to relax quarantine gradually to encourage people not to forget about SARS precautions, grateful that there have been no new SARS cases in Guangdong Province for over three weeks (..see SARS Updates at top...)

The past four days have seen a flurry of excursions and expeditions by the overseas staff.....shopping, eating out, visit to Ding Hu yesterday (previous Ding Hu photos)
Last Saturday June 7 Matt & I went on CAS promotion to Jinli, with Aron, David and Matt going there again the next day, June 8.   All Saturday students received a Sacred Heart card. 
MAD (Matt, Aron & David) are at Zhaoqing Middle School today, where they also were yesterday, helping students with conversation (previous Zhaoqing Middle School photos)

Yesterday I visited three homes, two of them belonging to two  of our longest-serving kitchen staff.....for the delivery of some old computers from Paddy's centre (now relocated to the One Minute English cafe...and in recess until September...). One of the staff said their family eats out maybe once a year....

Speaking of computers.....Aron, Kieran and Michael, or rather their computers, now have a fast new internet connection called ADSL.....well...almost....has been a bit of a saga....K & M even bought new second hand computers (i.e. another second hand computer) when their old computers were too old and ill to take ADSL....but Michael's computer lasted only one day when it died (after it ate a virus-infected game bought the night before)....same computer now  in hospital...hopes to be home tomorrow....and then have ADSL.
Moral of the story: as soon as you get a new computer - make sure you have an anti-virus program.... 

Has been a busy Pentecost week....in fact despite the quarantine, the year has sped by and only a few weeks remain in the academic calendar for 2002-2003.  Which means we are again facing the sad prospect of farewelling several members of the overseas team whose one-year contracts finish on June 30: Hazel & Jock (due to return to UK) and Jade (due to return to Australia)...not forgetting Iona (already returned to Philippines). 
Four vacancies to fill for September 2003....one spot already confirmed, going to Erin from Brisbane...with three more people needed.  Many folk have expressed interest in the following semester (Feb 2004) but our immediate need is to find three more starters for this September (...and as well as three needed for ordinary oral classes, CAS is also still looking for two qualified secondary teachers for a special group of senior students...). So if you know of anyone, especially couples, please let me know: jdwomi@hotmail.com

This week's feature story: Last Tuesday night, June 3, I received a phone call from Sr Nancy in Hong Kong (with whom I worked for 6 years on Lantau Island). Anyone who knows Sr Nancy knows that one phone call from her is enough to cause instant re-arrangement, always for good of course, of the next day's plans for a sizeable portion of the human population. And so it was: "Today (Tuesday) I attended a graduation ceremony at St Clare's School....Hong Kong Justice Minister Elsie Leung was there (..both are school managers...)...she said she is going to Zhaoqing tomorrow....so I asked her to take me with her....and to visit CAS...and she kindly agreed...so we'll see you tomorrow around noon....not sure what plans Elsie has for lunch...will phone you in the morning as we leave HK (by car)". 
Which is like saying the governor is coming tomorrow....Elsie being number four in the HK Government. 
So....evening plans were made for a red carpet reception and these plans were clarified in the morning with a call from Nancy and Elsie in their car: we're due in Zhaoqing about noon....Zhaoqing Mayor has invited us for lunch..and is inviting three from CAS to join us... 12noon at the Bo Hoi Lau Restaurant (overlooking Star Lakes...never heard of it before...but now I know....if the Queen ever comes to Zhaoqing, that's where she would eat...)....and after lunch we'll visit CAS".  
"Thank you Nancy, thank you Elsie".
Just as I was  getting changed (after 2 morning classes) to go to restaurant with CAS manager Mr Leung and principal Mr Ma, I received 3 phone calls in 2 minutes from various parts of the school: "they'll be here in a few minutes...hurry up and meet them". 
Turns out that the government car from HK took only 3 hours to reach Zhaoqing (..not the usual four...)...and Mayor was at a morning meeting...so HK group decided to visit CAS before rather than after lunch....and messages went through the school to have a quick clean up and fast forward all plans.....including the rapid reaction deployment  of 200 primary students to form a guard of honor at the main entrance...and the putting up of a lovely welcoming banner painted in record time by the entire main office staff and anyone else who happened to go near the office at the time.
Nancy, Elsie and group of HK & Zhaoqing officials were here about 45 minutes....quite an honor for the school. Then a glorious meal for some lucky people. Photos of the visit & meal  
Many, many thanks indeed Elsie for coming....and many, many thanks Nancy for your quick thinking in arranging the whole visit through which many people have gained a lot of face that will bring considerable blessings and open many doors in the future. 

* New (scanned) photo (of 90 year-old Fr Ma) now in Luoding file of May 25 (thank you David)

Middle East File hasn't been updated for a while...interesting to note how The Guardian is giving prominent daily coverage to the growing US & UK controversy about the White House's mass deception re Iraq invasion.....an item which, surprise, surprise, is hardly featured at all in the Murdoch press (..one of the main instruments of the deception...)

+ Each Friday at 5pm there's a meeting to continue preparing for July 21-August 25: CAS tour to Australia DV!  About 30 students and 4 staff.   In Sydney and on the Gold Coast we are looking for many kind friends to join us for meals and outings - to practise speaking English. If anyone would like to arrange/sponsor a meal/outing I'd love to hear from you: jdwomi@hotmail.com . We are especially keen to visit some schools if convenient.  And....would any kind friends in Sydney and Gold Coast be in a position to lend me a mobile phone please for 22/7 - 2/8 (Sydney) and 2-25/8 (Gold Coast)...for which I'd be most grateful.
I'm due to travel to HK on  July 1, then to Australia July 2 to make final preparations for the tour (and have some time with my dear Mum & family), returning to HK with the tour group on Aug 25. 
Other overseas teachers are hoping to revive some of their Summer holiday travel plans now that SARS has just about finished its excursion in this part of the world.

Wishing everyone  Good Health and thanking you for your prayers. 

God bless!

John W omi

p.s. One more reminder...I have a new phone number (at top of page)...

Tuesday, June 3, 2003: Dear Friends

Good morning, good morning from a warm and sticky Zhaoqing. Winter in Southern Hemisphere,  Summer here.  DG SARS news in this part of the world is so good. See SARS Update file above.  Because SARS threat has gone away, our quarantine will end in a few days....& all students/staff may go home/out for holidays June 7-10.  Good news as we enter the last month of the academic year,  traditionally a testing time in all cultures for staff and students (...tired nerves, exam tensions, easy to have arguments etc..). In primary school these days we are showing many videos (as well as having groups of students go outside to talk with David, Aron and Micheal). One of the most popular videos has been "Joseph, King of Dreams" (= Joseph and his coat of many colors).

* As a foretaste of the promised land of freedom, some staff were allowed out last weekend...for a few hours each day.  Overseas teachers made hay while the moon shone...and had a farewell meal last Friday night at local canteen for Iona who is due to return to the Philippines next week. Thank you, Iona, for all your work at CAS. God bless you always! 

* The next day, Saturday May 31, saw Matt, Michael, several local staff and I on a CAS promotion to the city of Gaoming (90 minutes from CAS).  Usual story....another new group of friends....."you are the first overseas people we have ever met".....if only we had the personnel to start a little English centre in the city (population c. 300,000).   At our final activity on Sunday afternoon, Michael, Matt and I each had a queue of children asking to help them choose an English name (..usually a name that sounds similar to their Chinese name...).   In years to come historians may be scratching their heads as to why 33% of the girls in Gaoming are named Megan (Michael's beloved) and  and 33% Rachel (Matt's b.).  Boys were also busy signing their names at request of students ....on back of Sacred Heart cards (given to everyone as prayer for protection against SARS).

* Last night (Monday) there was a lovely party for our primary students   on the primary school front lawn to celebrate International Children's Day (June 1)

* Tomorrow is June 4.  News services will as usual talk about the Tiananmen Square massacre of 1989.
Put the massacre in same missing basket as Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.   See China History

+ Each Friday at 5pm there's a meeting to continue preparing for July 21-August 25: CAS tour to Australia DV! (22/7-1/8 Sydney; 2-24/8 Gold Coast.) About 36 students and staff.   In Sydney and on the Gold Coast we are looking for many kind friends to join us for meals and outings - to practise speaking English. If anyone would like to arrange/sponsor a meal/outing I'd love to hear from you: jdwomi@hotmail.com . We are especially keen to visit some schools if convenient.  
I hope to travel to HK about  June 30, then to Australia July 2 to make final preparations for the tour (and have some time with my dear Mum & family), returning to HK with the tour group on Aug 25. 
Other overseas teachers are hoping to revive some of their Summer holiday travel plans now that SARS has just about finished its excursion in this part of the world.

Wishing everyone  Good Health and thanking you for your prayers. 

God bless!

John W omi

Smile: last week was 50th anniversary of climbing of Mt Everest by Sir Edmund HILLary...

Tuesday, May 27, 2003: Dear Friends

Sunny hello from Zhaoqing. DG no new SARS cases in whole of Guandong Province for the past 8 days.....WHO has lifted its ban on travel to Guangdong & HK.... (see SARS updates, above, especially British Consulate & AITECE items). Thank you Jock & Hazel for all the files from British Consulate these past two months).

Before I forget: please note new phone number at top of page...

* Olympic Pool is a godsend in this hot weather....most teachers having a daily dip

* Staff Scripture English class each evening 7-8pm has had some interesting finishes lately: an explanation of playing cards (brought by one student), ice creams, watermelon....

* Now that SARS threat has diminished, CAS organised a promotion last Sat-Sun, May 24-25 to the city of Luoding, about 2 hours from Zhaoqing.  David, Matt & I joined 4 local staff for the excursion, our first time "out" for some 3 weeks.  On the way home we stopped in to Yunfu for 10 minutes (5 minutes to see dear old Fr Ma, now 90, out of hospital and up and about; 5 minutes at "Do & Me" for an ice cream).  Once again I kept thinking, if only more overseas people could be found ....to be based at places like Yunfu and Luoding....running little One Minute English Centres, with programs in local schools/outlying areas.
Luoding has a population of some 100,000,   Yunfu about 150,000.....not one overseas "native" English speaker in either place......what a need/opportunity.....  Most suitable for these places are couples, especially retired couples.....DV!

* Yesterday, Monday, saw Junior Three play basketball against the Iona team.  Our cheer squad included Jade (unprintable  comments about boys' skills)  & Iona (CAS kindergarten teacher!).  Result a 35-35 draw, despite efforts by Iona (the team) to snatch defeat from jaws of victory in final minutes.  I left court after 10 minutes with sore rib....a good tactic it turned out...replaced by a Junior Three boy, Peter, who starred for Iona (the team) .  The 4 Iona boys have the making of an excellent quad  for the Olympics of ..... 2056.....especially if they ever decide to get to bed before dawn....

+ June 4 is next week.  News services will as usual talk about the Tiananmen Square massacre of 1989.
Put the massacre in same missing basket as Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.   See China History

+ Each Friday at 5pm there's a meeting to continue preparing for July 21-August 25: CAS tour to Australia DV! (22/7-1/8 Sydney; 2-24/8 Gold Coast.) About 36 students and staff.   In Sydney and on the Gold Coast we are looking for many kind friends to join us for meals and outings - to practise speaking English. If anyone would like to arrange/sponsor a meal/outing I'd love to hear from you: jdwomi@hotmail.com . We are especially keen to visit some schools if convenient.  
I hope to travel to HK about  June 29, then to Australia July 2 to make final preparations for the tour (and have some time with my dear Mum & family), returning to HK with the tour group on Aug 25. 
Other overseas teachers are hoping to revive some of their Summer holiday travel plans now that SARS has just about finished its excursion in this part of the world.

Wishing everyone  Good Health and thanking you for your prayers. 

God bless!

John W omi

Tuesday, May 20, 2003: Dear Friends

Good morning from Zhaoqing...where SARS news keeps getting better DG (see SARS Updates file above...especially WHO report "The worst is over").  

Not being allowed to leave the school is not so bad ...there's plenty happening here:

* Wednesday May 13,  three electrical storms in the afternoon: 2pm, 4.45pm & 7pm, with sunshine in between numbers 1 & 2, and between 2 & 3.  Also between 2 & 3  two anonymous overseas teachers did some sliding in the rain on the tiles outside our rooms....at first I thought, can't possibly take a photo of this...what will people think?...but then I changed my mind and photos are at bottom of some miscellaneous shots of Night Life at CAS on Friday May 15.....an historic evening when a store/shop opened on the premises...(selling ice cream among other things!).  Iona boys have joined in evening staff soccer games.

* Sunday May 18 - Olympic Pool open....water is just beautiful.....just what doctor ordered for this hot & draining  weather.  Students and staff very tired.....not much energy for work....not easy keeping students' minds on the job for another month......many (male) staff now wearing shorts for work.....my own long trousers  being used only for Mass!

* Jock & Hazel's badminton & table tennis competitions have finished....both won by Les, a senior student who sure knows how to handle a racket/bat.  

* Basketball yesterday between Junior One and Iona sleepy (formerly dream) team  went 46-45 to the students.  Birthday Party last night for primary two student Bobby....which reminds me: Happy Birthday today Stan, Happy Feastday tomorrow Eugene, and Happy Double Engagement Party on Sunday 25th Natalie-Dan, Louisa-John!

* Special English staff group due to finish Luke tonight (our 24th night)...and start John tomorrow night.

+ Each Friday at 5pm there's a meeting to continue preparing for July 21-August 25: CAS tour to Australia DV! (22/7-1/8 Sydney; 2-24/8 Gold Coast.) About 36 students and staff. Accommodation found in Sydney DG - photos on CAS tour link above. In Sydney and on the Gold Coast we are looking for many kind friends to join us for meals and outings - to practise speaking English. If anyone would like to arrange/sponsor a meal/outing I'd love to hear from you: jdwomi@hotmail.com . We are especially keen to visit some schools if convenient.  I hope to travel to HK about  June 29, then to Australia July 2 to make final preparations for the tour (and have some time with my dear Mum & family), returning to HK with the tour group on Aug 25. 
Other overseas teachers are hoping to revive some of their Summer holiday travel plans now that SARS has just about finished its excursion in this part of the world.

+ Speaking of travelers: some new facts about Marco Polo & Gregory X (thank you Iona/Aron)

+ I'm due to have a new phone number in the next day or so. As soon as I know it, I will put it at top of this diary in place of old number. And...phone in our TV room has now been disconnected/removed/cancelled (..since everyone has phone in their own unit..)

Wishing everyone  Good Health and thanking you for your prayers. 

God bless!

John W omi

Tuesday, May 13, 2003: Dear Friends

Good morning from CAS.......waiting for telephone company man to come and check some of our phone lines which keep cutting out when we go on line....
SARS news keeps getting better....Beijing cases continue to decline...but battle in China not over yet....

CAS innmates getting up to usual tricks of interned felons:
* gambling (cleaning staff ...Mahjong at night)
* food smuggling (anonymous English couple caught having food delivered for...students to eat!)
* money laundering: very honest laundry ladies returned over 100 Yuan in sodden notes....had been through wash....local bookie laid odds as to who had forgotten to take money out of their pocket:
2:1 Kieran
3:1 Aaron, Michael
4:1 Matt
5:1 Jock, Jade, Jade, JW
6:1 Hazel, Iona
The field thus consisted of one stallion, one mare, 5 colts, 2 fillies and one gelding....and the winner was...one of the fillies (most appropriate description considering what country she was bred in).

Fastest growing club here is the paper-in-the-window club: 
- my window: daily food orders (I do the phoning)
- Jade's window: food prices (Jade looks after the daily distribution of items)
- Hazel & Jock's window: badminton/table tennis competition
- Iona's window: sheet for entering our daily temperature checks

Olympic pool almost full....swimming soon....and a local "shop/store" about to have grand opening (in room near security monitors)...maybe it can do all our buying?
Last Saturday saw some overseas staff join "going abroad students" for dumpling-making class in canteen....those who attended being easily identifiable by bleached(?) clothing which resulted from flour flinging that broke out at some stage before the dumplings entered the oven...the end result being a lovely evening meal on tables outside our units

Yesterday afternoon as David, Aaron and I were making our way down to primary school for class, we heard a  primary 4 boy use perfect English as we met him on the outdoor stairs.....he was bouncing a basketball up the stairs and when he lost control of the ball and it started going down the stairs he immediately said "O s-it!" . "Nothing wrong with that kid's English" said the boys...

With a little bit more time available I finally got round to a little job I've been putting off for many years: typing up a history of the property on which Iona College, Brisbane, stands (..."turning of sod" was 46 years ago, October 13, 1957.....October 13 and today May 13 being special Fatima days...). Would some kind Iona friend please let Jan Bartholomew know that this history is now on www... and....happy 50th KD today + Happy birthday Paul on Thursday 15th!

On a more disturbing note: latest newsletter from "MoveOn" has many details re how Iraq invasion was cleverly orchestrated by a powerful group in USA - Middle East File

+ July 21-August 25: CAS tour to Australia DV! (22/7-1/8 Sydney; 2-24/8 Gold Coast.) About 32 students and staff. Accommodation found in Sydney DG - photos on CAS tour link above. In Sydney and on the Gold Coast we are looking for many kind friends to join us for meals and outings - to practise speaking English. If anyone would like to arrange/sponsor a meal/outing I'd love to hear from you: jdwomi@hotmail.com . We are especially keen to visit some schools if convenient.

Wishing everyone  Good Health and thanking you for your prayers. 

God bless!

John W omi

Tuesday, May 6, 2003: Dear Friends

May morning hello from a very hot and sticky Zhaoqing ....cool weather has finally gone and Summer heat is here to stay...
SARS still raging in Beijing but here in the south the (official) news is getting better each day: no new deaths in Guangzhou for two weeks....and a headline in today's China South Morning Post (HK) says "Guangdong relief as threat seems to be receding".  Hope you've seen updates in SARS file (above) over the past week. I keep putting my money on a horse called AITECE for the best advice....interesting to note that AITECE is going ahead with arranging for new teachers in September 2003 (full AITECE letter in SARS file).  

Yesterday at CAS: classes as normal, the filming of scene one of Jock & Hazel's "Prisoners of SARS" - click here for preview and for photos of life over the past few days (badminton/table tennis competitions, computers etc). Also yesterday, at 5pm in the gym,  was an international game of basketball between CAS primary 6 and five  ex-Iona students, with honors going to the Australians 36-26.  Next Monday same place/time the Iona team is due to take on Junior One.  Yesterday's Aussie effort was somewhat hampered/hamburgered by the fact that 4 anonymous younger members of the team couldn't resist eating a McDonald's lunch at 4pm. Reason: meal was kindly bought and delivered at lunchtime by an outside friend....but like all deliveries...had to stay in quarantine at the front gate for some 3 hours!

* Same four guys now also very happy to know that their visas problems have been solved (...after being caught in yet another set of changes of policy by security branch and education department...over which CAS has no control)

* Yesterday's (non-McDonald's) food order had a request for 3 packets of marshmelows.....came back as 3 packets of cool mints (pretty close, you've got to admit).  Not so close was Sunday's "2 cobs of corn".... became 2 packets of something looking like yellow bird seed.....

* China8 email was down last Sunday.....see below re email...

* Olympic pool cleaning almost finished....water tomorrow...then chemicals...then a few days later some swimming DV!

* The Story of Anna is now on www, at bottom of Guangzhou re-union file April 24.... photos might upset some people, especially children

Calendar:
+ Happy Birthday dear Mum on Thursday May 8 (...92 not out...)
+ Happy Mothers' Day all Mums next Sunday May 11
+ July 21-August 25: CAS tour to Australia DV! (22/7-1/8 Sydney; 2-24/8 Gold Coast.)
Still haven't finalised budget bed & breakfast accommodation  in Sydney  for 32 teachers & students (including JW). Several possibilities being checked. If anyone has any contacts...I'd love to hear from you.
On the Gold Coast we are due to stay (for 23 nights!) at "The Sands" (on beach in Surfers, where 1995 group stayed). Staying together in the one building will make communication/transport much easier. In Sydney and on the Gold Coast we are looking for many kind friends to join us for meals and outings - to practise speaking English. If anyone would like to arrange/sponsor a meal/outing I'd love to hear from you: jdwomi@hotmail.com

Wishing everyone  Good Health and thanking you for your prayers

God bless!

John W omi

2003 Diary for January, February, March & April