I have been thinking lately of what I want out of this: teaching…China…life? Before, I had a clear goal and a focus to work hard, recover my mojo and pay off a little debt.

I am going to refinance my student loans and pay them off gradually. So that is a burden that will be spread over time, making it seem less painful. I still hope to one day stick it to the Man (by which I mean the student loan cartel of the US “gummerment”).

Teaching has lately become a little less satisfying. I can see myself doing this for a few more years but what is the end game? I don’t think I am that great a teacher, despite what some of my students say. I usually just chalk that up to how bad their other teachers are in comparison. By the way, I am not fishing, so just don’t even try. I just want to find a path.

The love of my life, Beijing, has recently led me to be less enamored. The pollution, combined with an increasing distaste for cold weather, is making me think of warmer climes and cleaner air.

This was the beautiful Christmas I woke up to
as taken from my building.

Everyone I meet says I should meet a girl and settle down. I have to say that my typical response of concrete denial has become a little more brittle in the past year. I sure doubt that this will fix any of my current woes, so maybe this not the answer. I think I just need to find my mojo, my path, and follow it.

I am going on vacation to Hong Kong from Jan 10th to 15th and maybe a later trip to Taiwan. I am hoping that this will lend me some clarity.