Rollercoasters (and pictures)

First picture from the jungle in the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia with Mr. Peters.

From the tea plantations in the Cameron Highlands as well as one of the workers harvests the crop.
On the trail, Day 1, on the way up Mount Kinabalu, Malaysian Borneo. A two-day trek up to 4095m, the highest peak between the Himalayas and New Guinea. Legs were trashed and had a terrible sunburn to show for it!

At the top of Mount Kinabalu after summiting at sunrise. Life above the clouds is pretty amazing.
The 8km marker near the top of the mountain. Amazing views from the top.

Now onto more annoying, daily things...

I wasn't speaking about actual, literal rollercoasters. I'm talking about metaphorical ones. The ones that make you feel like you're swallowing your stomach because of anxiety, excitement and stress.

All year, I've been applying for and seeking a position as an academic teacher at the high school here in Dalian for our company. Teaching ESL has been enjoyable, but the money is only so-so, and I live in an extremely secluded area of the city. I've met and talked to a number of different administrators, teachers, and anyone else who could potentially help me acquire a position in more urban and more foreigner-populated high school. Any time rumours begin to fly about relating to potential jobs, I get on the phone and start talking to whoever might be able to substantiate such things. Finally, a few weeks ago, positions at the high schools for our company were posted online and I had my application in the next day.

After applying and after having my resume sent to a number of administrative places, I finally got a reply, had some correspondence with the man in charge of hiring, and was offered a job... in Tianjin. When I put in my application, I clearly applied for a job at the high school here, as I will know the kids, the other teachers, some of the admin, and I know the area. I could secure an apartment before the end of the summer, I could begin to start coordinating my planning with the other returning teachers, and I could begin to get my life in order. But now the recruiter wants to send me to another city where I don't know anyone.

I emailed him back in hopes of getting some more consideration for a position here. I don't know if I want to move across the BoHai Sea to another city after staying out here in the boonies for a year and feeling isolated, just so I can experience that weekly isolation again. It's more than an overnight train away and I'd be starting all over again. Story of my life it seems, I know, but something that I'm hesitant to do. Do I have the energy to begin again?

It's like experiencing great news while being punched in the gut. The good thing sounded so good, but the reality is something painfully uncomfortable. I'm not sure what I'll decide, but I sure haven't said yes... not yet.

T