Supplemental Pictures II

Still Here

Yes, this is in fact an update. To my loyal readership, now numbering 7 strong, I have not forgotten about you. I have been extremely busy grading autobiographical essays, and as of tomorrow morning I will be completely finished. This will give me a few days before I move on to the next assignment that will undoubtedly drain me of my spare time.

Over the past few weeks I have remained busy in many aspects. I went on a 30 km bike ride with 9 of my students through the New Territories. I also went on my first junk trip with 2 of my colleagues, as well as members of the HKAAL (Hong Kong Association of Applied Linguistics.) We started our trip in the quaint fishing town of Sai Kung and boated across the Inner Port Shelter until we reached High Island, where we had a nice lunch and relaxed until our boat took us back. Pictures from both excursions to follow.

Expect more semi-regular updates in the near future. I have some things I would like to express in hopes of getting some feedback, advice, or criticism. That's all for now. I'll be back shortly.

Featuring America

There is a new online forum that was launched today called Featuring America that I highly suggest you check out. Contained therein is my first published piece. A bit of social commentary dealing with the Chinese education system and what Americans could learn from it.

The idea behind Featuring America is as follows:

"The impetus for Featuring America was to create a forum for breakthrough writers and artists in this highly competitive publishing industry. Though we are attempting to provide a medium for the "unpublished" to share their talent, we gladly welcomed seasoned writers and artists as well, for the overall intent of this magazine is to showcase talent of all kinds. We felt it important to narrow our focus somewhat, but not overly so, and decided on "Featuring America" as both our title and our subject matter.

We are launching this magazine as a new president is elected by the American people, which seems only appropriate as this inaugural edition includes social commentary, art, and narrative pieces that speak about the environment, politics, and education, as well myriad of perspectives that define the "everyday." As we gather around our proverbial dinner tables, from diners in NYC to grassy knolls in the west, to ex-pats taking part in other countries' rituals, the fact that we've experienced or care about America and her future, binds us all to each other and to this multifarious North American land mass.

This space is not intended to present a case for nationalism of any kind. Rather, we want to celebrate diversity, ideals, modernity, and creative energy.

Welcome to the first edition of Featuring America. We're looking forward to seeing all that you bring to light here."

Peace and love,
Jac and Gil


If that sounds like something you are interested in, then please check it out. If not, do so anyway. It is worth it. If you are still not convinced, then read it for the simple reason that I contributed something. Then while you are there, read everything else.

Thank you.

November Hiatus

I have not even considered writing an entry lately because I have found myself inundated with work, and in the process, tired as a result of it all. To briefly recap any salient points that might have transpired in my life:

I am in the middle of grading 155 autobiographical essays. The sea of red marks on each paper is enough to give me a headache. If I had a white flag, I would hoist it in surrender. Each paper takes me about 15 minutes to grade. After an hour, I am exhausted. At this pace I will have their papers completed by Christmas time.

I am still teaching the youngsters at Talented Kids. Actually, let me clarify. I am their English speaking supervisor/play partner. Teaching is done in small doses, when I am not scolding them or chasing them around the classroom. Exhausting work. My respect for primary school teachers increases weekly.

I am still receiving treatments twice a week for my neck and back problems. I am seeing a man recommended to me by my boss. He practices "Harmonious Healing Services" and has been working with me for almost a month now. He is not a chiropractor, but rather, a muscle manipulator. He has me working on reprogramming my body and muscles to act in synchronization. I have also received light acupuncture treatments for the past few weeks. I do not feel an immediate difference yet, but he tells me it will take a few months to acclimate myself and get back on track.

That's about it. I need to get these essays done as soon as possible so I could relax, read a book, write, maybe take a trip. As much as I would like to get some writing done, my red pen is dancing circles in my mind, and I must resume my task of correcting grammatical errors.

Until next time...