Dear All:

Thank you for your kind advice and suggestions. One advice came in really handy -- about SAFEA complaints -- that at the end of the day, the school will pull something "fast & dirty", and I would be left without a paycheck within a week. I understand that this advice comes from your experience of living in this country, and I am very, very thankful for your input.

It's not exactly clear to me why people would need confirmation and pictures of the "laundry/office" room that I've been living in for the last two months, and the fact that my contract here is for 9 months, and that I would continue living here, in the same "laundry/office" room if I stay for the rest of the contract. I am not b!tching and moaning -- for the last two months I had no place to re-charge, and have been renting hotel rooms in business hotels on week-ends, in order to escape this situation... Usually, at least with the last 3 contracts that I had in China, I had a normal apartment to come back to, with all the facilities, such as toilet & shower located on the inside of the flat, heat working in the dead of winter, and having black leather couches and arm-chairs in my living room. I believed (wrongly) that those black leather furnishings were "standard issue" for foreign experts in China. This time, I do not...

On the issue of "due dilligence" -- I should have asked for pictures of the flat before signing the contract. Last year, before leaving China for the U.S., I did not sign a contract here, again, believing that I would not come back... I've read at least 300 contracts that were even worse than this one, and finally picked this one -- because of it's great salary... Guilty... Guilty... Guilty... After looking for work for about 3 months back in CT, I took this contract, while not wanting to wait on tables with all of my university degrees and certificates... Maybe god is punishing me, for looking down my nose at honest day's work -- busting tables, etc would be an idea with today's economy in the U.S., and I'd be lucky to get that type of job, if I applied... since I don't have any experience of doing it...

Anyways, I am not independently rich, so running away from this contract would mean that I'd be closing a door -- teaching for gov't schools in China, that provides me with an otherwise comfortable life-style where I am able to buy my own food, medical care and travel. I do not wish to burn my bridges in such a way. I should have realized that schools do a lot of bait & switch b/c you are signing the contract away from the location, and have little idea about the environment, distances & where the school is located. Again, mind over matter, I believe that my review posted before is correct. This school shows it's Foshan location if you wish to visit, and then brings you to Gaoming... again, the campus is hours away from where Foshan is. The school also advertises a free apartment, with kitchen and furnishings, and believe me, you would of seen this tiny, empty room, filed with broken furniture, here in Gaoming, if I knew how to "size" pictures that I take with my camera.

As for getting a girl-friend here -- that was some of the advice from the male teachers, hmmm... I wish.... I am a woman... 33 years old... not a lesbian, so getting a snotty 18-yr-old-boy-friend here, with his Korea-boy-hair, basketball and "bowser"-filled head, would not be my style... but again, guys, thank you for your warmth, understanding and support. I am truly grateful for your ideas, and experience.