and earthquake things have gone down hill here for FTs.

@Chengdu FT, the earthquake was a major turning point for me. Donations not going to where they are "needed" for the sichuan earthquake, and this:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article3927277.ece

"Mr Wangs comments echo those of Burmese leaders, who have declined to allow foreign aid workers into the country since last weeks typhoon."

Excerpt from the above news article. Despite all the so called internationalization, things really are no different from Burma.

Cheers and tsing tao beers
IM

@ Silverboy, thanks for your reply. It's always good to shoot the breeze and hear differing opinions. The fickle women are only one part of my leaving, although I think even the divorcees tend to have an agenda (passport, new life for her and her child abroad). I am not in the position, to provide that, nor do I have any desire to own property in China, that would be a serious tie that binds.

Next year I'm thinking Georgia (country, not state) or just plain back home. I'd say I like teaching and helping others, and social work is a career I am seriously considering. It's rewarding to see the look on peoples face when they "get" it, but it's not rewarding to cheated and lied to in China, which for many recruiters is a goddamn artform. I've been teaching in China on and off for 4 and a half years, so 5 years and a bit is enough. Even the most die hard china fans will admit the place has a expiry date and wears thin.
Things seem to have regressed here, rather than progressed. The olympics was a turning point, when they refused visas, despite the doublespeak of "one world, one dream"

Hope you find her. Just make sure to seperate the wheat from the chaff, and I'm sure you will get it.

cheers and beers
IM