Howdy, Rawhide. I take it you are so named because your hide has been flogged to interested Chinese employers time and again by Chinese recruiters!
Were you not one of the stars of an American cowboy serial on television ages and ages ago? Presumably, his hide was raw because of the amount of horseback riding he did, hence his nickname.
Your post is an interesting one, especially useful to newbies before they take up new teaching positions here in China. Be seein' ya soon! So long.