I first came to Zhuhai in 2001 and visited GLV with a teacher friend responsible for an evening program. It was February and the topic was Valentine's Day. My friend had 25 students and I felt that was too many for everyone to have the opportunity to speak so I asked if I could take half into "my" English corner. After being invited to do more such evening classes the rest of the week, the management invited me to become a teacher at GLV.I have remained in GLV since my arrival because of its staff and students. I trusted the administration and often felt I was under the protective wings of many staff members who were caring, helpful, and generous. They nurtured me from a helpless, confused stranger to a confident resident and friend. I appreciate the cleanliness of the school and its dormitories =- the cleaning staff does and exceptional job. Other personnel exemplify a wonderful vitality, flexibility, and happiness in serving the school and its students. As with friends, we often smile and laugh together. The Chinese people have a wonderful attitude of "can do" and I have been surprised and impressed at times at what they can collectively accomplish. I remember when the present school was being built that it was to be ready in a short time. My North American sense of what was possible left me feeling it would not be ready in time. However, Ping was confident that it would be completed on time - and it was! It is this same attitude of "can do" which is being so courageously displayed in meeting the challenges of the recent earthquakes in Sichuan.I came to China as a stranger and am leaving after 7 years as a friend. Hopefully my services here have helped hundreds of wonderful students improve their English skills and encouraged them to be the best human beings they can be. I am leaving greatly enriched by friendships, experiences, and my wonderful wife, Yang Xiao Ling. We hope to visit China at least once a year and wish our friends, family, and acquaintances good health, prosperity, and a lifetime of service to their country and to? our world.Zaijian!
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