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About Me
I'm Clare (hello) and I'm going to China in August. As if going off teaching in China isn't quite enough, I'm getting the Trans-Mongolian express out there and doing my first triathlon two days before embarking. I haven't quite worked out the specifics of being a 'Featured Writer' yet, but basically I'll write about stuff and hopefully it'll be interesting. deal? sweet.
Ask me anything you like, and I'll do my best.
A bit more about me? Well OK then. I'm 23, I live in Derby and went to Uni in Brighton, I hate coloured loo roll and I love reading, running and dark chocolate digestives. My superpower of choice would be the power over hair, because nothing's more likely to stop a monologue than sudden nose-ringlets or afro-brows, or on the other hand: *poof* coiffed. It's genius, and you know it.
My Friends (56)
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I'm 23, living in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. I'm finishing my...
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My recent comments
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Clare101 said:
“It's different for everyone. I've only got 8hrs teaching a...”
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Clare101 said:
“I guess the shortest answer to both of those is no,...”
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Clare101 said:
“Hey, The best advice I can give about China is...”
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Clare101 said:
“@Rin - I'm going to be in Handan! (Heibei, right?!)...”
about Trans-Mongolian Express to Beijing! (Post)
Comments on my stuff
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FilterAngel said:
“I think I understand what you're saying : ) Another...”
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FilterAngel said:
“Yeah I read up the pros and cons of the...”
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FilterAngel said:
“Heya. I was told to contact you to get an...”
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Rin said:
“Could almost be England! ;)”
about created on: 09/09/10 (Photo)
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Cheekyface said:
“Loved you essay....you are a very entertaining writer. Those experiences...”
about Trans-Mongolian Express to Beijing! (Post)
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Rin said:
“Haha, yea. 22 hours standing.. standing (!!) was not fun!!”
about Trans-Mongolian Express to Beijing! (Post)
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Rin said:
“The film you mentioned sounds good. I will definitely check...”
about Chinese for Dummies (and other reading) (Post)
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GeoffWhere said:
“Not exactly reading but a Sino-centric movie I've particularly enjoyed is...”
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GeoffWhere said:
“Such a brilliantly entertaining and insightful Blog! I enjoyed reading every...”
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Jessica145 said:
“As Steve said, this is a great read :) I...”
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Rin said:
“Awesome! After spending 22 hours standing on a train Guangzhou...”
about Trans-Mongolian Express to Beijing! (Post)
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SamLennie said:
“What an amazing way to start your trip! I'm very...”
about Trans-Mongolian Express to Beijing! (Post)
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honor said:
“This sounds absolutely amazing - can't wait to see your...”
about Trans-Mongolian Express to Beijing! (Post)
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Celeste39 said:
“Let us know how you are getting on in Russia,...”
about Clare vs Visas (Post)
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Spiwak432 said:
“Hahaha.. got to be a relief to have all of...”
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jenldaniels said:
“I just got my invitation today, But it'll still be...”
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acowlish said:
“Apparently, someone I went travelling with a while back knew...”
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Melinda154 said:
“hi claire i pass checkpoint 3. going to target checkpoint...”
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acowlish said:
“OH MY GOD!!!!! When did it arrive!? Ambassadors are really...”
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Melinda154 said:
“hi clare i see you have finised your 120hr course...”
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jenldaniels said:
“Hi Clare! I read that you've already done the weekend...”
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Spiwak432 said:
“Congrats on finishing your course!!! Which course were you taking?”
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PDixon said:
“I did drama at college and the advice i was...”
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jenldaniels said:
“After feeling fairly confident the past several months about doing...”
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honor said:
“I love your Dad's advice: “if all else fails Clare,...”
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PDixon said:
“I totally understand where you are coming from. What you...”
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SamLennie said:
“Hey Clare! Glad your plans for China are going so...”
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LeonPritchard said:
“Hey Clare, glad you got things sorted. I'm still...”
about I've got a Plan! (Post)
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EM9383 said:
“Haha OMG I absolutely LOVED challenge Anneka (in the geeky sense)...”
about A bit like ‘Challenge Anneka’ without the jumpsuit, hedgehogs or altruism! (Post)
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Red86 said:
“Hi Clare, Very well written blog. I agree with what...”
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jenldaniels said:
“Hi Clare! My motivations are really just the desire (or...”
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RichH84 said:
“Mandarin: Everything I know, Dui bu qi: sorry (du-a-bu-chi) Wo...”
about A bit like ‘Challenge Anneka’ without the jumpsuit, hedgehogs or altruism! (Post)
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plumsropey said:
“Hi Claire! Thanks for the add - loving your travel...”
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MCALDER222 said:
“Hi Clare, Just been reading lots of blogs and realise...”
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honor said:
“Worst travel story - being taken on a family holiday...”
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RichH84 said:
“'After a break up, I know it's not a competition...”
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robertclarke said:
“Just sick of living in a cold country! Wanted to...”
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robertclarke said:
“Just sick of living in a cold country! Wanted to...”
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honor said:
“I was after pretty much the same thing as you -...”
about Present Simple to Future Perfect Continuous...hopefully (Post)
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edna said:
“I'd second Wild Swans and River Town, but also ORACLE...”
about Chinese for Dummies (and other reading) (Post)
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LeonPritchard said:
“Oooo some good recommendations there, will have to try and...”
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Rozel09 said:
“ooh, Empress Orchid is a good book! Also loved Amy...”
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katefielder said:
“Hi Claire, I see your off to China in August.....”
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robertclarke said:
“You should definately read China Seas by John Harris, its...”
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madlee said:
“Naisbitt, J. and Naisbitt, D. (2010). China's Megatrends: The 8...”
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honor said:
“Oh, love this post! Means you'll def have something good...”
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zhuyingyan said:
“We are looking for an native English speaker to teach...”
about Clare101 (User)
Recent Blog Posts
Welcome to Handan
- Clare101
- Sep 10, 2010
- Views (17)
- Comments (0)
We’ve been in our new apartment for just over a week and in Handan for nearly a fortnight, so it’s time and past to update my first impressions of Handan. The first few days were hard, there’s no doubt about it. What surprised me is that the thing I’ve found the hardest is being back around people all the time again. I’ve become much more solitary than I realised and I’m going to have to...
OH GOD
- Clare101
- Sep 07, 2010
- Views (68)
- Comments (3)
(I haven't had internet for the last ten days, so this is my first impressions of Handan - fear and all) Sunday 30th August OH GOD. Oh my actual god. No really, oh god. *deep breaths* *some more deep breaths* OK. Laura, Steph and I have arrived in Handan, Heibei. We are decidedly not in Kansas anymore, Toto! Let’s start with the train journey. West Beijing Train station is mental! It’s HUGE! We...
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View my blog
Recent Discussion in Clare101’s Groups
| Group | Topic | Activity | Posts |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | Do they only hire European looking teachers? | hours ago | 3 |
| Teach in China Internship | What made you decide? | days ago | 1 |
| China Internship August 2010 | Shanghai in October holiday? | days ago | 3 |
| China | Leaving for China with no degree | 9:57AM | 10 |
| China Internship August 2010 | Meeting up | 5:33AM | 7 |
View my Groups
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Profile Comments
Add Your Comment!
Log in to leave a comment or Create an accountI think I understand what you're saying : )
Another question, how many hours a day and days a week do you work (including out of hours work, marking,watching other teachers etc)?
Also, being with 2 other girls, do you get enough exposure to the language to pick it up? I can imagine with a couple other english speaking girls there, you don't and won't actually need to talk all too much chinese?
Hey,
I read you like similar books to me.
Don't suppose you brought any with you? Maybe we could swap some? I have a few. :)
Yeah I read up the pros and cons of the internship. I figured you'd get a lot more money if you went by yourself.
I guess the real question is, do you actually use the 'safety net' that's tied in with the internship, or do you really not need it?
Is there anything else you get with the internship that you wouldn't get by yourself, that you do actually use and couldn't do without?
Thanks for answering my q's
Heya.
I was told to contact you to get an overall impression of what it's like in China for you.
Ive read your blog, but how do you feel overall about the experience?
Also, did you go on the internship, or just by yourself?
Hey again,
Yes, I'm here. I have a land line, but no mobile yet.. crappy Chinese fake mobiles...
My god.. Handan.. just.. my god. This has to be the worst city in China!! haha.
Yea, been here 4 weeks, started teaching at number 3 middle school on the 23rd August. The kids are okay, but their level of English is so low.. I feel for you with Kindergarden! :/
I'll message you my number. There is another girl here.. in Handan called Ali, she works at Maple leaf school. She's from Chester. Lots of Canadians too.
Good luck with the kids and your apartment. Haha. i live in a school!!
Hey again. I know what you mean about being excited and anxious at the same time!! It's the teaching! Although I can't wait for the challenge, and the chance to get my creativity out, (Games!!! ) but boy is it nerve racking! I want my students to look forward to my lessons, and not be confused!! Or confuse myself, Lol. I think most people feel a bit like that! But travelling and new cultural tit bits will be awesome, and totally new!:0D
Hi Clare
I love your blogs they are very animated!!! Ooo and your going on the Mongolian Express, that sounds like an awesome start to the trip!! I can't wait to read/hear an account of what it is like!! It sounds like your pretty organised, and not too traumatised by the mamouth visa collection!! Lol. I did the lazy option, in the post!xo)
I just got my invitation today, But it'll still be over a week until I actually get the visa, what with having to go to Chicago to apply, then wait for it to come back. And plane tickets ARE getting stupidly expensive! What do you guys think, go ahead and buy the ticket now, or wait until I actually have the visa in my passport??
Apparently, someone I went travelling with a while back knew the guy who came up with Ferrero Rocher "Ambassador" idea! How cool is that!?
Daniel has had his invitation, but I still haven't had mine yet- starting to get twitchy! Plus, air tickets are getting stupidly expensive!!!!
hi claire i pass checkpoint 3. going to target checkpoint 4 tonight. How did you find that one? i see its only 10 questions but looks like it might be a late night for me. xx
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