Haha, great blog. I am in Handan... and wish I wasn't.. It's so boring.

Shijiazhuang is a lively city. Half way to Beijing. May be worth a visit for you.?

I am at No. 3 Middle school on Heping road. Where is Lilac??

I am also from Britain.

I am here with my boyfriend. He teaches senior ones. I teach Junior 1/2. I have taught kindergarden.. only for one morning though. Nightmare!

Loved your blog!! Sooo funny. I can relate. :/

Seriously, we should meet up. I have only been here 4 weeks so don't know the place either!

Such a brilliantly entertaining and insightful Blog! I enjoyed reading every word and felt every cringe and the blood curdling experiences.

Underneath the gripping narrative are some very helpful (and preparatory) insights and I, as one who's inertested in going to China next year, found this very valuable.

Keep us posted (and laughing - with you, not at you), PLEASE!!

Aw, glad you're keeping your head up - settling into a new house, job and country all at once is stressful at the best of times, let alone when your apartment is a hole! It sounds like your school are sorting your lodgings, but make sure you give the guys from TTC a call if you feel your school needs a little pushing along...

You had a close shave with the baijo - that stuff is foul! The stares are a bit disconcerting, but eventually you do get used to it. Oh, and definitely try the outdoor gyms, but do prepare yourself for some serious staring!

With your kindergarten, have a chat with Sophie - I know she found it really, really hard when she first started at her kindergarten but gradually got to grips with it - she might have some good tips for you: http://www.onlinetefl.com/tefl-chalkboard/roberts121

Keep us posted with life in Handan and hope things start to get a little easier for you :)