Starting this weblog today, with the intention of writing about my life in China, the way there and the way from there, wherever that might lead. However, my journals often seem to be pretty short-lived and die after a few entries. This time, though, I am determined to keep writing, for all of you reading this and for myself. Writing emails to everyone trying to describe what you are going through and experiencing is almost impossible. Often, the more that happens, the less you write about it. So this way, by having this blog on the web, I can try to keep everyone updated on what I am up to and then concentrate on the more essential things in the personal emails. :) And like I said, I am also writing for myself, it is nice to remember and what's more, sometimes things make more sense when you write them down.

So here I am, 20 August, still at WHO in Geneva, a couple of weeks after having accepted a teaching position in Baoding, Hebei. I have heard from Feng Ying from the university's Department of International Cooperation, who has told me that I will be teaching postgraduate and PhD students.

The contract has been signed by both me and the university, and now I am just waiting for the official invitation letter so I can go ahead with the visa application. The application process should take about two weeks, so I’m hoping to get the letter pretty soon so I’ll get the visa sorted out in time before I am leaving Switzerland (kinda need the passport for that…).

Haven’t booked the ticket to China yet, am still waiting to see what happens with my tickets to Finland. As the tickets have been booked with airmiles, there are very limited seats available and I’ve been put on a waiting list for several days. If worst comes to worst, I will have to buy new tickets. Then it will be one or two hectic weeks in Finland, saying hello and bye to everyone, unpacking and repacking. And then: off I go.

Will only tell people about this weblog later, when I am leaving for China. See if I manage to keep it going…