Great Speech

[Steve.r]

and you moved to china the worlds biggest bully

good things are working out for you Steve thou

Thanks Joe, I guess you are right in that aspect, but from what I have seen, the people are happy and have a reasonable quality of life. There are of course huge divides between rich and poor, but I have not seen any people living rough and definitely no slums.

I salute your courage and determination Steve and hope everything continues to work out well for you

Cheers Marco I appreciate your kind words

[gWaPito]

I have just seen my name floating about and had a read of the thread.

On my personal situation I found the whole thing in the Uk as getting out of hand, whoever is in charge. New rules for one omits others and their rights to a family life, the growing red tape to try to weave your way through to get your loved one here, the increasing prices of the visas, the way we are ripped off at every turn by our government. I had just had enough. I wanted to bring my wife and son here to the Uk, have the benefits that it brings, but what sort of life it is these days? is there 'real' quality of life? I think we have lost sight of reality and values; we pinch here to save there. I had just had enough.

For a long time I have been saying to my friends here that my long term plan was to move to Phils, and this still stands. But like many who are thinking about such a move the reality is (especially for those who are still relatively young and working) that you still need a job or how can you live? I was not fortunate enough to keep my house when i got divorced so have no property to take a rented income from, so that was a non starter. As for my job in the Uk, I was in fact over the limit of £18,600. My lifestyle was minimal as I lived with my parents, but I still have to maintain my family in Phils. Saving for flights, running my family in Phils and all other expenses leaves you with very little to save, and like most you live from pay day to pay day. This is what I needed to change.

I have been very fortunate, my plan has worked. I decided to try to find an alternative way of being together with my family and still make money and be together with them. I (through a friend) was introduced to a company in Germany who needed managers in China. Bingo!! I was offered the job, without an interview and here I am now.
The beauty of this position is that the money I am on is 4 times more than I was earning in the Uk, which means I can save for that rainy day or invest in the future. Being here 'is' the dream job I have always wanted and although I feel out of my depth sometimes, I need the challenges it brings. But most of all I am now only 2.5 hours flight away from my family in Phils. There are no restrictions for my wife to come to China to be with me, no silly 'learn English rules', no red tape, no proof of relationship, proof of income blah blah blah!!!
In the next week or so I am going to be hunting for an apartment exactly for this purpose and then I hope that within the month I will be together with my beautiful wife and son.

I really think that the British system is failing, making rules to stop a loving relationship because you earn less than someone else is just crazy. Like I said, I was lucky enough to be over the limit but how can this be right?? My move was driven by the desire NOT to be in the Uk anymore because I can’t handle the day to day rubbish and bullying big brother aspect of life, I don’t like the way we are hearded by the media and whipped up into a frenzy over the latest star’s comments or sensationalised stories and photos of bare royal flesh. Grow up Uk...get a life!!
The most important thing for me is to look after number one, by that I mean myself and my family. My move gives me the freedom to do what I like, when I like and where I like. I am not dictated to by an over baring nanny state. We make our own destiny and at least I am trying my best to make my one shot at life the best for us all.

I hope that clarifies the situation. And guys, PLEASE keep it civil... I still wave a big axe even here in China
Steve

By the way Lastlid, you have a cute baby

Massive respect Steve....you're right of course, you have to do the right thing for your family which is what I've always done.

It takes courage to do what you've done.....I did something similar back in late 80's working for a French outfit based in department 33.

Truly hope it all works out for you Steve.

Best wishes
Mark

[fred]

Ed Miliband walks into a bank to cash a cheque. “Good morning”, says Ed, “could you please cash this cheque for me?”



Cashier: “It would be my pleasure Sir, but could you please show me some identification?”



Miliband: “Truthfully… I did not bring my ID with me as I didn’t think there was any need to. But hang on! I’m Ed Miliband, Leader of the Opposition and of the Labour Party!!!”

...

Cashier: ““Yes Sir, I know who you are, but with all the regulations and monitoring of the banks because of impostors and forgers etc, I must insist on seeing some identification”.



Miliband: “Just ask any of the customers here at the bank who I am and they will tell you. Everybody knows who I am!”



Cashier: “I’m sorry Sir, but these are the bank rules and I must follow them”.



Miliband: “I am urging you please, to cash this cheque for me”.



Cashier: “Look Sir, this is what we can do. One day Colin Montgomery came into the bank without any ID. To prove he was Colin Montgomery he pulled out his putter and putted a ball along the floor and into a small cup. With that sort of skill we knew it was Colin Montgomery and we cashed his cheque. On another occasion, Andy Murray came in without any ID. He pulled out his tennis racquet and lobbed a tennis ball straight into my teacup with such a spectacular shot that we all knew it was Andy Murray and we cashed his cheque. So Sir, what can you do to prove that it is you and only you, as the Leader of the Opposition?”



Ed Miliband stood there thinking and thinking and then finally says, “To be honest, there is nothing that comes to my mind. I can’t think of a single thing that I’m any good at.”



Cashier: “Will it be large or small notes you require Mr Miliband?”

[raynaputi]

Ed Miliband walks into a bank to cash a cheque. “Good morning”, says Ed, “could you please cash this cheque for me?”

Cashier: “It would be my pleasure Sir, but could you please show me some identification?”

Miliband: “Truthfully… I did not bring my ID with me as I didn’t think there was any need to. But hang on! I’m Ed Miliband, Leader of the Opposition and of the Labour Party!!!”

...

Cashier: ““Yes Sir, I know who you are, but with all the regulations and monitoring of the banks because of impostors and forgers etc, I must insist on seeing some identification”.

Miliband: “Just ask any of the customers here at the bank who I am and they will tell you. Everybody knows who I am!”

Cashier: “I’m sorry Sir, but these are the bank rules and I must follow them”.

Miliband: “I am urging you please, to cash this cheque for me”.

Cashier: “Look Sir, this is what we can do. One day Colin Montgomery came into the bank without any ID. To prove he was Colin Montgomery he pulled out his putter and putted a ball along the floor and into a small cup. With that sort of skill we knew it was Colin Montgomery and we cashed his cheque. On another occasion, Andy Murray came in without any ID. He pulled out his tennis racquet and lobbed a tennis ball straight into my teacup with such a spectacular shot that we all knew it was Andy Murray and we cashed his cheque. So Sir, what can you do to prove that it is you and only you, as the Leader of the Opposition?”

Ed Miliband stood there thinking and thinking and then finally says, “To be honest, there is nothing that comes to my mind. I can’t think of a single thing that I’m any good at.”

Cashier: “Will it be large or small notes you require Mr Miliband?”

[andy222]

Cant argue with you steve if I had the chance I would be out of here.

[jake]

Steve,
Great post. Had similar thoughts 20 years ago and moved to Asia. Have never regretted my decision.

[grahamw48]

Good post Steve.

Same reason I went to work in Hong Kong.

Upon reflection...wished I'd stayed there.

[Steve.r]

Thank you for your replies guys, it has been a long road but I just never gave up on my dreams. If I can stay here for the next ten years I will be more than happy. My home and heart is in Asia.

And Graham, you are still free to return to working in Asia, give it a go

[grahamw48]

Thank you for your replies guys, it has been a long road but I just never gave up on my dreams. If I can stay here for the next ten years I will be more than happy. My home and heart is in Asia.

And Graham, you are still free to return to working in Asia, give it a go

Just let me know when you need a Valet.

I do have some teaching experience and a TEFL certificate, but it's about 20 years old.

Also I believe there is an age limit of 55 years for work permits in China.

[fred]

Just had a quick shifty here regards China work visa requirements...Cant see any age restrictions what so ever.
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/embassy/visa/work.htm

[stevewool]

fantastic steve, we shall see you sooner then later if you still have your place in Bongabon, great write up, life is going very well for you and just like you say you are closer to your family, all what you say is true about being here and number 1 too, i give myself till i am 60 hope to be here that long

[Steve.r]

fantastic steve, we shall see you sooner then later if you still have your place in Bongabon, great write up, life is going very well for you and just like you say you are closer to your family, all what you say is true about being here and number 1 too, i give myself till i am 60 hope to be here that long

Cheers Steve, I know you have your plans and it takes time to see them through. But we wont be moving from Bongabon any time soon, so I hope to share a few beers at ours one day buddy.

[lastlid]

I have travelled all my life for work. Since 1979. Norman Tebbit would have been proud of me. But I don't think it is always the right solution for everybody and neither should it be. Imagine if we all travelled in the same way, the country would be in chaos
It is of course great that Steve has found a solution that suits him and one that perhaps Steve skills are suited to. But such a move might not suit everyone in the same way.

As a reminder of Norman Tebbits advice:


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/news...for-a-job.html

[Steve.r]

I have travelled all my life for work. Since 1979. Norman Tebbit would have been proud of me. But I don't think it is always the right solution for everybody and neither should it be. Imagine if we all travelled in the same way, the country would be in chaos
It is of course great that Steve has found a solution that suits him and one that perhaps Steve skills are suited to. But such a move might not suit everyone in the same way.

As a reminder of Norman Tebbits advice:


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/news...for-a-job.html

I strongly agree, it iis not for everyone and nor should it be. Leaving your home country is tough as you are leaving your security behind you. Our chosen paths to wed foreign ladies makes us different to the norm, but our rights in this matter have been restricted due to greedy governments out for a swift buck.
Many of my friends here have been able to bring their wives to the uk and I congratulate all who have persevered and made it. This was going to be my path had I not been lucky enough to get this job. But for those of us (and there are a few here on the forum) who have led expat lives will know the 'draw' of living in another country and the benefits it can bring. It also gives you the insight into how we are nannied and bullied and led and ripped off at every turn in the Uk without even realising it.

Who knows, I might have to come back, but I will make the most of my time here and fight to stay away from the uk

[andy222]

I strongly agree, it iis not for everyone and nor should it be. Leaving your home country is tough as you are leaving your security behind you. Our chosen paths to wed foreign ladies makes us different to the norm, but our rights in this matter have been restricted due to greedy governments out for a swift buck.
Many of my friends here have been able to bring their wives to the uk and I congratulate all who have persevered and made it. This was going to be my path had I not been lucky enough to get this job. But for those of us (and there are a few here on the forum) who have led expat lives will know the 'draw' of living in another country and the benefits it can bring. It also gives you the insight into how we are nannied and bullied and led and ripped off at every turn in the Uk without even realising it.

Who knows, I might have to come back, but I will make the most of my time here and fight to stay away from the uk

Fair play to you steve if only I was younger I would do the same. You dont want to come back here and I agree this is rip off britain. Like graham said there is a age limit on many countries now. It makes it impossible to get out of here. I have skills there is loads of jobs in america for me but my age is against me.

[Arthur Little]

All best wishes - as always - Steve. Excellent post ... and GOOD ON YOU, my friend.

[lastlid]

Same in the middle east. Places like Saudi have a similar age limit.

[andy222]

I wouldnt fancy the middle east mate. I think I would give that a big miss. I guess the money is ok but too many restrictions.

[lastlid]

I wouldnt fancy the middle east mate. I think I would give that a big miss. I guess the money is ok but too many restrictions.

Yeah. Not allowed a bacon sarnie there, for one thing.

[andy222]

Yeah. Not allowed a bacon sarnie there, for one thing.

You wont be allowed a bacon sarnie here soon.

[lastlid]

You wont be allowed a bacon sarnie here soon.

[stevewool]

You wont be allowed a bacon sarnie here soon.

nice

[Dedworth]

[Steve.r]

It's surprising the freedoms within the middle east, I was in Saudi for a couple of years too and found it a great place. There was more alcohol than you could (shiek) shake a stick at and you could buy bacon or a nice piece of 'flat nose' in various places.
As for age restrictions, some of the guys I worked with were the walking dead, many well over retirement age. Also, there is no restriction for age on a 'business' trip

[grahamw48]

I read it on an English teaching site.