I?m still lurking & not effected by the quake in my location. `Thanks for your concern guys. `specially you Bruce! Ya big softy?

I use this site to keep up on current news, I often lurk on the political board, peruse this main forum & sometimes venture into the reports board.
It?s been amazing to see this country change & modernize the past 5 years!
Not sure what I can add about the quake, it was a big one, a true tragedy! No warning & very devastating!
The next months will be interesting as the summer rains come & lakes & dams burst in a chain as well as more landslides.
Gotta give mother nature credit for her show of power as she continues to reshape the world.
I?m doing well now, living in the southern parts of China, hard to say what my new line of employment is but I?m pretty comfy living here. I?ve not fished for years though?
The do gooders of the world have really messed with us expats here in China with their protests of Tbet. Getting long term visas has become nearly impossible unless you?re employed full time by a company licensed to hire foreigners. The gents in Beijing are quite scared of the upcoming protests In country by non-Chinese & are setting up to be able to basically close China again to any that aren?t here with a real job. My visa expires June 7th? I?m now preparing to leave my life here for a few months in case they turn me down on my next extension. But, being Asia, the upstanding folks here have found loopholes for those willing to spend a bit extra & I?m hearing I ?may? be able to secure a 6 month visa? `maybe. I won?t know until I?m standing there with application in hand, either the person will accept me or not, more depending on his present mood than actual policy.
They feel good ? we expats living here pay their price & Tbet becomes less traditional as a result of the protests?
I may get to / have to spend the summer fishing in Hawaii?
I may continue living here?
Either way, my life is here now & once the visa rules are set again I?ll be here.
If anyone wants, I?ll be happy to give the address to a restaurant the serves a great dog hotpot in Guangxi.
