Warning To All

[Raoul Duke]

BTW, it IS possible to pay phone and food for a month on 1000 RMB. I wouldn't like it much either, but it is possible...

[Mr Nobody]

Hope the local noodles are tasty.

[Loops]

I am really sorry to say this but you gotta come up with some new information there, GTO...you keep spewing the same $hit about you getting screwed when it's really your fault.

Did you happen to thoroughly read the posts in this thread?!?! I don't think so. I sincerely hope you do because most of these guys know alot about life in China and life in general. Listen to them.

I still don't give a rat's about your contract woes, because whether you like it or not, you signed them. A signed contract is a deal. A deal that must be respected, by both sides. You can cry about it afterwards all you want, but you signed the bloody thing, you MUST honor it. About your not wanting to pay them for the second half of the course, that was answered for you by many of us quite a few posts back...once again, didja read the posts in this thread...?

Do the math, 2 plus 2 is 4 minus 5 is 1.

Thank Jeebus you aren't a math teacher!

I am sorry dude, turn the page and stop reiterating so much...it's getting boring.

[Stil]

gto said:

Kaite did help me in the beginning as I was very greatful.

So we signed contract after contract after contract, all broken as no money was coming in.

If they would just leave me alone, my employer pay ME (not someone else) once a month like my contract says, I will pay Boland every month just like I told them.

I understand that you have had frustrating financial difficulties but what I don't understand is why you feel that Boland should trust you and leave you alone. You may have always had the intent to pay them but how could they know that? From their point of view, since a signed contract wasn't enough how can your word be enough?

It's not as complex as you make it out to be. It's quite simple. You defaulted on loans with one organization and breeched a contract with another. While you have my sympathies (and perhaps theirs) your Ukrainian money fiasco really doesn't come into it at all. They are business men/women not wet-nurses.

[gto]

I believe this will be last post. It seems everyone on the site truely wants to help with the exception of a few who are using this site to monitor my movements, employment, etc. In response to Katie Bolands message, there are alot of half truths making it appear I have just been a complete ass. First of all, Katie had me sign a document that would allow them to collect 2000rmb to pay for me accomodations. They told me I HAD to do this as Shane would not give it to me before pay day. This is not at all true. Most teachers aproach Mr Ma and ask for an advance early and receive it. Of course I believe Katie and signed my life away (lie number 2 from Boland) Lie number 3. Katie said I signed a document and stuck it under the door that I would pay them on the 10th of each month. This is true. What isnt true is that she didnt get paid on the 10th. She in fact got paid on the 9th becasue the 10th was a Saturday (the 10th is the normal pay date at Shane) and I asked Shane to pay me early so I could go to Boland and pay them on Friday as they are closed on the weekends. So she got payed a day early because I asked for my pay early to make sure I wasn't late. Lie number 4. Shane in no way provided me with an apartment. Shane phoned an American working at Shane who lived in a 2 bedroom apartment and asked it he would talk to me as I needed a place to stay. This American friend gave me a place to stay and I payed him for renting a room in HIS apartment. I have HIS lease that does not have Shane anywhere on the document except as a witness. The apartment was rented by me friend directly from the landlord. Problems accoured when my friend who we later found out was bipolar, had a lapse and needed to be hospitalized and was later deported by Chinese officials. Now I am stuck holding the bag on this apartment that my American friend borrowed some 14000rmb from Shane to get into. Shane thinks I am responsible to pay them the money they loaned my room mate. They also want me to pay them rent for the months I was living there with my room mate. I have already paid my room mate and now they want me to pay them. Further, Kaite says I have broken all agreements and this is a half truth. As I stated, all agreements we made based upon the assumption my Ukraine money would be exchanged. It never got exchanged. And while they are following me around town and looking in on my eating habits, they failed to mention I was with 3 friends who were helping me by providing me with a decent meal. Katie is making some bold assumtions with proof and is providing half truths to make people believe she is 100% in the right and I am 100% wrong. As I have said, I dont deny I owe them for what I have attended of the course. And I have agreed to pay them 2000rm per month (a very fair amount in my opinion) for 6 months to cover the entire cost of the course. They do this with other poeple who join the course part time but wont agree to this with me. Without their agreement, I will pay them 2000rmb per month for the course I have stated. But with all this trouble that is now going on, I am 100% certain I will not return to the course. And as Katie Boland stated in here letter, they asked me to not continue the course. I could not have continued at the point if I wanted. Since this is the case, should I pay her for just the part of the course I attended up to the point she asked me to leave, or for all of it? Also, I want to point out, Katie had me sign allowing them to collect my money from Shane for the apartment they provided me. It was believed by me I was going to stay there in the apartment and Shane would give Katie the money as I earned it to cover the accomodation. The day after signing this document, I was told to move out of the accomodation provided by Boland. In my opinion, this violated their contract. I have nothing more to say on this issue.

[gto]

Katie is making some bold assumtions without proof. (I said with) Sorry for they typo mistakes. I was in a hurry. It seems the police are now looking for me as more lies have been told that I stole a bunch of items from the apartment. Sorry Roul. I don't think you can help clean this mess up if you wanted. Its now in the hands of the American Embassy and my attorney.

[DollyODear]

This is just not right. I have not had any of the same experiences of any of the same institutions, though I went to Boland and Shane, too. GTO, you need to stop.

In discovering that I am sick, Shane has been an incredible help. Ms. Chen went with me to the doctor, translated for me, and cooked me dinner afterwards. I have not been abandoned by them for a minute. Boland has been nothing but good to me, too.

My two fen::::: GTO, My own luck changed drastically when I stopped thinking that I was above the consequences of my actions. Cause and effect is not cruel. It Just Is. It doesn't feel sorry for anybody, and doesn't give you a break because you don't believe in it.

Nobody can shield you from the consequences of your actions either -- nor should they try, for your own good. Frankly, the ass-kicking you are earning now is probably the only thing that could possibly stop you from earning more in the future. That is, if you have any sense of self-preservation. If not, well, the earth needs fertilizer, too. It's all good.

Some of us know what really happened, but no matter: anybody with any sense can read between these lines.

[acjade]

When's the boat leaving, Cheeky. This is the most confusing thread I've ever read.

However I do feel a duty as a human being/mother/person to say this:

GTO: I don't care wether you're right or wrong. It's not about being right or wrong. I care that you're obviously someone in distress. I can't figure out the the story.
My bad. I've been sick for about three weeks. Ill for two and chronic for one and only now coming back to the table.

So I have to say this to you and I don't want you to answer me I just want you to consider the possibility that maybe you're among friends.

Stop for a minute. You have a chance here. A good chance. For whatever reason you feel to be on the defensive, talk about it. Don't react. Calm down son. Whatever's happened has happened. Let your friends help you through this.

You came to China to make a new life. You obviously have risk taking skills because I wouldn't have walked out of my nappies without my father anf mother behind me. You came with Ukranian currency. You would survive with the Foreign Legion. I'd be eaten for breakfast.

What's happened has happened. Face it or keep talking to us because we're all at sea on the same little planet no matter how big the gravy boat.

What looks like a big wave to some is just a reef hiccup to others.

[nolefan]

Been there.. seen that!

I think at this point, we're beating a dead horse by keeping this going. GTO is obviously a smart lad who landed on hard times and with his back to the wall did a few things he shouldn't have done. I believe he's admitted to it and it's over. It seems that indeed, he's got quite a bit on his plate at this point in time and i just want to wish him the best of luck no matter what.

GTO, you sound like a decent bloke, try and work this out amicably with boland and Shane if there is still any way of doing it. Involving embassies and attorneys when you have no cash is not the smartest/wisest thing to do because they are in the right and can outlast you.
Remember, they are part of the community and have plenty of connections; unfortunately, this cannot be said about yourself.
At this point, you have overstayed your welcome in Suzhou i venture to say for your own good, find a way to get out of there without any further damages to you or others.

Learn from this experience and avoid getting yourself in debt.. it's the best way to do things your way. As long as you're in someone else's debt, you HAVE to swallow your pride.
good luck.

[Mr Nobody]

I started writing again, but the arguments are getting circular. So, no point saying more.

[woza17]

What puzzled me from the beginning that Boland allowed you to do the course with no money upfront,is this usual or was it because in all faith you thought you had the money but in in a currency that you didn't realize you could change.
I am amazed that they showed so much trust and I would have been so grateful and anxious to pay them back I would have taught polytechnic kids for 3 months.

If Katie has the signed documents and you agreed to the payments of terms. Then you really don't have a leg to stand on.

And what is morally right here the school helped you out from the beginning and they are a business and put into place, terms of payment. Most courses that you start, you pay for the full course that you enrolled in.
So who are we to believe? Does it really matter what I think? It would only be with my de3alings with Boland and so far Katie has e-mailed me about the Summer camp and I found her very professional and really putting a lot of effort in finding her teachers positions. Unfortunately all the positions were filled but I would definitely like to keep contact for future job opportunmities for her teachers

[Loops]

OMFG...SOMEONE KILL THIS THREAD...IT IS GETTING TO BE REPETITIVELY STUPID!!

MODS LOCK IT UP!!

[Mr Nobody]

Well, it goes like this. GTO just basically comitted suicide in regards to China. Stupidity gets its own rewards and punishments.


Right and wrong has nothing to do with it.

[Raoul Duke]

Yeah. I have to concede...going to a foreign country with no money at all and a big bag of scrip you KNOW will be worthless just doesn't seem like such a great plan in the first place. Might as well wear a big sign around your neck reading "FU(K ME".

At the same time I know it's been an ordeal for you. I am sorry for that, I genuinely am.

Loops, I feel your pain. GTO has had several rounds now. I think Boland may want one more rebuttal and I feel they deserve the shot. Then we'll lock it down.

[Loops]

I think this thread is going nowhere and wether or not Boland needs a rebuttal is a non-issue...GTO just repeats his garble and Katie already said what she had to say...the point of the matter is this...now listen closely folks, GTO fooked himself and no amount of blabber can change that fact, once again, a signed contract is a signed contract. Don't fook with other peoples money. This is China, protocol does not exist and the rulebook, well that's just another book collecting dust on the shelf, so get over it and straighten your $hit out. Face the music, like my Pappy used to tell me.

CASE CLOSED.

For the poor souls who are confused(maybe they don't understand English), why the hell do you even bother to respond? Go on to another thread and leave this one out...we don't need more posts about nothing on this thread...

I for one wish no ill towards GTO but jeez, he made his bed and is unwilling to sleep in it. We gave our 2 cents and some of us even advised him about what to do...If he doesn't realise/use that, it ain't our problem. We aren't his parents for chrissakes.

JEEBUS save me....

'nuff said.

[Hamish]

I dunno.

Selecting, and reading, any thread is optional.

If people are posting, I'd let the thread die the normal drawn out, lonely, gurgling, rattling, bubbling, painful, screaming, fitful, agonized death that awaits us all.

[Hamish]

They are pissed at me over at the school.

I dressed up special for the last class of the year too. Conservative BASTARDS!

[Lotus Eater]

I can see why they are miffed Hamish - that little roll of fat just above your belt/garter is really off-putting. Get ye to a gym, man.

[Mr Nobody]

I have an outfit just like that, only in blue.

Back to the subject: I do think this is a very good warning to us all.

[woza17]

Where you fun bags full of sweets before you stepped out? Did you have trouble with change. Did you go to the bank first and get rolls of coins. Coin operated machines are one of the top ten peeves in North America. Hey Candyman witha bit of forward planning these problems can be avoided. But overall I like the idea.

[Raoul Duke]

Hmmm, Hamish may have a point.
It IS at least drawing a lot of posts.

Maybe the picture he posted will help dissuade people from coming here and it'll eventually die on its own.

[Lotus Eater]

I thought it wa a great photo of George.

[George61]

deborann said:

I thought it wa a great photo of George.

!

[Raoul Duke]

Ladies and gents,

I'm happy to report that a compromise seems to have been reached between GTO and the Boland School. Both sides genuinely seem to be making good faith efforts to work things out.

This is good news for all concerned, and hopefully things will now stay that way.

As part of the process I am now locking this thread down. Thanks, everybody.

[Raoul Duke]

Hmmm, well, maybe I spoke too soon.

The thread is still locked for now but there's more to add.

First, I should mention that I've seen the documents relating to this affair. Among other things, they very clearly include the right for Boland to collect a 2000 RMB payment directly from the Shane school. The documents seem to validate Boland's side of the story and it seems Boland has operated entirely within their rights in this matter.

Also, I think Boland may still want that chance to rebut the last round(s) of GTO's side of the story. They should get that chance. Katie, please smoke 'em if ya got 'em. You can e-mail to me.