US and China relations

I really don't understand what President Bush is trying to do criticizing the Chinese government about freedom, human rights and other sensitive issues days before he arrives in Beijing to meet with Chinese leaders. Even I know making people lose face is not a good way to get things done in Asia. Direct public criticism is viewed as a pretty harsh attack here. Moreover, he will soon be meeting with the people he just took a swipe at. I don't get it. Maybe he is trying to appease critics at home or showing everyone his prowess at foreign diplomacy.

Anyway, I had slept restfully during a peaceful Q-u-i-e-t evening last night. In other news, the English school I work for wants to double my hours starting next week. So instead of working 1.5 hours a day, I will work 3. If I do this through January I should be able to save enough to pay for tuition at Renmin for the Spring without adding to my debt. This will give me a full year of studying Chinese at Renmin.

More than a few students here study for free. Their tuition and housing is paid for by the Chinese government. Plus they get about a 1000 Yuan a month for expenses. I am investigating how I could do that. The application is only once a year. Many of the European and African students have come over in this fashion. It bites that I am paying my way though school. Oh well, its too late to cry over spilled milk.