Just reading this thread as an outsider hoping to get in. I've got the nod but no start date. (they said Jan 06 ish 330)
COS's are being eroded all over the world guys, but if ya look around, the hard take home money is on the up. We are all however having to work harder to earn a crust. Live with it. Rest assured it is not just a KA thing.
With regard to the pollution, is it just as bad if you live outside of central or is it coming in from mainline China? Cheers.