...Bah!!!

The season is changing here Marilla. I've been here 17 days (12 of which I was actually conscious for), and it seems like I've been here forever. It feels like Chicago fall without the leaves changing and the lake smell. Its a little dreary but liveable. Turns out walking outside without a hat in the chilly rain can give you the sniffles...ugh. I just want to be a vegetable all of a sudden. Oh hey bank account, I know...I know.

I found a fancy version of Julius Meinl in Shanghai to do some JOB HUNTING at. Its appropriately called Wagas. Depot for non Chinese foreign jerks to hangout and listen to great music (i.e. Tracey Thorn remixes I've never heard before) while being snotty about their coffee (yes my hand is raise because I like good coffee, sue me). Super trendy but not obnoxious. Prices are so so (meaning cheaper then in the States but hilarious to pay more then 10RMB for a cup of coffee)...FREE INTERNET. Which isn't saying much, its free everywhere here. (They just block the HELL out of ALL the good sites) The coffee is illy, good salads and fruit that I've deemed safe for now. My paranoid diet has become crackers (there are a million varieties here for only 2-5RMB awesome), water, coffee, tea. I don't want the near death experience to happen again. At least not anytime soon.

How's that nosey Rachel doing Marilla? Sorry no scandalous stories for her to share with the world. There might be some youtube footage of me dancing with 10yr old plum whiskey, a dj, and a stage somewhere. I've blocked it from my memory...

You should be happy to know that as much as I've cursed the spreadsheet gods, I've started one for job searching. I think its a good idea to keep track of the people I'm meeting (not that its THAT many) and where I'm dishing the resume out to.

So I've discovered that most yoga studios want someone that speaks some Chinese in order to work there...fine. Learning Chinese just moved to #1 instead of #2. Now to start doing that.

Now thats all for me Anne with an "e"

*now enjoy my picture of me looking like I want a job and/or a prisoner maybe. not really sure. its bad either way, ARGHHHHH...


"Don't give up trying to find your way. But do remember that sometimes it takes bending to avoid breaking."
~Katinka Hesselink

The real transition and work begins

I didn't die, surprisingly, from the "China Bug", but I felt pretty damn close. Jake saw me at my lowest and he still wants to be my roommate...he's a keeper for sure.

So Eliz is gone and the time for Jake to leave for the states is growing closer. I will admit that I was a little nervous at first to think of being here by myself. Then I realized that I'm not by myself at all. I've discovered this thing called NETWORKING...maybe you've heard of it. I usually have a negative (moreso annoying actually) connotation with this term and never took the idea of it very seriously. I mainly associated it with people in suits having meetings, fake smiling and doing lots of dog and pony shows to impress. I'm well aware of my narrow minded view and will be the 1st to admit that that is a dumb way to look at it. I don't think I've really tried to "network" before per se, but I'm finding it interesting and useful now. I feel like a sponge wanting to meet and talk to people. I've never been this excited to look for work and actually want to meet people. (Because I don't like most people so this is kind of a big deal)

China was never on the list of places to go and actually live. Its always been Japan. After some encouraging words from Jake and Josh over some delicious soup and Baos, I laugh at myself for having doubts and feeling discouraged. Of course in my head I'm skipping and jumping in excitement (in the Mary Tyler Moore fashion of hat tossing and twirling in the street) I really am in my own little world sometimes. China will do for now. Its going to be my stepping stone. I am in Asia which was a goal...now to get even closer and learn a new language. Whose going to be marketable? HOLLA!!!! (I'm trying to pump myself up for this ridiculous hill I'm about to climb)

While Josh was here (all of 13 or 14 hours)I got to meet some really good people with his program and got some connects that live here in Shanghai!

I'm excited about going to the gym after being sick. Makes me angry when I feel like crap AND I can't workout. I did a 2 hour run/walk, weights, yoga session at the gym. I've seriously never wanted to be Madonna, but if her lifestyle lets her do ALL of those things ALL of the time...I seriously want to be her!

Now off to gym/network/get job and stuff...

~lovable Anne

the views...

Don't feel like writing, so look at pictures now... ayi lovely veggies

Feeling Blah

Dearest Diana,

I've discovered the pollution EVERYONE was talking about. Ugh. It was kind of miserable. It made my skin super dry (beyond cocoa butter levels) It felt life draining just walking across the street. Surprisingly, my asthma wasn't affected by the thick dense cloud that wafted through the city. I was given some Chinese pellets (I know, but it was safe) with ginseng, mint, a root (that I was not thankfully allergic to) and I felt better.
Jake is really handy with his phone and translated hanzi(Chinese character)to double check and make sure I won't die from ingredients. I'm really grateful...
Speaking of which, I had to get a new freaking phone that supported Mandarin because OF COURSE my WONDERFUL HTC does not. It supports every other damn language under the damn sun, except the one I need. Whatever I'm over it. (I'm not actually)

The past 28 hours have been a little rough. I believe too much oil from the ayi's wonderful cooking caught up with me. I won't go into detail, but the porcelain god and I have gotten closer. Jake is on it sprite and cracker duty...once again he's amazing. Gilbert should be concerned hehehehe.

Well that's all I have to report for now my bosom friend :)
(I'm pretty sure Anne Shirley would've be all over emoticons)

~Anne Shirley

Dear Marilla...

I am still wrapping my head around the idea of instant gratification here in Shanghai. ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING CAN BE DELIVERED TO YOUR FRONT DOOR. From sushi, cigs, McDonalds, or whatever you want even from the convenient store downstairs in your building. It can be done...crazy.

Anyway

I registered with the police and got my paperwork work for temp residency. Apparently they will send an officer to your place to make sure you really are dwelling at the residence. It seems a bit much but it should be fine.
Although I should be heavy job hunting, I'm finding that there is so much more to do. I want to put myself on a schedule so that I can be more productive. I'm waiting for this coma I'm in to pass. As I stood on top of yet another rooftop bar and looked at the insane skyline, I kept thinking "wake up". My bank account isn't dreaming though. Thats my reality check. Its really cheap being here, but when the balance is decreasing and with no income, it becomes a little worrisome. I'm seriously not stressin' about in.

I'm going to go pick up my new tailored suit next week, so that I will do some classy job interviewing. My tailored suit from the fabric market (a warehouse like place that you pick your material and show them a picture and bam new outfit) approx $50USD. Ridic!!!

I'm sure once I get a job, I'll be using the market for lots of homemade tops *if you know what I mean*

Thats all for now. Gilbert has things for us to do today.

Love,

Anne Shirley

No real adventures...

I'm not sure if its jet lag or what, but I keep waking up at 7am. It makes for long days.

...continued departure/arrival

After a crazy check in (having to check all my bags, laptop falling off the ticket counter as I desperately take out what I would need for 19+ hour flight from the hiking bag because it could not come with me on the plane...ugh)
I get on the plane and have the best flight EVER. It was super comfortable. If I wasn't sleeping, I was eating (they'd wake you up to hydrate you and feed you...I love Asiana Air!!!!). Sat next to a Korean husband and wife that were adorable. Got to Seoul and napped and chillax because it was 4AM...
Made a friend on the plane from Seoul to Shanghai, Jolene. She schooled me on getting pass customs and calmed me down a bit, because I was worried (completely unnecessary)

I get to Shanghai and start learning the neighborhood immediately. I've not encountered the cultural shock yet. Perhaps because the area that I'm living looks like Michigan Ave Mag Mile. A freaking flagship Apple Store, flagship Gap, H&M, Uniqlo, etc, etc. Its funny how western this city is...oh well whatever.

I priced and visited a few yoga studios and gyms. Decided and got a gym membership (its across the street and its pretty decent)Got a transportation card (can be used on buses, subway, taxis...so awesome!) and sim card for my phone. Jake, the roomy, has an ayi (like a housekeeper)She cooks really good foods that are vegetarian. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea that an "auntie" coming in to cook and clean for you is cheaper then eating out or doing it yourself...so crazy. (avg $2-$4USD a meal is flippin insane)

This all seems so boring as I write, but whatever.

The few job leads I had where super suspect. I've decided to give myself a few weeks then go hard into looking for a job. I need to get to know this place a lil before diving head first. Especially since I don't know the language (which is top priority now, learning mandarin)

I will feel more at ease once I get my visa switched over.
This weekend Eliz, Jake and myself took a lil trip to the countryside. Jiaxing was a bit of a cultural shock. Had Shanghai been like this, I sadly would not have stayed. Really dirty. We were shown a good time from Jakes friend AJ. Some KTV and good food and 10yr old whiskey. So much fun!!!

That's enough for today. I'm heading to the gym now to work off all the delicious food I've stuffed myself with.

Love,

Anne :)

am in China...

While I've been here almost a week, I've just gotten pass the damn China firewall. Apparently, blogspot was blocked too.Good grief. This did not hinder me from documenting the accounts of my departure/arrival...



Oct. 7th

It starts with the last minute attempt to do everything...I call it simply tying up the loose ends.
I didn't A) realize that the document shredder was not industrial strength, B) that I had so many things to shred and needed perhaps an industrial sized shredder.
After having a relaxed (nothing should have been relaxed about my last day in Chicago and leaving the country) day with Del – him making my last latte, target trip, and cleaning, Bajaj – DMK eating after the search for tapas failed and him giving me a very large and supposedly airline approved hiking bag - I started getting down to the nitty gritty.
Washing my last load of clothes and linens and FITTING EVERYTHING left into the luggage and hiking bag. Futile attempts so I decided that shredding the documents would proved more productive...Turns out no. Devin shows up to lend a much need hand and she miraculously got everything into the luggage...(my suspicions should have started at this point) I then jokingly mentioned that I wish I could just burn all the documents that I needed to shred and call it a day. Devin said seriously “you can”. Thus my last BBQ in Chicago began. Not ideal to burn papers or according to Brandon legal to grill papers (luckily he was there to dispose of the evidence)...you live you learn right. Devin took action and led the charge to burn my papers. She's amazing!!!! We both smelled like campfire. (Total Anne and Diana Barry moment)
I'd gone numb and tired of thinking at this point and ready for this 2 and half month world wind of stuff to do, to be done.
Brandon, Kim, Vikki show up at this point to gather me and my things...
I say bye to Del...the first person I met in Chicago and last person I'd want to leave. No tears, just laughs (how I prefer it)
The get a long gang (Devin, Kim, Brandon, Vikki) and I got to the Chicago Diner one last time. Very entertaining. I could not have asked for a better send off. We head to the airport while listening to Vikki's mixtape “Goodbye, Good Luck and Good Riddance”. I appreciated the fact it started off with “Ain't No Sunshine When She Gone”. Only Vikki can bring that level of cheese to any situation and I not get annoyed with it. A nervous panic starting creeping up the closer we got to the airport. I say my goodbyes to everyone in a most kept together fashion and there I am in line with all my luggage.

Then the story begins...

Guerilla packing done and 48hrs to go

Sooooo that just happened...Not sure how the hell a week just flew but it has. I'm getting so many positive vibes from friends and family. I can't thank them enough. 1 day of work left, yes I'm working to the very end because I will be unemployed and not sure when the next paycheck with roll around.(not worried at all)

Responsible Anne however did put in a change of address and made copies of important documents to be sent to parents in the event of emergencies. Organized meds and other fun stuff to be properly sent to me as needed.

Not to over simplify the situation, and minus the not having a job aspect of my move, this all seems right.

more to come...

Now see my sister enjoying Tuesday at the Golden Nugget, my mom being a comedian, and the boxes of my crap :)



Now in an Anne of Green Gables fashion, a little day dreaming...

I'd like to pretend that this quote is representative of my life at this moment.


"Usually, when people get to the end of a chapter, they close the book and go to sleep. I deliberately write a book so when the reader gets to the end of the chapter, he or she must turn one more page."
~Sidney Sheldon