You know, just life lessons

So  you have to enjoy how life is always "teaching" you lessons especially when it seems to be the same lesson time and time again. I get it life. This time I get it. It doesn't matter how smart, talented, interesting, open minded, creative, blah blah blah you are. Trusting people to do what they say they can do is always a crap shoot. 

This time around isn't as shocking or even earth shattering. I had a gut feeling, but I ignored it to focus on the fact that there were robots and an interesting concept to be apart of.  I mean really, wouldn't anyone do the same...robots people...ROBOTS.

So I signed up (roughly speaking because no contracts were signed) with a startup that has this great idea for having robots as language buddies. I was basically hired for my experience teaching kids and being awesome (mostly in my head), but ultimately my perspective.They obviously had not one clue about the education industry because this group of guys were in the IT industry that basically worked with refurbished servers and re-purposing many companies old network systems. This threw me off a bit, because I was under the assumption they were innovative, forward thinking, and planners. My bad. I realized immediately how unfocused and self destructive they could be especially when they said "visas are so easy", "we're doing something thats never been done before in SEA (southeast asia)", "this will go big and we will be a publicly traded company", [insert grandiose statement here]. Even with all this silly speak I called visionary bullshit. Whatever it was robots. I got to play with a robot everyday. 

My role changed immediately when they realized my other strengths

(I am willing to attempt anything and like a challenge) and I started designing a curriculum for "in class use with the robot". I was working on an interactive kids book that would go along with the robot. We just started doing focus groups, which I setup, organized and magically constructed with the help of the group. Yes the scope of my position changed vastly and became dynamic. It was challenging because I wanted to believe.

I still had my hesitation from jump street. I would get into arguments with the head guy that was more focused on having brand marketing, and the robot making loud noises (he thinks kids are idiots and that loud ass sounds will appease them and convince parents to drop 10k USD to purchase) instead of focusing on trying to get the robot developed to be functional.

Meanwhile, I'm traveling to Singapore and KL and the other offices to work with programmers and animators to try implementing the new designed curriculum. Why was I traveling so much you ask? Because they could not bring the robots into Thailand without having to pay a phenomenal fee to customs. This posed a new level of drama when we needed to repair robots. Sending and receiving them from the Paris company where they are maintained and having customs hold for a few weeks...not sure how that fit into their business plan. I voiced my concerns with this on top of marketing tactics and was marked as being negative and not contributing solutions. Which is true, I do not know how to save a sinking ship. So I continued to just rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic (thank you Ebert for giving me an expression that perfectly fits this situation)

I was going to give them until November to come up with some solutions for all of the grievances I had. It wasn't just me, all the foreigners thought the same thing, especially when it came to visas. 

Fast forward to last week, I found out they could not do visas, they did not have the robot company registered, they had gone through 3 shady "lawyers", "agents", "somebodies cousin" to do the paperwork for the foreigners. Cutting corners basically. I was very upset by this and in a group message (yes unprofessionally and absolutely disrespectful) told them "they needed to get their heads out of their asses and start being more open about this lack of process." No I was not thinking of winning any popularity contest and no one disagreed.

Not to my surprise I go into the office Monday. I apologize to the the "manager type" guy that was only hired because he's white and that's how you sell stuff here. I said I was sorry for being so venomous in the message, but he has to understand our frustrations. He replies with a "you cannot disrespect us like that", which I totally get. I know I was wrong. I try calling the head guy and his wife to apologize. They have conveniently stop taking calls, messages, and not replying to emails prior to the message. I knew right away what was coming.

4 hours into the work day (I was deleting files and moving things to my flash drive. I cleaned my work laptop completely and left very basic things I did on the server) manager type guy tells me and an animator that this isn't about messages or anything other then the visas and that they will have to let us go, because they cannot do your visas. I said "oh, ok", the animator did not take it so well. I thought he was going to start swinging and breaking robots. Dude is all muscle. He immediately went to our other Bangkok office where the head guy (that had been avoiding my calls/emails/messages all weekend) to try and talk to him. I changed my flight dates, printed out my boarding pass and found a hotel and started using the office printer to print out information on visas and jobs. I needed to exit and I still had stuff in the KL (Kuala Lumpur) office which me and the animator where suppose to flight out to go to this Tuesday. 

There is a robot show coming up that they now realize they are not ready for. They let us keep the flight ticket and we could use it however we wanted. I thought "they really think they're doing us a favor, hilarious".  Before I left the office Monday, they asked if I could do freelance work for them HAHAHHAHA. Ballsy people. I smiled and said "of course". If I choose to actually help them I will charge them ASTRONOMICAL fees for my assistance.

I had an interesting talk with the animator about what he had discussed with the head guy on our flight to KL. Apparently the head guy is just as big of a coward as I thought. He apparently thought we didn't appreciate all of the money he's spent on us and his shady efforts and compartmentalizing methods of information. He especially didn't like my message, the one about them suggesting they remove their heads out of their asses. The Thai staff apparently had a problem with the animator that none of us realized and thats why they needed to let him go... figured it was BS reasons. I was over it all 2 weeks ago. They just pulled the trigger before I did, which is a little annoying. 

So that's that. Sorry this was so long, but I've been to busy to do a play by play of the #robotlife that was happening. I wanted to genuinely give this a chance. I can say I tried with no regrets.

On to the next thing now.

Sending positive vibes everywhere!

Signed Uncompromising Anne with an e

Learning as I go...per usual

I'm passed my 100 day mark here in Bangkok.  Much like POTUS ('cause in my head I am just as important. Don't hate. Hahaha joking...not really)

I should have some things to show for 103 days, right?

Unfortunately, not much to report. Really basic things are happening. I'm trying to get settled into my new apartment, trying to figure out this #robotlife, learn thai (I know only know 10 words at this point SMH), figure out a budget and yes still publish a damn book (I know I'm getting sick of hear ABOUT it too)....

My apartment is nice and cozy, strategically located between my work, #robotlayer, and the hot spots that have a good mix of hip, chill, and cheap deliciously unreal food/entertainment/grocery and street boutique shopping.

My work is ridiculous. Its hard to explain because it is so ridiculous.  With this startup company, I basically play with robots that speak over 25 languages and try to figure out ways for kids to possibly learn/play/use it for school and at home. My team and I are currently preparing for a robot conference in Singapore . Which is why I sadly cannot make it back to the States this year. I finally got an opportunity in Bangkok thats interesting and I had to make a very big sacrifice to keep the job.

Much like it was in China, people just want to speak English to me or assist me by being my personal translator. This is amazing and kind, but problematic. I cannot learn Thai this way. Minor problem, I will get it. I just need to get to it!

Last but not least, I got my 16th and 17th rejection from 2 publishers for my books...Its all part of the process, I just keep going forward.

I found a yoga studio and boxing club near my place so I think I'm pretty set. Thailand is treating very well. I've me some very interesting people and am STILL learning about myself.

Other than a 1st degree burn on my leg because I don't know the proper way to disembark from a motorcycle while riding side saddle (I'm a lady now)...its all good.

I believe thats all for now.

Anne with an "e" over and out.

"I exist as I am, that is enough"
~whitman

So yeah...Anne is not in China

I thought long and hard about whether to keep posting here for the following reasons, because I'm...

A. not in China
B. one of millions of people of color traveling
C. have no fascinating stories to share.
D. Only my haphazard lifestyle of "what not to do" or "how it probably shouldn't be done" methods.

I finally decided that I should post that I'm alive and doing ok. I'm in the land of thank yous and consideration and lots of manners. I am not missing Shanghai...at all.
That's all I have to say about that.

I have had the fortune, luck, blessing, or whatever you want to call it to be able to transition from every place I've lived to the next with the patience and understanding of the people I know (I cannot thank you all enough for putting up with me, sharing your friends and lives with me)
Not sure if many of you all remembered my German friend in Shanghai, Erik (I helped him use his amenities in his luxury condo (i.e. large kitchen with an oven, jacuzzi bathtub...etc etc) while helping him when he had back surgery (because I'm a true friend). So this guy, was reassigned to Bangkok 18 months ago and I am lucky enough that he's offered his place for me until I get myself together...job and place of my own (trust, it will happen soon). So no need to worry about me #roughingit . I initially came thinking it would take a week or two to get situated. Turns out no. #realtalk

So you ask, now what? As usual, I'm playing it by ear. I've gotten some corporate training position offers in Bangkok (#fingerscrossed this week) and other rural cities (no thank you). I could bum around the beaches in the south and teach locals English for little pay but very rewarding laid back life. I'm looking at my options still.

23 days in and I'm still ultimately trying to figure Bangkok out.

You'll know when I know.

Anne with an "e" out and counting her blessings!!!

Pictured Erik shopping for teak wood...dude is obsessed with #teak

There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.” 
―Beverly Sills

new home maybe...Thailand

So, this is probably my 6th or 7th trip to Thailand. It was by far the most unique visit by far. First, going with a local to more places is exponentially different (of course). Secondly, when that local is crazy and awesome and is looking for a break from her Australian architectural studies...it adds another layer. Also, when than same local Thai girl threatens to make you go around with a selfie stick (hate those things) if I wouldn't comply with her picture taking demands...well that's a game changer. So that was the main motivator behind the heavy photo sessions.

I realized, because we had 1000s of pics from the trip, that I looked really happy. I know and felt it was great but I somehow forget how much I really like Thailand. I don't think I needed pictures to believe this, but I've been in a real rut/stalemate lately. Losing time/money/energy on my Taiwan plans has made me really want to leave all thing Chinese. At the same time I don't want to leave here bitter. I'm doing well with work in Shanghai, but my wanderlust for travel, the beach life and fresh air have been really itching he past 4 months. I was in the hospital for a week at the beginning of the year for a lung infection. I'm doing so much better now...breathing and all. It just was another nail in the coffin for mean to leave. Its so easy to live in China. I admit that I've let that comfortable bubble distract me from my future adventures. So its now time to really get to work. So much researching on locations and jobs and expat life is exhausting, but rewarding. So we shall see.



Anne looking to leave China for good...for real this time...no no I mean it

You've missed nothing...

So its been a year...well about 7 months since I posted. I honestly had nothing to update.
No, no, no I've been lazy and preoccupied. I've narrowed my island move to Taiwan. Its often called China lite due to the feel of Japan (the delicious food, nice people, organized and neat) and the prices of mainland (not too expensive). Its met my criteria due to its location near water (its surrounded). I still want to visit other islands, so that's still on the agenda. How and when is for later.
I've been visiting other cities in mainland and trying to see "real china" before I take my final leave. I'm amazed at how many locals don't know the names of many cities outside of their own provinces. Its been funny, because I've been taking monthly trips to places and returning with pictures and stories. They ask me "where did you go", I reply "Yingtan". They respond with "yingtong? yongtong?, or [insert the millions of ways they attempt to pronounce it and missing the damn point of me trying to tell them about my trip they were so damn nosey to get the details about. ugh]. 什吗 Ying (What Ying?)" I tell them "ying as in eagle and tan as in lake or pond". This goes back and forth until they give up and say "I don't think you're saying it correctly, there is no such place". I'm now to the point where I say "oh ok, probably". Knowing damn well Yingtan is a real place that I really went to see some real mountains. I'm to the point now where I say "oh I was sick, that's why I asked for the days off". 
My patience level (aka BSTL bullshit tolerance level) has impressively increased. I'm getting better at ignoring the dumb shit and accepting the things I cannot change, changing the things I can and...you know the rest.

No jaw dropping updates really. I've gained a ton so I'm going to the gym. I'm not bitching about, but just going. I've decided to push myself harder for the next 10 weeks, considering how I should have done this 4 months ago while I was stuffing my face with ALL possible great local foods while traveling.

I will soon quit my current company and move on to a better opportunity that will springboard me faster and smoother to Taiwan...

I've had to say countless good-byes to good friends. It made me wonder if I'm being left behind and then I quickly remember (while laughing at myself for worrying) that my path is drawn as I go. 


Art is not for the cultivated taste. It is to cultivate taste.
~Nikki Giovanni


Anne with an "e" wishes you well!

I needed reminding...sadly from a quiz

Anne Shirley...

You live more inside your own dream world than out; you're imaginative, intelligent and always look for the best in each person you come across (unless they’ve personally insulted you, of course). You're a dreamer who makes the best of every situation even when there doesn’t seem to be much hope. While you put on a happy face to the world, you often find yourself in the depths of despair where you struggle with loneliness. And while you can talk the hind leg off a cow, you do need time for inner reflection so you can recharge. You are loyal, hot tempered, and the most idealistic kindred spirit.

You're likely an INFP.

Possible next moves...get a map

I’m thinking islands:
Seychelles
Fiji
Mauritius
Maldives
Pacific and/or Indian ocean

Thoughts, questions, concerns...

Although, I signed another year contract with the little monsters, I'm thinking whats after. I will miss these monkeys.

I wish I was special...

If I were special, I think I would have the confidence and drive to do some really great things, or at least finish simple task. For example blogging and updating friends and love ones on my life. I'm currently in Detroit, Michigan (like there's another Michigan pssssh) reassesing as I do when I come to Michigan. I still don't have any answers and I'm still learning. I think I've figured out the basics of living in Shanghai and keeping my sanity. I have unfortunately not been as focused on yoga as I desperately feel is necessary. I'm not stressing because I always find my back to it and my practice greets me like I never left.

This trip home has proven informative and extremely refreshing. Minus the mugging that was slightly overshadowed by the trauma of dealing with the new Chicago transit "Ventra" (aka shit-tra), its been a good visit. Once I accepted the fact that I would not be able to see everyone I wanted, I treasured the time of those I did see.

Lessons Anne has learned from another year in China:
*Patience is a life learning process, no I'm not there yet
*I am much much small in the world than in my head
*I find more things humorous and get upset less (i.e. getting mugged)
*Being aware of the people you let into your life and the work it takes to build and maintain any type of relationship
*I might not be conventional, but I'm not alone in how I think and see things. Makes one feel less lonely.
*Other people can take themselves way too seriously, which I knew, but not taking what they say serious isn't always good.
*Hesitation is hilarious

Thats as much as I can gather right now. Still trying to organize the past 5 months of stuff I didn't post. Its not like nothing happened...its just hard when it all seems so insignificant.

Untill next time.

Love,

Anne

Thailand

At the airport (in China)...
I’m pretty sure this is kidnapping, albeit, legal but definitely some form of  holding people hostage without any hope of release. I complain about this countless times, but the power to control going apeshit in an airport hits unmeasurable levels. Especially when they do not give you any details of when the flight is coming in or IF the plane is even coming...EVER.

Made it to Bangkok...somehow

I’ve hit up museums and local tourist traps. I went to a movie where you have to stand for the kings song (yup that is fo real). I’m enjoying th fact that I am not in china right now. People are so pleasant here. Even one of the taxis driver that tried to swindle me became a friend by the end of my ride. We laughed at how silly he was,(probably and mainly due to the fact I understood 10% of what he was saying.)

Can you believe how hard it is to fine pad thai?!?!?!?
Seriously... its not on every menu, its not that popular. I compare it to the popularity of kung pao and sweet and sour chicken in China. Although they have it its not on most menus. Its a little disappointing and sad when you find out the food you “thought” was all ethnic or traditional just isn’t.  Thank goodness Josh knew what was up and took me to where I could pig out on some good pad thai!

 I found the Bangkok Cultural Center which was so great. So many great Thai artist and local works of art. So much and all so free.

Had dinner with Josh and Patcha. I learned how to eat an entire fish with lots of greens, sticky rice, spices, and apple/kiwi vodka. It was a real treat. I cannot thank Josh enough for being so helppful and awesome.