Made it!

Thunder!! I finally made it to Shanghai. Was welcomed by rain, clouds, a thunderstorm and humidity- have yet to see the sun! Monday we start training which I heard is a bit overwhelming, but I have met a few other co-workers and they are all extremely welcoming and said not to worry too much about it.

Shanghai itself is a crazy city! So many people, cars, horns, bikes and mopeds. There's definitely always something going on. I have only had one person get in my face to take a picture. This is not what the others here have experienced however. Apparently they were suckered into taking pictures with gobs of people for 15 minutes. yikes.

There are so many influences from other countries and this makes it very unique. It's... EuroAsian I guess. The people that are here are all very nice and interested in Americans and the English language. I surprisingly am already acclimated to not understanding anything that's going on around me- you never realize how much eavesdropping you do un-knowingly.

On the way out to dinner last night we went through the French Concession which is a very European influenced area. The streets are tree-lines and there are many art studios and small coffee shops/ cafes. So much pretty!

I have gone out to eat at a Chinese restaurant two nights now. The first was with work and the food was great! I love the eating style, they don't rush at all and being a slow eater, it's even better. Last night, I went to eat with some girls I have met through training and we experienced hot pot. It's very interesting- delicious though of course. You order different meats and veggies, make a sauce at the counter which has all different spices, peanut, sesame, etc sauce, herbs- mix it all up in a little bowl. Then the server brings out boiling broth (spicy or not) and you add the meat to the broth to cook it and dip it in the sauce. So good and it took forever to eat because there was so much!

However, I am already missing fresh produce terribly...

BAM

It finally hit me like I knew it eventually would. I got my official plane ticket today and am leaving a day earlier than I thought. My packing is... well.. going. Checked in bags pretty much done now I just need to figure out to do with the rest of my room, shoot.

I'm starting to feel much more anxious/ sad than anything at this point. Sad to leave my fantastic friends and family, but I will be back! Starting to try and figure out already what I want to do when I get back, where to go to school (really?) and such. Maybe try northern Cali or Oregon depending on tuition rates.

Trying to figure this "after" stuff out helps to ground me and let me know that I WILL be back. Not that I have to, if I absolutely love what I'm doing, I have the option to stay and continue. This is also interesting to me because I would love to love my job. So we will see what really happens. I'll find out soon enough!

Well here we go. 8 days till a 13 hour flight. wowza.

Dayzed

So here I am sitting at work, still trying to comprehend this move. As of now, I am definitely feeling more nervous than anything. Have heard only good things about Shanghai and I know this will be a great experience.. However it is a huge change..

Unfortnately it hasn't hit yet and I am getting worried it won't until I'm at the airport. The last few weeks I have been camping, kayaking and really enjoying the So Cal life and outdoors. Just yesterday I started to pack and get clothes organized (sell, give and keep), post car and furniture items to sell and get storage situated. Even with all this and my room being a giant mess, it still isn't hitting. Tomorrow I am going into the embassy to get a work visa, maybe this will help.

I have a few more adventures planned before I leave: Vegas, the Channel Islands and chilling at the beach. I'm looking forward to these and hope time doesn't move too quickly.

2.75 weeks. Wow.