Week One.Five

My latest posts have all been very image heavy rather than reflective, mainly because the last year has just been the same recurring theme (with slightly different packaging each time) of "curious/poor student-traveler in China". From the beginning of 2009 until mid-2011, 2.5 years, I feel like I've just been practicing Chinese just in theory, Chinese as in the language, and Chinese as in the culture. I've read so much about Chinese political thought, chatted so much about Chinese youth culture with my classmates, even traveled to my Chinese ancestral hometown. In learning about China I've been able to clarify my own position in the world, which is that I am firmly American in thought, personality, and reflection... but yes, it's a blessing to be able to understand Chinese as well. :)

CHINA CHINA CHINA, BLAH BLAH BLAH.

So glad to be going back to the States soon.

Now I've clearly entered a new phase in my life where I finally feel like I can tangibly collect all my efforts, step back, and wonder in amazement at how much I've changed in the last 2.5 years. I remember when my ex teased me just a few years ago because I misread Chinese characters outloud in Vegas (I was trying to read the name of some Chinese buffet, haha). Now, my job in Shanghai requires actual cross-cultural maneuvering and business sense -- I help my boss navigate deals in both languages, in varying industries, with multiple parties... and it's been very manageable so far. She makes me feel like I'm really important in her project's success, which gives me a sense of ownership and even freedom. And I get to wear whatever I want, which means no button-down non-iron shirts... FTW!

Shanghai is an amazing city, and I can envision living here for awhile. I've been eating out with friends all week -- it's pure heaven! There's really nothing lacking material-wise, except for a good running trail. :p I did find a decent road though, and been waking up at 6:00am to to run while the car exhaust hasn't reached a critical level yet (morning air is way cleaner than evening air). I don't know what's happened to me, but I've suddenly become a morning person and don't like sleeping in anymore???

I live right by Suzhou Creek in a nice apartment with 1 Italian dude and 1 German guy, both the most sweet, hilarious, and benign people you could find. We watch The Big Bang Theory together, and it's amazing that they get all the geeky jokes. It's a hilarious cultural exchange, for example Ronnie the Italian and I talked about The Jersey Shore today. David the German talked about Haribo Gummies. Yea, stereotype much? :)

Almost done with week 2, time has flown by so quickly. There's a lot of things that I don't want to think about anymore, some things that I don't want to deal with anymore, a few things that don't mean much to me anymore. Life is a constant evolution -- I just want to get better with time. Victory is mine!