My first experience with...

FOOD POISONING sickness in Shanghai. I know...it was my fault completely because I decided to go to one of those street vendors and get myself a nice bowl of freshly made noodles. I didn't think that I would get THAT sick. So three nights ago, around 1:30am, I was in the bathroom rolling around on the floor with the worst stomach pain ever. I remember the last time I felt like that and it was in Bali, where I did the exact same thing...ate at a street vendor. One would think that I learned my lesson, but nope...I had to go through it one more time just to make sure. The worst thing is, I was also just sick. I started to get a fever and sore throat! I have been coming home from work around 4pm everyday because I just can't stand being in the office. Everyone at the office is sick right now. It's because it's so hot outside and the minute you step foot in the office building, you feel like you're in the artic. I always leave a sweater at my desk, but it's that moment when you walk in dripping with sweat that you are likely to catch a cold. So, the virus just keeps going around and around. Now, I'm just sitting on my couch feeling like crap and hoping this goes away. To add on to this, my cable TV is not working because they're updating the system so I am forced to watch Chinese television, which I understand like 10% of it. So I've been popping one movie in after another.
My roommie is coming over today to move some stuff in and to go buy some stuff for his room. I still can't believe that I'm going to have a roommate! That's crazy! I trust that he'll be easy to live with. He seems like it...then again, what do I know about roommates. I have only lived with ex's and see how poorly that turned out! :) Even though I have absolutely no energy today, I am still going to go shopping! Woo hoo! I like going in the department stores and feeling like I can actually buy stuff! However, some items seriously has gone up in price! When I do the whole conversion thing, sometimes, things are actually cheaper in the States. For example, shoes! So my girlfriends who are coming to visit me, make sure you go looking for shoes (6 1/2 size) that are cheap and cute cuz I am not finding any of that here. Everything else is quite cheap and easy to find. They love the store Zara here (which I totally hate back in the States) and it's expensive! I don't know how people afford that stuff here. Then again, hardly anyone has to pay for rent here. So every penny that they earn, they spend on clothing and food. That's why I would love to open a restaurant or something that will earn me some mucho dinero! It's so easy here...just think of something "new" and "western" and people will come flocking to the place. Everything around here has some "manhattan" thing to it...kinda weird.
So, here is a funny story...I realized that my passport has no more pages for stamps so I looked online to see where the US Consulate is located and how do I add additional pages to my passport. It looked like it was very close to my office which it was, only a $11RMB (about $1.50 USD) cab ride so I went. The minute I got there, I looked inside and said to myself "hell no..." There were a million people inside. When I went through security, I just stood there in the middle of the room and had no idea what the hell to do. It was a complete mob scene. Finally, this security guard, who probably realized that I looked like a freak standing there, felt sorry for me and came over to ask me if I needed help. I told him my situation and he said, "oh, you American citizen, you go here" and pointed me in the direction of this secret door. I was SO happy when I entered because there were only THREE people in there. I was helped immediately and I got my passport back in 10 minutes with 10 additional pages to my passport. What a relief! I'm just imaging what other foreigners must feel like when they enter that room. Everything was written in Chinese so it was hard for me to figure things out. Even though I can speak, I had no idea who to even speak to! So, I just want to let people know that US citizens are treated quite nicely here...especially if you have lost a passport. There was this one poor guy who was in there applying for a new passport cuz he lost his and he looked like he was about to cry. I would die if I had to go and apply for a new one. Knock on wood.
Until next time...miss you all lots xoxo

I got a...

ROOMMATE!! I can't believe that I'm going to be living with someone! I have not lived with another person since I vowed to never have a roommate after college. Those of you who went to GW know for a fact that after living through those four horrendous years of crazy roommates, we all want to live alone. However, I feel completely weird to have a three bedroom, two bath place by myself so I decided to get a roommie! I started interviewing last week after I put a posting on craigslist (weird how there is a Shanghai craigslist!) About 15 people responded right away so I had to interview each one. They all came to see the place and loved it instantaneously so I had to make some hard choices. I posted my requirements stating that I need someone who speaks fluent English and is from either the States or from Australia :) I know, that sounds horrible, but I think I would enjoy living with someone that makes me feel like I'm "home" sometimes...
After some crazy interviews with some weirdos, I decided on a guy who lived in New York City for a year and is from Cherry Hill, New Jersey. I was a bit skeptical because I have never lived with a boy before (except ex boyfriends...which were not so pleasant!) but I found him to be really cool. He's on the young side, but very mature. So keep your fingers crossed for me. He will move in on September 1st. We talked for over two hours during his interview and I wanted to find someone who wants to go explore Shanghai with me (which includes all the bars too! ha) and also enjoys going to some sporting matches. We are going to go see the tennis master's this year and he may join me in my women's world cup soccer in September. The best thing is that we don't have to share a bath at all. Plus, I always explain to my friends that I have a east wing and a west wing to my apartment. My bedroom is totally on the left side of the room and his would be on the right. We might even miss each other sometimes. I just want to hang out with someone who I think will be fun! I need to replace my Columbia gals with someone right?:-)
Work is going well...working a lot of hours. People here tend to get to work around 10am and I am for some odd reason, always getting there around 9am. I try to sleep but I always wake up around the same time each day! It's kind of frustrating, but I decided that I'm going to take this opportunity to go and work out at the gym. I paid a crap load of money to join a gym here because it is just so hard to find. I found one that has an indoor lap pool so I'm going to force myself to do it. It's right below my office building so I have absolutely no excuse not to go. I have gone to a few pharma companies to hear agency briefings and it has been tough. People tend to give briefings in Chinese and although I can understand Chinese, business Chinese is another language. I also found myself having trouble switching from speaking all Chinese to speaking all English. So basically, my colleagues must think I'm an idiot. So, lot's to work on...
Until then...

The place to be...

I am beginning to party a bit more in the city...although it can't compare to NYC life just yet. I have been told that it will get better from my (few, but good) friends here if I just give it a bit more time (since I have really just started living here about a week ago!) The past weekend, I went to out quite a bit. I was introduced to a friend living here in Shanghai/Beijing from NYC. I just flew back into town that night from Beijing (had to go there for work) and really was excited to go out. BUT, when I arrived at Hongqiao airport (the domestic airport), I could not find a damn taxi! The one thing you guys have to know is the taxi situation... it is terrible! Shanghai has a zillion taxis but when it comes to Fridays, rain, or extreme heat, there are no taxis around whatsoever! I was literally running after cabs that were dropping off people. I almost got in one fight (this may be my 10th fight since I've arrived in China!) with these two men because they would keep walking in front of me to try to flag down the next cab. I actually thought that I was smart by taking a bus from the airport first into the city and then attempting to hail a cab. The line at the airport was ridiculous so I thought this was a smart move... it turned out quite dumb. Anyhow, I finally get a cab and by the time I got home, I was drenched in sweat. I quickly took a shower and met up with this friend at a restaurant very close to my house. I must reemphasize AGAIN that my place is AWESOME cuz of location and size. I jumped in a taxi (this time, someone was being dropped off at my condo complex so I was quite lucky) and went to a restaurant/bar called Naked Cow. It supposedly serves awesome steak. Since I was late, everyone finished dinner so we just sat and drank. We left that place shortly and went to one of the most "famous" places in Shanghai called Park 97. This bar/nightclub is well known around Shanghai and when I walked in, I thought I was at SOCIAL! I know you guys from Columbia are laughing! It was so weird. It's not the decor of the place, but just the vibe. Can't describe it. The most amazing thing about this place is the cover band. I have to admit, I was quite shocked because the singers were amazing. The music was great, the people were interesting (somewhat), and I was in good company.
So here comes the real story...at the bar, I felt a bit out of place. Ok, I felt A LOT of out place. The weird thing is that at this bar, I finally realized how ostracized I was for being Chinese American. Let me explain why. I was walking around the bar checking people out and each table I walked by, I saw a white guy with a Chinese girl. Now, it never hits me when this happens in NYC, but for some reason, while walking around the room (with my Caucasian friends -- most of them men!), I felt like a complete hooker! I know that sounds horrible, but you can TELL when someone is totally not meant to be with that other someone. I told my friends this and they laughed but totally understood my position. The good thing is that when I start speaking, people know that I'm from the States and then they don't give me that "look" anymore. I realized that I was giving the Chinese girls in the room that same "look" (meaning, I was telling them, get a life and stop leeching on these white dudes who you think might give you a visa). Funny thing is that there was this one guy that was part of our group, he had a Chinese girl come out that night to meet us there. He said that she told him that she already has a boyfriend and that he said it was OK for her to date him too!!! I was so disgusted and didn't even acknowledge her when she came over to say hi. I know... I'm a bi*ch, but I stand by my opinion that cheaters are a bunch of sh*theads, no room to maneuver in there whatsoever. So, to make a long story short, I think it's going to take me a wee bit longer to really feel like I am 1. not a hooker, 2. able to talk to locals here without having them look at me like I'm an alien, and 3. always going to pick a fight. You all have to pray for me!
Work is going well...I have a huge project already and I will need to fly again soon to go to another office...I HATE FLYING! I will have to cut down on some of that crap. On other news, I might be back in NYC in November to do some work so those of you who read this thing, make sure to keep your entire November open! HA! I will provide ample notice.
Until then...xoxo

Can't wait for the Olympics...

So, I have completed my days here in Beijing and now in Shanghai again. It is weird to be in another city, especially for my first business trip. I'm so used to traveling around the States (and those of you who know me well know that I was barely in NYC because I traveled so much), but it is still very foreign that I am traveling IN China. Anyhow, Beijing is a weird city. I guess it is because I'm getting so used to Shanghai. Shanghai definitely is more of a party town. It has a way better nightlife and just seems more alive. People here say that Shanghai is the NYC and Beijing is the Washington DC. Don't get me wrong, I loved living in DC, but once you have lived in NYC, you know for a fact that it's really the nightlife city. So just imagine, Shanghai is pretty much the NYC of Asia.
I had a great time in Beijing though. People here are less "harsh" than the Shanghainese. You still see the people spitting and all, but they seem a bit less "loud." Shanghainese people tend to just scream when they talk so that's something I have to get used to. I know that will take some adjusting, but I know I can conquer it right? Also, the taxi drivers are a bit of an ass. They try to take you for a ride all the time. They think that I can't speak Chinese so I always spring it on them at the last minute when I am about to get out of the cab. See, when I step in a cab, I start speaking English because then the cabbie won't talk to you. I hate it when cabbies talk to me. I get annoyed because I just want to relax! So they think I'm a foreigner (which I am of course) and can take me around the city for a little spin. See, in Shanghai, taxi drivers may try to do that, but if you feel that you've been taken for a ride, all you have to do is ask for a receipt (which is automatically printed out from the meter and it has all the info on it, drivers name, date, etc) and have the driver sign it. You an call this number at the bottom of your receipt to file a complaint and the driver will not only be fined a huge amount of money, but they will return what you spent and three times that amount. Most of the time, when you ask the driver for a receipt, they will try to bargain with you if they know they took you for a ride. They will say "ok, ok, just pay me $20 less." However, to my stupidity, I thought this rule applied to ALL of China...I found out it does not apply to Beijing. So I learned another lesson... Each day I learn something new...that's what I tell myself...
Beijing was crazy while I was there because on August 8th, they were out in the streets celebrating the Olympics. One year till the Olympics officially starts here. I'm soooo excited for it. I'm already looking for tickets. I have just secured tickets to the Women's World Cup Soccer here in Shanghai. Will be watching and cheering the US women on when they play Nigeria. I'm attempting to secure tickets to the Venetian tennis match between Federer and Sampras (who is coming out to do this exhibition match) in Macau so I'm going to fly to Hong Kong to see it. I gotta go! It's so great when you can actually afford tickets to go see things unlike NYC.
Not much else to report. Oh, I am looking into taking TaiChi lessons so will let you know (and I'll be sure to send photos too!). Until then...

Work...the universal language of pain

So, I finished my first week of work. It wasn't actually one whole week because I started on August 1st and it was already a Wednesday. However, I still call it the first week as it was a very very busy few days. I was so nervous for my first day that I kept waking up in the middle of the night thinking that I was late for work. I know you all get that weird feeling where you think that the alarm already went off and you missed it! Finally at 6am, I just decided to get up and start getting ready. It has been two months since I put on makeup so I didn't want to look like a freak and put on too much makeup. It had to be just right...
I realized that by the time I was ready for work, it was already 8:15 and I had to walk to the office. I hadn't really prepared too well because I didn't try walking the route prior to the first day. That was stupid, considering that I can't read the street signs. I ran out of the apartment and luckily, I found my way to the office in no time. It's quite easy actually. It takes about 15 minutes door to door. It was extremely hot outside so when I was close enough to the office, I had to duck in to a convenient store to cool off or else I'd look like a sweaty hog. The office is extremely nice with awesome decorations. When I get a chance, I'll have to take some photos of the place. We are on the 27th floor and it overlooks pretty much the entire city. The only thing I miss is an office. This office is all about cubbies. We are an "open environment" which I'm so not used to. It's kind of annoying at times because we all have cell phones and when someone's cell phone rings, pretty much everyone can hear it. Augh...so that's going to take some getting used to. I was immediately put on a project the second day I was in the office. I had to go offsite to go listen to an agency briefing for a birth control pill that is ready to launch in China. I learned that some birth control pills are actually OTC (over the counter) here! That's insane. I wonder if people actually read the instructions...probably not so that's why the population here is insane. So my presentation will be in two weeks so I have to get cracking. I am off to Beijing in a few days to meet up with my colleagues and team.
Everyday, I get to walk to work which is amazing. It is a very nice walk and I actually get to pass a very beautiful street (Donghu Lu) with lots of trees (and shading from the oppressive sun). Downstairs of my apartment, there are all of these little eateries and I have been brave enough to go and try all kinds of stuff. My parents are always yelling at me to tell me to be careful of what I eat, but you gotta try stuff that's out there. And, it's soooo cheap. I usually spend about $1 for a dinner. How awesome is that! For breakfast, I always go downstairs and buy my fresh soymilk and a bun and walk to work with it in hand. It's awesome...At work, we have this cafe in our suite that serves awesome lunches for about $4. It's great...can't beat the food here.
As for going out, I haven't done much of that yet. I have been to a couple of bars, but I'm still getting to know people. Kind of hard to meet people here. My colleagues said that it will take at least 3 months to adjust and know who you want to hang out with and where. So I'll give it that time and we'll see... keep your fingers crossed...
As I type this right now, I am on the plane going from Shanghai to Beijing for a meeting with our Asia headquarters office. Those who know me know that I am terrified of flying so flying in China is so not fun for me...I'm going to Beijing for just a few days to see the office and to start on this huge project/pitch that we are working on for the end of the month. I was so proud of myself because I was able to understand an entire presentation in Chinese, but when I got back to the office, I realized that the ppt was all in Chinese. How annoying. I have to find someone to translate the entire written piece for me now. Learning a bit more Chinese characters each day. It's been quite hard being an illiterate walking around a huge city. People do speak English, but it's still quite limited.
I received a notice from the post office today (which I had to ask my maid to read--yes I have a maid now who comes to clean my place twice a week...it's sooo nice) stating that I received a care package from the State. How annoying that they don't deliver care packages and that I have to go to the office directly to claim the package. AND I can't even ask my maid to do it because you have to bring ID. AND for each day that I don't pick it up, they charge me!!! What kind of system is this?!?! So, I thank the person who sent it (I think I know who it is..TJK) and to say that should any of you guys want to send me any future packages, send it to my work where they do have people receiving the items. I am excited to go and pick up my package when I go home to Shanghai.
Off to roam the streets of Beijing because today is the ceremony to mark one year till the Olympics. Everyone is out on the streets partying so I have to go and check it out. I of course forgot to bring my camera. I'm not used to be going on business trips AND being a tourist at the same time. I'll have to carry my camera everywhere I go from now on.
Until then...