So as mentioned in my previous blog, I said I was going to meet people this week. So today, I attempted to go to Xintiandi to explore and meet other expats at Coffee Bean. I was there around the meeting time and didn't see any formal gatherings of people. Instead, I read the expat magazines and drank iced tea. It was pleasant. An ice blended is still $4USD. Too expensive. I am still jet lagged and not hungry during the day. Plus, the humidity and heat makes me lose my appetite. Shanghai, like most metropolitan cities consists of: restaurants, office buildings, and shopping malls/stores. That's it! I'm not so into shopping these days b/c I don't have space in my suitcases. Shanghai is flat, there are no mountains, lakes, etc. The ocean and rivers in Shanghai ... read more

So I went to Jing An to meet A and his friends for dinner! Jing An, which looks close on the map, is actually a 20 RMB cab ride (with a little traffic). I haven't learned bus lines yet, so it's a bit hard to go across town. Anyway, there were 8 of us at dinner, and most of A's friends were his teachers at the Mandarin school where he was taking classes at. All of them speak Mandarin as their native language. A is leaving for Taiwan tomorrow to start a new job, so I'm glad I got to see him before he leaves. It's too bad one of the only people I know in Shanghai is leaving! :( A has been really nice and giving me tips and easing my anxiety. All his friends ... read more

I got an apartment today! I met up with an agent, named Eric Hong. He only really speaks Chinese, which was somewhat a drag. He was good at speaking to me at a 2nd grade level though. I met up with him near Jiao Da (Jiao Tong University) and he took me around. The first unit I saw was partially remodeled but a bit old and the bathroom was icky. It had very large rooms and good lighting, and the landlord like me because I am from California (her grandkids live there) and she said I looked nice girl to rent to. Then I told her I only wanted to live here 6 months and she didn't seem too pleased. The landlord was 80 years old and wanted a no hassle tentant. She was charging 6500 ... read more

My internet works! I'm in China now! :) I am thankful that I got here with no problems. I checked in online the day before my flight, and United didn't assign me a seat. So I called the travel agent and the airline and both said I needed to get my seat at the airport. I get to SFO and the International check-in line for was so so so long. Luckily since I already checked in online, I could stand the shorter line to just check bags. When I got to the counter, the lady told me that I couldn't get a seat assigment until I got to the gate. I checked my two suitcases which together weighed 96.4 lbs! I only 3.6 lbs to spare. Phew for me! Anyway, I got to the gate and ... read more

Untitled C.F.I'm leaving for my 5-month long trip tomorrow! I can't believe I'm actually going! I hesistated for months (and months!) about taking a break from work, but I realized that I need to take some risks (just a little) in order to expand my life experiences and opportunities. Anyway, I'm looking forward to my time off and taking on this new adventure. I'm excited, but a quite scared. I don't have a place to live, my Chinese sucks, and I've never been anywhere alone. Yipes! Nonetheless, I think the people I'll meet, places I'll go and new experiences I'll have will all be challenging, life-shaking and fun! I'm hoping I'll come back for a new appreciation for American and Chinese culture and people too. I'll be leaving the Bay Area and heading to my ... read more