I got a JOB!

Hey all,

So today was pretty eventful.
I woke up at 7:30am for a phone interview with Nordstrom CA at 8. Found out that it was the only interview I would have with them and I find out mid-March if I am accepted or not.
Then I met with the CEO of JUCCCE, at a hair salon...because she was getting her hair done.
Of course, I went expecting to interview for an internship position, but right when I got there, she started having me take notes for an event coming up in Shanghai for me to plan. Apparently, she just hired me as an event planning general manager. I am planning an event for 100+ VIPs from the States and China, sponsors including Pricewaterhouse, McKinsey, IBM, the list going on.
As much as I am excited, I'm also quite nervous. I have planned events before, but not for such high ranking peeps. I hope I can juggle this as well as my school work, which fortunately hasn't been too overwhelming. My Google calendar is going to LOVE me...because it will finally be used intensely.

After my meeting at the hair salon, she had her driver drive me to meet Amber on Book street, where she and I just browsed at books, and I bought a few postcards for all you special people back in the States. Be expecting a postcard in the next few.....months...maybe never because the mail service is oh so trust worthy.

Amber and I ended up on food street or 小吃街。 Ok, so I was stupid and saw oysters (I die for seafood) and decided to buy two...so yes, I did get a little sick, but Pepto saved my life for the second time this week. I'll just say my excuse for eating these things is to build my stomachs immune system! We got some lamb and beef chuan(r) too. But of course, we decided to get some froyo too from cefiora (an italian brand of pinkberry) and eat it at the same time...That definitely did not help the stomach ache.

So the subway ride home was not the most fun, but we took a Rickshaw from our subway stop back to our apartment for 6 kuai (<1USD) but it was scary as ever! But I guess, also fun. I would definitely take one again...if you wanted to give me a helmet first...maybe a seatbelt...and a life insurance plan.

Right when we got back, we went downstairs one floor to Tim's apt where he was hosting Lindsey G's birthday pre-party. Of course they all went out to M2, where I was planning on going tonight, but work calls! So, HAPPY BDAY LINDSEY.

Anyway, that's it for today. I have some stuff for JUCCCE to work on already, as well as a long shower, and finally I can hit the sack. It's been a long day, but most definitely an eventful one.

First Test in Shanghai

So I've been in Shanghai for a little over two weeks now, and have already switched Chinese classes, managed to get a bad haircut, and have become stressed to the max. Of course, I should be studying for my first Chinese test of the semester. I have been, but I think it's time for a break. I've been studying for the past hour and I came up with the most genius idea to decorate my wall. I'm in China...why not decorate my wall with sticky notes of Chinese vocab, grammar, and idioms. Haha!! After putting up one week's worth of words and sentences, I don't think that I'll be able to fit the entire semester up on my wall. Although it is my plan and I might just be put into the Guinness book of world records for most Chinese sticky notes placed on a wall. I will have to post a picture:

Doesn't it look like the periodic table...in Chinese?

Anyway. I am still trying to get an internship while I am here. I have had some luck with JUCCCE, Joint US-China Cooperative for Cleaner Energy, a fairly new company with a sky rocketing market plan. I'm meeting with the CEO on Saturday at some coffee shop, at a subway stop I've never been to, so tomorrow after my Chinese test, I'm going on an adventure to find this place, so I won't get lost on Saturday!

Well, I thought I should post, since I had a little free time (haha) and I was just proud of myself for my ingenious idea of making some wall decor that was beneficial to my studies.

在见for now. oops I mean 再见...thanks Angela. BAHAHA.

Asian Haircut

So a new week begins, and one would think a new week, a fresh start. Unfortunately, for me, it did not work that way. I have been having difficulty with my own self- evaluation these past few days whether it be my language skill, my long-distance relationship, or just my self- image. Just yesterday, I went out to get my nails done, and the lady didn't know what she was doing. Then, I went to go get a haircut, and I just wanted to have a trim because my posh bob was growing out too long. I even brought in a picture for them to look at. My roommate came along with me and witnessed the horror. Although, she thinks my haircut is cute. I think, I look like a boy. They layered WAY too much so that my hair is like form cut to the shape of my head. I want to go get it recut, but its already so short, that if I didn't like the re-cut, I'd have to live with the problem for a long time! No, I am not going to post a picture. I feel so dumb with this haircut, and wish that my hair would grow out already. Shoot me now, or just buy me some extensions.

I brought this photo, and my hair was perfect for this cut at the time:

This is the cut that my hair turned out, mind you it looks better on this woman. Still not a flattering do:

What in the world was the hairdresser thinking. How does this look the same?
I guess you get what you pay for....10kuai cut. He was skilled...just didnt seem to get my picture.

Valentine's Day

So, I'll tell you that my Valentine's day did not start off how I would have liked. But, as they say, poop happens. However, I did have a phone interview with Nordstrom in Seattle this morning and was offered a second interview on the spot. I guess that was a saving grace as I was still upturned by the horrible night I had the night before, of Friday the 13th. I'll just say my eyes are still puffy from the distraught. Long-distance relationships are tough, but if they are worth it, happiness will come at the end.

Tonight, a few of us ladies are heading to Xintiandi, the expat area, to buy a Raspberry Love biscuit, that Amber has been drooling over in the "That's Shanghai" magazine. The ex-pat area is gorgeous by night, so expect many pictures coming your way. Although my heart has sank from what seems like "marital" issues, the night on the town with my lovely ladies will keep my mood upbeat. I'm not sure if we'll have dinner out there because it is quite pricey for us "Chinese" students, so maybe we'll just eat their for dessert. I am kind of expecting a) the biscuit is overpriced or b) it doesn't taste as good as it looks or c)both.

This is for the men out there, treat your woman right tonight. What the heck, treat her right all the time. You don't want to end up lonely and in love like the rest of us over here in the Tonghe apartments. Guard their heart, because although us women are a fickle species, we ALWAYS like to be treat right. Sweet dreams and Happy Valentine's Day.

Rant, not.

So I was planning on ranting out all my feelings today, since they were all pent up. I was originally extremely upset with my placement in my Chinese class, because I found out that I was practically retaking the same class I did in Beijing. However, Alliance did a great job in accommodating my worries of being challenged, and opened up a new class for me and two other girls, whom were both under-challenged as well. Thank you Alliance! Although I would have liked to move back to Beijing, especially after speaking with Omar about how there are only 7 students! But that plan has come and gone, so here I sit in my lovely, spacious room doing my, yet again, extensive homework. I've also heard that the Sociology class in Shanghai is pretty eventful. Kind of wish I was taking it this semester. Instead, I fill my hours in Economics and Politics, which aren't bad either.

I'm not sure what the plan is for dinner, but I'm sure it will be delightful. As it always is. And yes, I have my Hep A shot. :)

Yet another day in the Shanghai (clouded with smog) sun.

Latern Festival

Happy Lantern Festival, all. Although I wish I were out in People's Square tonight, I'm going onto my 5th hour of homework right now. Ergo, I must keep this post quite short. First day of classes went surprisingly quickly. I went from bottom of Advanced 400 class in Beijing to top of the Advanced 500 class in Shanghai. Already learned some of the things in the book from last semester, however the homework is so much more extensive and is all busy work, but it's helping!

I don't know if I'll be able to sleep tonight because there are so many fireworks going off nearby, causing car alarms to sound as well. HELLOOOO, I AM A CARRRRR - Dane Cook.

Went to Wal-Mart today, for basic needs. Of course, stopped along the way at Tea Storm, a franchise Pearl Milk Tea shop. Had my usual Milk Green tea, but had some awesome green tea pearls this time. Had dinner with Amber, Lindsey, Eric and Jake and only spent 5RMB (~75cents?) on dinner, which consisted of XiaoLongBao, JiaoZi, and eggrolls.

Bought a phone today too! Suggestion to those who lose phones quickly, as I do: Buy a used phone from the side of the road (chances are they are lost, aka stolen phones) So today, I bought a nice motorola phone, color screen, slider with the SIM card for 260 kuai (~40bucks) when other ppl went to "legit" stores and bought theirs for 400RMB and was a very simple heyday phone, black text and nothing special. Just word to the wise, from the wise!

Lantern & Fireworks love from the far east!

From Shanghai

Sleepless Night One

It's been a while now hasn't it? Well I'm back in China, but this time in Shanghai. Its approx 4 in the morning and I can't get to bed because I'm freezing my tush off in my room. I arrived a little late, so the group went to dinner without me, so I only got to meet my roommate last night. We're both late risers, good job Alliance.

Well, I've just now decided to keep this post short. I will upload photos of my apartment tomorrow.
The digs are SWEET by the way! Very different from Beijing, but much more spacious!

Night, for now.