Some pictures from last night

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Try to be different...

I realized I should try to be more positive on my blog. Last thing I want is for my dear friends to worry about us. For me, work is still challenging in many areas. But I sense that people like me, and my supervisor loves me. He told me several times in a week how much he is pleased with having me on board, and how he thinks I will be very successful in my job. He went so far to say that I am probably better than him because I have patience with people. LOL! He haven't seen the real me yet!

Out to dinner tonight to M on the Bund to celebrate a new friend's birthday. It will be nice. For sure, we will get a real drink!

Another week

Monday came again.

Weekend was actually very nice. We had dinner plans from Friday to Sunday. Instantly, life felt normal. Good food and good companies make all the different. It was also very interesting to be seeing old friends from NY, NY friends passing Shanghai on business, and meeting new friends all in one weekend. I even ran into someone who has intereviewed me for a job back in New York a few years ago, and now he is working in Singapore working on a job for us in Sanya. At the same time, I also met a colleague from Singapore who knows a few mutual friends and old colleagues. What a small tiny world!

Apartment hunting is still unresolved. It is getting frustrating. I can't wait to just have it sorted out and settle in.

 

 

Saturday Sept 24

Getting to do the typical Shanghainese Saturday afternoon activities - pedicure and foot massage. Instead of worrying about work, visa, apartment and all that, I decided to let mt feet be pampered.

Oh Work, that annoying little thing we have to do. I found it quite challenging with this new career. There are A LOT of new information, incredible among of unscheduled responsibilities and challenges. Just the fact that the number of projects grew from 7 to 10 to 12 in 8 working days, tells the insanity of the industry and the country.

In addition, the system is not arranged for handling this amount of development. The other day I said to myself, I miss Holly! Holly is the IT director of BBG-BBGM. She put system into my career. I miss having a proper system!

And I am not going to get into the complication of the work visa and the apartment search. I can't even deal with it. I hope it gets sorted out soon.

Last night, we had dinner with Bronwen and Eric - two old colleagues who are now living in Shanghai. I crashed the M Moser Shanghai 30th anniversary event afterwards. It was lovely to see some of the colleagues at Moser. Moira Moser was very sweet when she saw me. I really appreciate her kind words to me.

Getting back to enjoy my foot massage.

Insanity Kicks In Today

Honeymoon has ended exactly 1 week since I started at my new job. It wasn't much of a honeymoon to begin with. Today, I arrived at work at 7.30am. 2 new projects review, 2 existing projects issues to catch up, a 3-day training that I was just told last night. My boss also briefed me on some up coming department structural changes and the potential of new politics. Thank god I haven't started with the existing politics yet.

To top it off I have to handle the crazy Shanghai apartment rental and the office's lack-of-support. If I lose this apartment, I am going to have to look all over again. I will NOT be happy!!! Let's hope it is good news tomorrow from my real estate agent. If he can pull this off, I am giving him a good bonus.

There is a lack of system and protocol here. For those who has worked with me, you know how I like system and protocol. Quite something to get used.

I am breaking from my five different projects to write this. There are 7 more coming. I wonder what is it like to be working on 12 projects simultaneously.

2nd week...

I like the fact that my colleagues go out to lunch as a group, sit around at large table and order a table full of dishes. I used to schedule lunch with colleagues weeks in advanced. Now, it is only normal that we eat together. The best part is that it only cost me USD$5 for lunch. Not bad.
So, work is going fine. There is so much to learn. A lot of numbers for me to remember. I need to get my reading up to date.
Apartment... I think we are going to settle with this one at Maoming Road North near Nanjing Road West. It is smaller, but convenient. I think it will be good. I am definitely signing up for the pool and the gym. It can be a good summer thing. I will do cardio every morning!!! I need the exercise to offset all the rice I am eating, and the latest discovery of my high cholesterol.
Exhausted... from everything. Need a good relaxed and worry free sleep.

First Week

I really just recognized the magnitude of this move. I changed my career path, move to another part of the world, dragged another person with me, and all these were done diving in head first. I left no time for acclimation and went straight to work the next day I arrived. What was I thinking?
Then, there is the actual cultural shock that now I have to force myself to absorb. For the past years, I came to Shanghai as a visitor. I was in taxis, in hotels, and only here for a brief time. This time, I am sitting in an office, working on real projects, and handling the languages and cultural changes.
It certainly reminded me of the 3 months in Tianjin in 2009. It was not fun at first, but I learned to make do. It didn't turn out so bad. I must have a mental note to remind myself.
Shanghai has changed even in the short time since I visited last. Again, it may well be the different perception and perspective between a visitor and a resident. Things are more expensive. Traffic is a lot worst. People seem rude. The worst of all is the hundreds of pimps on the street asking foreigners if we want young ladies. This is a bit of a disgrace. This situation was tamer before. Again, it may just be me being oblivious during my visits in the past.
It is also interesting to hear Jim's descriptions of his daily exploration. I need to set him up with a blog this weekend so that he can share with his people. He is seeing SH very differently. His perspectives are not coming from behind the window of a town car, meals at the fanciest restaurants all day, or accompanied by a translator. He walks during the day. He cannot find a person who can speak some English to him. He doesn't have the crew and ground support that Anthony Bordain has for his show. It is interesting to hear him maneuvering the crazy and rude traffic, how he tried to look for a back brush in the neighborhood, and seeing some delicious food and can't order at a little hole in the wall because of the language barrier.
This weekend, we are looking for a permanent place. Wish us luck.

First days in Shanghai

I worked 2 full days! Jet lag kicked in this afternoon. I was having a tough time staying awake this afternoon. Than goodness for Starbucks in the building lobby. I never thought I would thank Starbucks.
Work is actually quite alright. I have 10 projects on my plate. Nice, right? A project meeting this Saturday am is lined up...for my first week at work!!!
Jim is having a cultural shock therapy. After recovering from the 14 hrs of coach flying, jet lag, and not having food network, he is dealing with the hardship of communication, social cultural difference, and the like in general.

Arrived!

And EXHAUSTED... I wonder how did I travel here hit the ground and work.
Not that I'm obsessed with blogging. I am just checking if the Blogger app is working in China.

Leaving NYC

After some delays, we made it to the airport. In a few minutes, I will be heading towards a whole new challenge. It is hard to leave behind 13 years of NYC. My friends, I will miss you all.

Preparing for a new adventure.

One day left before leaving for Shanghai. Anxiety is building. The encouragement from every single person I know has been the comforting thoughts. I really must thank everyone for their enthusiasm and well wishes.There are still a few things to do here; and a lot to do when we get there. Good news is that Oct 1 to 7 will be public holiday in China. We get to spend sometime to explore the city and set up the apartment. Quite a few people will be visiting us already. It will just be like we have never left.
For 3 Septembers in a row, I made some moves. I went to Tianjin in September 2009. I left BBG-BBGM in September 2010. We are moving this time in September again. I hope this is it. September is always emotional. I still involuntarily cry whenever I read about Sept 11. I can't do more September changes.