Exhausting life in a fast country

It has been a crazy couple of months.
Between almost stepping on human feces at a site in Shijiazhuang, and hugging a client trying to calm him down in Putian, I felt I have broken some unidentifiable records. The only way to explain the craziness is to chalk it up to this chance of living in the great country of China.
But what is it leading to? I have no idea! Is it really making my career?
Last week, Rod and Pat visited from LA. They were fascinated with Shanghai. But my life in China is not all Shanghai. Outside of Shanghai, you encounters a lot more.
Heading to HK again this weekend for a little dermatologist visit. Excuses, excuses, excuses... Just for some civilization.

And back in China

Exactly 2 hours after I posted about my mini vacation in HK, I am waiting in line for taxi at the Xiamen airport.
What tells China apart from HK? Number One, people yell and have no manners. Number Two, the cigarette smokes. I am still waiting for the spitting to round up the Number Three.
It took any countries decades to catch up with the unspoken rules of etiquette. China needs a few more years.

Golden Week Oct 2012

Golden week is a week crowned by the Chinese government when a week long holiday can be granted for Oct 1 National Day or May 1 Labor Day every year. It was to promote tourism and allow the chinese nationals to travel and spend money.
This year, the National Day also coincided with the Mid Autumn Festival, we again had a week long holiday. Long story short, Jim were going to meet me in Seoul. But we decided that he should spend more time in NY before returning. I was going to sit at home and catch up on work. But after some persuasions from my colleagues Serina and Michael, as well as having secured a dermatologist appointment, I arrived in HK on Wednesday.
After 5 days in HK, I believe I had a good rest. It turned out the trip was well timed. On Wed morning, my parents rang me at 5.50am, yelling at me about my update on facebook. Well, I decided to let them know that I don't think they really love me, and hung up on them... twice! I am glad I wasn't sitting at home sulking. If I were going to feel sad, I should do it in HK!
It was great to have my colleagues distracting me for a couple of days. I also made a point to catch up with a few of my favorite friends in HK. I had a few relaxing days. I went for a run on Bowen Road; I sat by the pool; I ran some errands; I had good meals with friends. Hey! I deserved them!
Now, I am sitting at my favorite Cathay Pacific lounge, drink my free champagne, and trying to pull myself together to get back to reality.
Reality is harsh. I was tempted many times this week by the idea of jumping on the next flight to a mysterious place and start all over again. Don't you think it can be nice to have a new name, new life, new beginning?
A picture of me with Michael and Serina at the Peak overlooking HK. It is a beautiful place.

1 year

There was no anniversary to remember my 1st year in Shanghai. I left NYC on Sept 11 last year. I traveled with my boss on Sept 11 this year. My first day at work was Sept 13 last year. I was in Xiamen seeing a model room on Sept 13 this year. I don't think it calls for any celebration. It, however, reminds me of how much one's life evolves in a short time.
Sept was always a hard month since 2001. I am almost grateful that I am not exposed to excessive TV coverage. This Sept, I was overly overwhelmed with work. I spent a total of 2 days in the office in the entire month. Between work travel, leadership training boot camp, department annual workshop, and the struggles with the 2 opening hotels, I was just utterly spent. I am glad that Jim didn't return to Shanghai with me. He would have been totally left on his own.
Best part of the month was the leadership training. 5 days of behavior scrutiny. Nothing harder than facing video review every evening. The truth all came out!!! I was pleasantly surprised by how well behaved I was. But my controlling personality, passive aggressiveness, manipulation through kindness, and avoidance of confrontation were all on display. Good news is that people still love me. :-)
October's National Day 1-week holiday is a welcome break from this crazy schedule. Still have a lot to catch up on. But the luxury of waking up according to my own physical need is priceless.
I am very torn between looking forward to the opening of the 2 hotels in next 4 months and the actual work I have to do to get them open! I can't wait to get them over and done with. But it is such a long drawn out process. Even after their opening, there are all these follow ups that will go on for another 12 months plus. It is just never ending!
It was a beautiful September in Shanghai. I am dragging the arrival of winter. It is probably because I didn't get to enjoy one bit of the summer.
How to actually get that work-life balance? How to make sure your family and your work are harmonious? How to have a life without regrets?
I think Sept can help putting the perspective in place. Remember the thousands of causalities and their families had their lives ripped out under them. We just need to match on with heads up high.