We made it!

After a not-so-grueling 18-hour trip to Shanghai from San Francisco via Hong Kong (thank you, Business Class), we made it to Shanghai. And out of nine (yes, nine) pieces of luggage, what didn't make it?  Mike's skateboard that had been checked at the gate. For all those concerned, it did eventually find its way back to the hotel 72 hours or so later. Sigh of relief.  

We're currently residing in a long-term stay hotel in Xintiandi, the fancy part of town. The bedroom has these big, almost floor-to-ceiling windows I often stare out of in fascination (think: Lost in Translation). And from the 28th floor, you can still hear the traffic, the horns, the sirens and other sounds of this crazy busy city. 

When we first arrived, we were taken on a whirlwind three-day orientation and apartment search. We learned about the Western-style grocery stores ($12 for a box of Cheerios, mind you), and most importantly, we learned the red light is merely a suggestion for cars, bikes, motorcycles and mopeds -- pedestrians beware. I fear for my life every time I cross an intersection. The apartment search was an experience -- many great choices with amazing amenities, and we're close to picking the winner.   

Our first night in Shanghai, we walked to the Bund and saw the famous Shanghai skyline, and kept asking ourselves,
"Do we really live here now?" 

Starting Things Off

San Francisco was one of those life goals; I had this gut feeling I needed to be there.  It was something about the city, about how I felt when I visited friends.  And on New Year's Eve 2010, I made it.  A year and a half later, I'm now living across the Pacific Ocean in Shanghai, China.  It's a ball of crazy anxiety and excitement all rolled into one.

That ball got rolling soon after I got laid off from my last job.  They say these things are usually blessings in disguise and they couldn't be more right.  It wasn't easy though.  When Shanghai was a decision waiting to happen, I was made an offer for my dream job.  And I had to walk away.      

So here I am starting a blog, thinking this may be my outlet in a foreign everything.  And I can't tell you the amount of mental roadblocks I've had to overcome to actual sit and write this.  I kept thinking -- Why would someone read my blog?  Am I important enough to have a blog?  Will people judge what they read?  What will they think?  But I'm taking the plunge and sharing my journey -- even if my mom's my only reader.