It's been awhile since I've posted anything. A lot has changed in the past two months and I guess it is time for an update. The real big news is I'm moving! Back to Beijing, my hometown. I got a new job. More on that later. The move will take place in less than two weeks. I haven't done any packing or new apartment hunting because it hasn't hit me yet. Things have been moving very quickly. The entire interview to signing process took about a month, then last week I turned in my first resignation letter, which was very exciting and scary all at once. Crazy crazy.
Anyway, so about this new job and all. It's another US firm, based in Atlanta, funnily enough. The move was mostly fueled by my passionate hatred for my boss. No need to delve deep into that but let's just say that he is a passive-aggressive maniac and I cannot imagine what working for him for any longer would be like, especially as I work my way up the ladder and have to talk to him all the time. He's like a happiness vampire. Other than him as a person, I wasn't happy about how the firm treated employees, so I said sayonara bitches!
It wasn't an easy decision to make. A lot of people said I should try to stay at a job for at least a year or else it looks bad. I think there's a lot of truth to that, but when the move feels right, I think you got to go with your guts. It's a little unfortunate that my first job didn't turn out to be an amazing experience, but I did learn a lot from it and met some great people. I am looking forward to this new chapter of my life. I think I will happily work those long hours for a boss I respect.
Other than serious job stuff, I am not excited about moving again. I am a little worried about how to take my plants back. They're like my babies. Before I realized how likely the move was, I started to venture into some serious herb gardening. Right now, I have mint, basil, dill and thyme pots, which I grew from the seed. That's right! From seed! It's so awesome. I will take pictures sometime <3
Friday, May 2, 2014
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Praise
We had a big client meeting today where we met with the general counsel of a Fortune 500 company. The guy is a friend of boss man, and boss man has been trying to get work from this guy for years. Before the meeting, my assignment was to write a memo for the GC so as to lure him into our office for a proper meeting. I was super nervous for the meeting, since that memo apparently made me the expert and I knew I was expected to field questions. Literally, I was shaking before the meeting. Surprisingly, it went really well! Not trying to brag, but I must admit I did a pretty good job. Ha.
After the meeting, boss man called me into his office and told me I did well and that he was impressed. It was kind of a validating/euphoric moment. This is a guy who is usually a debbie downer. A praise like this does not come easy. I tried to play it cool but I was honestly SO HAPPY. Haha. I know I'm being kind of lame for caring so much of what he thinks, but I can't help myself. He probably has no idea how much that one, off-handed comment meant to me. For the rest of the night, even when he gave me urgent work at 7pm, I was pumped.
It's crazy how praise can affect someone so much. I think, when given appropriately, can be so much more effective at fueling improvement than criticism. It's a dose of self-confidence that we all need from time to time. I want to remember today, and remind myself to praise the people around me. We all work hard and damnit we deserve some praise.
After the meeting, boss man called me into his office and told me I did well and that he was impressed. It was kind of a validating/euphoric moment. This is a guy who is usually a debbie downer. A praise like this does not come easy. I tried to play it cool but I was honestly SO HAPPY. Haha. I know I'm being kind of lame for caring so much of what he thinks, but I can't help myself. He probably has no idea how much that one, off-handed comment meant to me. For the rest of the night, even when he gave me urgent work at 7pm, I was pumped.
It's crazy how praise can affect someone so much. I think, when given appropriately, can be so much more effective at fueling improvement than criticism. It's a dose of self-confidence that we all need from time to time. I want to remember today, and remind myself to praise the people around me. We all work hard and damnit we deserve some praise.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Holy crap I'm back!
Hellooooooooo world!
I had just about given up on trying to access Blogspot from within the great firewall, when I decided to give it one last go. Apparently, it takes clearing the entire browsing history and certificates, restarting computer, and getting new certificates to get back on websites that stopped working. Not sure why it worked, will someone please educate me?
A lot and also not a lot has happened since I last blogged. The past month and a half have been a blur, mainly because of a work project. The deal is finally over, thank goodness. Boss went off for vacation, and I am fully enjoying the quietness of this week. Today I actually took a lunch break and squeezed in some shopping. So awesome. An Old Navy opened up right next to the office. Sigh I miss America. Speaking of which, why is target.com (my fave) blocked by the firewall?? I just want to look at some cute mugs :( People say shopping in China is awesome, but it really isn't. Brand name stuff is so ridiculously overpriced. You can buy cheap stuff at flea markets, but I think I'm past the stage of looking for fake AE jean shorts in a crappy building.
I miss shopping at Target. And jelly donuts. That is all.
I had just about given up on trying to access Blogspot from within the great firewall, when I decided to give it one last go. Apparently, it takes clearing the entire browsing history and certificates, restarting computer, and getting new certificates to get back on websites that stopped working. Not sure why it worked, will someone please educate me?
A lot and also not a lot has happened since I last blogged. The past month and a half have been a blur, mainly because of a work project. The deal is finally over, thank goodness. Boss went off for vacation, and I am fully enjoying the quietness of this week. Today I actually took a lunch break and squeezed in some shopping. So awesome. An Old Navy opened up right next to the office. Sigh I miss America. Speaking of which, why is target.com (my fave) blocked by the firewall?? I just want to look at some cute mugs :( People say shopping in China is awesome, but it really isn't. Brand name stuff is so ridiculously overpriced. You can buy cheap stuff at flea markets, but I think I'm past the stage of looking for fake AE jean shorts in a crappy building.
I miss shopping at Target. And jelly donuts. That is all.
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Good ol' America
I'm sitting at my gate in the Tokyo airport as I write this post. I am on the way back to Shanghai after spending a great week in the US. The trip's purpose was to get sworn in (look who's a real lawyer now woot woot), but I talked my way into taking a whole week off to make the long trip worthwhile. Overall, the week was amazing. I met up with everyone important to me, and ate and did everything I planned to do. Although I did have to work a little on two days, it was a much needed getaway from the fast-paced life in Shanghai.
Nostalgia is kicking in as I leave America. Having to shift between America and China is not easy for me because I love them both so much. I consider both places home (even though I'm technically not American) and it's always difficult to choose. This trip back, as I drove my old car around town, meeting up with friends, many of whom came all the way to Atlanta for the weekend, it felt as if nothing has changed. And that feels so nice. Living in America is so comfortable. Only being away will make you appreciate things like fast, uncensored internet, real freaking donuts, people who follow traffic rules, not being scammed, etc. Oh, the luxuries of living in the first world...
What I miss the most about the States are my people. Since moving to Shanghai, I have made about 2 friends. Being so busy with work, I haven't really felt lonely. I've actually valued spending weekends alone to recharge for the week ahead. However, being back to America and catching up with everyone was so nice, and it will make me miss having friends when I get back to Shanghai. I miss talking about stupid things. I miss hanging out and laughing a lot. I miss going out. So friends, I will make a bigger effort to stay in touch with you. Let's email, facetime, skype, whatever. If I don't respond on Gchat, it's probably because Gchat failed in China, I'm not ignoring you. If you're interested, get an app called LINE, which I use to keep in touch with some people. We can send each other cute stickers :)
Okay friends, it is time to board again and get back to the craziness of Shanghai. Bye for now!
Nostalgia is kicking in as I leave America. Having to shift between America and China is not easy for me because I love them both so much. I consider both places home (even though I'm technically not American) and it's always difficult to choose. This trip back, as I drove my old car around town, meeting up with friends, many of whom came all the way to Atlanta for the weekend, it felt as if nothing has changed. And that feels so nice. Living in America is so comfortable. Only being away will make you appreciate things like fast, uncensored internet, real freaking donuts, people who follow traffic rules, not being scammed, etc. Oh, the luxuries of living in the first world...
What I miss the most about the States are my people. Since moving to Shanghai, I have made about 2 friends. Being so busy with work, I haven't really felt lonely. I've actually valued spending weekends alone to recharge for the week ahead. However, being back to America and catching up with everyone was so nice, and it will make me miss having friends when I get back to Shanghai. I miss talking about stupid things. I miss hanging out and laughing a lot. I miss going out. So friends, I will make a bigger effort to stay in touch with you. Let's email, facetime, skype, whatever. If I don't respond on Gchat, it's probably because Gchat failed in China, I'm not ignoring you. If you're interested, get an app called LINE, which I use to keep in touch with some people. We can send each other cute stickers :)
Okay friends, it is time to board again and get back to the craziness of Shanghai. Bye for now!
Friday, November 22, 2013
A hairy situation, and other stuff
Two weeks ago, I woke up one morning and decided that I would entertain the idea of cutting my hair into something Emma Watson/Carey Mulligan-esque. Don't ask me what the trigger was. I have no idea. Although I was intrigued, it was a little daunting seeing that I haven't had short hair since the obligatory Asian bowl-cut way back when. Back then, I absolutely hated short hair and couldn't wait until I was old enough to grow it out. I used to leave a t-shirt on my head and pretend like it was hair and flip it around. Lol.
Anyways, I did my research- Youtube videos of girls getting their hair cut, Pinterest searches for Asian pixie cuts, you name it. I spent shameful amounts of time on this website where you can upload your picture and try out different celebrity haircuts. So fun! After much deliberation, I made my hair appointment.
The haircut itself went really well. I will post pictures at some point. I was pretty nervous going in, but after talking it through with the guy and showing him lots of pictures of what I envisioned, I felt confident that we were on the same page. The guy was great at communicating and listening, which is not the case with every hairstylist. Isn't it the absolute worst when your hairdresser thinks he knows what you want but actually has no idea? Or when he thinks he knows better than you? I've had both, and yes they were the worst.
All in all, I really love the new look. I think it's different, exciting, and so easy to dry!! I am also learning how to style short hair. I've never used wax, pomade, and all that, but it seems simple enough. Also gives me an excuse to go to the drugstore :)
In other news, the past two weeks have been INSANELY busy. I had to work both days of the weekend :( One of the weekend days until 1am :( Then it got worse during the week. Sigh. But I did get to experience my first deal, from beginning to end, which was very exciting. Too bad it had to be so accelerated, as that was how the deal was structured. I hear we have another deal coming where I may have to fly to Beijing on Monday. Normally I'd be happy to travel to Beijing any chance I get, but I am going home on Friday for my dad's birthday and then off to the States for an awesome week, so two trips to Beijing and a trip to the US in one week is a lot of flying...
I guess a crazy week will only make vacation more blissful :) Can't wait!
Anyways, I did my research- Youtube videos of girls getting their hair cut, Pinterest searches for Asian pixie cuts, you name it. I spent shameful amounts of time on this website where you can upload your picture and try out different celebrity haircuts. So fun! After much deliberation, I made my hair appointment.
The haircut itself went really well. I will post pictures at some point. I was pretty nervous going in, but after talking it through with the guy and showing him lots of pictures of what I envisioned, I felt confident that we were on the same page. The guy was great at communicating and listening, which is not the case with every hairstylist. Isn't it the absolute worst when your hairdresser thinks he knows what you want but actually has no idea? Or when he thinks he knows better than you? I've had both, and yes they were the worst.
All in all, I really love the new look. I think it's different, exciting, and so easy to dry!! I am also learning how to style short hair. I've never used wax, pomade, and all that, but it seems simple enough. Also gives me an excuse to go to the drugstore :)
In other news, the past two weeks have been INSANELY busy. I had to work both days of the weekend :( One of the weekend days until 1am :( Then it got worse during the week. Sigh. But I did get to experience my first deal, from beginning to end, which was very exciting. Too bad it had to be so accelerated, as that was how the deal was structured. I hear we have another deal coming where I may have to fly to Beijing on Monday. Normally I'd be happy to travel to Beijing any chance I get, but I am going home on Friday for my dad's birthday and then off to the States for an awesome week, so two trips to Beijing and a trip to the US in one week is a lot of flying...
I guess a crazy week will only make vacation more blissful :) Can't wait!
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