*Note: i wrote this about a week ago but have been unable to post it because of internet problems. Trust me, I still love you all and have not forgotten my faithful blog readers. :) *

Twenty minutes to update the blog…and go!

This crazy, going full blast 18 hours a day is great…for a few days. But after two weeks of this, I decided I needed to adjust the schedule slightly. As a result, I’ve been able to drop two of my English classes (4 hrs per week plus a lot of travel time) which will really free things up quite a lot. The only bad thing is it was my business students class which I’ve really grown to like. I had them twice a week last semester and while it took me awhile to figure out how to challenge them, they’d really grown on me and they seemed to really like me. They were disappointed today when I broke the news that I wouldn’t be teaching them anymore. If I could drop any other classes, it would be my grad school classes but seeing as I’m under contract with the university and there are mysterious rules and guidelines set by the powers that be, I didn’t really have any other option in the matter. I have a feeling I’ll still see a lot of those kids in some of my other classes though…they promised to come and sit in.

Freeing up those hours means that I now have no teaching on Wednesdays and mornings open on Fridays so I have the option of working a few more hours at North Media and also time for errands on Wednesday afternoons during regular business hours (before this, there was only one hour each week that I had available to get to any store that’s only open until 5.) I also get to participate in all of the Chinese classes on Friday. It makes my life a lot less crunched. (**Note: North Media convinced me to come in both Wednesday, Thursday afternoon and Friday morning this week. So much for those Chinese classes although I'm not too regretful as I have so many ideas and directions to go for my job right now that the extra time is welcomed.)

I’ve developed a bit of a cold/cough, probably from too little sleep. (I’m planning to remedy that in the coming weeks.) The weather is warming up again which is fantastic and the days are getting longer which makes me really energetic and motivated. I continue to swim at least 4 times a week for a little over an hour at a time. (I took Hans to the pool with me the other day and he couldn’t quite comprehend why someone would create a workout plan that causes pain, let alone seek such a plan out on the internet and follow it. I told him it’s a rower thing.) I’m trying to slim back down to my collegiate athlete physique, or at least feel a little more solid through the torso. I’m not sure if it’s the jeans stretching out and getting old or the workouts but I’m sensing this regime is effective…I feel really good, despite being tired in the mornings and there’s definitely a spring in my step. I played soccer again for the first time in several weeks and while my technique and accuracy leave a lot to be desired, I was happy to find that my footspeed and stamina were actually better than the last time I played. (**Note: the folks at the gym I go to and I have been getting along really well lately...all the staff knows me and the regulars all enjoy chatting. Two people noticed that I've slimmed out considerably since I started frequenting the gym. Sweet!)

Big sigh. Life is full and I’m very content, mainly because I sense the challenge and the opportunity ahead of me to learn. Not only is there so much Chinese yet to master, but jumping into the advertising world has also given me impetus to familiarize myself with the media and marketing industry. I’ve subscribed to several online journals and at this point, am in curious voracious reader mode, just trying to immerse myself in the fundamentals and get as broad an understanding as possible. I’m also planning to stop by the library again and wrangle up some basic marketing and economics textbooks given that I seem to have neglected basic business courses while at Willamette. (Who knew DiffEQ and fractals could be so incredibly useless in the business world?) Don’t get me wrong, I liked learning math—I still like it—there’s just a lot of other learning that needs to take place. (**Note: I went back to the corporate play house with my partner in Intl. Services and several other folks from Production last weekend. Learned more about my role--essentially I'm the PR rep for English speaking clients. There's more to it than that but for now I'm focusing on finding business associations and making contacts in the american business community in order to just get the word out. Oh, and I'm also working on polishing up the english version of the website. When it's presentable, I'll post the site and you can have a look.

Speaking of Chinese, I just want to put in my love of Laobaixing. Literally ‘old hundred names,’ the term refers to the Chinese commoners. You know, service people, taxi drivers, waitstaff at restaurants, general laborers, the folks that more or less remain nameless yet contribute the most to China’s atmosphere. The majority of the population consists of these laobaixing and they are what you might think of when you refer to ‘the people’, in particular, the 30-60 year olds who grew up and came of age during the cultural revolution. They just have this down to earth, easygoing sense about them. I love talking to laobaixing because they are usually uninhibited, outgoing, curious, animated and they don’t expect any kind of perfection. They seem to get such a kick out of talking to this blond American who happens to speak their language. I learn a lot of culture from laobaixing, as well as a good deal of local slang and accent and chatting randomly with folks does a lot for my speaking confidence. Laobaixing are one of the many reasons why I’ve fallen in love with this country.

That was actually like 35 minutes, lucky you. Off to bed. Be well, friends!

(**Add. notes:
My coworkers took me out for dinner last night--it's seriously like I've been adopted into this big happy family. I love my job.
I'm purchasing my first business suit this weekend.
I was approached by an old contact to travel to Jilin (North of Liaoning province, where I live) this weekend to check out this site for a hotel that he's investing in. He basically wants to put my name on the hotel and give me 10% of the earnings. I would have been the only woman going this weekend and frankly, I don't trust this guy at all and I feel very uncomfortable when dealing with him (this is the guy Stephen thinks is a potential gangster and the one that took me to sauna where I had the awkward experience with the masseuse). So I nixed the idea. Two months ago, I might have considered it but it just doesn't feel kosher. Two points for playing it safe and trusting my gut.
Speaking of gut, I developed a minor stomach virus again...actually I think it was the dinner I ate with that guy. Yet another reason to stay away. I'm better now but man yesterday was the pits.
Ok time for work, love you all!
**)

Ho. Ly. Cow. My life is blowing my mind. The past few weeks have been incredible. Adventure, unexpected travel to distant locations, successes, romance, even a new job! Wow! Ok, so it's nearly 11 and sleep is super precious to me right now so here's the quick and dirty scoop to empty out the cache.

Chinese New Year: It's like Independence Day, Christmas and Thanksgiving all mixed into one and extended for like a week. Talk about the best holiday ever! I spent the very special time with my Chinese family (I'm officially considered their adopted daughter hehe) New Year's Eve, we lit off fireworks, ate dumplings and watched the New Year's special on tv. Fireworks, oh man, it was like being in the middle of a warzone! Big (what we would call "the very illegal") fireworks going off overheard, fountains over there, firecrackers over here--shoot, they were going off all night! It was spectacular, I didn't sleep a wink! The following days, I accompanied my family to various relatives homes where we ate (SOOO MUCH FOOD!! Plates of various dishes piled two or three high! AAAGGGHH!! I was in hog heaven!) Some fantastic memories and I really felt a sense of belonging. It was so wonderful to be part of a family atmosphere.

Status with Wang Wei: That man has got me so confused. He's a mystery to me, he says I'm a mystery to him, our schedules don't leave much time for interaction but there's this strange, inexplicable attraction between us that makes it impossible for us to abandon the relationship. We're not on hold, nor are we officially dating...it's like our whole relationship is this video and we're on pause for now because we're so busy. Very strange, but also a lot of fun when we're together. I'm enjoying the whole "who cares where this goes, just for fun" relationship. We have time and that makes things comfortable.

During the holiday, I met Wang Wei's older cousin, Huo Qi. Huo Qi is the president of North Media, one of the largest media and advertising companies here in China and by far the largest here in Shenyang. (About 300 employees, mostly TV advertising here in Liaoning with offices all over China and large production studios in Beijing.) He was very impressed with me, so much so that, well, let me just recount part of the conversation we had at dinner:
H: Jessica, do you want to go to Sichuan? (Editor's note: Sichuan, SW China, just east of tibet, home of pandas, beautiful women and the best spicy food on the planet.)
J: Heck yes I do!
H: Do you have free time before classes resume in March? (EN: This convo took place on 2/20)
J: All the time in the world.
H: Great, later you can send me your passport number and I'll send you down there to go play for a few days. Oh and when you get back, come visit the office. I want you to come work for me.

>>!!!!!!<<

So I was thinking he'd send me down there, put me up in a hotel and let me wander on my own for three or four days. Oh no, he was planning on going all out. That's right, he sent me to Sichuan, all expenses paid, for 8 days. For no reason other than the fact that he likes me and wants to be my friend. He sent one of his other employees down with me and we stayed at the North Media facility in Chengdu. I climbed mountains, I saw real live pandas (even got to hold a Red Panda), I explored Chengdu, I learned how to play Mahjong (chinese dominoes, i guess is the best way to describe it)...oh my god, what an adventure/opportunity!

Got back from Sichuan late evening of March 3, morning of March 4 Shenyang got blasted by a baoxue 暴雪 (snowstorm), the biggest, in fact, in over 56 years. The city basically shut down for two days as everybody was busy trying to dig out the buses and trains. I have friends who were stuck on trains for 20-30 hours (on trips that were supposed to only last 5-6 hours--ugh!) I think we got something like two or three feet in some places. In. Tense.

Snowstorm meant the start of school got postponed for a couple of days. This term I have 16 hours which is less than last term, but with several of the same classes from last term which is nice. I've basically simplified my approach and my expectations and am going for a more laidback atmosphere. It's making my life more sane and I think the students are going to get more out of it as well. woot.

In addition, my mornings are all free so I can attend Chinese class!! HOORAY!

Huo Qi also came through on his word about wanting me to come work for him. Right now he's basically grooming me to play a big part in their international expansion. Right now my role is fuzzy but officially I'm coming into the newly formed International Affairs/Services department and I get to work with any American or European clients. For now, the most pressing need is to get English publicity polished and for me to be able to help acquaint foreign customers with the company. Sounds like there's a TON of interest among the staff to improve their English so I think I'm going to try and set up English classes and maybe an after hours English corner. Later Huo Qi hopes to expand my role and he's trying to introduce me to as many clients and customers as possible to help me extend my network. Talk about a lucky opportunity! Not only that but my counterpart in Intl Affairs is Chinese with Japanese experience and so he and I are also working on getting my japanese back up to snuff! SWEET! Such a cool company, all very young and energetic work force--I fit right in.

I realized recently that I really miss being a competitive athlete--the training, being in great shape, the competition, the camraderie. Since my exercise of choice at the moment is swimming, I found an 8 week fitness plan that I'm attacking like I'd attack a good erg piece. It's pushing me and I love it. I realized how much I craved/missed masochistic workouts. It's good to have a plan and something to work towards.

Between English class (16 hours +prep), Chinese (16 hours +study/prep), swimming (4-6 hours) and working at North Media (10-12), I feel a little like I'm this jet engine that's revving at full blast. I've gotten myself organized, I've got some rock solid routines (thanks to FlyLady.com--It's this website that gives tips and advice and reminders about getting organized...fantastic, like mom telling me to do my chores, but without the guilt when I don't do them haha! j/k, mom!) As a result, my apt is presentable, my diet is monitored, my clothes are clean and I have made my life so efficient, I can hardly believe it. I get up at 7 and am seriously in super intense go-mode until I go to sleep at night after 11. The Chinese is in overdrive right now--it's like someone opened the flood gates--I seem to have gotten past that mid-level plateau and my level is once again on the fast rise. I feel like my whole life is in overdrive right now. This whole thing with North Media and just feeling like I'm making progress. I'm busy. Like super busy. Like I have to do lists and I walk like a race-walker from place to place and when I sit in a cab, I heave a big sigh and welcome the brief rest.

It's crazy.

And I love every minute of it.