Coming up on a week. . .

And I can guarantee you that I am not China's biggest fan at the moment.  I probably just need to eat, but let me tell you. . .the moment comes when one has had just about enough.  

And it's really quite silly.  Expectations are the downfall of everything.  I really believe that.  

I had expected to be able to plug my computer in and get online and skype and work and blog and do all the things I was "expecting" to be able to do.  In my own space, because the time change really prohibits me standing outside an internet cafe at 6 in the morning or 10 at night to skype.  Here's the kicker.  The internet cafe doesn't even open till after 9.  What kind of coffee shop doesn't open till after 9?  One in a country where drinking coffee is something only foreigners and social climbers do.

so, Jetlag. . .

Jetlag for me seems to consistently equal something that mimics Malaria or a severe case of the Flu.  Body Aches, stomach complaints, utter despondancy. . .you know.

The tricky bit it that, like Malaria, this malady comes and goes.  It is clearly coincidental with the depth and breadth of tiredness I am feeling at any given moment, but it sneaks up on me.  

And then smacks me in the face (and head, and back of the neck, and stomach, and feet, and eyeballs, and left ear.)

I do not appreciate this.

I also do not approve.

Call somebody.

Poop.

Alright, racefans…

I have finally made it home. All the way. Or at least physically. I alternate between feeling on top of the world and feeling as though I have a god-awful case of the flu. Apparently, I had this same condition when returning from Kenya, remember. We thought it was malaria. ;)

At any rate, I am currently also vacillating between euphoria at being home and utter despair at the complete and total disorientation that I feel. My house has changed. Not drastically and for the better, but still a bit of a shock.
I have to go back to work almost immediately. Again. Shocking to the system.
Still experiencing some jet lag. Lame.
For me, return from traveling is like new years day. A moment in time ripe for resolutions. I am trepidatious. I have a bevy of excellent intentions (time management, cost savings, exercise, money management, etc.) and really really don't want to fail. Any and all suggestions are welcome.

Pardon the brevity, this message was sent from my iPhone.

Home again, home again…

Actually, it's a bit disturbing to hear so much English spoken. There is a sort of restful silence in only being able to understand every 20th word. This (Metro Airport) is sensory overload.

Shush, people.

Pardon the brevity, this message was sent from my iPhone.

Last night in China…

And we are going out with a bang, folks. Killer shopping today. Art, museums and silk!!!! Yeah, baby!

Massage, and hot spring to follow.

The whiskey coffee helped, too.

This whole excursion may have been smoother with a whiskey coffee nightcap daily.

Notes for next time.

Peace,
C

Pardon the brevity, this message was sent from my iPhone.

And the beat goes on…

It's weird to be surrounded by so many non-Chinese people. Unsettling. I actually feel more silenced than it feels to know so little functional Chinese.

Pardon the brevity, this message was sent from my iPhone.

OK. . .

I'm in Beijing. It's raining and I LOVE it.  I have a delicious hotel room, it's cool and beautiful. No more refugee status.  Clearly Feeling a bit world weary.  But Things are looking up.  So let's here it for good old American Tourism.  No holds barred. Normally, I'd be embarrassed to be so blatantly Western, but Clearly, I've had enough.  The next few days are going to be wonderful.  REALLY REALLY wonderful!  

Ok, Off to take a bath.  HAven't had one since early June.  Do with that what you wish.

Hugs and kisses

C

China…I mean, seriously!

Ok. Every electronic on the planet comes out of China, but I have not yet seen a more incongruous technological infrastructure. This place is like a wireless vacuum. And what hard wired internet they do have is molasses slow.

Makes no sense. None at all.

Now, remember, I am your resident travel maven. If I can go, I will go. But after this summer of jet setting, I want to go home and stay home. I've had enough culture for one year (maybe one lifetime).

Pardon the brevity, this message was sent from my iPhone.

And the color of the day is frustrated. . .

Really, there are no words. 

And now…

It's Moon River.

Time to go.

Pardon the brevity, this message was sent from my iPhone.

Country Road, Take Me Home…

I am sitting in a French Cafe in China listening to a smooth Jazz version on Country Road by John Denver in English.

'Nuff said.
C

Pardon the brevity, this message was sent from my iPhone.

Standing in a circle of quiet

So, I'm in an internet cafe in Ha'erbin, China.  I cannot get internet connection in my apartment and I cannot get to this page from the internet because China doesn't like anything with the word "blog" in the URL.  And they weren't kidding about that.  

So it's hot.

The faculty that I am teaching are lovely, amazing people.

Did I mention, it's hot?

There are many, many internationals here.  People from Tanzania (not the only negro on the block!), people from Russia and the US, etc.  If you want to teach in china try getting  a gig at HIT.  The university is big into internationalizing right now.

Surprisingly enough, all the signs are mostly in Chinese.  

I find this a bit disconcerting.  Could I learn to speak Chinese?  Probably.  Could I learn to listen and sing and teach and learn in the Chinese language?  I would imagine so.  After a time.  BUT. . .READ CHINESE?  

Give me strength.  

Honestly, one has to question what prompts a person to abandon her homeland for a world so utterly foreign.  

Let me know what you come up with.

Kisses.

So…

In an attempt to be bright-spirited, China is lovely.

Do you believe that?

Good.

That is all.

Ppppppppbbbbbbttttttsssssss.

Pardon the brevity, this message was sent from my iPhone.

And…

I really, really don't get Korean TV.

At all.

Pardon the brevity, this message was sent from my iPhone.

Well…

Korea has lost it's luster.

It's hot in this airport.

I think I just paid $30 for coffee.

And my flight is delayed. An hour.

Blech.

Pardon the brevity, this message was sent from my iPhone.

The times, they are a changing.

Just got word that my blogger address will not work from china. I could update through email but I'd never be able to look at it.

Stay tuned.
C

Pardon the brevity, this message was sent from my iPhone.

And we're off. . .

Guess what? Korea is not cheap. It is also rainy and muggy. And extremely quiet for the middle of the afternoon. I have often wondered what the importance of big, flashy airports with lots of business in them was, but now I know, as I will be at this one for at least 4 hours (I think. I don't really know what time it is. Anyone? Anyone?)

I've gotta show you my FULL ROW OF EMPTY SEATS on an almost FULL plane. Best $160 I ever spent. Believe me. 13 hours of flying will take it out of ya.

Here is my row:

And yes, I love it. And yes, I did have to fend some people off who were entitled to a FREE upgrade, because something was broken in their row in the BACK. Now look, I love paying it forward as much as the next kid, and I would've shared my row if the airline had offered me a refund for the hard earned cash I had just laid down for this row. . .but as they did not. I had to say to the lovely (LOVELY) lady that helped me initially, "They are trying to put people in my ROW." Needless to say, those poor people had to sit somewhere else.

I'm sorry, folks. 14 hours is too long to be polite.

So onward and should arrive in Harbin around 10 tonight. With luggage. Did you hear that airport gods? With Luggage!

Felt a bit American, asking the lady at the Korea(n) History Museum in the Airport (they apparently don't need that (n) ) what the name of the money in Korea is. I didn't research it as I didn't pay attention to how long I was going to be in this bloody airport. No one has ever accused me of being overly detailed.

It's a Wan, Won, W by the way.

Just so you know.

In case you need it, and you don't want to look too silly. Can you imagine someone coming up to a Starbucks in Detroit Metro and asking, "Sorry, could you just tell me what your money is called? What does that $ stand for?"

Ridiculous.

For real.

Till then, lovlies. . .

This is IT!!

Taking advantage of the 15 mins free wireless in the Traverse City Airport. Headed out to Detroit in a few and then to Seoul, Korea. Should be in Harbin tomorrow night at 9PM-ish. Don't know what time that will be here, but it's a full day of travel, BELIEVE ME.

Facebook fans, be sure to check here for updates as China and FB don't mix.

Hugs and kisses, all!

If I forgot to do anything, please do it for me.