It's surprising to see how fast the summer has passed by; I've only two weeks left before I leave Shanghai and the thought has left me pretty melancholic. I think being back in China, and in Shanghai more specifically has made me realize how much I really like it here. Living here, interacting with the people, etc, etc. On the bus back the other day I was listing in my head all of the things I would miss about Shanghai and how much I wish I'd be back next summer for the World Expo. This trip has made me realize that I'd definitely be up to living abroad for a couple of years. It's so fun to learn and immerse myself in another culture. Although I'm Chinese, I've realized that I really don't know my culture that well, and it's a learning experience that I go through while I am here. What I appreciate most about this particular trip is the fact that I have direction in my life now, knowing now that an international career is what I want, it'll be easier to find the types of jobs I want. It's given me a lot of perspectives.

Anyways, my mentor (whom I admire very much!) has just gone on vacation to Tibet for 3 weeks so I won't be able to see him before I leave. He's been really helpful in getting me settled in the office and letting me work on big projects. I really appreciate his help and hopefully will be able to keep in touch with him through e-mail afterward. The office work has lessened because both my "bosses" are gone, but the big boss is still there and he has some projects lined up for me to work on. I'm kind of sad because some of the interns have already left and next week even more will leave. But I'm glad to have met new friends in a new place and the experience has been quite amazing.

This weekend I went shopping again with my cousin and I got more bags and shoes-ahah, I think I've become a bagaholic! But this time around I definitely got better at bargaining so I got some pretty sweet deals. Most of the bags I got (except for one nylon) were either sheep/cow/ or deer leather:) Well so they say-who knows, but it certainly felt like it when I felt it. Someone even set a cigerette lighter to one of the bags and nothing happened, so I guess its real leather? Well anyways they're comfortable and I like the styles:). Then I went to a baby's 2nd month birthday party on my aunts side-it was one of the most awkward dinners I've had because I didn't know anyone there. Unsettling to say the least. But today, I just chilled at home and mooched around. More updates later.

By the way, my legs look horrendous b/c of mosquito bitten scars! I hope they heal soon! It makes my skin look disfigured....

The weekend practically flew by as I went out and played with my cousin! It was super super hot though! like 32 degrees celsius ( i don't know what that is farenheit but anything 30+ is hot in celsius) plus like 1000000% humidity. I sweated like I never sweated before. The worst thing is probably its that hot while its raining. Yup, monsoon season is back. Wonderful. Spent last night with relatives. My oldest Uncle on my mom's side treated us out at this place that served traditional shanghainese food. It was deliche. Dinner was a blur of me trying to catch up with all the conversations, half mandarin half shanghainese. It was great seeing family again as well as getting out of the house. 

So today was MUCH better. "First" day of work haha. It was good being back in the office again. Started on some research stuff and met up with the guy I'm working with a project on. He was super nice, so it was exciting talking to him and learning about his life and his experience at the DOC (Dept of Commerce). Then we(les interns) got our own business cards! Haha, I was so excited. Probably b/c I've never had business cards before. But we got a huge stack of them one side in chinese (with our chinese names) and the other side in english. It was pretty awesome. Everyone asked about my quarantine and had a good laugh about it. I was glad to finally make some new friends though! After work, I went out with 3 of the other interns to a bar for dinner and some drinks. Happy hour=good discounts! I think I'm finally getting used to drinking beer(although I don't prefer it, but I didn't want to get drunk in front of the others yet). I think the four of us will be hanging out a lot together just b/c we don't really know anyone else in shanghai. They've already hung out several times, and apparently had this wild night at a bar opening. Too bad I missed it in stupid quarantine ahah. Anyways, there's always next time. And it actually wasn't as awkward as I thought it would be, being the only girl among them. I think its definitely easier getting along with guy at first rather than girls. haha so I guess I'm glad that I'm the only girl:). Ok time to crash now, I slept super late last night and had to get up super early! I have to be by the office at 8:30am....8:30-5:30 work hours after all. *sigh*. 

P.S. I'll post pics of the food with relatives later...forgot my camera today so no pics of the workplace yet. 

In Shanghai now! Just arrived a few days ago..and I just found out that livejournal is not blocked here but blogspot is! What are the chances...and youtube is blocked but twitter got unblocked.

Anyways run down:

That 14 hour flight seemed like the longest 14 hours of my life...due to poor entertainment on the plane -movies from like the 90s...(although I blasted through Battle Royale in 5 hours-> good psycological thriller book!)

First 3 days back and I've so many mosquito bites already!:(

First day of work was so much fun! Got to meet the other 4 interns, they're pretty awesome. It was orientation, and me and two others were there for that long process ( the other two were had already been there for a while). I can't say much about the orientation in the post for....certain reasons, ask me when I get back and I'll gladly tell.

BUT  the bad news:
As you may or may not know, China is really paranoid about swine flu. We had hazmat suit wearing people enter our plane to take our temperature! And OUT OF ALL THE PLANES...mine was the one with ONE swine flu case, but b/c of that one person, we're all quarantined in our homes for a week. I found this out right when I got back from work today. So I'll be missing a week of work:( I really like work too! THe office environment is awesome, I love the desks, it's not fully cubicle either so I can talk to those around me. I was getting along with the other interns...I hope I don't miss out on too much bonding time. :/ I suppose there is another whole 2 months for that.

Anyways, that's what I've been up to now. NO more fun news for a week b/c I'll just be stuck at home.