Life as an Intern

There is never a single dull day as an intern in Beijing. Each day is completely different and something exciting always happens. ...or at least it's exciting for me? I don't know but everyday this week has been hilarious. Whenever I'm running around getting an errand done or heading somewhere I always find myself in a situation that only would happen to me. What I mean is, I am directionally challenged and I always get lost.

On Tuesday I was asked to go to this electronic store to find a replacement cord for the external hard-drive that I needed access to. One of my coworkers drew a picture for me and I found the store perfectly fine. The funny part would occur the second I walked into this building. "Electronic store" is definitely an understatement for this place. It was a four-story building that was HUGE and there were little stands everywhere. People were shouting at me, trying to pull me into their stand to buy something, or attempting to take my iPhone and sell me another one. What was even funnier would be me...trying to talk about technology...in Chinese. The second I said "external hard-drive" in English the salesmen got scared and shuffled me off to the next person. Yup, English is intimidating? Needless to say, I walked out the store empty handed.

After the whole electronic store adventure I found out I'd be headed out to observe a focus group! This was a first for me and of course I got lost getting to the building but once I got there I did recognize a couple other people from different companies whom I met last week. The focus group was incredibly interesting but I don't think I can share much about it. I'm sorry!

Yesterday at my internship was hilarious. Last minute we needed to scramble and find some CDs that the artists need to autograph. The problem is, in China pirated CDs are very common and real legitimate CDs are very difficult to find. So, Karen was sent off to find CDs! Before I went out though, I did want to make sure that the store had the CDs in stock. That phone call was another "roll on the floor" laughing conversation. I had everyone's attention in the office as I was making this phone call and stumbling through with my Chinese. It was a sight to see...more like, conversation to hear. For the third time this week, I got lost but eventually found where I needed to go and I am now guarding these CDs as I will have to deliver them to the venue today.

See, everyday is just an adventure! My life as an intern is simply too entertaining!

Typical Wednesday night dinner for me. Baozi, jiaozi and some bubble tea! By the time I get back to campus I'm starving because I don't eat at all on Wednesdays. Like I said, life as an intern. I am absolutely addicted to the taro bubble tea here. It is fabulous. Is it also sad that the man at the stand now knows me? If I can't get my daily dose of coffee then bubble tea it is!

Came home to find a letter from my Big, Kendall, sitting at the front desk of my building! What a wonderful surprise to come home to after a long day! It was the perfect Valentine...and she wrote some Chinese! LOVE HER.

Me with the CDs I had to pick up last night. YES, THAT'S RIGHT. iL DIVO IS PERFORMING IN BEIJING TONIGHT. I am so, so bummed I won't be able to go tonight. They are literally my favorite quartet on this planet. I know, I'm an old soul.  

Anything exciting happening in your lives right now??

Pinterest Wednesday

I'm the type of girl who loves baking. It's quite therapeutic for me and in a way, it's a creative outlet for me. I love looking for new recipes, finding cute cupcake liners at Michael's, trying out these new recipes, and sharing treats with my friends. It has been over a month since I've last baked and am feeling a bit deprived! I have now resorted to Pinterest to dream about baking and eating cupcakes and other yummy treats. Will someone please find me an oven...or a good brownie...or cupcake to shove in my face?

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When I get back, I will be printing this out and framing it.

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Raspberry Lemon Cupcakes. Sounds refreshing! Perfect for the summer.

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Chocolate Nutella Cupcakes. Craving for some nutella right now...but in reality, every day.

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Chocolate Chip Cherry Cheesecake. Think about it. Yup, sounds DELICIOUS.

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Apple Pie Bites. yum yum yum!

Thank you Pinterest for satisfying my craving for baked goods through pictures and recipes. I can't wait to try a few of these out in a couple of months!

Are you following my pins?

PS so many work stories to tell you all. There's never a boring week here in Beijing.

Tuesday Tunes

I have been in Beijing exactly one month now. I honestly can't even wrap my brain around this because it doesn't feel like it! In a way it feels like time has flown by but there are times where I feel as though I've been here forever. Only two more months of classes and three more months until I am on a plane headed home! Don't get me wrong, I really am enjoying my time here in Beijing. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything else. Life in Beijing is just different and there are aspects of the US that I miss. But, there are some things that I love in Beijing. So, happy one month anniversary Beijing!

This week's Tuesday Tunes feature: Jessie J.

Jessie J is one talented girl. I will admit though, I wasn't a huge fan of "Price Tag" but once "Domino" hit the radio I instantly became a fan. She has one incredible voice and her songs are always so catchy! Off her album Who You Are I'm loving the following songs in no particular order: Domino, Who You Are, Nobody's Perfect, Casualty of Love, and Abracadabra. Such a catchy album.

I came across her cover of Rihanna's "We Found Love" on Youtube the other day and that is ALL I've been listening to. Is it awful that I kind of prefer it over Rihanna's? The cover showcases Jessie J's vocal ability and the control that she has. She put her own touch into the song and that's what makes it so awesome! Also, she did it live. Mad impressive. That is a clear indication of talent right there.

What have you all been listening to lately? Anything that I must check out?

Sunday Confessions

***Posting this half an hour early tonight. Falling asleep and there's no way I can stay up till midnight to post it up! So yes, I have 2 posts on Sunday. Pretend it's Monday morning.***



 

This is my first ever link-up on my blog. I'm super excited to be linking up with Alyx over at Every Day is a New Adventure. It's Sunday Confessions time. I know it may not be Sunday in Beijing, but it is still Sunday for all of my readers back in the States.

1. Did I really stay in most of the day, do homework, study, and dance around?

Yes, yes I did. Sundays are my most favorite days here in Beijing. They are the complete opposite of my Sundays back in the US. Here in Beijing, they are so much more relaxed, quiet, and free. I stayed in most of the day studying, watching some shows on Hulu (aka let me sit here while you buffer), lounging in my UGA shirt and leggings, and dancing around singing along to Ben Rector like a fool.

2. Postcards are the way to my heart.

It was such a coincidence that I wrote about my fabulous Strong Family yesterday and a few hours later received a postcard! While I was being an oh so normal person dancing around to Ben Rector and belting his lyrics, I saw from the corner of my eye a card being slid underneath my door! I thought it was an advertisement at first but nope, it was a postcard from my sweet, sweet Little cMm all the way from London. It most definitely brightened my day even more! I'm beginning to think that my love language is gifts. However, I think quality time is still my primary one.

3. I ate an entire plate of strawberries by myself...and may head out and buy some more.

I took a break earlier and went out to buy some fruit! I came across a tray of strawberries that looked absolutely delicious and fresh. Why not? They were only a little over two US dollars. Came back, washed them, and DEVOURED them. Super sweet and it totally hit the spot! I'm about to head out to dinner and am thinking about buying another tray! My room smells delicious because of the strawberries!

4. I bought and enjoyed a McFlurry yesterday.

You gotta understand, I don't eat McFlurries often. Probably once or twice over the course of a year. Maybe even less. But this has been a very long, long week and I was starting to get a bit homesick. My roommate and I decided that we needed to cure this feeling fast so we went out and treated ourselves to a McFlurry. Um, best decision ever. It was quite the adventure ordering it but I will confess, I thoroughly enjoyed that Blueberry Oreo McFlurry. No guilt!

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5. I am a self-admitted Pinterest addict.

I cannot stop pinning. All the outfits on Pinterest are giving me so many cute ideas and is stirring this desire to go shop! My mom and I came up with a plan. One of the first things we'll do when I get back to the States will be a shopping trip to Arundel Mills Mall. I can't wait! Watch out Loft, J. Crew Factory, and all the other stores on my list!

Have any confessions you want to get off your chest?

Strong Family

One of the things on my long list of things I miss is my Alpha Kappa Psi family. Oh Strong Family how I miss each and every one of you. The ENTIRE family (we are quite massive) is wonderful. Each member is so talented, intelligent, ambitious, and genuine. I do however miss my own family line the most. I have been with some of these ladies since fall of my sophomore year and we have continued to grow every semester. This past Thursday we welcomed three AMAZING new members into the family and one of them is in my own very family line. I have been adamantly stalking my new GGLittle Janina via Facebook. Y'all she is wonderful and most definitely Strong material. Can't wait to meet this girl!

So long ago! From left to right: Biggie (Kendall), Twin (Julia), and Me!



The family keeps growing! Left to Right: GLittle (Shannon), Little (cMm), Me and Big (Kendall)

Our line within the Strong family sans Julia! Welcome Shannon and Kathryn!

Probably my fave picture of us. It's also probably one of the only times we've ALL been together. So glam. ...and I am quite short.

Miss you girls SO much. My life feels a little less filled with laughter without you all by my side. Can't wait for our reunion this summer and to truly welcome Janina into the family. MISS YOU!



First Concert in China with a Boy Band

***I've actually had this post all written up 3 days ago but my Internet was being uncooperative!***

6:30am alarm went off and it was not a pleasant surprise. While I was getting ready for work, I found myself dancing around the room to Westlife. Did I incorporate some of their cheesy choreography? Maybe...maybe not.

Last night was absolutely exhausting and I'm feeling it today. My entire body is sore and hating me. But, in the end working at the Westlife concert last night was so worth it. Excuse me body, you're going to have to forgive me, but I care and love the experience more.

After class, I scarfed down lunch and dashed over to MasterCard Center and met Jenny around 2pm to start setting things up. We set up about 300 some seat covers with MasterCard branding, made sure everything was set up at the interactive stage and rooms. There was a last minute emergency but as two pros, we resolved the problem real fast. The concert was hilarious. It was a sold out show and Beijing was actually Westlife's first stop on their Farewell Tour. I've honestly never seen so many Chinese people more excited than last night. People were shouting (I had a girl shouting in my ear the entire night), standing on chairs, singing lyrics, waving the millions of glowsticks that they bought, and it was definitely a different experience than in the States. It was really cool to see the differences of the two country in terms of entertainment.

Going into this Westlife concert, I had some pretty low expectations, I mean a boy band? But, I'm going to admit, the concert was fun and I think it was because of the people I was with. They were hilarious. Some of my favorite songs from the set would be "World of Our Own", "I Will Reach You", their cover of Michael Buble's "Home", and the finale song, "Uptown Girls" that had me laughing the entire song. They also covered Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up" but come on, trying to top Josh Groban? Yeah, right.

I have to say though, my favorite part of the entire day, besides learning from Jenny all day, would be the sound check. We were setting up the seat covers during the sound check and it was really awesome to listen to them practice and seeing them interact with one another. Each of their personalities really came out. I also learned that only one of them could sing:  Shane. He's got the whole package. I forsee in his future a possible solo career.

Sound check

MasterCard VIP seat covers. I bet you those without a seat cover felt left out. Those seat covers look simple to put on but trust me when I say they're not. I have cuts on my hands as evidence.

The interactive stage Octagon created for the show. How awesome. It was a hit!

The Chinese crowd LOVES glowsticks and glow headbands...pretty much anything that glows.

The atmosphere was amazing

Finale: Uptown Girls

So sorry most of the pictures are blurry. My iPhone failed me! Can't wait till this week's concert. I may die...it's one of my favorite groups!



Pinterest Wednesday

It's the one topic I've been avoiding since arriving to Beijing: FITNESS. My roommate and I like to ask each other, "Be honest, am I looking fat?" We of course say no to one another but there is no doubt I'm feeling these rolls setting in. Helloooooo love handles? All day every day I just eat carbs: noodles, rice, dough, and bread. That wouldn't be a problem in the US but in Beijing, it's kind of hard seeing that I can't run in the smog and the gym  membership is MAD expensive. So, I've resorted to Pinterest to find some workouts/motivation and lose these jelly rolls!!

Alright, time to get back in shape! Well, technically, I worked out A TON at the concert today (I pretty much ran laps around the venue) but my first day of LEGIT fitness work outs start tomorrow. Hope this goes well!

Tuesday Tunes & Press Conference

I am dedicating this Tuesday Tunes spotlight to Westlife, an Irish boy band that has been together for 14 years. Yup, you read that correctly. FOURTEEN years.

This afternoon, I got to meet these guys through my internship. Arrived at the office bright and early, got some work done, and by 10:30am Jenny (my co-worker) and I were out the door headed to MasterCard Center (previously known as Wukesong) to set up for Westlife's press conference. The band will be performing tomorrow night at the MasterCard Center as one of their stops on their Farewell Tour. I had no idea that an Irish boy band was so popular in China! The last time they were here in September, the show completely sold out. Seriously??

Jenny and I spent an entire day running around prepping for the press conference. Such a great learning experience! After the press conference we filmed a few ID's for tomorrow night. Those guys are absolutely hilarious and their accents? AWESOME. Throughout the presser, they kept saying "lads." LOVE IT. One of the things I wasn't use to today was speaking music industry/production jargon in Chinese. I struggled through it but I made it through the day! It never hurts to try and as I spoke more and more in Chinese, the easier it got.

Here's one of Westlife's most popular song in China. "My Love" is currently plastered everywhere in Beijing. MasterCard has some great branding! (hehe) The guys sure don't look like this anymore...

Staff Badge

This backdrop in the green room only took Jenny and I about an hour and a half to put together. Major struggle bus there. Who thought it was a good idea to let two girls under the height of 5'4 to put this contraption together? Thank goodness someone finally stepped in and helped us!

All set and ready for the press conference to start

Priceless Beijing

Seats are filling up! Presser about to start

Back in the green room filming ID's for MasterCard!

Alright, time to get studying on Chinese and attempt to get some rest for tomorrow. It's going to be an even longer day but always exciting. 



Grateful Heart

Last week in Chinese class my professor decided to give us a break and show us a documentary called Last Train Home. Within the first few minutes of the movie I definitely felt the tears creeping into my eyes. Five minutes after that, the waterworks came. It was a bit embarassing and I was trying to hide it from my professor but he knew. He even asked me what I thought about it after we watched the first part. The movie just made me reflect on my life and I couldn't help but have such a grateful heart after watching this movie.

The documentary was about a family in the rural area of China and the decisions surrounding this family. When the daughter was only a year old, her dad decided to move to the city to work in a factory in order to support the family and make some money to provide his daughter with a better future. The mother also decided to go along with her husband in order to support him. While her parents were in the city working at a factory sewing clothes, the daughter (along with her younger brother later on) remained in the country side and was raised by her grandmother. She was only able to see her parents once a year during the Spring Festival. Watching the scene at the train station was hard. These people work all year round and are only able to see family once a year but the train station is so crowded that they stand and wait there for days waiting for a train. Can you even imagine that?

Over the weekend, my professor asked us to write an essay about our thoughts and feelings towards this documentary. While writing it, I couldn't stop crying. It was so tough. Being in China for the past month has really made me realize what an incredible life I have and how blessed I am. I have clothes to wear, a bed to sleep in, a hot shower, three hot meals a day, choices of shoes, and so on and so on. It truly has been a reality check for me.

In the documentary, the parents didn't intentionally abandon their kids. They made sacrifices and went to work at a factory for 14-16 hours a day, sometimes even longer, in order to give their children a better life. When the mother started talking about how she sometimes wishes she could be by her kids and to hug them every night, I was a mess watching it. I can't even fathom that. These parents sacrificed so much just so that their kids could have a better life--to move out of the country side and find a good paying job.

My parents have also made such incredible sacrifices for my brother and I. I don't think that I've fully appreciated the two of them until I got to China. Walking around the city, I'm just humbled. My problems aren't problems at all. They really are "first world problems." I don't even know what a day of hard work is. It's hard to explain how I feel in English. I wish I could type my Chinese essay and post it up and that you would be able to understand it.

Being in China, things have really been put into perspective for me.

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Speaking of my awesome family, my dad sent me this photo of my brother and mom a couple days ago. Is that really my brother? When did he grow up?? Like his new suit? He has a rush interview with the Alpha Kappa Psi Omega Theta chapter this upcoming week. Send good vibes his way!

Wangfujing

Night Market. I was so prepared on Saturday to go into Wangfujing to eat scorpions and other nonsensical things. Seriously, I was. Once I got to the stand with my friends I completely wimped out. Can you blame me though? The baby scorpions were still alive on the skewers!! My friends bought one skewer of baby scorpions and the man threw them into the deep fryer. It felt as though I committed murder. Ryan went for them (he ate two) while the 3 girls stared and kept going back and forth. Amber and Andrea both finally gave in and downed a baby scorpion but I on the other hand couldn't bring myself to do it. I did nibble on a leg...gross. While we were huddled around this one skewer of baby scorpions taking turns eating them, we somehow drew a crowd around us? People began taking pictures of us and watching us as we had this life experience.

Regardless of whether or not I ate a baby scorpion, I loved being at Wangfujing. The atmosphere was electric and people were exploring, eating, shopping at the little stands on the street. It reeked though. Oh that smelly tofu gets to you. But, we just stood around the food stands to smell delicious lamb skewers, dumplings, and other yummy foods!

Right out of the subway station.

Gate to Wangfujing Night Market!

Opera performance

My friend Amber and I outside the gates of Wangfujing

Yup, all of those little critters are still alive....

At this point, I'm freaking out.

Look at that man creepin'. Sir, yes, I'm contemplating eating this scorpion.

Nibble, nibble. I think my facial expression explains it all...

Although I wimped out on eating an entire baby scorpion, my roommate and I treated ourselves and shared this DIVINE dessert. Strawberries on a stick, COVERED in sugar. Yup, that's crystallized sugar on those strawberries. Drooling just thinking about them.

So many people were walking around eating these poor little birdies. Couldn't bring myself to it.

Farewell Wangfujing! (...not sure what I'm doing in this picture...)

Sketchy Friday

I seem to have the tendency to find myself in very awkward and sketchy situations. Take today as an example. My friend told me about this easy job she heard about from a friend of hers. The job pretty much entailed Americans recording themselves speaking English. Most of these recordings are used by companies as instruction manuels and other who-knows-what purposes. It's 100 yuan per hour, sounded good to me?

After Chinese class I, along with 2 other friends took a cab to this place and when I stepped into the building I felt a little uneasy just because there was a ton of uncertainty looming around the whole situation. What if this wasn't legit and they kidnapped us?? One thing I didn't want was to be separated from my friends. What do you know, we get separated. The good thing was, I knew Chinese so I knew what they were saying and established some form of authority with them. Better not take advantage of me!

They took me into an empty room and I started recording different commands/phrases/sentences. It wasn't bad at all. Twenty minutes later I was done and got my stuff together, thinking I was leaving. Um, not quite. They then said that I now had to get into a taxi cab and record. At that point, I started freaking out. Getting into a cab with a random person, headed towards who knows where, without my friends. No, not going to happen. Being the cautious person that I am, I began asking a million questions and demanding answers. The answers didn't help but I got in the cab (I don't know why) and the person I was with just told the driver to drive around the block for twenty minutes as I recorded myself saying these English commands/phrases/sentences again. During the entire ride I kept looking up keeping tabs of where I was and making sure I wasn't being driven to somewhere random.

I sped through the recording, got out of the cab, took my hundred dollars and PEACED OUT. Nothing went wrong but I just felt uneasy the whole time. They asked me to come back again because they need more recordings done. We'll see, we'll see....

Some of the sentences were hilarious though and I had to contain my laughter. They made absolutely no sense. But, this was an experience and I came out of it alive and ok. I'll take it!

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This is EXACTLY what I said when I got out of my last class today.

Happy Weekend!!



Busy Thursday

I'm going to be double posting today since my internet wasn't working last night. It kept dropping my Skype calls with my Biggie, Kendall. RUDE.

Yesterday was my FIRST whole day at work. The work culture here in Beijing is completely different than that of the US. ...well, maybe my office may be the exception since we have a UK director rather than a Chinese director. My friends who have Chinese bosses say that no one works in the office and it's pretty much social hour. Oh no, not at Octagon. Everyone legit works straight through the day and is insanely quiet. The set hours are 9:30-6:30pm but in reality, many of them work until about 8:30 or 9pm everyday.

I got into the office (treated myself to a Starbucks Hazelnut Latte. DIVINE.) and began working. Research, research, research. It was great though. I'm learning so much and my boss caught me by surprise when he said that this account is pretty much my own account. Seriously?? So, I get to be making phone calls next week. It was only my second real day, and I've already been entrusted with so many responsibilities. Lunch time was great and hectic and I LOVED getting to know my co-workers who had me laughing the entire time.

By the end of the night, around 6pm my boss literally had to kick me out of the office.

Boss: What the hell are you still doing here?

Me: ....working? Doing research?

Boss: Go. Get out. HAVE A LIFE.

Me: But, I won't be here until Tuesday and need to get this done.

Boss: You are an unpaid intern. Stop working so hard. I don't want to be the one keeping you from having a good time in Beijing.

What made this whole conversation even better was that accent of his. DAY MADE.

It was an eventful first full day and I can't wait to get back next week into the world of INSANITY since we have a show. But first, I gotta get through today--class, going to record myself speaking English to make some extra spending money, and class again. At least it's Friday?

PS Did I mention some of my writing will be on Mastercard billboards/promo material in China. Like I said, I love my job.

PPS I need to find the perfect outfits for a press conference and concert next week. Any suggestions?





Tuesday Tunes & Pinterest Wednesday

Did I really just eat dinner out of a plastic bag? Yeah, I did. Thanks Beijing! It may have been in a plastic bag but my bao zi (pork buns) and jiao zi (dumplings) were absolutely delish. Didn't have time to take a picture because I was starving. I'm a workaholic and haven't eaten all day so FORGIVE ME. Wednesdays are going to be insane for me. I have class at 9am for three and a half hours then I immediately head to my internship (an hour and 15 minute commute) until 6:30pm and finally commute another hour and 15 minutes back home. Worth it though! I had another wonderful day at work. Seriously, I can listen to my boss talk all day. His British accent is just incredible. He's also absolutely hilarious and everyday I thank him for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. He simply laughs and says I'm being ridiculous. I honestly hope I don't let anyone down in the office!!

As promised, I owe you all a Tuesday Tunes! Well, this week's Tuesday Tunes feature is my absolute favorite artist: Dave Barnes. You all know I'm totally obsessed with him. Yeah, yeah, yeah. This past Tuesday he just released another single from his upcoming album. It's called "White Flag." As always, Dave Barnes does not disappoint and I am hooked! Give it a listen! You won't regret it!

How handsome is he!?

Woo! Pinterest Wednesday. I feel as though my addiction to Pinterest has gotten worse since I've gotten to Beijing. I wake up pinning on my phone and go to bed pinning on my phone. Yup, addict right here! My "Wishlist" board on Pinterest is growing bigger and bigger everyday. Hey y'all, my birthday is in July...just sayin'.

My three favorite things: Chevron, Monogram, and iPhone

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Crushin' hardcore over this fabulous Kate Spade cross body. It's the perfect size and look at that color! It's screaming spring and summer.

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I've been itching to buy a pair (or 3) of Tori Burch Reva Flats. They actually have knock-off ones in Beijing but I will definitely be going back State side and investing in a real pair.

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How beautiful is this Lilly dress? The Navy one is my absolute fave. Can't wait to hit up my Lilly spot in Bethesda when I get back!

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My niece in AKPsi has this wristlet and when I saw it, I instantly fell in love. This Michael Kors wristlet is absolutely perfect and such a genius idea. It's practical and super chic. WANT.

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The list can go on and on but I'll stop right here and spare you all. I would just like to add right now how I love the fact that my grandfather is currently texting me. No problem at all. In fact, he's even texting in Mandarin Chinese. Mad impressive.