Back in Asia!

When I told people I was going back to China, I don't know why but so many assumed it was because I met a man there. It's not! I'll explain the decision making process so your curious minds can be satisfied.

Before I went to China the first time, I told myself after China and Toronto I would probably know what I want to do with my life. But then in November I was having post graduation anxiety and didn't know what to do in January. The Tuesday right after CEED debrief weekend, I called my sister and she was telling me about her trip to Mongolia with our friend Virginie and how they were flying through Beijing because it was cheaper (1000$ round trip!) and that Virginie was staying longer because Plo (her boyfriend and my good friend) was joining her and they would tour China together. So I told her why don't you do the same and I'll join you and we tour China together. So we talked about it and decided to do that, but she was buying the plane tickets the next day. So she bought the ticket with the later date we had said so I had no choice to go too! That's how I bought a plane ticket for Beijing less than 24 hours before deciding to go. Most spontaneous decision of my life! Before arriving I was thinking 'what the hell am I doing going back to Asia' and thinking maybe if I were to buy the ticket now I wouldn't. But when I got out of the airport in Beijing I felt so good! I'm glad to be here. At NC Tova told me 'don't come back, if you come back you'll leave again'. We'll see what happens.

So I spent the first few days in Beijing at Antoine and Michel's apartment. I witnessed Virginie's and Nicole's first Chinese experiences. We went 'ice chairing' on Hohai lake with Charles and his friend and also made dumplings with his parents. I took a train to Shanghai last Sunday and arrived Monday morning. I spent the week doing nothing, just chilling with AIESEC friends, that's all I wanted to do hehe. Shanghai in the winter is so cold! Damn warm countries where they don't insulate. I stayed at Susan's place Tuesday and Wednesday and now I'm at Sinky's. Wednesday I went to Shanghai Science and Technology museum with Susan and her meimei. I think we're a bit too old for it. Then there was an alumni gathering so I saw some old friends like Stefano but many trainees are now gone. This weekend is NatCo until the 30th. Then on the 31st I fly to Guangzhou and I'm gonna stay at Fish's the first few days then at Julien's (a friend of Verona, I don't know him yet). Then after Chinese New Year I shall head to Vietnam! I contacted AIESEC there and I'll do a mini CEED in Hanoi. I'll have a homestay with some member's family. So cool! It's exciting because AIESEC Vietnam started in October 2006 and LC Hanoi in April 2007. It's so young. As for the rest, it's not planned yet. Maybe I will go to Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. I plan on getting back in China through Yunnan and Sichuan. Visit Xi'an maybe and drop by Shanghai again and go to Hangzhou. We'll see then. Hopefully I'll see Simon from NYC in Guangzhou because he is studying in Hong Kong this semester. And Jingle too as she left Shanghai the day I arrived. Her hometown is close to Guangzhou.