Like a rolling stone

After a long, long, long hiatus, I've decided to start updating my blog again.

To catch up all of my 2 remaining readers....

-I left China in mid-December. We tried to make it work. We really did. We left on amicable terms, but ultimately, it wasn't meant to be.

-I spent a whirlwind month at home over the Christmas holidays catching up on all kinds of paperwork and not managing to see anyone that I was supposed to. If you are one of those people, I apologize.

-I arrived in Amsterdam in mid-January to join my partner, Jason. Unlike China, I think the Netherlands and I have a chance. My first hint was that there is cheese here. Lots of cheese. Everywhere.

-I have spent the last month acclimatizing, and have now settled into looking for jobs (Canadian jobs of the work from home, contract variety) and trying to teach myself Dutch).


Naturally, this means I'm at home, in front of the computer quite a bit. Keep an eye on this space, there'll be more of this heading the way of the interweb on a semi-regular basis.

Decision making time, pt 1

My year in China is winding down a little bit, and it's time to start thinking about whether or not I want to return. Much like everything else here, my opinion sways moment to moment. The facts, of course, are a good place to start, and here is what I know.

I will be moving, again. This time to a city called Wuhan, roughly parallel to Shanghai. Known as one of the Four Furnaces of China, it's disgustingly hot in the summer and a bit chilly in the winter. However, it also got what looks to be a fairly decent ex-pat community. Having lived in Shenyang for a few months, I think I can speak on this topic. Certainly there are people who move to a foreign country and feel scared to experience any of it. Through the ex-pat community in Dalian, I've met people who are scared enough of crossing the street that they won't walk a few blocks; they'd rather take a taxi. People who live in hotels where every need is catered to and they are buffered from China at all times.

That said, immersion can be a trying, trying thing. Honestly, there are times when a girl just wants to eat a fajita at a table full of people who can discuss the Muppets. Even better is when that happens with a table of people who you don't see day in and day out. People you choose are always the best company, and for that to happen, there has to be a community of them to choose from.

I've discussed this several times now, so I won't go into detail, but going into a new culture is a priceless experience worth it's weight in gold. Losing almost all aspects of our own in the process can be incredibly disorienting and emotionally draining.

So, there's that. I like the heat, and I can get a few good meals. I can probably even buy bread there.

But, there are other factors to consider.