Worry is a misuse of imagination they say'

It's day 12 of my travels in China and I'm currently on the night train heading to Chengdu from Guilian. We boarded at 13:25pm and it's now 23:33pm - we still have 13 hours to go until we arrive and so far it has been okay! 

Below is my itinerary described up to 14 days - You may wish to follow it once you decide to travel China! The plan was to leave Beijing and head south east then west then back up to Beijing for a Great Wall finish off. 

To continue where I left off from - arriving Morganshan in Day 2 was a relief! We were finally there after a day of journeying for some hiking and a dip in a lake. 

We hiked for over an hour (to be honey which doesn't really class as a hike) through the bamboo forest and we didn't even mind the rain! We found the mountain lagoon which was a vast lake coloured blue despite everything else around it - it was crystal clear and so beautifully displayed. 

That evening we had shared dinner with the others who were also staying at the same hostel - it's often cheaper this way although you wouldn't get much of a say in your choices of dishes. But trust theirs. 

I then took a local walk in the rain to see where I was staying but I was also looking for a shop that I was never going to find! 

Sophie had an article to write, about the Scottish educational system so she stayed behind and caught on with it. 

It was movie night at the guest house and we stayed to watch for a bit before we were knocking our heads for sleep. 

I was on the top bunk next to the window of the Mosquitos Territory - I was disturbing them apparently. 

Day 3 

It was evidenced the next day when I woke up spazzy slapping my arms and legs from all the bites. I began reading all my tearful messages from home and it was the first time in years I had felt homesick - it didn't last long. 

Today was slow spent hiking the bamboo forest and stopping by at the lagoon up the mountains. Today was also my birthday! 20 in China woo'! 

The hike was sadly too short under an hour but the lagoon was very pretty! A vast lake opening to an even bigger one - bamboo trees surrounded it and the rain just made it so beautiful. Nature was calling my name. 

After lunch we began making a move - first taking a bus to Deqing station at 4pm then the bullet train to Shanghai after 6 and arriving Shanghai at 8.36pm.

We had arrived and it was so dark outside! We caught a subway to Dashijie where our next hostel was and checked in 'Shanghai Phoenix Hostel'. After being placed in a dorm of 8, I was ready for my birthday night out with my Scottish babe!. 

A bit about Shanghai ; 

Shanghai is located in the central-eastern China. Shanghai is split into two parts: Pudong ( to the east of the Huangpu River ) and Puxi ( to the west of the Huangpu River ). Most of the historical and scenic sites in shanghai are in Puxi while Pudong is the new development area blooming with plentiful futuristic high-rise constructions. 

The night was spent visting the Bund 1 by the river huangpu holding our vast umbrellas covering us from the pouring rain. We saw the buildings on the other side of the river filled with colours of the rainbow - it was BEAUTiFUL! 

We enjoyed the rest of our night in world's finest 'Bar Rouge' where we enjoyed free drinks and a fab view of the city at the rooftop dancing the night away to all types of western music. 

Tumbled into bed at 5am excited for the next 3 days. 

Day 4

We had arrived in Shanghai the night before and felt ready for our first full day in the city. 

We visited the propaganda art centre that was exhibited  in a basement.

Shanghai propaganda poster art centre showed the historical journey of how Chairman Mao and Communist party of China informed and restored collective minds of people. It was the only art centre in China to offer collection of over 6000 original posters between '49 to '79 as part of their cultural heritage.  It was only CNY20 to enter and From what I remember from my visit; 

Alot was shown about Mao Zedong thought - Marxism / Leninism. The propaganda posters of the Chinese were mostly against the Americans, English and the Japanese. 

A bit about the Cold War, Vietnam war, US imperialism (invading Vietnam - black racism), Russian revisionism. 

In 1950 - marriage was no longer arranged as Mao had a bad experience with 'his' arranged marriage. 

In 1960, there was the horrible famine cause by natural disasters and the mistake of Great Leap Forward.

1966 was the cultural revolution 

In 1976, Mao had died and rest of gang (3 including his wife) were arrested. 

This visit was deep! So glad we went and saw - learnt far more than I imagined so this is a recommended visit when in Shanghai! 

We then went to the central part of Shanghai near Nanjing street where the Jiing'an Temple was located and viewed the sights surrounding us. 

We ate lunch at Reel where I ate 3 really hard fried chicken wings which had too much pepper to choke on. 

From the subway (jing'an temple) at 5.24pm we changed to line 9 - Zhaojiabang. Transferred to dapuqiao (exit 1) for the old residential street shops/bars - Tianzifang street. It was very pretty and I had some awesome buys! 

In the evening, i strolled locally before I hit bed. 

From 2am to 5am I was opening doors for those in my room coming back from a bar crawl - I felt so old then. 

Day 5

We had the day planned to visit some of the top 10 places in the city. 

People square: People park

Strolling around the park we found a 'Find yourself a partner' street (this is a traditional Chinese method of finding a partner for marriage)

We asked a nearby pedestrian who happened to speak a bit of English and he told all. 

Our next stop was Nanjing road, starting from west to east. They have markets, restaurants, shops and entertainment! 

The Korean food fair was a public event which occur every year promoting food and kitchen ware for homes - we watched the performance and the lead singer had such a beautiful voice despite not understanding a word she was saying. 

We had lunch at Yashinoya which is a chinese fast food chain - my chicken rice curry costed me cny 24 - £2.35!

We spent over 2 hours in Forever21 as Sophie has never been haha! That was insane! We then took a subway to Lujiazui - Located in the Pudong New Area on the eastern bank of Huangpu River just across the Bund. Lujiazui is one of the four economic districts in Pudong New Area. The other three economic districts are Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, the Jinqiao Export Processing Zone and Zhangjiang Hi-tech Park is a special area for technology-oriented businesses. Lujiazui is the place with the futuristic, avant-garde buildings Get there for 6pm and stay until 11pm to watch the lights and stroll the area! Music, people and sightseeing - we were spotting skyscrapers and guessing which was which. Taxi is very cheap in China and you can pay with your travel card. It costed us £1.80 to get home which was 20 minutes away!  

Day 6

The day began at 9.33am and we had sweet bread for breakfast. 

We had another day planned justke yesterday. As soon as we left we had a theatre ticket scare!

We wanted to go to the theatre and watch a colourful changing mask opera show. We immediately bought tickets at a theatre nearby assuming it was what we thought it was. As soon as we were wrong we requested for our money back but it was very unlikely at the start! I kept my calm and stayed until I was CNY180 richer. The show was a medieval opera show full of men in black and involved a dagger - I was nearly going to cry. 

We happily went to Yu garden afterwards for a stroll and the entrance cny40, 20 if you have your student card!

We walked around the Old shanghai street where karate kid was filmed. It was so so so vintage! Beaut!

Our next place was Xintiandi where i saw twins! 

Here was expensive bars and shops and the posh.

At 8.45pm we went on a Huangpu river cruise! It was such a good moment - cruising pass the buildings glowing! It lasted for an hour and we were ready to head home - as soon as I found my hearing aids that I left on the boat! So lucky I found it after an hour waiting for the boat to come backkkk - Sophie insisted that we stay and wait while i was like 'goodness It's gone'. 

I'm happy I listened!

I slept happy.

Day 7

We slept in and left the hostel at 2.30pm to get the subway.

We departed Shanghai station at 4.25pm for Guilian 

Duration: 18.45 hours 

I was on the middle bunk for the journey. Night trains are my opportunities to work out, read and write. 

I'll be back for the next 7 days tomorrow!! Be back too - I'll be adding interesting observations made in China! xxx

Soon to be 'world trotter'

Goodness, I havent been on at all - the access to the blogging site has been proved difficult so just grabbing the chance to upload a few moments now! 

Firstly RIP the legend - MJ (musix aint the same without yooou) x 

Now apost on the last fews days of my 'business trip' before I travel like a backpacker! 

Highlights of the end of two weeks ago -

The visit to the China World trade centre tower which is the tallest skyscraper in the city; go up for free to view Beijing city - This was done after work - me and a few girls met at a station and all walked to the china world trade centre for an expected spectacular view of Beijing City. Inside the building itself was amazing, the view wasn't quite the same but you got to see above everything and how they have structured the city. Also the smog they lifted above their city. 

The next day, my boss gave me a day off work for my visit to a baby home. The home was a charity who take in abandoned babies with medical problems before they are fit enough to go into a new family home or orphanage.  The home was north east of Beijing about an hour from where I lived, it lasted 2 hours and upon my arrival I had to wash my hands up to my elbows and wear foam sandals provided by the nurses. 57 babies from a week old to 2 years old with either a heart deficit, lung infection, cleft lip and anal closure. All found outside hospitals, police stations or by the large disposal bins in the city. It was heartbreaking. 

My journal style visit was an open book of the one-child policy in the country and the conditions occurring because of it. Most parents find that the expenses are too much for an unhealthy child so give it away secretly to born another 'first child' to avoid trouble. This is just one of many problems and 'reasons'.  But anyway, I was pleased to have learnt a bit on the orphan issues in China and visited one of many organisations trying to improve the lives of children. 

My weekend that week was spent at the Zoo market which surrounds Beijing zoo which is not recommend. Wangfujing night market where I bought souvenirs and gifts, there they have a street full of insects, snakes and such birds on sticks! It was horrifying to see! If you like that kind of 'I'm going to risk wetpooing loads at night' then this one is for you! 

Sunday was a day at the Summer palace, 40minutes from east Beijing. This was my favourite spot on Beijing! It has great parks, lakes and landscapes and my favourite was Suzhou street!  - it's very big so go early for a full day to see everything. I'm beginning to see the difficulty in seeing the differences between a Chinese and a Japanese, well only if the Japanese is among the Chinese crowd it's difficult! A tour guide was Japanese, I only know this because we asked where he was from stupidly and still got a surprising answer! Anyway, after our feet began to scream, we decided to head back and we ate at Fat Burgers for dinner first before we actually went home. I loved calling it home! I felt a part of China then. 

My last week of work couldn't have went any faster!

Monday was work, 10 to 4pm. It was more research and template writing. Papers was flying everywhere and pens were running out! I felt poorly that night so decided to stay in and have another movie night with our impressive flat screen tv (I'm honestly not boasting, uh uhm) That night when I went to sleep there was a 5hour lightening and thunder scream from 12 to 5am. Many people didn't go to work the next day. As if you would! 

Tuesday i worked from home as i was feeling poorly again and I felt it was more convenience as I had wifi and worked from my laptop anyway. 

The air was ripping my throat apart and my laugh became gassy :(  

 The weather was poor again so stayed in again at home which is just as good and any trip out. I have everything a home could need. A fully equipped kitchen and my feet up with a Kevin Hart movie playing, bliss.

Wednesday I  worked from home again as I still felt unfit to be at the office so took the advantage of visiting our local art gallery at the 798 after i completed a task then we met the girls for ice skating at Guomao. It was hilarious and painful at the same time! Nosh could not skate at all so spent her time posing for the camera, others were wiggling their way around the rink. I was fabulous in the beginning until I fell. Bruised my left arm and leg and made a pact never to skate again (very unlikely) Of course, Fat Burgers for dinner again before we went home - after this time I felt sick. 

Just go the once and remember how good it was. 

I was sick of Chinese food to be honest - hence the western for dinner. 

Thursday I worked at the office from 10 to 5pm and had my last one to one mandarin lesson at 2! Will i still be able to maintain my chinese though? I wanted to have a tearful but I decided to be a professional instead.  The evening was spent at the China acrobat show. I believe it was an amateur! It began at 7.15 and finished at 8.33pm Disappointed but impressed - one foot on man's head, swinging on ropes with lady hanging off man's shoes and 20 ladies on one bicycle, wow. (Did you get the sarcasm there) 

Friday, I was working at the office from 9 to 5pm and accepting horrible Chinese chocolates and sweets that I had to swallow. I tried so hard not to make face but it got too obvious and they stopped serving me. I felt bad but what do you expect me to do?? I did a bit of shopping before i got home then a last minute decision to head to an Ibiza style bar crawl at sanlitun. It ended at 1.30am unfortunately and I'm guessing you could imagine why. 16376 cheap drinks in no time, yeah. 

Saturday was spent having lunch then we visited a blind charity centre in the afternoon. The Hongdandan Charity! We learnt and took part in 'living as a blind person'. This group works with visually impaired young people to provide them with resources for learning and fun. We were given blind folds as we arrived at station of the centre and they led us to the centre all so that we can experience what it’s like to have a visual impairment in Beijing. We were crossing roads and walking over rocks!?!?!! I'm deaf!!! 

We were given a talk by some of the blind participants then got an introduction on what they do and what it's like such as the way they watch movies with audio help. We were given tasks as a group to work together drawing an animal. We had to decide what animal to draw then who draws who. There was alot of finger touchy feeling and closeness . 

Being deaf and blindfolded, I felt so so so out of the world. It was a sad afternoon but I learnt something new. 

Nearby was a one of the biggest chinese Hutongs which we visited - Nanluogu xiang street. We shopped without buying anything and admired things we just left to be viewed at by the next person. The stares were as usual but this time, I just ignore them rather than smile. I do smile tho not in the frantic way. It rained later so we went home and ate italian.

Sunday, we took a trip to Tianjin all day. Third largest city in China! 

We first went to the Italian Style Town square 

Then we visited the China porcelain house where a collector had a pottery antique obsession basically and built a house of broken pottery. It was beautiful and true art! 

He bought the house for a million yuan and spent 3 years building it! Over 30,000 potteries and glasses were used.

Our program managers took us to Nankai university which is top 250 in the world for a talk about study abroad issues and a calligraphy lesson where I finally learnt how to write my name in Chinese characters!! Am I Chinese now? 

Lunch at the canteen was just spot on, best Chinese Ive had in a while here! Is that bad? 

We got back at 9.33pm and I did some work until the girls all came crashing in mine and Sophie's apartment to watch a movie; but like most of the time, we talk too much and ignore the movie! 

Monday this week was my last day of work!!! Am I permitted to cry??? I finished at 2pm and handed over my report, electronically and printed. 

I also had an interview the last week there just to see if I was capable of getting a real career like job and I found out that I got it! I obviously didn't take the position because I am still a student but I wanted to bare that in mind that life wouldn't be so bad from now. Not if I keep working hard! It was the educational management support position! 

The evening was spent at KTV where we all ate pizza, received our certificate of participation with CRCC and sang horribly for the rest of the night. KTV is a popular karaoke joint in China!  Any music you ask for, they will give (apart from The Blue Brothers) They played artists such as Nelly, Taylor S, Beyonce, Busta R, Robbie W, One Direction - ahhh everyone! We left home at 9.30 and had a Pasta night in at mine until 4am as a goodbye. It was my last night with the girls :((( 

I'm going to miss them so muchhhhhh! 

The next day though!

At 9.45am, me and my travel buddy for China - Sophie (aka Phiphie) did some last minute market buys before our 21 days of travelling around China! I couldn't wait!!!! We were to travel the dragon way - 10 hostels, 5 night trains and 9 cities in 20 days.

It was also just 20 more days until I see my mummy, friends and my special prince again! Ah siblings too but they're manageable. 

First stop was Hangzhou! The train station was like an airport, checked I with our passports and tickets, bags scanned and going through customs. 

Our sleeping train was at 4.55pm to head down south. 

I had the bottom bunk while Sophie was above. 

Duration : roughly 17 hours 

Arrival: 9.56am the next day

I slept at 7.40pm

9pm, air con off, lights off, lamp on, 

11.30 - train stopped. 

Writing until 1.05am

Slept again 

Awoke at 8.16am when train thought to be stopping. 

Chilled until 9.55am, train finally arrived Hangzhou!! 

We strolled around the west lake which is the stunning lake around which the ancient local capital was built. I bought icecream and dropped of within 10 licks - I cried like a baby.  We then shopped at the market strip nearby and had horrible noodles for lunch. It was finally time to board the bullet train to Deqing (which were almost late for!) it was only 15 minutes away then we drove to Morganshan which is a bamboo nature reserve and a favoured summer time retreat of the late Chairman Mao. It was raining but still was beautiful! We checked in around 4pm up the mountain lodge called Xiwuli no. 73 just for one night before we move on! 

Our backpacking adventure begins right nowwww! 

New blog post when we complete our travel in Shanghai in a few days!!!

See yaaa xxx

I'm Chineseeeeee

The last bit of my last post was a rush sorry, I was due to upload my next post last night but as naughty as I have been, I'm late once again. I do apologise, I want to tell you so much and sometimes I'm never ready to put anything up because I still have more to say or haven't finished what I was saying!  So just to add – as soon as I finished with lunch with the non-natives, I was back to research. I arrange a second meeting with my –ever-so-busy boss then 5.30 arrived fast! I took off and felt so relieved for the weekend! I was tired like never before and the journey home felt like the flight here! Exhausting!

 The weekend was spent behaving like tourists and constantly eating.

Talking of eating! I once purchased a bowl of pineapples from the streets and I'll admit it was gorgeoussssss, so sweet and juicy. But it being from the streets, I began to worry about what has been around it and what I had eaten with it. Then the fear of pooing without control started to bother me so I drank lots of water and forced myself to pee every 5 minutes. Nothing happened, not that I wanted it to but to waste my time thinking of it all. I was saddened. 

Anyhoo, we went out that Friday night behaving like international students on holiday to Ibiza - it was crazy! It costed us all £10 to get into this so called fabulous club but the music was bangin' and the atmosphere was so so good! Too many granddads though - a put off. It was a nice night out with the girls until 6am in the morning! It was broad daylight when we left the building!! I was dying for my bed and as soon as I hit it, I was already dribbling. 

Saturday was spent at the Silk Market only, we woke up far too late to have anything done for the day, shameful I know. 
Sunday we were much better! We visited the temple of Heaven and then to the lama temple then we went out to eat at one of the Hutongs nearby! It was such a filled day! The blaze from the sun was deathly then it soon began to rain and lighten. I'll tell you how I feel about that later, bliss! 

Well while living in China technically, there are a few things I have seen and questioned, listed below. 

The few things I have observed in China so far:

1.       The people of China like to squat/crouch to the ground; knees below their chin and back foot touching their bum. Rather than sitting on the floor or leaning on the wall, they would look so comfortably settled while they wait for their bus. It’s just awkward to look at.

2.       Men in China have no facial hair. And if there was one – it would just be bum fluff!! The men just don’t have hair on their face! Perhaps a small beard (like 5 single strands of hair) or an extended side burn if they’re lucky. It’s a clean look though, lol joke, its baby.

3.       Pigeons are of non-existence in China which I am so pleased about! No birds to shoo away when eating a sandwich outside and speaking of Pigeons, have you noticed in London, pigeons no longer fear you. Some freaky s….

4.       There are quite a lot of chubby babies’ penguin walking with Dove chocolate in their hands around the place. They say the fatness represents wealth, ok.

5.       There are also so many public toilets so you are never bursting for the loo but unless you are comfortable wiping with your hands, do not go unless you have a packet of nose tissue or wipes in your bag, seriously. And for the normal toilets with chairs, queue for the disabled one.

6.       Clouds are a rare view here, when they do appear – the day is so beautiful and the sky is bluer than blue!

7.       Every other afternoon in Beijing, I feel like I’ve experienced my first measureable rainfall in the two weeks I’ve been here. (Not quite so as it has rained a few times, still warm but still blazing hot some days) For half an hour or half a day, the rain came down and sometimes is accompanied by some lightening and thunder, this however familiar disharmony wrote out desire, sometimes it would wonderful! Sometimes, it’s a gift to feel the humidity drop and the air cool – the English atmosphere comes back and the companion of sipping P.G. Tips tea and watching Eastenders all appears too. It doesn’t last long but short enough for all the imaginations you experience during the rain.

8.       Chinese couples are very affectionate, they are never shy to fondle in public or declare their love for one another. Some giggle loudly on the subway, some swing each other round and round with sharing mid kisses during, some cuddle tightly as though it's their last chance, and some just hold on to each other while walking.

My Chinese is improving; mandarin classes are taken in the evening at 7.15pm until 9.30 located on the 3^rd floor of the China Central place building. We are taught pronunciations most importantly, followed by phrases and rules of the language.

Day 5 

I had my first business lunch with my boss’s assistance and the rest of the management team; sharing ideas, updating news and discussing further plans. The fish noodles they ordered were so spicy I began to give away headaches! I really disliked this rice wine porridge, imagine white wine in your glass and someone drops a few boiled rice in it and added syrup. yeah, that. Ew.

They eat a bit of everything with a small bowl of rice and warm water. (warm) I'm sorry, have you seen the weather outside?

They would order bowls of diff dishes; vegs, pork fish and every other meat and in front of them would be a small plate and a nicely designed pair of chopsticks. Little by little you put something on your plate as more dishes arrive. They eat small but everything small so don't be fooled. They love their food here!

-          Thailand dishes would be as low as 50p - there are some places where a dish full of meat be £7 and a bowl of vegs £4.50, say whaat - fair enough you split the bill but not fair if you barely eat on the table. As soon as I realise this is the way it was, I would be grabbing diff food from diff dishes to fill my tiny plate and make sure I eat as much as I pay! 

This week, week 2 was my induction course where I learn more about the company I work with and what they do. I have mandatory training for health and safety, child protection, TACOS, rewards, payments and FABS training which I will be able to apply in future uses just in case I pursue a career in business. FABS stands for finance and business system, during the training I obtained knowledge of the FABS process for Procurement, Travel and Expenses and Sales and Distribution. I gained further understanding about the relevant policies in conjunction with FABS process and how to access the necessary materials and information. I was trained how to use it and when to.

Day 7 of work was a full day of the induction course and training, in the morning from 9am we had talks about TACOS and total rewards, in the afternoon we had mandatory health and safety training until 4.30. During my breaks, I would work on the GenUK project and finish for the day at 6pm when I start making me way home. Travelling by bus costs 4p each way to and from work and it’s easier than taking the subway and the bus plus a total of 24 minutes of walking just to get to work – this is a more expensive way too.

Around where I work people take no fuss of my skin colour - they've seen it all before! As well as they are used to see a darker human around the office, I got used to the drenching heat even when wearing a suit! 

I admit I get bored of Chinese food but everyday seems to be something different so maybe I'm just impatient - Chinese restaurants in London I will gather as fake! It's dead nice but when coming to actual china and eating their food, it's like wait, I don't like this. Erm I asked for ketchup, why is this green, sorry I didn't want chocolate sauce with my chicken, oh soy sauce? This is not what it tastes like the last time I remembered. 

China is still as safe as it was yesterday! Work is more flexible as I am working on a project, I know where to go for lunch, i know the people around me and i generally feel like I have lived here for months. After work, I would perhaps do some shopping, or go out for dinner with the girls if we arrange to meet up somewhere. Some nights, myself and my apartmate would cook dinner and watch movies with invaders. Nah, i'm joking we'd watch a movie before bed or just talk for hours. And it really does feel like home and that you are working for a living. I still dream to have a career by 25 and £3million in the bank at 45 - you see, I have a plan. Thanks to my accounting and finance business lady who lent me the plan. Let's see!

I will be back the end of this week to talk about my weekend!

'Quote of the day: Stand on the shoulders of a giant and despair will no longer be a governor of your beating heart'

Fact of the day: Over 2500 left handed people a year are killed from using products made for right handed people!

The exit of Planet Ordinary

The nearer it got to the date of flying to China, the spaz excited but dying nervous I was feeling. Ticking off everything I needed for my ‘business trip’, the last thing I did was pack.  I didn’t pack until the night before and was panicking in case I would forget something!! I have this thing on my way to airports where I have thoughts that my passport is not with me although I have a vivid memory of putting it in my bag! When everything was finally done - I smacked a kiss on my mother’s cheek, squeezed my boyfriend a goodbye and I was gone. After having been upgraded to First Class, 147 movies, 3 course meal, 78 snacks, a stop in Hong Kong, 52 cans of lemonade, 20 trips to the loo and a second requested blanket later; I arrived in Beijing!

Firstly, a few things about China; 1.351 Billion people are currently living in this country!!! Billion. There are 34 provinces and in 160 cities, the population exceeds 1 million. Since 1979, there has been a 9.14% of growth rate!

Pollution is a bit of a downer for well, pretty much everyone, strangely thanks to the infrequent rain, it’s not too dusty. The sheer density of the city’s population all work together, in better words, conspire to make Chinese cities some of the most polluted on earth, blue sky is only a slight memory and acid rain withers plants but since the Olympics in 2008, the Chinese government began to take pollution seriously and factories were being relocated as well as the elderly and black fume-y buses were scrapped. There are still terrible black fumes from buses today though. One day I forgot to bring my mask out to a trip out so I purchased another mask at a nearby health shop because I’m like that but so contributed to the Chinese economy.

Fuel yourselves with the spirit of revolution and perhaps a slight cultural shock in terms of the language, the people, the food and definitely the weather! For me it was like a re-entry to London as Beijing is so modern, however last year I flew to Thailand and the differences truly amazed me so the experience was the realisation of China winning in every ways. China is very safe in my opinion however the insanity that can be Beijing traffic can be so very dangerous. With cars beeping ‘’save yourselvessss’ and bicycles screaming ‘’kill meewe’’ I wouldn’t recommend driving!

It’s strange to say I live among 1.3 billion people all at once, but on any given rush-hour subway or bus ride, it’s very easy to feel the numbers. On my third day of work, my way home was deadly –  catching the packed bus, my feet were off the grounds and I was hanging from someone’s arms. In London, when a bus is full, it drives straight pass you and you would understand why – well usually! NOT in China, they are constantly taking more people in at every stop. From work, its 8 stops until I reach home and every rage in my bones wanted to lash away and break someone’s nose. But I saved face. I did very very well. Or have I said too much?

The weekend before we started work, the girls and I arranged a visit to The Forbidden City and Beihai Park on Saturday and Monday during the Dragon Festival holiday!! Lots of people were taking a million photos and we just posed for them all! It was hilarious though as we didn’t mind although it took up most of our day at first. Sunday was raining with Typhoon-like winds so instead we ate like pigs. The filth.

Here are a few self-advisory tips for wishful visitors to China;

·         Push your way onto public transport or wait forever

·         When ordering food at a Chinese Restaurant, do only try say as little as possible and slowly! For example;

Don’t: Hiya! Oo not sure if I should get this but can I have your small rice and spicy chicken curry,ah but is it spicy? Oh actually make that thai green curry! No stick that to chicken curry with rice right? Did you write rice down?

Do: Rice. Chicken curry. One.

·         People will spit on the pavements regardless of your coming pass so try be quick to jump.

·         People love whoever who doesn’t look Chinese here. It could be a different hair colour, skin colour or distinctive style. Just smile and wave.

·         People will keep snapping photos at you whether you like it or not or pretend to take photos of their surroundings that they have seen thousands of times before – (really they are taking you). If you pose for the picture, they either give you a thumbs up or smile.

·         Zebra crossings mean very little here so think twice before stepping out to cross the road.

·         You can and perhaps should bargain in markets. Sellers would quote you up to 50% more than real prices of their products. I advise to quote back 75% less and work from there. It works 93% of the time and saves you a bundle of money.

·         If you are a weak chopsticks user – whenever you get one that are already stuck together, leave it be. Just split the sticks slighty and gently with your middle finger and eat. Easy.

3^rd of June was my first day of work!7.37am I took my shower and got dressed into my work suit. I combed my hair and I was downstairs for 8.15am! More people were arriving and it was just us looking so cutely dressed ready for our first day at work. Our leaders took a group photo of us all as though we were starting our first day of school.  Soon after we were grouped in each van and driven to work. I was so nervous; I began to feel tired and sweaty. Sorry that’s gross but bear in mind the weather was over 30 degrees too so it’s almost appropriate to feel that way! Traffic was insane! People were crossing the road not taking in the fact that cars were literally driving among their very toes. I was a long short drive if that makes any sense at all. Basically it was a long journey but my work place was close by, thankfully. I was first to be dropped off and Sarah Hansen led me into the tall building of Tower 1 and up the lift to floor 4. Informing the receptionists that I was here, ‘a new intern for the month’; the receptionist picked up the phone and spoke to whomever in concern. I was smiling a little too much and only relaxed it when I was told to sit down and wait. Shortly after, Carma Elliot came in and spoke with me. She apologised that she was going to have to dash for a meeting but will return at 11.

My intern was at the Cultural and Education Section at The British Embassy at Tower 1, Floor 4. I was working for the Country Director for the British Council in China and minister of this section – Carma Eliiot. She was also the executive director at China largest international NGO – ‘half the sky foundation’! She was a very busy lady because I only saw her for less than 2 minutes each time I bumped into her. I was scheduled to meet with her at 2.15pm. So while I waited, I was given a welcome pack and did further research about the British Council and their vision.

 What I do is a standard 9 - 5 desk based research job; I work on researching suitable and sustainable sponsorship partners for an initiative we have at the department. I research the top 25 UK business companies in China such as HSBC, Royal Dutch Shell etc and their focus on outreach in China. This will feed into a wider piece of work on a sponsorship strategy. I draft a strategic sponsorship plan and aim to get the most for GenUK out of the summit with a wider outreach. About the Generation UK - its aim is to increase the number of opportunities for young British nationals to engage with China through funding work experiences and study opportunities - 80,000 students to study or intern in China by 2020 is their goal! It helps students to gain greater exposure to and understanding of China, putting them in a more competitive position in the job market, both internationally but also to increasingly keep the growing trend of inward investment from China within the UK. Fabulous right?

Within the first hour of my placement, I was in the position to hand over my business card to one of the managing supporters. I tried so hard not to smile so much but it was possibly the best feeling ev-vuuur. Anyhoo, back to business, I was assigned to desk 10 but it is flexible - it is by the window on my right hand side. Around me were Chinese workers who spoke fabulous English and smiled lots too. I was given a tour around the Cultural and Educational department of the British Embassy by Li Hongli who is also a managing supporter of the office ground. Lunch was served and for £1.20 I had Liang pi and Rou jia mo with three other workers of the department. They were lovely! They spoke great English and ask lots of questions but enough not to make me feel uncomfortable! After lunch, I was introduced to every worker of the department who looked at me like I was a newly designed alien put on earth. Some were non-chinese and most were, they welcomed me well! Some have stayed just up to 2 months to 3 years! I had an idea that some did not want my company but I may just be overthinking. I loved my view to where my desk was located; in that moment of gaze I was sent my first meeting this Friday by email, Room Blue 4/F at 3.30pm.

There are rows of desks, each occupied with a computer and a telephone. Each desk is separated by heads, computers were back to back with blue boards to stand between them. Right where I am there are sounds of air gushing out of the conditioner but I feel no air and I don’t feel cold but I don’t feel hot. The windows beside me are large; It doesn’t open which could mean it is entirely just for the view. The two little windows further up top can open a quarter less than it fully and capably can. There is also a locker for each desk and a large work plant at each end of the room; white pots and green hair.

Lunch was over and it was back to the computer. As I swung my chair toward my computer I generally felt like I was a part of the committed and dynamic team. Now I try to take my experiences as a foreigner at face value rather than constantly compare the life in the country to what I’m accustomed to back in London. I’m beginning to have the understanding that cultural differences are much more than just differences in the language, food, appearances, and my surroundings. Your culture reflects very deep perceptions, beliefs, and values that influence your way of life and the way that you view the world too. Opportunities like this helps to discover new strengths and abilities, overcome new challenges, and solve new problems. Coming across situations that are really unfamiliar to you, you begin to learn to adapt and respond in effective ways. I don’t think I realise before that I was on the ride for potential success.

My colleague would make me chrysanthemum flower tea – it literally has flowers floating in my cup, it was nice but not ‘’oo may I have some more’’ nice – it tasted of a summers garden, not that I would know what that tastes like. I thoroughly enjoyed my chat with my boss and made me far more eager to do research even as a career and leave Psychology as my backup, I regret nothing as if it weren’t for my degree, I wouldn’t be where I am! I gave her my lush business card and she emailed me my first task, I was dead excited as it was being in the open office. It feels American. I began working around 2.30 and since planned my research and prepared my sources. I made sure I understood everything I was meant to do and what this was all about. 

Day 2

9 to 5

Intense researching

Completed my template and wrote on 5 companies

Finished at 5 and headed home on the 405 bus which took half an hour

Grocery shopping and a quickie to eat

Failed movie night

Day 3

10 to 6

Today was calm. I was fully awake and fit to work. Listening to music helped me throughout the day.

Movie night at mine.

The time goes.

Day 4

10 to 6

Bang on time to work. Started on my project right away while working on a new search

First meeting on draft plan

Lunch with the non-natives

Back to work

I'll be back next Wednesday for a short post!

come back too xx

28 days later...

Where have I beeeeeeen ?! It's been 28 days guys, I'm sorry! Especially when I try to keep y'all keen on my blog, what am I like eh? Let's reconnect now, come together now, that's it, thaaaat's it.

Right let me tell you something!

..over the past few days I have witnessed and experienced craziest things you could imagine - well actually this is an exaggeration because things can't be that crazy right? Not with such a normal person like me (I'm slightly half amazing though?)

Recently after my staggering trip to the dentist running late (as usual to be honest), I left with a bulky treatment charge and an upset face. They say my sugary diet is far too high as evidence in my teeth. Well I'm sorry Mrs LadyWhoThinkSheHasBetterTeethThanTheWholeWorld whether you like it or not, me and sweets will always be bbfff (bestest best friends forever forevermore). Sweets only appeared to me at birthday parties when I was younger until I grew older and teachers were giving them out as prizes and I found out that shops sold sweets for as little as a penny each, I began my dangerous habit. Eating sweets everyday of the week and funnily enough they're what I need when I am stressed.

anyway

I was in Morrison spending far too long choosing a sandwich for my meal deal and an old man walked in front of me looking too. erm, excuse me? He turned around with a bacon sandwich, gave me the soft eyeball and just threw it at the back of his loose jacket. I couldn't believe what I just saw! He walked up to the refreshments section and came back repeating the exact same action with the same sandwich! Looked at me and winked before leaving the shop. What the hell?! When buying my things, I asked the lady behind the till whether the alarm stands by the door actually works, She said 'oh no they're not actual alarm stands, it's more like 'impersonators' to prevent people from shop lifting'  Are you serious? That's like the policemen posters on windows of Poundland to scare people off shop lifting..................

During the first two weeks of April I had such a disgustingly poor throat; first I thought it was a symptom of a flu but I rarely get a cold. After a few days it got worse and worse, I was losing my voice and hardly eating! I stupidly didn't see a doctor until after a week of unbearable pain. My doctor was on holiday so I had to go to a nearby A&E, luckily I was moved up the queue among coughs and cold patients also waiting. I sat on the far end of the room constantly spraying antiseptic in my hands. I was called shortly and I was diagnosed with Glandular Fever from a follow up of Tonsillitis. I was familiar with it because my friends have had it before but never did I imagine the pain they were going through. The number of times I felt like slashing my throat was amazingly bad. I couldn't sleep for more than 3 hours, barely drink water (and they say I need to drink plenty of water, oh ffss), I couldn't eat tasty fooood ahhhhh - this made me so upset! My beauty Prince helped me though, he looked after me and made sure I ate well despite wanting to kill myself everytime I swallow. Thank you lasheyy.
Imagine a tennis ball glued to your throat, now attached to that tennis ball is a needle. Not one but 59 needles poked through the ball, short enough to scrape your inner tube. Right so it's fine just sitting there, a little discomfort but it's fine - once you swallow something, even your own saliva, the ball moves in sudden slow motion. I had to take about 12 pills a day and spray which contained benzydamine hydrochloride at my infected area (back of my throat) to numb down the swelling. After 8 days, I felt fully recovered. Only to this day, It still hurts to yawn sadly but I don't want to strangle myself this time.
The doctor believed my infection was due to stress causing my immune system to sink lower than it has ever been. I blame what I was doing really, I overworked myself.

I was working at Royal Albert Hall for the Teenage Cancer Trust working for the crews such as Ed Sheeran, Micky Flanagan and Lilly Allen. I was also working on a deadline and revising for my exams. Possibly the worst struggle I've had in years. After every shifts, I was in such a horrible state and before I start my shifts, I'm at uni working on something. There was one shift where my manager assigned me as a Bar Manager at the third floor in the Asahi Bar. I was so scared for this shift, I was in charge of three bar tenders and managed three tills which included money re-ups, money count and approving transactions. Note that we also sold Aspall cider and Appletiser. It was going so smoothly well until a horrible man demanded I pour him Aspall cider in the same cup he had given me. I accidentlly threw the cup away paying no attention to what he had just said. He screamed at me saying I just told you I wanted my cider in that cup. You know when someone accused you of something you blatantly haven't done and you give them that look. That's the look I gave him. I apologized and said I'll pour it in a fresh cup for you, no problem. I stupidly grabbed the Appletiser without thinking and before giving me a chance to approach the counter, he screamed at me again saying I SAID ASPALL CIDER. I swear I was going to cry at this point, I couldn't take this job anymore and wanted to slap that dickless piece of shite so many times I swear. Luckily I didn't. I held it in and apologized again, cashed the money through then he grabbed the cup off me. Oooooh I wanted to scream at that point. I couldn't show any weaknesses as I was therefore the manager of the bar. After this shift I told my manager, NEVER to put me as a bar manager EVER again.

Once on my way home from work, I was hit by a bike on the back on my legs making me and the rider tumble to the ground like two peas in a pods idiots. He claimed to have been beeping and ringing his bell toward me which made him think it was okay to still cycle ahead despite me not responding! My stupid ears caused this and I grew angry at the man telling him to shove off and ride on the bicycle lane that so and so enforced.

ergh.

Anyhooo - time flewwww - Completed my last assignments and did exams since my troubles, luckily I was well enough to work for it! My last exam is next week then I can start doing big things. I have had my visa processed, insurance covered, flights booked, travel planned (for the last three weeks off work), advanced rented my beauty apartment with a gym and swimming pool. I also have business cards as representative for my company and a cellphone for work. Now I can go major shopping woooo'
Still learning Mandarin which is pain because it's so hard! It's like teaching a 3 year old A Level English. So much effort to repeat a phrase everyday before moving on otherwise I will forget!

The news has been so tragic lately; at the gym while I run, I watch the news on the small screen (makes me run alot longer) and the amount of bodies dropping everyday is dreadful to hear. Kids popping knifes among adults and waving vintage guns in the air like it's a bubble machine. And these are the most unlikely kids to ever go through this too! Well you wouldn't think so anyway. I watch people. I watch the life of people on the streets; no judgments made nor any stereotyping (I try not to be stereotypical though anyway). I enjoy people watching much more than I like people to be honest, I could spend all day watching people and making up stories about them or giving them a story such as names, occupation and lifestyle or trying to figure out how the person is feeling, what they are thinking, where they are going and what could be of them by tomorrow. I don't know, It's a personal interest of mine and someone to do it with would be very engaging. Especially with whom I find intellectually stimulating and we could talk for hours and I would listen for hours.

Chinese proverb of the day; 'Give a man a fish and you feed him a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

Fact of the day: The most money ever paid for a cow in an auction was $1.3 million by a group of investors

Say no more.

Life behind kitchen d00rs

Who I work for often involve doing things in the kitchen as well as being behind bars, topping up champagne, cash handling and serving three course meals at top charity events. What I would like to talk about is what I have experienced and seen for the past month - countless secrets and hidden surprises which take place behind kitchen doors - all the names are made up for identity reasons (lol joke, I do not actually wish to get in trouble) and I'm not going to reveal which company represented whom and so.

What really happens behind kitchen doors - who are they?

Around the end of last month I have been working at Kitchens during events in Bond Street;my duty was arranging when the food go into the hall and among the guests, which had any dietary requirements. This job involved me being in the kitchen long enough to hear everyone's life story. Bare in mind, before I was due to start work I was told not to let any of the chefs touch me; of course I thought this was just a poxy joke. I was wrong.

Much to my amazement, I found that the head chef of the kitchen was an ex inmate - he served 8 years inside for Heroin use but this is all I know. I feared that there was more to this as 8 years seems like such a long ass time. The sad part was that he looked so young to have been through all that but the good thing is he is finally doing something well for himself I guess? Some of the other chefs were from a low economical background all recruited from an agency who assist in that area of need; unemployment. However, they have been thoroughly trained and taught to make the finest food that people would be paying thousands for. Two guys were bigger than average who liked to swear a lot and talk about porn which was truly disturbing to listen to. The youngest was 22 who was a victim of a crime 4 years ago; he had 8 scars across his face from stab wounds and a limp. Now I'm not the one too judge but to even get yourself in that position, he either must have been at the wrong place at the wrong time or just with the wrong people. There's always any good in every bad when you think about it though so I can't say much. I never knew I was going to be learning all this information but when I did, I took more interest in the background of other workers; not just where I worked but any where else.

 But to add on one last worker, the food prep leader in the kitchen was also an ex inmate; he was inside for raping a child 28 years ago - now what do you really think? As much as I despise pedophiles, no judgement was allowed at work of course and I weren't to know this (which I wish I didn't) but gossip is very ill these days and the news couldn't wait to spread. I spoke to this man once for the whole night! He would often drag his feet around the kitchen which drove me mental because of the sounds made doing it but strangely not mental enough to tell him to stop, I couldn't.

However, they do intend to say that the best workers are the ex cons; an example of another case is David Nunes who is an ex criminal charged for bank robbery in California; he had spent 30 of his 50 years in prison (junvenile detention first). The company Kahala Caterers hired him first as a dishwasher, then through hard work and seen motivation he was moved up to food prepping then to cooking shortly after. He is the leading truck driver for the company. For ex inmates - it would be like some sort of rehab for them straight after being released from the stone cold four walls for several years; given jobs such as washing plates, clearing rubbish etc.

All the staffs were very chatty, they would share dirty jokes among each other and laugh heartily. Once a course has been served, they would grub in what's left and drink lots of staff refreshments. Some would even sing or annoy a waiter on purpose.

It would be a lie to say no risks were involved (still no biggie) but they were jolly men who were doing as they were told and cooked amazing dishes that were of great taste. According to the rehabilitation offenders Act 1974 - these worker's convictions would have been spent and with certain exceptions, they no longer need to be disclosed by the ex-offender in any context when applying for a job or getting insurance. Do correct me if I'm wrong because most convictions (without a re conviction) need not to be serious?

I'm sure we all know about Gordon Ramsey and his attempt to train inmates how to cook! At Brixton prison, he had a goal to teach a number of inmates how to cook and planned to run a business selling food from inside the prison to us, the general public in Cafe Nero. It was such an interesting tv show on channel 4 a few years back, have you seen it? The 12 inmates were convicted of either actual bodily harm, robbery or burglary - none of them have over a 5 year sentence. Two landed a tryout at Ramsay's savoy restaurant after release but one got fired due to a relapse into drugs - such a dear shame.

I'm going to stop here now but I wanted to share this because crime and judgement is a massive interest of mine and having experienced what I've just shared about the Kitchen staffs - I didn't know what else to think. They are given a second chance you could say; they are trusted to do well; this is their last option?