China, Shanghai, noodle, new job,

I left F&S in June, joined Synovate healthcare in July, in Shanghai. It was quite a tough decision to move away from SE Asia. But better opportunities and some disgruntled people back there had made life difficult. so .. why not..?

So, New Job, New people, New city, New opportunity ...
To recapitulate the past 6 months that I have been here..

went to India from a short Visa and paperwork part at the china embassy in delhi, because it could not be done at the KL embassy. of course made short jaunt to rourkela to meet parents.

I had come to Shanghai before so the place itself was not unfamiliar, but last time (in 2004) I was here on a study tour/tourist, I cant believe it that my is just next to Nanjing road, the same place where I was clicking away pictures furiously 4 years back, and today I pass through Nanjing road station twice everyday, cant help smiling sometimes.

I was provided a month's accomodation, and then I had to be on my own, I preferred Pudong (literal meaning east side of the river) because it is less crowded, new construction, and the best part the biggest park of the country happens to be right next to my home (though I havent gone there once till now :P ).

New colleagues = language problem, I am thinking seriously about taking mandarin classes. I missed learning French fluently, when I was there, I missed learning vietnamese , and I did learn a bit of Thai, dont want to miss the boat this time, and afterall it will be a good addition to my CV. heck .. why not ?

Food ... I eat chinese food everyday (LOL I am in china .. have to), I am sure if you slice me up, you can find noodles instead of muscles, and soup insetad of blood. There is superman, batman, He-man.. and now we have the new hero Noodles-man AKA Amit Ghosh. Indian food is Gourmet food here... meaning expensive cant pay 200 Rupees for one dal and 100 Rupees for a naan... no way ! . Cooking : I do cook sometimes , probably cooked 5 times till now. I bought a foreman's gril to be healthy... believe me I am healthier now , I think I added 5 more kilos ... afterall cold weather makes you eat more ..right ? (ya right, and what about the cheap wines and beer you have been pouring down?).

Come october, I should have been in Delhi for the Durga pujo, but the tickets were damn expensive, so I decided to go to bangkok... Excuses again, damn it... cant help it la. People in delhi missed me, my excuse was ... company doesnt give leave so soon to new joinee, but actually I got 7 days off during that time, for the chinese autumn holidays.

It is almost the year-end now, I am going to attend Tien's wedding, which I was waiting since long. I am really happy for her. Will also meet other friends in Saigon, was really looking forward to this trip. Then new year in Thailand... seems like I am set to create a record of sorts... going back to Thailand for new year for 4 years in a row ... LOL. Yes Thailand can be addictive... I only mean good food, good weather(later part of the year), nice sunny warm people and great tourist infrastructure.