Brownies and The Little Mermaid Cure Everything.

Rough few weeks. Keeping your head above water is very difficult when the tide is coming in and you've retreated as far as you can. I recently found this out. BUT. We're on the upswing, people, so never fear. It can't get worse than the past few weeks I don't think. That's good news for the future.

In between dramatic episodes at work, there were some epic weekends. A couple in Hong Kong (One was titled "Girls Weekend... Aaaaaaand Pete" - we love Pete), which always makes for good times, and American Thanksgiving, which was more like a gathering of representatives from the United Nations over a barbeque grill that ended at a Karaoke bar in a room with red velvet chairs and fake rock walls. It was amazing. We had Americans, Brits, an Italian, a Russian, Canadians, and Southerners. Oh and lots of adult beverages. I made cornbread dressing (improvised, of course); while I thought it tasted off, everyone else loved it. Success!

Last weekend, we went to Lamma Island (out in Hong Kong) which is quite touristy but had delicious food and was very quiet because there are no cars on the island, literally. Much different from the hustle and bustle of Macau's polluted atmosphere. We spent the night on the beach in a quaint motel after an evening drinking wine out of paper cups on the beach - where I saw a star!!! - and getting bitten by mosquitoes, then shopped in Hong Kong the next day and Pete and I went to see a ukelele concert at Hong Kong Polytechnic College before trekking back to Macau. Epic. We had a blast.

I live for the weekends these days. My friends are starting to leave the show to go back to reality and it makes me sad. But these people are favorites and one day, we'll all get together to hang out in a random location that is thousands of miles and life times away from Macau and we will laugh about our misadventures and shared experiences. I love them for that. In the meantime, we'll have to take lots of pictures and make fools of ourselves more. Work is more bearable when you're laughing at yourself!

I am 25. Wow.

I turned 25 two days ago. And when you turn 25 a LONG way away from home, turns out home is what you think about most of the day. Working 8-530 is a long day and it started off well. I walked into work, clocked in, made the elevator just in time and when I squeezed in, everyone wished me a happy birthday, which was nice. Work was OK. Slow. Long. After work, I ran home to shower and open my birthday cards from my mother and sister and the couple presents I got in the mail and loved them all. My mom and my aunt know me so well! Then we went to Mexican. The Mexican restaurant here is pretty delicious for being in the middle of China and I'll take what I can get. As Mexican is my favorite, we had Mexican and margaritas. All of my friends came, except for a few who are on vacay. I felt loved and it really was a wonderful evening. After all of that, we went to the pub and had a round at the local watering hole, where they know me and celebrated for another hour with friends. We called it an evening early because 8 am comes much too fast if you stay out TOO late.

All of this was not to dwell on how much I missed my Totem Polers and my Majayjay crew and my ATLers and my St. Tim's kids and my Wesley family, or my LSU theater kids, or my family back home. I do. Every last one of you crazy people. It was to let all you loved ones know that I was well taken care of here on my birthday in the land of far far and away. Days like that let you know that you can make it work if you keep people like these close.

Cheers, or as my Scottish friend says, "Up your bum!" (I am told it is a legit toast.)

Epic Fail.

And, of course, I am referring to my ability to keep up with something as involved as a blog. I told ya'll I was terrible at this sort of thing.

Let's start with this evening and work back:

Tonight (being that we got off work at 530pm because we are currently dark - translation: no shows for the next two weeks while the technical crews do maintenance on the theater), we went to the Venetian - casino complex across the street - and had chocolate martinis and free steak sandwiches for happy hour. Two was PLENTY for me - vodka is SO not my thing - but the steak sandwiches were AWESOME. New favorite in Macau.

This weekend was productive. It is still warm here and yesterday, a friend and I spent the BEAUTIFUL afternoon at the Hard Rock Hotel pool. They had an all you can eat BBQ buffet and I ate all I could, trust me. Then we spent the evening in the pool, which was heated because it did start to get chilly after awhile.

During the dark so far, I have spend copious amounts of time in the bottom of the drained pool which entertains me no end because I think looking at all the mechanics of this monster is fascinating. We have replaced many of the lights in the lifts (stage floor) that have been flooded and ruined even though they are supposed to be waterproof and we have also cut out some bad lights that the divers use to light their underwater work. Hopefully things run smoother when the dark is over at the end of the week. It's really nice to have the theater to ourselves to get some work done, but by far my favorite things about the dark is that the artists are gone and sometimes the elevator goes from B1 (low level) to 8 without stopping. It's the little things...

I thought I could make it a year without trekking home, but I now realize that was an unattainable goal. I am lonely and homesick and I miss my family and the South. Four months have gone by and even though I love people here, I find myself missing my friends and family more and more. I've missed an entire season of football and that is just unacceptable. Especially with Thanksgiving two weeks away. Time flies, but I wish it were flying by at home.

That being said, the show is going really well. The response is fantastic and we're sold out until Christmas. It's a great thing and hopefully that means good things for the company because I would love to stay with them and try this experience in a new country. Maybe slightly less than a 23 hour trip from home. I love you all and miss you more. Will write more sooner than the last gap.

It's the Day of the Show Ya'll

Ok, so quote to think about: "Compare where you are to where you wanna be, and you'll get nowhere." Sara Bareilles' new CD. That song, "Uncharted" was on the season finale of Brothers and Sisters last season and I've been waiting for her new album ever since. New favorite quote. Because it's so true. If you don't just live in the moment, for what you've got, what's the point? That's my philosophical share for the day. I've been thinking about it nonstop since I heard it, so I need to get it out of my head. That one line plays in my mind constantly. Luckily, I love the song, so it's ok.

Moving on.

Lion's Dens (where we are technically still working through the show, but have invited audiences) have commenced and completed. We've had a couple rough ones with some stops and some ... difficulties, but the show seems to be recieved pretty well. Which is nice, because it is a monster for all involved. Audiences here are very vocal, which is good for a show like this. At least, I think so. After all this time, it's nice to see a show actually coming together. I am still running spot - and will be for the foreseeable future - but it's not all bad. Not exactly what I thought I'd be doing, but I try to make the most of it in general. {See above quote.} Also refer to my life motto: Some days are harder than others. (Especially when you did not think it's what you would be doing.) Be flexible. That's what Jim tried to teach me in school and I like to think I learned some things from him. He's a very wise man, that professor of our's. So maybe I didn't learn them in the timely fashion he expected me to, but they stuck with me.

Jimmy also liked to say "Be a duck. Let things roll off your back." We all know how difficult that is for me, but I try. Lots of things have been getting to me lately, but I'm making a concerted effort to be a duck because I can't change them, so I have to let them go.

So we have press opening tomorrow. Well, rather today. Holy crap, it's the day of the show ya'll. I've only been here two months and I'm tired of this creation nonsense. I can't imagine having been on the project for a year! Although, I say that and I think "It'll probably be nice to be on a normal schedule for like 2 weeks, then I'll get bored." I have never run a show for longer than a month. This will certainly be an experience. The worst phrases I know now are "One more time" - because it NEVER means one more time; it always means at least 3 more times. And "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 1, 2, 3, ... 8". Being a dancer I should be used to that one, but it takes on a whole new meaning here. One that is NOT enjoyable in anyway. I guess it's different when you're dancing to an eight count rather than running a spot to one. Sometimes I miss that...

Funny anecdote: I got stuck in an elevator for the second time in a week on Sunday. This time was 740pm, the freight elevator, and four [of 6] spot ops were on our way to places (to sit in our spot chair before starting the show at 8pm) and one automation tech was on his way to start the pumps for the hydraulics for the first scene of the show. We were stuck for 20 minutes and it was some of the more terrifying minutes of my life. I'm not a huge fan of elevators because I have an irrational fear of them falling, and I can be claustrophobic at times, and it was just an all around painful experience. Thankfully we made it to safety by prying the doors open on level 6 and running full tilt to our places via the stairs. Everyone else who wasn't stuck thought it was funny. Apparently hearing our TD over coms telling the SM they were trying to get 5 techs out of the elevator to run the show is amusing. I did not laugh. I hope that is the last time I get stuck in the elevator here, but I won't hold my breath. None of our elevators have a very good track record. Chinese construction... Like everything else in the composition of our building, it leaves something to be desired...

Wish us luck because it's always scary to show your project to the world for the first time...

Love and misses.

Me.

Two Months and Counting.

I am seriously missing me some states right now. I miss parishes and po-boys and Tony's Chachere's and Abita Beer and mexican food and Louisiana seafood and gumbo and okra and sweet tea and my puppies and my pool and clean air and my roses and my house and my super comfy bed and driving and American cash money and my debit card and wandering around Mandeville/Baton Rouge/New Orleans/the States and people who speak English. I am OFFICIALLY homesick. Ok, so maybe mostly I miss Louisiana, but show me a Southern girl that doesn't when she's away and I'll show you a liar! That's right, I said it, a dirty liar.

Don't get me wrong, I love working and I love my job and I love the show and I love the people I work with (most of them), but good grief why does what I want to do have to be so freaking far from all the things I love? Remember when I thought Pennsylvania and DC were far from home? And Kentucky was only 12 hours' drive from home, easy peasy! Ah, the good old days.

In three days, I will mark my two month anniversary in the big China. Who'd've thought? Still not me, so let me just beat ya'll to the punch there.

Fun fact: Macau is the most polluted city in the world. Not so fun if you're living here, but definitely something to share with the kids back home. And while the weather was beautiful when we got here, it is not so much beautiful anymore. We officially hit pollution yesterday and when I woke up, I for reals thought it was raining it was so grey and gross. Yuck. And we breathe that every day. Disconcerting at best.

So I have good news and bad news and more bad news and more more bad news.

We'll start with the more bad news: we have yet to do a full run through. The more more bad news: we have an audience on Tuesday and Monday is day off. So that should be a wild ride. Everybody put on your cowboy hat and boots and grab ahold of those reins, because we're barely gonna get out of that one alive. (Should be hella fun though... I thrive on those high pressure environments.)

The just "bad" news: the yoga studio down the block from my apt closed. TYPICAL. The landlords wanted to double the rent so the owners said screw you and closed it. They still have a studio in Macau but it's really far for a 930 class when you have to take the bus and bring all your crap to shower after class and get ready for work, especially when you work in a department like mine where you never know what your schedule for tomorrow might be... So back to practicing online until the Taipa studio can find a new locale. Maybe I can take this opportunity to work on my headstand without humiliating myself in front of the rest of the class... Silver lining, people.

The good news (we'll end with the good news, of course): I found a hair product that works here! It's like 120MOP or $20 American, but it works and I finally chopped my hair enough that it looks presentable again. For a time there, it was touch and go, turns out: just too much of it. Story of my life.

I love you all and miss you more. Send me pictures via my mom! I want to make a collage on my wall, but I only brought some of my pictures... Poor planning, I know. Think of me fondly, because I do ya'll.

xoxox

PS. Has it honestly been five years??? It seems like yesterday. Literally yesterday. And yet, a total lifetime ago. Who even remember life Pre-K anymore?

Tomorrow.

I started to write a new post a couple of days ago, but just wasn't feeling it. And you know, you really can't force these things. So here goes another attempt:

Work is still lovely but long. I sit in a spot chair for somewhere around 6 hours a day which is neither fun, nor stimulating in any way. But it IS my job for now. Under the "other assignments as employer sees fit" clause of my contract. Until the spot op I'm effectively subbing in for decides he's no longer injured... (at least three more weeks) However, yesterday (after my spot shift) I got to work on some of the moto bikes, so that was definitely fun. The unconventional projects like working on the moto ramp trucks or the bikes or random stuff like that are definitely my favorite part of the job. I feel like a bad ass because I get to say I worked on moto bikes. {Jade Hewitt, are you paying attention?} All that being said, I am operating one awesome spot. I like to say my spot "Sparkles". Unclear why that is the adjective I've chosen for my spot, but I'm keeping it. It's almost inspiring.

I started yoga. So that's good. There's a studio right up the block from the apartment and it is ultra convenient because I can roll out of bed at 915 and be at class and ready to go for 930. (I write this as I sit here stuffing my face with late night dumplings, thinking about how sad it is that tomorrow's Saturday and the good yoga teachers only teach M-F...) Also they speak English. BONUS.

Two day weekend coming up. Excited about that because this week has been LONG and tomorrow is "Lighting Priority" which means we won't get out until 2am. That's a long day, ya'll. And it means we earn a two day weekend even more. Especially if you spend the first half of your day sitting in the most uncomfortable spot chair trying to take a nap in between cues and the latter half of your day attempting to not drip sweat into the pool from Level 5. I mean, Ewwww. I have now also been informed that I am "illegally" operating a spot because I have yet to officially practice the emergency procedure for abandoning my spot platform in case of a fire or other severe emergency. This involves a rope, clipping in, and a backpack. That's all I know. My response was "There's a lot of things I am supposed to do and haven't done." That was not recieved well. So yeah. Tomorrow?

Yesterday, I sang my mother the Annie version of her infamous refrain "Tomorrow". While she and Morgan (my little sister and personal mini-me) were ... less than impressed with my stellar rendition, I'm pretty sure I made my point. It is sometimes difficult to keep in mind where you're coming from and why this point in life is such an important stepping stone for your path. I had one of those days yesterday and after sleeping it off, I realized that I am the only one who can make or break this experience for myself. We all know how much failure scares me, so making it is my only option. I just wish this only option weren't so freaking far away from Louisiana. I would kill for some Tony's, a bowl of fried okra, and an Abita Strawberry (or any Abita in general) right about now.

This post has been chock full of fragmented sentences and I do apologize. The best part about this post is that there is a company party on Sunday in Coloane for our "40 days till opening" landmark and Emily Meyer will be attending. Because she is now a Macau resident. Holy crap ya'll, ATL West has come to town in the form of myself and Emily. And we plan to take over this island.

Just kidding.

But seriously...

Nope, Still Not Feeling Title-y

Made my first venture into Hong Kong yesterday. It was mission oriented and quick in its inherent nature, but the point is that I went and I can now say I've been to Hong Kong. Perhaps I will describe it more once I have spent more than an hour there and seen more than the ferry terminal, but I can say this: mountains. I know, right? Not what I expected either. But there it is. Mountains.

I would also like to point out that I currently have no less than FIVE currencies in my wallet. 6 if you also include the Australian dollar in my possession that I was given two years ago to use for my first trip to Australia (which still has not happened). That can be your fun fact for the day. That Alex - me - has 6 currencies in her wallet. You're welcome.

This whole new life of mine (well, it's not really a new life, as it is still mine, but you get the idea...) makes me feel like a combination of Alice in Wonderland and Dorothy in Oz. My motto is "we're not in Kansas anymore," but the two girls had very much in common. They both wore blue, both travelled to strange and far away places, both met odd characters with unique (but sage) advice: Cheshire Cat, Smoking Caterpillar, "Drink Me" and a Tin Man, a Scarecrow, and "Click your heels three times to go home." Anyone? Think about it. That's kinda how I feel. Except without the wicked cool silver sparkly shoes (though my work tennis shoes are a nice silver and purple - Thank you to Puma for keeping my feet well outfitted and looking sharp...). I even have a blue dress. But it's wrinkled and I do not have an iron and RayRay once told me I look like Holly Hobbie and the Disney Channel when I wear it. I took it as a compliment; I know how he feels about the Disney Channel. It is also much too hot for the leggings that go under it. I need a Toto (Mom, want to ship me Bailey Rae?) and a white rabbit in a vest with a pocket watch, but, as I am apt to do, I digress.

OH! I officially got trained to use my harness. It is a fancy harness too. I cannot use slings because that training was, um, somewhat lacking (re: did not happen barely at all) but if I need to, I will simply be annoying and ask millions of questions. They can't be that hard. "Do not choke the sling, make a basket" - or something to that effect. I still do not have a harness of my own, but I can use it when it does come in. And I probably won't even die! Well, at least I'm not planning on it. I almost chickened out when I had to rappel or abseil (German for rappel and yes, I did look it up on dictionary.com) from Level 8 - Level 4, but I did not want to be a pansy in front of everyone else, so I basically peer pressured myself into doing something I was terrified of. Yes, I do know I am ridiculous. Thanks for pointing that out. Thankfully, the Talkinator (New Guy) had been trained previous to me, so our interaction was limited. I could focus on learning rather than who was right and why he could not shut up. Rest assured that while I was waiting to abseil, he had some pointers I ignored because I was busy concentrating on not being sick. So now I think harness work is super fun and of course I wonder why I was panicky about it in the first place. Well, I know, but you get the point.

In other news, we walked home in the POURING rain the other night. I write "pouring" in caps not to be obnoxious, but to emphasize that I know the difference between a drizzle, a rain, and a downpour. This happened to be a downpour. A couple of times passing taxis drove through the standing water on the side of the road and it cascaded onto us. I don't know that I have ever had that experience before, but it was worth it. Memories, here, memories.

Titles are Lame.

I finally bit the bullet and went grocery shopping. Which I knew was going to be an adventure. But wasn't quite sure how much of an adventure it would be. There are a surprising amount of Western options at the local Park N Shop, for which I am grateful. Familiar foods rock in this environment. There are also (this should not surprise me as much as it did) an inordinate amount of Ramen noodles, as well as dried noodle bundles and rice options. I have not quite figured out what exactly to do with them yet, but I am open to suggestions. Feel free to email me recipes with basic ingredients that are easy and delicious. Even better if I can improvise, which I love to do. I did manage to find the basic ingredients for quesadillas and cereal, as well as some American milk, so I am feeling pretty good about that situation.

Take-out is a huge part of the culture here. The kitchens are often super small, so it makes sense that there are as many restaurants as there are and the people all walk around with plastic bags full of deliciously smelling styrafoam boxes. But it is pretty cheap to eat out here, so I suppose it can be justified.

Back to grocery shopping. {I almost forgot the most important part}

THEY HAVE ZAPP's HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Honest to God, I almost cried when I saw them on the shelf. They are not my favorite flavor, the Spicy Creole Tomato kind, but I bought a bag (umm, hell-o. Of COURSE I bought a bag) and ate half of said bag that afternoon. We all know how much I love all things Louisiana, but they mean even more to me here. I mean, what are the chances??? If you said: "Slim, at best" you would be absolutely correct. They also have Jiffy cornbread mix. Which I will be purchasing on my next grocery stock up trip, as there are few things better in life than hot cornbread and butter. Ah, Louisiana.

Work is still super. I have bruises all over my legs again, so I know I am working. I feel like I am learning a lot... I spent 2 hours yesterday learning the ins and outs of PAT testing and European standards for electricity. There were lots of diagrams involved, which was excellent because if I have learned anything about myself over and over again, it is that I am a VERY visual person. I am no longer "the" new person in the department. I am now "a" new person in the department. We got a new team member this week. I do not know when I will stop being new. Maybe it is a gradual transition instead of the instant I am looking for. I got a helmet that fits yesterday, so that was pretty huge. It's all about the baby steps people.

I feel like I am ending this quite abruptly. Forgive me. I have simply run out of things to say!

*This post has a post script (Wow, hello redundancy), which I am adding in an edit 12 hours later. Tonight, when we got off work at 130 am - night shift - I had an adventure. Late (super late) night take out. Legit Chinese take out, the kind where you point and order a picture, rather than a description and they show you a number and you pay the number on the calculator. While I admit I was with a coworker and that I never would have done this on my own, the point is, I did do it and it should not matter whether I was with someone or not. It was delicious. Best food I've had since I got here (well, Thai was pretty good, too, but a different good. So let's say best Chinese food since I arrived.) 30 MOP well spent and so I salute anyone who stays open long enough to feed weary employees just getting off the late shift. Thank you and even though we don't speak the same language, your efforts are appreciated all the same. And now, as it is 330 am and night shift works day shift tomorrow, I am going to bed. With a happy and full stomach. {That was a much better ending than my previous ending, yeah?}

Oh Hello New Experiences!

Three things:

1. I'm starting to settle into a routine. Which is awesome. Routines make everything better. My senior year at LSU, Jennifer was teaching and I would occasionally have to get up at 6am for work and we would make pancakes or eggs or both and spend our peaceful mornings preparing for the day together. I really like that time before anyone else gets up. That being said {Segue warning}, I'm still in the hotel. By myself now. Daddy left yesterday and may I just say that having him here was super good. I am so glad my family loves me enough to send him over here with me to start this epic new chapter in my life. And I do mean epic. Who moves to the other side of the world to start over??? Apparently me. But anyways. Daddy left for the airport and I Skyped with Mommy and Morgan because my mother knows me and loves me and even though she didn't really WANT to see me wipe snot on my t-shirt, she let me cry to her long distance. Because what is family for? Technology is wonderful. There are days when all I want is to not have a cell phone or a computer so people can't get in touch with me; but then again, there are days like yesterday when the only thing I needed more than that Skype call was a hug.

So Daddy's gone. Back home to mow the yard that hasn't been mowed in two weeks because it rained everyday there and he should be pulling into the driveway where everyone is sound asleep right now, even the dogs, while I write this. Thanks for coming Daddy. I'm not good at good byes and I never have been, but you know I love you more than most anything. Everything you've ever done for me has made me a well-rounded individual and I know I joke about our crazy family, but I wouldn't have any of us any other way. I would be far more boring without the football games, family vacays, everyday routines that ya'll instilled in me.

2. EMILY MEYER IS COMING TO MACAU. And I cannot wait. She will be here sometime in the beginning of August. Did I mention I cannot wait??? I like new friends, but old friends are even better! I'm talking better like the pair of jeans I'm wearing today. They're old and worn and have some tears (pronunciation guide: TAIRS, not teers) and super soft, so very comfy. Yes Emily, I just compared you to my well-worn jeans. I know you cannot wait to live with my crazy self! : )

3. Yesterday, due to an event unrelated to the show occurring in the theater, night shift worked a short day shift. We got off work around 7 and went to get a frosty adult beverage. So, of course, there was some hunger mentioned. The moral of the story is: I had Thai food last night. I'm pretty sure it was authentic, I mean, let's be honest here people, more authentic than in the States because I'm in Asia, BUT. I had Thai food and while I was a little leery, it was SUPER good. I even...Get ready Mom... Ate a mushroom. I know. I know. It was very scary and I thought I might gag. But I didn't and I chewed it up and everything. No worries Jennifer, I'm still a faux adult. No need to rush things here!

At one point last night, I looked around and realized that I was the only American in the bunch. That is such a strange feeling for me. But it kinda made me incredibly happy as well. For the first time in my life, I am so far from my comfort zone I can't see the proverbial shore of it (my comfort zone, follow the analogy here for me...) but I finally have confidence in myself that I DO know how to swim. Swimming's not so hard if you just keep calm and remember that you know what you're doing. Well, I mean, I don't REALLY know what I'm doing, but I think I'm doing pretty good at making it up as I go along...

I Have a Confession to Make:

When I lived at the Wesley during my last year at LSU, we tried to have family dinners with regular occasion. (Did I just use that properly? It sounds wrong...) At said family dinners, Jennifer Fontenot, with some regularity would declare: "I have a confession to make..." And then proceed to confess to borrowing someone's shampoo or hitting someone's car in the parking lot (that actually happened, but she checked to see if it was one of our's before confessing. It wasn't harmed.) or maybe even just that she had a great day.

That being said, in the spirit of Jennifer Fontenot, I have a confession to make: I could see myself staying here for awhile. (Don't tell my parents.) But in truth, it isn't so bad... Maybe. Don't get me wrong, I miss Louisiana something fierce, because, you know, it's my home. I miss the States, too. I know and understand how things work there and this place is completely foreign to me. Even the times they do business (between 12pm and 12am, often) are weird to me and I want more than anything to find a Gap somewhere on this island.

BUT.

(This is important, I'm making a huge confession here, people.) Everything's much scarier when you're brand spankin' new or you haven't even made it to your final destination yet. I have a tendancy to panic and go straight to the worst case scenario in my mind (I know, right? ME???), which probably makes my fear of the unknown my greatest fear in life. (Aside from my physical fears of snakes and needles...) But this place isn't quite so bad, I don't think. Sure, there are rust stains on the walls of apartment buildings from the ACs haphazardly inserted here and there and sure, there are clothes on every balcony caged in by iron bars, but there's also some funky old trees and bonsai gardens and some ruins of cathedrals. Those parts are kinda charming!

I once saw an episode of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations where he eats street meat in Hong Kong. I haven't gotten that brave, but you never know... Anthony seemed to think it was pretty super.

Maybe one day I'll even get to travel around the area: the Phillipines, Japan, Indonesia... Everything's so close. For now, though, work is my life. Don't get me wrong, things could be worse. I love having a steady job again. That whole part of this situation is not half bad, you know?

Three Days Without Being Fired...

TAKE THAT WORLD! I feel really super good about this ya'll.

I have met MORE PEOPLE in the last three days than I know what to do with. There's approximately 16 people on the electrics crew - I think I've met all of them. And I think I know all their names, too! (Being good with names has been most beneficial to me in this crazy adventure. Although, meeting people in the dark - I may not know them when the work lights come on.) I met a couple SCUBA guys, I think I've met like 20 riggers (and I know there are many I haven't met, I think there's a lot of them...). Met a couple other various and assundry people here and there, but I'm not sure what departments they're from.

In other news, I got my ID badge, so I'm official. Word. It has to be on my person at all times. I also got a locker. Number 6. I need to get a key ring for my locker key because yesterday I left my key in my jeans pocket and I did not wear my jeans to work. Oops!

Story: Yesterday, we were dropping some mult (big cable) from Level 8 to Level 5 anticipating adding many lights. Well, we were prepping the cable and putting it in place to drop after the creation period ended for the day. (In the dark, of course, using headlamps.) After we were done placing everything, I was sent back to the grid to write down the numbers of all the mults we just placed. I found two out of the four runs we prepped. I stood there for like 5 minutes trying to get my barings, but of course, it's dark and hazy and my headlamp only goes so far and there are giant cable runs everywhere... Needless to say, I did not find the other two on my own. But I did manage to find my way back to the shop and locate someone to help me and he was very understanding.

People have been very patient with me so far and I am so grateful for that. One of the hardest things in the world is to walk into a situation like this as new as I am when everyone else has been here since September. They had time to get lost and find their way back on their own. I do not feel I have that luxury, but people are patient and assure me they understand how I feel. I think I've got the theatre directions down pat now: North is the back wall (with the show backdrops), South is the booth. That was a huge hurdle. Now I just need to learn how to orientate myself accordingly. Because when you're in the catwalks of Level 5, everything kinda looks the same. Same for Level 8 with the lights off.

I'll try to be more witty in my next post, this one was just informational.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY PEOPLE!!!!!!

First Day of Work is a lot like the First Day of School

You want all the kids to like you and want to be your friend. You have to pack a snack for break in case you get hungry. You obsess over what to wear and change your outfit at least twice before settling on something, even though you know you can do better...you're just not quite sure what "better" is. You fix your hair again and again until it's perfect. See the parallels? C'mon admit it. I know it's not just me...

Anywho. Today's my first day of work. I have to be there at 6pm. I got the night shift. I knew coming into this whole situation that would most likely be the case. It will still take some getting used to. Maybe it will work out better with this whole "jetlag" thing. I do not sleep very well at night and wake up early after going to bed at unreasonable hours for a twenty-something like between the hours of 730 and 930pm. Yeah, that's right. And I admit it, too! I'm supposed to be napping right now, in fact, but here I am, writing a post. Oh well. Maybe I'll sleep more than six hours whenever I get back to the hotel next.

Interesting phenomena (confession: I had to confirm the spelling on that word): I find myself dumbing down my speech here. I mean that not as an insult to anyone, but it's the truth. If I were in Spain or Mexico attempting to communicate, I am sure the locals would think the same thing about talking to me. But when you are in a foreign country with NO clue how to even begin speaking the language, you have to rely on the graciousness of people speaking your language. Thankfully most everyone here, so far, speaks at least some baby English, or can pick up key words. That being said, it is easier to communicate with these people in the most elementary of terms. I can only hope that my efforts to work on my vocabulary can be extolled here and in emails. Don't be surprised to see bigger and better words from me, as I fully believe in constantly attempting to better onesself. I hope that doesn't sound TOO narcissitic. If it does, forgive me? It came out wrong. As I like to say "It sounded better up here (gestures to head) than it did out here (gestures in front of person)." But I can leave it in, because it's my blog. HI-YA! {To borrow a phrase from the infamous Cadi Thomas (SHOUT OUT!)}

So think positive thoughts for me, my friends. I already took the barrette out of my hair and I'm not rocking the side pony. {Much to my chagrin the consensus was that the side pony was detrimental to my "professional appearance." Thanks to all who participated in the poll- Alex, Melissa, Ashley - SHOUT OUT. However, I maintain that they should take me seriously regardless of how I look (hello, "don't judge a book by its cover"???) and I am-under protest-not wearing the side pony.} I want people to take me seriously. For the first day at least. I made the stupid quotes board at ATL within 6 hours of starting my job. That was a ... proud moment. We'll save the side pony for the second week of work.

Post Label: 430pm. There. I know what time it is. WHATUP!!! But I continue to refuse to change the clock on my comp. (It won't let me include punctuation in the label. So I beat the system. Holla.)

Well, hello from the Hotel Royal (Or Royal Hotel...) in Macau!

I am unsure of which version of the hotel name is correct, so I wrote both!

WE MADE IT TO MACAU!!!

They tried to not allow me to check in for my flight from LAX to Taipei because I had a one way ticket. At 200am, in at least one of the time zones I've been through in the past couple days, that is NOT funny, may I tell you that? Instead, I had to use father's credit card to buy a $330 ticket out of Macau. To Taipei. I was supposed to be allowed 45 days in the city without penalty. May I just tell you, after further inquiry, that I am the only person that has happened to? Of course I am. Typical.

But we are here. I have shown my face at HQ (what I'm referring to Dragone's offices as) and recieved my passport, which was sort of kidnapped yesterday to get my chop.

What's that you ask? What's a chop? Well, readers, thanks for asking. I can inform you what that is, actually. A "chop" is a stamp that the visa office puts on your passport to say "yes, this person has applied for a blue card/work visa on the island, and yes, we are processing it." I will be fingerprinted by the government on July 19th (SCARY), and after that I don't know what happens.

So today our goal was to get an apartment, a cell phone, and a bank account. I was denied a bank account (even though the office told me I was all set to go) because I don't have a slip of paper from the gov't saying my blue card has been approved. The chop was clearly not good enough for them. The cell phone place was scary scary so we left. The apartments were also scary scary and the riggers I met today advised me of three things when apartment hunting: check for mold behind the curtains {it's a problem in lots of apartments because of the constant humidity that lesser people are unused to : ) }, roaches {unless Emily and I care for a pet, which we don't...}, and see LOTS of apartments. My agent had two. So we are working on getting a new real estate agent. And as a result, NOTHING but frustration got accomplished.

But that is OK, because tomorrow is a new day in this crazy, foreign city that I now call a semi-permanent residence. But never home.

Silver lining: there IS a great restaurant across the street from the hotel. Not the side of the street that has the giant courtyard where the locals practice Tai Chi and line dance (yes, seriously, line dance-there were like 12 people line dancing as a semi-organized group) at 7am. The side of the street with the Chinese 7-11. This place the people speak broken English, but everything we've had so far has been delicious. Fried beef and peppers, wonton soup, honey milk tea, watermelon ices... All delicious. Fried rice is even better actually IN China, well, at least in this SAR or Special Administrative Region of China. And if the fried rice keeps being excellent, I plan on not starving to death after all!

This post has been very educational. I hope ya'll learned something. Because when we stop learning, we stop living. Or something inspirational like that.

So for now, I would say good bye in Cantonese. If I knew how... But since there's lots of Portugese on this island, let's say "Hasta luego," or "See you later," as seven years of Spanish prove most helpful in attempting to translate the Portugese signs here. Honestly, it's about time those Spanish lesson paid off!

XOXOX

PS. I attempted to shave today to be presentable and got razor burn up my calves. You didn't NEED to know that, but I felt like it should be shared for some reason. Back to no shaving. (You people miss me, don't ya'll???)

Don't be fooled by whatever time this post says it is...

Because I THINK it is 720am Taipei time. Please don't ask me if that is accurate. Or what time it is in the States, because I honestly have no clue. I also have no clue how I am going to get to any of my appointments on time this week. That in itself is terrifying.

But the point is: we made it to Taipei. That is step (I was going to say one, but really it's like step 10) 10 and the flight to Macau boards in 45 minutes. Hopefully I don't get deported before I even get there, but that in itself is an excellent story that I will save for my next post, as the battery is dying on my trusty Mac.

Gotta Start Somewhere...

Ok, so. I'm moving to China. Saturday. Like 2 days from now.

And I am terrified. Excited, but terrified.

So what do I do? Post it on the internet for everyone to read. Because that's what we should all do with our innermost thoughts, yes? No. But I do want people to know that I am still alive while over there, so my goal is to keep it updated with some regularity. So that ya'll all know I'm still alive.

I'm fairly sure I'm expected to sign a confidentiality contract when I get to Macau, so I may not be able to write much about the show (at least before it opens) but I will write about my misadventures in the city, of which we all know there will be many.

The Basics:

I'm living on an island called Macau. It is approximately 11 square miles and the population density is somewhere around 48,000 people/sq mi. That's a LOT of people. In an ITTY BITTY living space. It was a Portugese holding until 1999 and under the terms of cession to China, it is a special administrative region (or SAR) of China and mostly autonomous until at least 2049. Which is good. Macau itself is known as the "Las Vegas of the East" which is also good because I don't speak a lick of Cantonese. Or Portugese. Both of which are official languages on the island. It's a HUGE tourist destination, with a lot of ex-pats from what I understand. The island operates on military time and the metric system. Neither of which I am comfortable with. (BREAK OUT THE FLASH CARDS.) I can get peanut butter at the grocery store (SCORE). Hair care products are labeled in Chinese (so not a SCORE). There is an area called the Cotai Strip that I will be working on, in a complex known as the "City of Dreams". It consists of 3 hotels, the theater, a couple multimedia theaters (including a "vitrual aquarium"), and a casino, shopping, etc. The Cotai Strip houses a bunch of casinos, hotels, and touristy destinations.

I have packed my life into 3 suitcases, a duffle bag, and a backpack. It's not a lot. I do have to leave some stuff here. God bless my parents for putting up with me. Thanks for holding off a little longer on that sewing room, Mommy.

Confession: I'm sad to leave Louisiana. I'll miss my friends (and those from everywhere, not just here), my family, my pets. But I'm sad every time I leave it. It's my home and I love it. For better and for worse. But when my friend was applying for a job in Macau (SCORE for built in roommate, because she got the job!) I kep telling her she couldn't say no if she got the job. I can't be a hypocrite. But I can still be sad.