we're not in kansas anymore...

So... I have arrived! After a 17 hours+ plane ride, many tears and months of preparation, I have officially arrived in Beijing. I actually arrived yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, but was too tired to write last night. I had my first full day in Beijing today, and it hit about sometime this afternoon that I actually was in a really foreign place.

So, here's what I've been up to thus far: I arrived yesterday, and was picked up from the airport (I considered that my first great accomplishment; I was nervous that wasn't actually going to happen). We took a taxi from the airport to the apartment I am staying at right now, somewhere on the West side of Beijing. I am staying with the couple who run the company I am working for until I find more permanent housing; but for now, it's been so nice to stay with people who are also foreigners to Beijing and can show me the ropes. ANYWAY, last night when I got here, the couple hadn't yet arrived from Australia, so another employee took me out for dinner, and then we got wonderful head and neck massages. Apparently Asia is known for their massages, and they are super affordable. Ahhh, it was a good way to end a long day.

This morning I woke up super early (boo jetlag), and headed into the office for the first time. The couple I'm staying with showed me which buses to take, where to get off, etc. We went into the office and I met everyone, saw where I'm going to be sitting, etc. etc. Then, Audrey (host mom) and I went on a trip using the light rail to sign up for Mandarin classes. I signed up for a class that starts next Monday morning, and I'm in it all by myself. Ahh! I really hope that I'm able to keep all of these names and streets and bus stops in order, because if I'm lost, I'm really lost. I thought that most people would at least know a little English here (after all, the Olympics are coming, right?), but that is sooo not the case. Communication will be a toughie. Case in point: this afternoon, I tried to put money on my re-loadable bus pass, and the bus attendant didn't understand what I wanted to do, so she just took my card and money, left it sitting on the counter, and starting helping everyone else. I was so confused! I was just standing there... I had to have Audrey help me.

Like I said, it was about after that point when it really hit me: I am not at home. I've been waiting for that to hit since I left (for an anxious person, I've done well thus far), but I think this marks the beginning of a tough journey. A good one, but a tough one. I stood next to another Westerner today as I was about to cross the street, and I just wanted to hug him! I felt like we were related or something, but we just had the same skin color. I laughed at myself because I knew that was ridiculous.

I'm hoping to start making friends here pretty soon... I think the folks at my company have some good connections with foreigners, especially through the big fellowship here in Beijing, BICF. We meet this weekend, so I am really looking forward to meeting some other foreigners in Beijing who are around my age.

So, that's all I have to report for now. Stay tuned.

getting ready to jump

I've tried my hand at blogging before, and that turned out to be slightly disasterous. So, hopefully this time it will be different! I'd like to keep you, my dear family and friends, updated on what I'm doing... and let's face it, it's easier to do this than send you a mass e-mail. So, hopefully this will provide you with a little clarification on what exactly it is I'm doing over in China.

Anyway, right now I'm sitting here in my nice, cozy Minnesota living room watching the Oscars next to my fireplace. Tomorrow I leave for the cities, departing for Beijing Tuesday morning at 7 am. After tonight there will be no more relaxing at home. No more seeing my family, watching TV in English, and using a regular toilet. No longer will I have the ability to blend into a crowd (I feel like there might be a shortage of tall blond girls in China). So I'm soaking up every minute of being at home, in familiar surroundings, and being with those I love.

I'm sure you are probably asking yourself: "What exactly is she doing over there? I don't really get it." Don't worry, you're not alone. I don't think that I even really know what I'm doing over there. But, here's the plan as I know it. I've been working for a company in Minnesota that would like to start an English language program in China. I've worked with them since June, writing a business plan and researching the viability of such a venture. Our organization, through various industry connections, has ties with a company in China that helps start and manage such programs (I know, a really awesome coincidence). So, my next four months will be spent with this organization in China, being an "intern" for them and learning how they operate, what their schools look like, if we should partner with them, etc.

Other than this overarching "plan", I have no idea what I will be doing. I don't know what my tasks will be, what my daily life will look like. Honestly, I don't even know where I'm living next week! But I'm so excited. I feel ready to embrace the adventure (and all the uncertainties that follow), ready to experience life through a new lens, to meet and connect with people from all walks of life, and to live what I feel called to do right now.

So, all that being said, I would love to hear from each and every one of you! As of now, the best way to do that is using e-mail (katelynnrae@gmail.com), OR, if you have skype, doing that (I think my skype name is katelynn.rae).

So, I'll close out this first post because I'm not even in China yet, so it's not that interesting.

Love you all!