travel mishaps

Back in August I went back to the for a work meeting in NY. It was last minute and only a week long, few days in Farmingdale, NY, then a few days back in the Bay area with my home office and family.

But air travel. Le sigh.

Bit of a travel conundrum- it could've been worse, but it could've been better too...

First, my luggage was lost going to NY. On a direct flight. Did it drop in the ocean?? About 30 other passengers also suffered from this ill fate, so not even speaking english. There was one China Eastern rep to explain the forms and process of getting our goods back. This wouldn't been been too bad- I can always go shopping for clothes... but I was carrying materials for my meetings in TWO days. If I didn't have those samples, I'm to sure what we would be meeting about! Fortunately, many phone calls later, my luggage arrived two days later, at 2am the day of my morning meeting. I hardly slept, b/c of jet lag and from being on the phone with the airlines- I couldn't get a guarantee out of them until about 11:30pm. I had ran out and bought dress clothes and shoes just in case too.

I had a relatively successful meeting, lunch at Panera bread (first time- I'd heard so much about it, and disappointed with their smoothies)

Flying from JFK to SFO, I took the metro, which stalled.... and I got there 30 minutes before departure. They wouldn't let me check in due to policy- had to be 45 minutes before, and was put on standby for the next flight in about 1.5 hrs. I argued- "I can make it!" I went thru security, to watch them give my seat away from my original flight. grrr.

 Oh well, I thought, just 1.5 more hours. Little did I know (or realize) it was peak travel season, and all the flights were booked solid. I was bumped from that flight to the next at 7pm. And i wasn't the only one. 2 other ladies were also in the same boat as me, one missed a flight and other was an airline employee flying standby. We sighed, traded travel stories and walked together to the next gate. Two of us (another gal and I) were #1 and 2 on the stand by list. This seemed a hopeful outcome for us, with several behind us. Yet we were bumped form the 7pm flight too- and unfortunately it was the last JFK>SFO flight of the day. Camping out at the airport?

We got on the phone, computer and talked to the staff there, to figure out our best possible solution. We considered changing out tickets to San Jose, Oakland, or even LAX and driving up together. The staff about guaranteed we'd make the 7am flight since many people go party and miss their flight. We were relieved! The airline employee with us went to try her pass at other airlines, and I headed to nyc with my new aquiantance for the night- if I was gonna spend an extra night in NYC, I was gonna have some fun! Despite a thunderstorm, we both went to concerts- I hadn't eaten dinner and caught up with a buddy from uni. Ahhh.

We soon found ourselves at the crack of dawn at the airport biting our nails, and watching passengers file onto the plane. For the 4th time. They did the final call, and families with their littles ones and trailing teddy bears are running down the terminal to make the flight. We check periodically with the staff, "How many seats are left? How many was it overbooked? How many haven't checked in? Are there any priority fliers who might hop on this flight?' We learned the ins and out of the standby system.  All three of us were bumped from the flight. Sad. losing hope. desparate.

One girl paid to change her ticket to the next flight. And the other purchased a ticket on Jet blue. I had a long discussion with the airline staff- and super sweet, patient girl who looked up all the stats and helped me with the machine and said I had an 80% of getting on.

in summary in this one trip I had:
2 pieces lost luggage
3 delayed flights
4 times on standby
5 tries to SF

BUT- on the bright side made a few new friends!

Thugs and moving apts - while 8 months pregnant

This is a story much overdue. A story of surprise and rescue.

At 8 months preg we had to move apts- just one down the street. In my condition there wasn't too much I could do. We were both working full time too. So we decided it was best to hire a moving company to also come a pack our stuff into boxes for us. I mean, I was so big I couldn't even bend down to put my shoes on. (Not that my swollen feet could wear shoes...)

A few friends had volunteered to help us oversee the move- we planned to have 1-2 people at the new apt, 1 watching the truck, and the rest overseeing the workers room-to-room giving advice (making sure nothing was stolen, and that they wrapped our breakables properly)

So we ended up with two art gallery interns, and two other gals. 4 ladies, Timon, and a pregnant lady. "We can do this." we thought. The movers were supposed to arrive at 9am. Timon had to run out to meet internet guys at the new apt, and so our friend P came over in case the movers came. Movers were a no show, so we ordered pizza and then the girls arrived. The Movers arrived 2 hrs late after telling us myriad excuses, such as "I'm eating lunch," I was starving. I wanted to eat lunch too!

Then the doorbell rang. I expected to see my pizza, but instead it was a group of rugged looking individuals. "Who are you?" I inquired. "Da zhong." He replied, and I stepped aside as they came in to evaluate our apt. Da zhong? I seemed to think T had negotiated terms with Gongxin. These guys were big and buff. They were casually dresses. No uniforms, not even a clip board or a roll of tape. Instead gold chains and tattoos made their presence in our midst.

"So uh...where's your packing supplies?" we asked. "What supplies? How am I supposed to know? Thats not our problem!" he replied curtly. We all immediately realized something was amiss. I stood my ground as the 7 fellas began prowling our apt eyeing our belongings. One pushed past me even as a pushed back. Really? Trying to push aside a pregnant lady? My girlfriends were automatically on the defense, as was T. My heart was beating and my blood began to boil. There were strange scary men in my home. After trying to sort out who T has contacted on the phone- and what the pre-agreed terms were, we knew we were dealing with a fake moving company. One of my friends, C. had a run in with a fake company. So we decided to decline their service and pursue a legit moving company. The problem was, they wouldn't leave.

They refused to leave without payment.

"You didn't do any work!"
"But we drove here. You should give us money for fuel"

The men took a harsh tone with both Timon and C. Timon was  getting agitated and I was feeling really uncomfortable with the whole situation. Just then, the doorbell rang and in walked the pizza delivery man! The girls and I began to chow down while T continued his dialogue with the thugs spokesman- one of the leaner guys, with his buff henchmen standing beside him. (He had a big chest tattoo of a bird or something) I was getting really worried. Then my phone rang. Apparently one of the girls slipped out with the pizza delivery man and asked for help. The delivery guy advised her to call the cops and ask them to step in. She told our doorman what was going on- but he didn't want to get involved. She was on street level, waiting to meet the cops to explain the situation.

C. took the phone from me and told me everything would be okay. It made me nervous how aggressive the guys were being. (Timon was def holding his ground, but he was still out numbered)

I was afraid a fist fight was going to break out and T would get pummeled. 7 on 1. The girls were trying to protect me, but my maternal instinct were beginning to come out (I felt like we needed to protect the interns)

"Should I call for backup?" I ask C. "Yes!" She said. So I called our friends who live on the block, my voice was shaking as I told her, "...theres a bunch of scary men in our apt who won't leave!"

Just then, 2 cops walked in, yelling at the thugs and waving them out. And in a minute they were gone. T chatted with the cops, and it was over. We all sat down, exhausted. My girlfriend who had called the cops came back in, relieved. We were all buzzing with questions and releasing stress. What if the guys beat up Timon? "...took the car keys from their moving truck, so they couldn't leave... and took photos of their license plate and registration..." Clever, gutsy, and bold!

Moral of the story:
-Hire a legit company by called 114 (China) and asking for the official phone # for Gongxin or Dazhong.
-Do not be tricked by false websites that claim to be one of said moving companies.
-Call the cops. They can show up in 5 minutes!
-When moving always, always, always have your own crew with you- at least 4 people.


Conclusion:
The next day, the real Gongxin showed up. The representative showed up dressed neatly with a clipboard in hand. He smiled at me and immediately took off his shoes. He was polite, courteous, and nodded affirmatively when listening to our questions. Where his team showed up later, they all had coordinating uniforms, and they greeted us with a pleasant hello, and gestures of "How cute, your pregnant! Please, sit down and rest". It was night and day. They packed our stuff like a well oiled machine, frequently asking questions, seeking approval, and even labeling our boxes! It all happened in the blink of an eye, we suddenly found ourselves in our new apt.

Farewell China

After 8ish years abroad, We have finally repatriated back to Mei Guo- our homeland. There's so much to think about, we built our marriage and family and adulthood in China, and transitioning to the Bay Area, settling in. I will begin a series chronicling our misadventures abroad, so that Alden may some day laugh at this crazy life he was born into, I am afraid he will forget his beginnings in China- one of his first languages, his friends, family, and way of life. I also want to chronicle repatriation for others going the same path. Its tough, crazy, and I couldn't find ANY information or advice on best methods for suddenly getting rid of everything, going to a new country and not totally stressing out. With a toddler. In his 2s.

First- setting the scene:

It's December 2015, and we are again celebrating Christmas in a land where people only see it as another retail holiday. There's decor all over the sparkling city, but lacks the depth and warmth of our childhood memories. We take Alden to see Santa for the first time- a genuinely old white man with a true American accent! (Pretty impressive) Anyways, we are at the phase of our lives where our careers are going well and, like most expats, we miss home. For T, its been 12 years. I'm surprised he still speaks english. Thru friends networks, T receives a job offer in Silicon Valley, and they want him in 2 weeks. We are paying our own relocation. The challenge was I had a week long photoshoot scheduled in SF during Chun Jie.... and our tickets were already purchased for our annual pilgrimage. Suddenly what would have been a routine family visit was moving countries. I repeat, moving, countries. We sadly broke the news to our community. It was really, really tough. Heart breaking. I was about 4 month pregnant. People said, "I thought you'd be here forever. You've always been here," and "You can't leave before us!". We had a centrally located apartment and hosted many a gatherings on the years. Holidays. Slumber parties. Costume parties, dinners, birthdays, play dates, ridiculous parties, baby showers for men, and then some. If anyone needed anything, we usually had it. People would just show up for random things, like a power ranger costume. We had built such a strong community, it felt like we were pulling the bottom Jenga tile. And we would have to re build in America. The promised land. We always imagined this day would eventually come- as it does from most expats in China (few foreigners are allowed residence permits, usually for a seismic business deed) Since we both moved to China directly after university its the only Adult life we knew.

Suddenly we had 4-6 weeks to pack up and move to America. 

Alden over 8 months

1 month

2 months

3 months

4 months

5 months

6 months

7 months

8 months

Sports rehabilitation center, shenzhen

Between moving, flying, and our ever growing baby, two weeks ago I hurt my back.

So I ventured to a rehabilitation clinic for shorts injuries - Timon found it and since I was unable to stand out sit without pain I said Yes!

It was far off in Futian district, about 30 minutes by car. Timon stayed home with baby A while I hobbled out, and for an excruciating minute thought I may never obtain a cab.

When I arrived, I found that it was a huge sports area with several stadiums and training grounds. A kind fellow offered to guide me to the clinic, but I was in so much pain I want sure I could make it.  I said to myself, "you gave birth to an almost 9lb baby!  This is nothing! " so I told the security guard I would be fine, and continued according to his directions. After about 100meters my back could no longer hold me up and I was really confused because where there should have been a path it was bushes and chained off stairs. I ran into a convenience store where I saw a stool - a respite of relief - and then cried.

Over the phone  Timon helped and then the cashier lent me his arm and held my bag for me. He have me lots of encouragement as he his me to the clinic around the corner. I felt really embarrassed and small, and also grateful for the strangers help.

When I entered the clinic they were all expecting me,  and took care of my situation instantly. They were thorough in inquiring about all my physical activities,  and poked and prodded, trying isolated motions to determine what the unhappy muscle was.

After a massage,  I could stand up straight with out pain!  They also put me on a warm buzz table for 30 minutes. Ahhhh.  It felt so much better!

I would definitely go back.

Breakfast at the tencent cafe

Alden left his little signature on the Tencent note wall. Tencent is trees here internet company behind QQ, WeChat and other apps.

The had dozens of versions of their mascot logo penguin in different costumes. We have the snake costume one since alden is year of the snake.

Lunch break

1. Extruded foam corn sticks. I think they taste like styrofoam-not that I've eaten styrofoam.
2. Baby bunny seller. Baskets of cute waiting for a home.
3. Lone Lion dancer offering his services to the restaurants.
Lastly I since this is a lunch post,  I guess I should mention what I are. Lamb and veggie dumplings with garlicky vinegar sauce. Yum!
An old lady also told  me alden shouldn't wear such a huge diaper because it wasn't good. I said, "but he pees so much! "