I'm moving to China today

Okay before I start the post, I was in the gym and looking at movies to watch while I ran. I present to you, the Telugu Superman. I realize things were different back in the 60's, but doesn't mean this isn't hilarious.



Okay, back to the actual blog.

I'm writing this blog post about 12 hours before my flight leaves for Wuhan. I should be halfway to China before people on the East Coast wake up and read this blog. First thing is first, have I finished packing? Nope...close but I still have a bit to do. However, I'm happy with my progress considering I only started packing last night when I was home alone.

I'm not nervous or scared at all. I'm as well prepared as I can be, probably because it hasn't hit me that I'm moving to China...for good...today. I think it'll hit me on Thursday, when I find myself alone, in my apartment, staring at a bunch of Chinese people through the window. I'm excited for Wuhan but am already dreading the massive checklist I have once I get there....

1. Get a health exam - Can't get a work permit until I pass a health exam
2. Find an apartment - I'm in a Biocause guest house for the next several weeks but I want to quickly move into a new apartment as soon as possible. Harsha has already short-listed an area he thinks I should live in but I'll leave it up to my counterpart, Sharon, to show me around.
3. Buy a car - Ironically, I might buy my very first American car once I move to China. My old associate at KeyBanc, who lived in China for a good chunk of his life told me this "buy the nicest foreign car you can afford, don't buy a Chinese car, you will die"

I'm going to stick with his advice. I'm thinking I might buy a Chevy but just maybe....buy a Buick. I know what you're thinking, a Buick? When did you become so old? But they're quite the status symbol in China. Either way, I'll be stepping up from my current Hyundai hatchback but still far away from my BMW.

4. Find a Blackberry - Anyone who has hung out with me knows I love my blackberry. I always have it around and put it next to my bed when I sleep. So keeping that in minid, there is no Blackberry service in China yet...

The rumor is that China Telecom is launching Blackberry service this month but only in Shanghai and for certain type of users. I'm going to try my best to get that service, if not, I'll have a 2 smart phones, one for e-mail/voice in China and then an Indian Blackberry, which will data roam from Hyderabad. No way in hell I'm giving up Blackberry Messenger, it's what keeps me attached to the world.

5. Open up a bank account / credit card / drivers license - this can only happen once I get my work permit, until then, I'm a great candidate to be mugged

So those are the 5 big things on my list, hopefully next time I post, most of them will be taken care of.

One last thing before I leave...when I first landed in India last June from America, I turned on my iPod to listen to some music while my luggage came in. The first song that came on was "L.E.S. Artistes" by Santogold. The chorus goes "I hope it will be worth what I give up" I couldn't think of a better theme song for myself at the time since I spent several days wondering if it was the smartest thing to do to move across the world and leave a job I really enjoyed.

So what's my theme song now, before I leave for Wuhan? "Begin Here" by Brother Ali. Might seem implausible that I can somewhat relate to a white, albino Muslim rapper from Minnesota but I think the last third of the song is somewhat representative of how I feel...

http://www.songlyrics.com/brother-ali/begin-here-lyrics/

The runner up for my theme song? "I Got" by Chamillionaire, a lot more arrogant and cocky, I don't think my mom would approve. Feel free to make fun of either choices or the entire fact that I've become "that" guy who lists song lyrics to demonstrate what he's thinking...looking at you Sachin and Jon!

Next post should be interesting, who knows what will happen to me next.

Bye India, Hello China.