Right-o. 

Last week, my life reached a tipping point. I knew that finding the right job in St. Louis would be tough, but as a Fulbright scholar fluent in two foreign languages with a degree from Vanderbilt, I didn't realize that I might actually be un-marketable in my hometown. 

But it's more than that. I could, of course, have found a job in St. Louis; in fact, I actually turned down a few offers months ago. The "problem" is that I want something cutting-edge, something exciting--I want to be a powerful contributor in whatever it is I am a part of, and I won't find that sitting at a customer service desk or making logistical inquiries by phone for a huge corporation, even if the clients are Chinese. 

The bottom line is that I need to be in China. It may have taken a friendly, objective third party to finally convince me of that, but once I committed to the idea, there was no turning back. I made a phone call, received an offer for a plane ticket and chance to 'try out the job' before accepting, and found myself headed to China literally three days later. Good thing I have a valid visa!

It feels so good to finally be following my heart. I know that this is where I need to be, and I'm thrilled to see where the rest of this trip takes me. 

Stay tuned--lots of pictures to come!