2010: A Retrospective

(As inspired by another Qi Zhai column in China Daily)

Top 10 Highlights of 2010

(in no particular order)

1. Welcoming the newest (though not for long) member of my family and becoming his godmother.
2. Gathering up the courage (and realizing I'd regret it if I didn't) to jump off the cliff at McCloud Waterfalls with my friends.
3. Meeting (more) people from all across the world that I otherwise might never have had the chance to interact with.
4. Being able to meet up with family and friends I hadn't seen in a while, including a particular family friend who I hadn't seen in over ten years.
5. Starting this blog and actually keeping up with it.
6. Following the San Francisco Giants as they proved the naysayers wrong and went on to win their first SF World Series title.
7. Realizing that there's no 'correct' path to take after college graduation and that it's ultimately up to me to choose what my next step is.
8. Deciding to come to China to study for a year, despite knowing I was bound to feel homesick sooner or later.
9. Starting to get a real grasp on written and spoken Mandarin.
10. And finally, being able to adapt to life in China, although not without some help and some struggles of my own.

Perhaps in hindsight, it wasn't the most exciting year (though my life has never been what people would call 'exciting'), but a good one nonetheless. Now onward to see what 2011 has in store for me....

PS. I'm curious to know what your 2010 highlights are. If you want to share, e-mail me or put them in the comments!

Tears of Joy.

That's right, THE GIANTS WON THE WORLD SERIES!! Finally, SF has a world series title to call their own.

Sadly though, I had class this morning so I couldn't follow the game online, although I was sorely tempted to skip. Upon returning to my room though and finding out, I'll admit I shed a few tears of joy.

Who would've thought  at the beginning of this year that the Giants would go all the way? Not many. Regardless, that's the beauty of sports. So go ahead and celebrate San Francisco, it's definitely long-over due. I'd give anything to be there now myself.

But since I can't, I'll celebrate here on my own in Beijing (where no one I've met follows baseball).

PS. For those of you who couldn't care less about baseball, you'll be happy know that the World Series marks the end of the baseball season in the United States. After today, there shouldn't be any more baseball-related posts. Well..at least maybe not until the spring agian.

So long Giants! Amazing job this year and we'll see you again in 2011!

If you think baseball is boring...

here's why it's not: SF Giants' riveting approach just can't be called baseball

See? You were just rooting for the wrong team the entire time.

And for those of you who could care less about baseball, I promise more China-related posts will be coming soon. Sorry for the delay, I was unexpectedly swamped with homework this week.

Until then, GO GIANTS!

Guess who's off to the World Series..

That's right. The San Francisco Giants. Last night (this morning for me), the Giants beat the Phillies 3-2 to win the National League Pennant and a trip to the World Series.

Too bad I'm not home to feed off of all the excitement that I'm sure is buzzing around the Bay Area right now. Regardless...

Go Giants!