The first steps of a big adventure

Well, I can't believe its here.
Phoenix.
The mark of the beginning of a long journey full of adventure.
Its been a while since I've made an appearance here, so lets back track.
I want to be a professor.
I enjoy teaching. I also like flexibility in hours and dress. I tend to work hard and expect a pay to reflect this.
I don't particularly like children, so teaching middle and under is out of the question.
Its difficult to have flexibility in high school - you still have the 7 - 3 schedule.
In college, you wear what you want and teach a few classes, maintaining summer, winter, and in-between breaks.
And if you teach business, it easily pays six figures.
So I applied to graduate school. Specifically the International MBA program at the University of Memphis.
I know, I know. I don't branch out much in scholarly endeavors. Then again, look at all the traveling I did through my undergraduate degree with the school. Plus, its a really great school. And its affordable. And by affordable, I mean, they pay me to go there. Not bad.
They require 2 letters of recommendation. I e-mailed around, got my responses, except for one. The director of the hospitality school. He never answered.
The guy loves me. He constantly said I was a perfect choice for the Kemmons Wilson Scholars program and thoroughly enjoyed our trips together. He asked where I wanted to work when I got back from Orlando and made sure I got a job there.
So why didn't he answer?
Two weeks late he replied. And attached an excel document with around 50 hotels in China looking for interns in various positions under the IHG (Intercontinental Hotel Group) umbrella. He wrote, "I recommended you for these, how's your chinese?"
What?
Chinese? I don't speak Chinese. French, dude. My foreign language is French. I have no interest in going to Asia. Who cares about Asia?
"What the hell is wrong with you? You're young and dumb, go have an adventure."
Said the very old woman that worked with me.
Well, okay.
I applied to 5 Intercontinental hotels looking for an American Female in regions known for their high levels of english-speaking (thank you Google for your research assistance).
I got responses from all and interviews for 3. I told the director the one I had my eye on - a gorgeous new property in Suzhou (known for its gardens and canal system as well as its proximity to Shanghai). They also wanted a native english-speaker with a side of French or German. What a match.
My interview was at 3 in the morning. Yes, three AM. I got up and put on a suit and make up at 3 in the morning. I should have got the job just for showing up like that.
A week later I got the e-mail while I was on spring break in California.
I felt so sick.
Had I really done this?
But I could always turn it down and go to graduate school as planned.
Was I really going to turn down an international job to go to international business school?
I signed the contract and sent it back before I saw my family. I wanted to be sure it was my decision. No one else's.
They were devastated. My mom told me to never tell my kids they can go and do anything they want in the world, because they just may believe you.
And she's right.
No one else at that school took advantage of the opportunity. They were all too scared. Too scared to fail or encounter a different culture.
I refuse to let fear stop me from adventure.
I'm scared to death. And nauseated at times. But no adventure, no matter how large or small, hasn't been worth it.
Ever.
Not Paris.
Not Panama.
Not Mexico.
Not moving to Disney.
And neither will China.
So here I am. In Phoenix.
About to hang out and go backpack the grand canyon with my adventure boy. And then to California for more adventures.
And then Vancouver.
For a small layover before a 12 flight to Shanghai.
I'm glad I did this in increments.
When I left Tennessee this morning, it felt like just another trip to the west coast. Tears were minimal. Packing was not.
I feel as if it won't be until the day before that I start to feel it since we will be so busy adventuring. Or maybe I'm used to calming international and general new experience fears.
So now this blog will take another turn.
Documenting my adventures until June 11 when I take off, but also documenting what it is like for an American girl to work in China for 6 months as a management training intern.
I have NO idea what is in store. Information on business and social customs are minimal. So you're invited along for the ride as I find out the hard way.
For starters, I'm no history buff, so I've been reading Henry Kissinger's "On China." Its a thick read and I've yet to finish, but I promise to report back soon.
Well, I have a sun burn to catch.
Much love.