Beijing: Week 2

The first grocery haul...

Well, after a food-filled first week, the second week landed me in the office, working regular 9-5 shifts. While the job isn't (ahem) exactly what I thought it would be, Beijing has been kind to me.

The internet has been rough lately because of big government meetings, so this post is a bit late. Week three is almost over! But for my own sanity and, I'll recap last week (my birthday week!) and my introduction into the world of my new job at CCTV.

Birthday dinner and Ikea essentials...

It was largely uneventful, as far as a life abroad goes. Life admin mostly. I settled into an apartment, figured out my local grocery store, and spent a Sunday afternoon at Ikea watching the wonderment that is Chinese people in Ikea. They treat the entire place like a living museum. It's like watching adults playing house and then lining up with impossibly long waits for meatballs. I can't wait to go back.

I'm trying not to buy too much stuff, but groceries are so interesting and cheap, so I don't hold back too much. The squid-flavored chips were mandatory. Peanut butter is non-negotiable. 

I can't not have coffee...

Coffee, as well, is not something I'll shy away from even if it's a bit on the pricey side. I can eat a very hearty bowl of noodles for the price of an americano, but hey, dems the breaks. I've discovered Luckin, the Chinese rival to Starbucks, as well as a place that serves up hot and cold brew in these gals reusable flasks (thanks to my Aussie pal Anna). My little French press gets a workout every morning as well.

Things are moving forward, in a matter of speaking. We'll see what happens next...