Waiting.

Well, I've been sick with the flu for the past 9 days so I may as well take this time to write more about my upcoming adventure in China.  Since my recorded materials were accepted I have been in and out of contact with Mr. Gibson, Ms. Chen Lin (an assistant conductor to Mr. Yu Feng, prinicpal conductor of the Central Opera Orchestra and my future boss), and Mr. Yu Feng's assistant, Ms. Wang Xin Yi. Everyone keeps telling me to be patient and that everything will be sorted out in due time... am I the only person who has ever asked for a contract?  I'm am still very excited, however, and I can't wait to mull over the details of my employment.  I think what frustrates me the most is the fact that they haven't told me where I'll be living or what the repertoire will be.  I looked over the website for the performing arts center (http://www.chncpa.org/n457779/index.html)  and found out that if I get their by March, I will play Carmen and Tosca (my favourite opera!!!), but I have no idea about the orchestral rep. 

Hopefully my good friend and colleague, Pam Kiesling, will sign a contract as co-principal with the orchestra and we will move to Beijing and rent an apartment together; she is also waiting to hear details about the job.  What I do know for sure is that I will not work over 30 hours a week, and I am guarenteed 8 days off per month.  I was told that the orchestra will pay for my flight and also give me accomodations until a suitable apartment is found in the area.  I am very happy about this.

About a week ago (perhaps 3 or 4 days into my disease-filled, bed-ridden, sloth-like state) I ordered a massive amount of carry-out from China Food on West McMillan Street in Cincinnati.  The owner of the restaurant was very kind when I told her I was moving to Bejing and she gave me the phone number and e-mail address of friends who could help me start out once I was in China.  The kind woman also gave me a free 2-liter of Pepsi.  I plan on returning to China Food many times, and buying this woman a gift.  The amount of kindness in this world never ceases to amaze me, nor do I ever take it for granted. 

So, back to where I began: waiting. I hope I don't seem pushy to my future employers, but I think I'm not crazy when I say that moving 11,000 miles to another country isn't a small deal... in fact, I'd say it's rather huge. Like that whale Pinocchio got swallowed by.  HUGE. I bought another giant suitcase so that I will have two pieces of checked luggage when I go... I should be able to get my performance clothes, workout gear, bedsheets, towels and everyday stuff into China that way.  They better have an awesome gym with a not-ridiculously-expensive membership.  Since I'm 6'1'', do you think I'll fit on their ellipticals???  haha. Just kidding. Hopefully. 

Also, if any of my fans reading this blog know of any Chinese men over the height of 5'11, would you let me know?  I'm not shallow, but I do have standards for (as my brother so often says) "logistical reasons." 

Okey dokey... I'll write more later.  If you'll simply excuse me, I have a hot date with Yogi echinacea tea, and then a midnight rendezvous with Nyquil (only the Kroger brand "Nite Time" because it was $3.99 instead of $12...thank god).

~Cecilia