I LOVE SATURDAY

My schedule is very interesting.  This is not a normal 8-5 job, it is pretty much around the clock.  My mornings are the time I get for myself.  Here is a glimpse of my Saturday through pictures.

Bar Rouge sunrise.  Amazing views!

Brunch at Madison. 

THREE hour massage!


Off to work now!! 

MEXICO MEETS SHANGHAI

This week the Mexican Embassy put on an event called Pro Mexico at Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai.  And lucky me, Via Pacifica Selections was invited. They were showing what they are know for... TEQUILA!! As some of you might not know, we carry some spirits along with our wines.  Specifically, Germain-Robin Select Barrel XO.  This is one smooth brandy and is in one gorgeous bottle.

People might question how well tequila would do in China.  The Chinese taste buds love tequila.  It has a similar taste of their famous baijiu and tequila comes at a much better price.  I got to meet owners of some brands and sample some wonderful tequilas made from 100% agave. One of the vendors even gave me an entire bottle!  I am going to save it for a rainy day or a night out with friends.  Adios mi amigos!

MOSQUITO BITES, AHHH!

I've figured out why they love me so much here!

The Mosquitoes are wine snobs in China! 

LADIES NIGHT, PHYSICAL AND LUNCH WITH TING TING

I am going to cram three things I did into one blog post.  The reason why is because I crammed them all into 12 short hours!

Last night was Ladies Night at Velvet Lounge.  Ladies get complimentary mango or strawberry margaritas ALL NIGHT.  I had a great time and met some great people.

Rebecca (PR at Velvet) and Ken 

After a fun night, I had to get up bright and early for my physical which was 30 minutes away from my apartment.  To get a working visa in China, you must have a physical.  Yuki met me at the office to go with me.  It was a very interesting process.  There are about nine rooms and you bounce from one to another.  I made it through with minimal blood (just a little from them taking my blood).  I did not take pictures of this, because it was not very fun.

I was told not to eat before the physical. By the time Yuki and I got back to the office, I was starving.  I asked around the office (formal introduction blog about the Shanghai office employees coming soon) to see if anyone wanted to get some noodles.  Ting Ting was hungry too and we went to a local noodle spot.  It is amazing how cheap it is if you eat local cuisine.  I got duck soup for about $4USD and Ting Ting got noodles with shrimp for only $2.50USD.  They were absolutely amazing!

Ting Ting waiting for her noodles.

I am going to do a new poll soon (the one on the side bar).  Any suggestions would be great, leave it in the comment section! 

OH MY GROTH!!!

I wanted to do a special post to thank the President of my company, David Duckhorn, for leaving a treat in my apartment for my arrival.  Can you guess what it was?  My first bottle of wine in Shanghai! It was a wonderful bottle of 2008 Groth Chardonnay.  The wine was so fruity and crisp, which is nice during these hot months in Shanghai.  It was so delicious, I had a hard time resisting drinking it all at once (don't worry, I spread it out over a few nights).

The wine in my kitchen window. Killer view, huh?

酒, VINO, LE VIN, κρασί, WINE

I've been slacking on a major subject on my blog, WINE!

Some of our wines took home some medals at the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition.

Here are the winners:

Silver Medal - 2010 Manu Sauvignon Blanc and 2009 Manu Pinot Noir

Bronze Medal - 2009 Manu Pinot Gris and 2009 ETC Cabernet Sauvignon

Silver Medal (for Package and Design) - 2009 ETC Cabernet Sauvignon

 Big congrats to them!

Working in the wine industry is not so bad.  I get to sample all this wonderful wine, because you gotta know your product. Here I am studying the portfolio.

LOST IN TRANSLATION - CHINA and ME

While I am wandering lost in the language, streets and mass amount of people, I found something to make me smile.  
 
CIRCA 1999 - Remember the clothing we use to wear with Chinese characters on them?  Did we know what they said?  Nope! We were probably walking around with shirts that had silly words or phrases. Friends, we are not alone.
 
All over China I have seen shirts that make me giggle or just leave me flat out confused.  Sadly, I did not take photos of them (did not want to be rude).  Here are some examples of my favorite that I've seen:
 
"Happy Panda is always make pleasant" - matching shirts worn by mother and son (forgot to mentioned a lot of people like to match here)
"A fart a day keeps the wife away." - wore by a teenage boy
"I will get you sexed." - adult male
"Happiness is warm puppies." - Adult woman
"My frisky little boyfriend." (with a little happy face picture on it) - middle aged woman


This, I was able to take a photo of since it was not a living being. 

Don't worry friends, I have not had to check myself in yet.  I just saw this during my walk around town.  I am able to blog, so you will be hearing a lot more from me (and a lot more about wine). 

SO FAR, SO GOOD

I've made it to Shanghai!  I would have loved to post this a couple days ago, but blogspot is difficult to get onto here.  My sister is actually posting this for me (thanks Ash).  I am living right in the center of Shanghai. My apartment is awesome and actually really big. Big enough for some visitors.  Hint, hint. Photos to come...

I have not explored more than three blocks away from my apartment in fear of getting lost.  I also had my first grocery store experience (I'll save that for another post).  Off to bed.  If anyone wants to get in touch with me, email me at Kellyboysen@hotmail.com.  I can also see your comments on here through my email, so comment away.  Much love from Shanghai!

HAPPY B-DAY USA!

I had a great 4th of July weekend. I will be posting more once I get to China. I am too busy prepping to give more details. My flight leaves so soon!

THIS IS STARTING TO GET REAL...

As I'm packing, it finally hit me.  I am really moving to Shanghai. I will be on that plane in less than two days! Then I started thinking about what I am going to miss while I am there.  The list is never ending.  I will fill you guys in on a few major ones on my list:

•  Family and friends
•  Cheese, well... dairy in general. Remember, happy cows come from California
• Amazing California weather 
• My boyfriend  oh yeah, I don't have one of those
• Driving
• Youtube 
• Fresh San Francisco sourdough bread
• Mexican food - Especially, La Tapatia
• Lake Tahoe, Napa Valley, and San Francisco
• California wine  I definitely won't be missing that since I will have access to some of the best wine the state of California has to offer.

41 more hours until take off!! 

GOODBYE i365, HELLO VIA PACIFICA

Today I am leaving the cube life.  I just finished my last day at an amazing software company and I will truly miss the company and the people.  But look at the comparison of my work space:

Old 

New  (aka tasting room)

Which one would you choose? 

A LITTLE OFF TOPIC

I know this is a little off topic, but I want to share a great video from my recent trip to Europe.  I think the consumption of wine during this vacation gives it a right to be on the blog.  We went for my dear friend's wedding, in Wales, and I had the privilege to be the maid of honor.  We explored Amsterdam (best bachlorette party), Paris, a small town in Wales (for the wedding), Bristol and London.  Luckily my travel buddy Ernesto is an amazing photographer and put this video together for us.  Enjoy!