Cloudy in Beijing Blogging about my time in China

Don’t stop believin’

Life is crazy.

Stuff just happens. And often times it can leave you blown out of your mind.

I've always told people I wanted to be a foreign correspondent working in China. But I didn't really think it was going to happen, what with the newspaper industry dying and all.

It's been frustrating at times. One of my main goals in coming to China was to be a journalist. But it's been more akin to living like a struggling artist. When I first came to Beijing last September I was a freelancer. The work was both hard, and the pay extremely low. The worst part was when I looked at the great works other journalists in China were doing. I couldn't help but feel inferior and out my league.

In February I decided to begin looking for permanent jobs China, hoping to find something related to journalism. Four months later I had come away with only a handful of job interviews, and the growing sense that my goal was a bit too out of reach. (Finding a real job, aside from English teaching, can be tough in China.) And though I kept looking for freelancing opportunities, my energies and motivation felt sapped. I don't like giving up, but admittedly I felt pessimistic about my career.

Part of me wanted to throw in the towel.  At the very least I had done my best, and published a good deal of articles as freelancer. In that sense I had already completed my goal of being a journalist. I could walk away happy.

But then something amazing happened. My mom, of all people, urged me to apply for a journalism job she found online. It was to be a Beijing Correspondent covering the IT industry. I had already seen the ad before, but I just got the feeling I wasn't good enough for the position. I had applied to dozens of other jobs and not even received a reply from those companies. I didn't feel like wasting anymore of my time.

But still, I applied, just to make my mom happy. It only took a few minutes.

Immediately, I got a reply back. The company was interested and wanted to set up some interviews. I had journalism experience and I knew the Chinese language. Apparently, I was a really good candidate for this position.

Then a week later, they offered me the job.

OMG!!!

I still can't believe it.

So now I'm going to be a real foreign correspondent. I feel so lucky! A few days ago I wrote my first article for them.

I want to thank all the people who have helped me get to where I am today. I'm not sure if anyone reads my blog, especially since my post count has dropped in recent months. But I still wanted to write something.

Thanks Mom and Dad for always giving me a helping hand, even though you guys are thousands of miles away. I also have to thank my bros back in Oregon for cracking me up all the time and giving me company online. Also thanks to all my journalism pals for their encouragement. And thanks to past teachers and past roommates for all their good advice.

And thank you China. When I decided to come to this place two years ago, I had no idea where it would take me. But this journey has gone above and beyond what I could have imagined. It's corny to say this. But yes, dreams do come true.

(Also, thanks Chloe Q!)