I moved back to the Bay Area last Sunday, and started my new job the next day. My boss has been nice and asked me to take it slow, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that he really wants me to take over a lot of the stuff he's been having to do with this account that is now mine to own. It's in a way exciting for me, as I own the P&L. Let's see if I can deliver against the target. Might not be easy, as I'm new to my employer and to this account at the same time, and on top of that I have moved across the Pacific and am surrounded by boxes in my place...

Well, I came back married. But my wife won't be able to join me until after the Chinese New Year, probably in early March. She's got her commitments to her employer that she's keeping, and I respect that. I just don't want us to be apart for too long, after all we just got married less than a year ago. I wanted to tell her that I miss her here, but I know this site is blocked by the Great Chinese Firewall.

Now that I'm alone again I start to appreciate my life in Shanghai, where I didn't have to worry about any housework or food at all. But the weather is nice here, and the McDonald's is just across the street, where I got myself a breakfast today.

Jetlag is still bothering me, and next week I'll need to start really taking charge of the account.

I'm back in the Bay Area this week on vacation, an overdue one I would say. Working in Greater China during the last 9 months or so has been interesting, but it has also taken off about 15 lb from me. A lot of stress. I'm not sure if it was due to the global economic slowdown, or the Chinese culture. Maybe both. The team I manage has hit its quota in all 3 quarters since I started, but I don't want anybody to be killed over work (obviously).

Since I landed yesterday morning, I have been able to get a few things sorted out, like reinstating my auto insurance, getting my American Express Costco rebate coupon electronically applied, and applying for another Chinese visa. Talking about the Chinese visa, it now takes 6 working days instead of 4, so I will get it barely before I leave for Shanghai again.

I also signed a new property management with my agent, as my current tenants have recently taken advantage of the housing slump and closed escrow on a house in the same town. My agent said the rental market has cooled a bit recently, probably because more people can afford to buy now.

Tomorrow morning I'll be heading over to Vegas to join my wife, and to catch up with some Texas Hold'em. A few buddies of mine will be there as well. I'm looking forward to it (and to hitting some gigantic jackpot thereby achieving financial security.)

China has been extremely sensitive towards the swine flu (H1N1 as it's now referred to as). I wouldn't be surprised if I were required to be quarantined when I land in PVG in about a week. We'll see. It'll be the last month in the current quarter for us, not the best time to be out of pocket for 7 days...