Greetings family, friends and internet stalkers!
Welcome to my blog documenting my summer in Hong Kong, which I’ll be departing for in exactly one week! Since this is my first real stab at blogging – and since I’m still here in America – here’s some background on me and my super fantastic trip :)
Born and raised in Maryland, I left the east-coast in 2004 for the mid-west and the University of Michigan (GO BLUE!) from which I graduated in 2008. Feeling restless and ambitious - an often dangerous and brilliant combination - I moved to Los Angeles to live a little and learn a lot, pursuing my master’s degree at the Annenberg School for Communication at USC. From starting at the Atlantic to eventually hitting the Pacific, there was only so much further to go before bouncing right out of the good ol’ US of A.
As I maintain that Acapulco spring break does not count as a foreign experience, I am now preparing for my first significant and substantial time abroad: I will be relocating with 10 classmates to Hong Kong from May-August. I am equal parts excited and terrified – my idea of adventure and risk has always gone something like this: camping in the backyard, drinking a large soda before going on a long car ride, eating questionable BTB leftovers. Hong Kong thereby qualifies as “big deal.”
I’ve been granted the tremendous opportunity to work with the Hong Kong Tourism Board in the public relations and communications department. (Check out the HKTB: http://discoverhongkong.com/usa/index.jsp) My classmates will be working at international PR agencies and news organizations, including Fleishman-Hillard, Hill&Knowlton, CNN and Reuters. When we’re done working in August, we’ll wrap-up our trip with a ten-day excursion through mainland China. (I’m told we get to hold baby pandas!) I hope to do a lot of traveling and exploring on the weekends and I’m planning trips to Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
Our experience will be guided by Annenberg adjunct prof. Mike Chinoy, a pretty amazing guy: he’s the former CNN Senior Asia Correspondent, in 1989 he helped broadcast Tiananmen Square to the world, and perhaps almost as important, he’s been a real trooper in dealing with my various anxieties and helping me to land a fantastic internship!
Hong Kong is a 12-hour time difference from the east-coast and a 15-hour time difference from the west-coast; my hope is that this blog can keep us a little more connected. I’ll be updating regularly with stories and pictures and other bits along the way and you can post comments or reply to my posts here too! My ultimate goal is to over-enthusiastically brag about my adventures and regale you lowly readers with my experience in what might be the most vibrant, exciting city on earth. Kidding, kidding. But, I imagine it wouldn’t be too difficult to achieve.
Huge thanks to my family, friends and Annenberg for all their support!
I will miss you all very much!
From the east-coast to the west-coast and now to the very far-east,
Love,
Rachel
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As always I am amazed at Rachel's ability to multi-task. We've spent the last week together hunting and gathering clothes, toiletries, books, and money, but, alas, no xanax. We've also caught up on a semester's worth of movies. Know it is going to be a great trip. Am jealous that she knows how to make this blog; even though she has explained it to me, I don't have a clue. Will also be extremely jealous of the baby panda holding. And fyi, there are no tigers or hippos in Hong Kong.
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited for you, Rachie! Love you. xoxo.
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a good flight, watching lots of movies, reading your book, and getting some sleep. Enjoy the HK airport and ride into town. Wish I could travel with you.
ReplyDeleteKaren has no idea how this works but she is super excited for her sister's trip! Hope the flight went smoothly and your first dim sum with the gang was delicious! Make sure to eat double for me lady!!! I love youuuuu xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteI love the family posts. Can I please join the Saffitz family??? I have good jokes!
ReplyDeleteI think my head seized up trying to process all of the incredible things you packed into just 2 days. It all sounds wonderful, with obviously a lot more to come. Grandma's not too keen on the whole bird poo thing either. And Janene, you are part of the family. Will have Rachel send me your email address and you'll be part of the JOTD group. We need some good jokes, I'm down to once a week, so make that the JOTW group. Love, Mom
ReplyDeleteWhile I am not surprised by the already amazingness of your trip, I am starting to feel really jealous that I am not there (minus the bird expedition for my obvious and lame fear of pigeons). I am so so so happy that you are getting settled and loving it, and call me again, since I missed you the first time!! I went to a Mets game tonight but I'll turn my skype on first thing tomorrow morning!! I love youuuu sister!!!!!! xoxoxoxoxo mwahhhhhh
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