Julia Jalo

My year has been very surprising and full of new experiences, new friends and outlooks.

In January I went to the Philippines to renew my visa. I had just finished one project and really needed a new job. I really did not have an idea about my current job when snorkeling in the clear waters of the Philippines. A serious work opportunity arose sooner than I expected from a direction that really surprised me. My friend recommended me to a company that very soon indicated they were interested in hiring me. I decided to take the job to have the opportunity to work in China.

Things were proceeding slowly but steadily to arrange my work visa. I was preparing to make a trip to Hong Kong to change the visa status when I got sad news from Finland: my father had passed away. I needed to leave for Finland.

The visa procedure was very slow and I had to stay in Finland for one and a half months. It was nice to see a glimpse of the Finnish spring and participate in the baptism of my cousin’s son. Because of the delay I got a chance to spend a week with my goddaughter.

Finally, at the end of April everything was ready and I was to fly back to China for the new job at the insurance company. It was hard to leave since this time I wasn’t sure when I could return, but at the same time I was excited and anxious to meet my new colleagues and learn about the new job. Since I have started working in Beijing, I have totally learned about a new branch of business from scratch. My colleagues are all Chinese, so my Chinese has also improved. More than that, I have learned a whole new vocabulary of this branch of the business.

Time has really passed with incredible speed; in a moment I had already worked for eight months, a whole summer, an autumn and a part of the winter. From day to day I have adjusted, tolerating traveling with the crowds on the metro in the mornings. I’ve gotten used to buying my breakfast on the street corner on my way to the office. I have sung Happy Birthday in Chinese at least every two weeks to my colleagues on their birthdays. We have had company dinners and outings on several occasions. I have learned to let loose and have fun with colleagues outside the office. We have played water war on a lake, we have sung karaoke and danced in the discos in Sanlitun. We have had farewell dinners and welcoming dinners for colleagues leaving and arriving.

As a highlight of the year I got a role in a play at the company’s annual party. Rehearsing for it was so funny, but also a good chance to better know some of my colleagues. Our show at the party was a success and we earned praise from all of our colleagues. That was really fun!

Work is not all in one’s life, so I have started going to the gym, running, dancing and lifting weights. I think I might never have been able to run so long as I can do now. I have been really healthy and did not get a single cold after coming to China. It must have something to do with the new healthy lifestyle. The year also included some traveling, although a bit less than before. This year I did some day trips from Beijing, for example to Fangshan, Shunyi, Cuandixia, Xuanhua and one longer trip to Huludao. I did not forget to party either; I was partying hard whenever there was something to celebrate.