Do you know the way to the Silk Road?

It's not common knowledge, but the way to China is through Rockford, IL. Well, for me at least, the Silk Road starts in the Land of Lincoln. I've spent almost a month here in sunny Rockford waiting to leave for Xi'an, China (home of the Terra Cotta warriors) and start my new position as the Trade Compliance Manager for a joint venture there. Imagine it like basic training before being deployed, only change the early morning workouts to early morning teleconferences and the daily drills to back-to-back-to-back meetings.

It's not bad though. Check out my temporary digs:

Main part of the studio room.

The kitchen--small, but nice marble countertops.

Essential for football season. The screen even swivels!