Late last year, I realized I was ready to escape the Pacific Northwest’s long rainy seasons after spending nine years there. I soon found myself considering — and being considered for — two very different job opportunities. One of them was this job, and it’s obvious how that turned out. The other was at the China Daily in Beijing, where a friend I’d worked with at The News Tribune in Tacoma had moved. Many elements of that job were appealing; my friend talked about the abundant travel opportunities, close-knit staff, good pay and ample time to see Asia. China has …