LONGITUDE & LATITUDE

A beautiful paradox

2009-06-12T01:43:00.004+08:00

Can Tibetan buddhists run a profitable retreat centre?

I am having an interesting time staying on a beautiful archipalego which is the Tibetan buddhism retreat centre where Aron is helping out. It is a lovely small island with great nature, a few little cute houses and good meditation facilities. However, it is struggling with few business deals right now due to recession, etc.

I can't help but wonder if being a hard core buddhist goes along with running a profitable retreat centre and where is the balance really. As a rational business woman, it is not too difficult to consider being financially sustainable is the foundation of spreading buddhism. However, if we identify the bottomline as being financially sound, will we be able to achieve the result of spreading buddhism? What customer will we attract? What program will we provide? It is obvious that things won't work out on the contrary either.

So how to achieve the appropriate balance? Is this also a challenge to social enterprises today? If it is a hugely profitable business, then how much shall we invest back in community development to ensure the sustainability of the business itself? Then our focus is on improving the community or sustaining the business thought these two seem to form a positive viscious cycle already.

I guess the real answer comes from practices - continuously failing, learning and improving

Where would I like to live?

2009-06-12T00:06:00.003+08:00

This is the question from the language test I took today (in order to qualify for my company's transfer program). Though the question was to test my grammar, logic, vocabulary and fluency, it took me at least 1 min before I could come up with an answer. For people who know me well, 1 min is probably the longest time period I can take to think before I open my mouth. So I decide to think more about this question and write a blog entry. =)

The answer I had then was China considering I have lived in 3 countries and visited 29. Come to think more of it now, more accurately it should be Beijing, despite the fact that I am a born & brought-up Shanghainese.

First of all, guaranteed that I want to live in China now because I want to create a big social impact and there is nowhere else more relevant. Meanwhile, regardless how much I love Europe and feel fascinated each time going back here (in Stockholm now), I would like to live somewhere with a bit more chaos and challenges in daily life right now.

Why Beijing particularly? My 3 month project in Beijing has confirmed my love for the city. Of course, biz trips make living in a city easier than it should be. Nevertheless, it was wonderful to meet my old AIESEC friends who compose such a diverse group: entrepreneurs, NGO workers, foreign expats, Chinese who lived overseas, students, artists, etc.

Beijing also strikes me with how much it can offer: listened to Carmen in the National Grand Theatre and I couldn't imagine Carmen to be anyone other than the actress; watched 2 plays of a famous director in a small theatre - one echoed with my all time courage for love and career choices, the other amused me with their insightful jokes on social issues in China; had a few drinks on the roof-top terrace of a small design boutique hotel called "The Emperor" where you get stunned by view of the forbidden city; walked around the forbidden city area including its gardens, parks and lakes where I encountered old groups doing a choir or playing table tennis outdoor; had a delicious late night supper of Sichuanese food (spicy frogs and crayfish) with my Korean colleagues in a small shady restaurant on the street full of red lanterns after a couple of drinks...

So after all, it wasn't too difficult to come up with an answer. What's left is to go for what I really want: the city, the career and the life!

Proud of my hippy friends!

2009-01-06T19:09:00.004+08:00

I came to feel lucky than ever because of the friends I have made through all these years in AIESEC. They are truly extraordinary and worldly people who I respect and want to learn from very much.

Minji (who I got to know due to her business trip to Beijing in 2003 during her internship with DHL HK) recently made a trip to Cambodia with a friend of hers. Prior to their departure, they made a huge effort to ask for donations from their friends to bring them to the kids in Cambodia. This Saturday they are organizing an experience sharing night with all their friends after the trip. I have travelled to many places. I have also committed to good courses. Combining these two is really a smart innovation.

In coincidence to that, I received a wedding invitation today from another 2 friends who are a true AIESEC couple: Rohit Sathe and Carol Yeo. They suggested to all their friends that instead of buying them a gift, we can make a donation to under-priviliged kids' education. How cool is that?! When most Chinese take wedding ceremony as a way to earn money...

I am keen to see what new ideas will pop out from them next. Pround and feeling lucky!

Feel for India!

2008-11-27T22:25:00.003+08:00

This is one of those days that I hate to watch BBC but still keen to know what's going on.

India is a country that I have visited 3 times and spent altogether 7 weeks. I am absolutely fascinated by its rich culture and rich diversity. Though I read a lot and a lot about India, even wrote my graduation thesis about its economic development. Yet, I am afraid that I don't understand her enough when terrorist attacks stroke.

It is heart-broken for me to see that it is punished for its diversity and freedom. I really want to understand WHY?! Though I am sure that Indians stand up quickly from such incidents because they need to continue with life. I love their spirits and I really hope for peace to be with such an amazing country.

Does marriage matter?

2008-11-22T16:58:00.003+08:00

I am trying to figure out if getting registered for marriage does matter or not. Based on what you decide that you want to get married instead of living together? What significant difference it really makes?

There was a conversation between me and 2 engaged guys (both getting married soon) today. It sounded like the most natural thing to do after some time of being together with a girl. But if I am sure that Aron is the person that I want to spend my life with, why do I have to marry him? What will be different on the first day after the "big day" - really curious about it! I should email Vero!

If two people consider marriage as a life long commitment, then taking the vow is certainly a big milestone for their relationship. I am wondering how those in an unmarried long-term relationship VS a marriage feel differently about their relationships and their beloved ones.

I guess this can be a good panel discussion topic for "world cafe" type of sessions by having different cultures presenting their views on marriage. I would love to host it!

Totally amazed by Orwell's brilliance

2008-11-17T21:27:00.003+08:00

If Aron didn't insist, I wouldn't have bought "1984" which is an extremely brilliant book, even better than "animal farm". So what I love the most of its brilliance?

The way Orwell described the essence of democracy in that "secret book" composed by O'Brian diguised by "Brotherhood". The idea was that basically in every society there is a very small group of powerful elites. Democracy is the process of the mass "middle class" striving to enjoy the same level of rights and power as the elites.

So what if there isn't a big enough middle class? I believe they still want to enjoy the rights of the elites. But that wouldn't be a movement for democracy. So what happens when "the bottom of the pyramid" wants to have more rights? Is that called "terrorism" in today's world?

The 2nd brilliance was how the Big Brother party was maintaining its ruling position in the country: to convert and control its middle class to the level that they cannot be united to turn against the powerful elites. And the vulnerable poor is not even in the game.

So I cannot help thinking of my own country: it does make sense to grow our economy and grow more people into middle class; at the same time, I feel cold-hearted. The emerging middle class in China is not those will unite to earn more rights for themselves or the pool. They are enjoying being superior to the poor - the class they came from. They are not enlightened enough to understand their responsibilities. They are "educated" to be apathetic. And the growing economy is keeping them content of what they can have. Sounds a bit like a vicious cycle to me though I believe and strongly hope the landscape is going to improve with time.

1984 is simply a very insightful, forward looking and enlightening book. I just want to share my stimulated thoughts here. And hope to hear yours as well.

Sweden now feels like home =)

2008-10-08T21:49:00.003+08:00

With the week-long national holiday, I went to Sweden between Sept 28th and Oct 5th. I met most of my closest friends and colleagues during my internship time. And visited Aron's parents again and spent some lovely time walking in the woods, chatting next to the fire and playing WII in front of the TV...

It was such a great visit for one BIG reason - I felt Sweden was home, especially Stockholm. I love everything about it: how clean and beautiful it is, cheap but great fashion, nice restaurants and yummy Swedish food, cultures and events, most importantly I have good friends there who I can connect with!

I spent my lunches and dinners meeting people. So great to catch up with all of them. It felt like I wasn't away for a year - so natural to reconnect, to update each other of our current being, to joke and laugh together!

I spent most of the time between lunches and dinners walking around the city. Summer just ended and winter hasn't come yet. Autumn is the season I didn't experience when I was living in Stockholm - very very beautiful with leaves turning into red and yellow, forming various shades of colors everywhere. And I definitely miss being in a city so clean, so pretty and so small that I feel excited to walk everywhere.

In between the walks, there were a lot of shopping activities. My favorite shopping area is still T-centralen then Kungstragarden then walking towards Ostermalm. I can find all the main stream brands there. However, there are 2 shops I really love and it was my first time there: NK (the premium department store under Bain's office in Stockholm) and Monki (a funky casual wear shop on Gotgatan). I still feel that I haven't shopped enough when I was there. LOL

I felt more relaxed being at Aron's parent's place. I love being with them because they are calm, relaxed and great conversationists. They are always very keen to know how everything is with me and my parents. Also they speak naturally and casually about how things are going with their lives, even their work, their friends and relatives. More and more, Aron and me started to share their passion - forests. (Both of them are forest experts who have studied and been working on this throughout their career.) We always had educational forest walks. =)

Such a strange and amazing feeling about Sweden even surprised myself. I guess I am a bit tired of China after being here for a year already. And I have got used to the life style of moving to different places every year. I am also keen to find out if Stockholm can really be the place that I want to settle down. I hope to be able to test that out in a not-too-far future.

An "outdated" update

2008-08-31T23:46:00.001+08:00

I haven't blogged for quite some time - on one hand, I didn't have enough time to catch up with the pace of life, on the other hand, I wasn't diligent enough in reflecting and sharing my inspirations.

In general, I am doing better and better right now compared to months back. I started to feel motivated and capable at work. I started to enjoy hanging out with my colleagues which has been an issue for a while (I'll explain why later). Shenzhen (I am now on a case in Shenzhen for 6-7 months) is a quite boring city. However, work has been keeping me busy from noticing it. =)

Aron has recently moved back to Stockholm which was very sad for both of us. However, this relationship has been growing stonger as well as both of us growing with the relationship. So we are coping with the distance and time difference pretty well so far.

What lacks the most so far are AIESEC (or similar kind of) friends who I can meet up to have an interesting and inspiring discussion about life, love, family, sustainability, humanity, etc. Too often I felt like speaking to a wall when I raise some of the topics to my colleagues. I also felt a little bit embarrassed as if I was showing off my knowledge and exposure. I feel intellectually lonely sometimes.

Since life is not perfect, I am focusing on the positive sides and try to make the most out of it. I still read (though much less than before), meditate (also less frequently) and do sports (I can swim better and better now!). And on a Sunday like this (alone in the hotel in Shenzhen), I got more time to think and connect to friends who are far away.

Signing out...

Inspired and Energized

2008-05-12T08:32:00.003+08:00

My weekends are more fun, more active and inspiring than my working days. I participate in Rotaract Shanghai, co-organize a Social Enterprise Business Planning workshop series at Fudan University, spend time with my parents, read and catch up with friends.

This past weekend was particularly good. At the social enterprise biz planning, we started to present various ideas around various issues: aging population, education problems, environmental problems, social innovation, etc. Some of us was creative and down-to-earth with their ideas and plans. It would be cool to join them and start my own social entrepreneurial experiences.

Then I met 2 young entrepreneurs who are running an education business - sending high school students all over China to NYC, US for a mini UN assembly conference. Meaningful and profitable. I especially admire their courage to do it on their own instead of pursuing a conventional career path. One of them was MCP China 2 years after my term. One of them gave up his i-banker job after 1.5 years.

I might be in touch with an extremely small population of youth in China who are courageous and exposed. Anyhow, this is a very encouraging signal. With AIESEC rolling out bigger and bigger in this country, with the social entreprise business planning workshop series rolling out in more big cities in China, we can make a difference in this generation!

New Trends for Poverty Alleviation

2008-04-15T16:37:00.001+08:00

What to do when you build a school but the locals don’t see education important? What to do when you give poor people jobs then they continue to be alcoholic and gamblers? How can we make poverty reduction work effective?

I have recently finished the book ‘Banker to the Poor’ by the Nobel Peace Price Laureate 2006 Muhammad Yunus and went for a study trip to Manila for their famous national movement – Gawad Kalinga. There are a few similarities crucial to successful poverty reduction work that I drew from both practices.

1. First of all, we need to transform the values of the poor (or create buy in). They should not be seen as beneficiaries or recipients. They need to believe and feel empowered that their life can be improved significantly.
2. We need to create a community of the poor who can share the new values and support each other. Social/peer pressure can help them to persevere in changing their lives.
3. We need to address more than one problem at once: education, health care, information system, housing, livelihood, etc. Because if they become financially improved, we don’t want to see them falling back to their old life style if they were into gambling, drinking, violence, etc. Instead, they should go into more and more areas to overall improve their entire being.

I hope this can give some inspiration to the CSR projects of the companies to make the communities they operate truly sustainable.

Ironically Regulated!

2008-04-15T16:34:00.002+08:00

The Ministry of Civil Affairs has recently given specific instructions to some ‘NGOs’ to not have Chinese nationalities in the club. I cannot help finding this particular action very ironic.

1. We all know NGOs officially don’t exist in China due to lacking registration process. Then how can the MCA regulate an entity doesn’t even exist?!
2. For those NGOs who will follow such a ‘specific instruction’, they are probably not those who aim at pushing for changes. Thus from the government’s point of view, it should be harmless for them to involve the Chinese. On the other hand, those NGOs who are determined to serve their mission wouldn’t necessarily be bothered by such an order. So what is the point?

How do TVs in buses reflect our culture?

2008-03-11T21:26:00.003+08:00

I started to notice that I get very very annoyed by the TVs on buses lately: the sound is very loud, people on the bus cannot choose what to receive, there is too much propaganda and bullshit going on. I cannot help to think: we are a civilization being told what to do and how to obey for 2500 years. This TV is really just a natural channel of spreading more propaganda.

I have more reasons to take subways now! =)

Migrant School Visits

2008-02-24T10:57:00.004+08:00

With Rotaract, I visited 2 migrants schools at the outskirt of Shanghai yesterday. The visit intriguer-ed some more investigation on google about it. Interestingly, on the google page, the western media and the Chinese media say the opposite things regarding the migrant school issue in China.

Through the visit yesterday, I learnt a few interesting things:

1. One migrant school can make about 10-20k EUR profit a year, given the fact that a small amount of kids cannot pay the tuition (100 EUR/year) some times. A school has about 750 kids which makes up to about 70k EUR of annual revenue, assuming some kids cannot pay. The school is making such a big profit while: 1) kids are provided with limited facilities to have sports games; 2) teacher vs kids ratio is about 50:1 and most classes have about 50-60 students. I start to wonder the intention of those people funded the schools, why teachers are not paid and trained properly and why kids cannot enjoy better facilities?

2. Migrant schools are not allowed to offer education beyond primary school level, as a government's regulation. So if they want to pursue a higher degree, they have to go back to their home province, while their parents are being migrant workers working away from their hometowns. Obviously, local governments wouldn't want to share the burden of citizens not from their territories. As long as China wants to base its economic growth on mass production, there will be migrant workers. Thus there needs a solution towards their kid's education because: 1) they deserve equality to access opportunities; 2) education is probably the best way to move a person out of poverty entering middle class in China since it gives the opportunity to go to a big city, study in a good university and find a well-paid job.

Clearly removing the issue itself is beyond Rotaract's reach though we can improve the situation a little bit. I am personally frustrated not being able to tap into the fundamentals of this issue, like many other issues in China. This once again has shown that: a centrally governed change is not sustainable. We are constantly stuck in the structural problems while making shortsighted moves. We intend to achieve economic growth and poverty alleviation through mass production. Mass production leads to a huge rush of migrant workers, which leads to a huge disparity of development levels between the coastal cities and inland areas. How can our billion population fit into the 10-20 developed cities? And how long can China maintain its world factory position in order to maintain the poor as cheap labors?

I will propose my thoughts on the solutions next time.

Why doesn't China's public sphere work?

2008-02-24T10:30:00.003+08:00

Chinese distinguish very much between what is within the private and public sphere and the attitude can be very extreme. We treat those inside the private sphere caring and selfish-less, while those outside of it, incredibly rude and careless. This disheartened me very much thinking of having a life here.

I can think of a few reasons leading to this phenomenon:

1. Lack of spiritual practice to guide us towards moral behaviors
2. Disproportionated opportunity vs population which leads everyone sees everyone else as a competitor in one way or another: it can be a promotion in the office or a seat in the subway
3. Huge insecurity caused from private property turned public overnight as well as other revolutionary changes

It is not a hopeless situation thought it'll take a few generations to reverse the mentality. It also has a lot to do with securing the rights of the individuals rather than the bigger group, regardless of the nice excuses (aka propaganda) we have been told all the time.

The question comes to - if I see any light? I am afraid not yet.

Passion without Brain = ?

2008-02-02T09:29:00.000+08:00

I have been in touch with some grassroot NGOs in China 3-4 years ago. Now I returned to Shanghai trying to build up capacity for some NGOs - once again, they shocked me with their inefficiency and randomness. China's NGOs face a lot of challenges here, especially lacking government support and talent supply.

Yesterday I was forwarded a proposal getting 2000EUR grant from a fund with an idea like this: The primary purpose is to improve the disadvantaged position of immigrant worker's kids in Shanghai. And the approach is to give cameras to 200 immigrant worker's kids, ask them to go take pictures, and then publish those pictures as books and hopefully to raise some awareness through selling the books.

To me, that sounds like the most illogical thing ever heard! How does that improve the bad situation of those kids? Is it a burning need to teach them how to use cameras?! Which capitalist (a.k.a. the rich) will want to symbolically buy those books in support of immigrant worker's kids? Wouldn't their money have a better use other than this?!

This example is merely a waste of money, nothing more than that. There can be projects with a good intension: e.g. clean water for villagers, but doesn't necessary generate a long-term sustaianble impact and probably destroy the layers of eath, etc.

These things frustrate me about the civil society in general. At such moments, I always feel happy that an organization like AIESEC is producing young leaders with passion and knowledge to make a difference, which is badly needed in this country though not necessarily welcomed by some authorities, needless to mention names here.

For me personally, I hope to grow my brain with BAIN. Then further my learning through studies and practices in unpreviliged parts of the world. The challenge is to maintain the passion while working for a caplitalism sturrer! :P

Is it Deng Xiaping who created two distinct generations of China

2008-01-30T16:12:00.000+08:00

My parents' generation is unique: they were born in the great famine (1950s), had to stop school due to cultural revolution (1966-76), and in early 90s suffered from 'the great lay-off' brought by economic reform. The purpose of their lives is always with other people: firstly they lived for me, then for my grandparents, now for me again.

Here is how my generation (born in 80s) is shaped: being spoied by parents and grandparents as a single kid, given financial support until end of university, (not everyone but) I got enlightening exposure through AIESEC and commenced my international career, now I have a Swedish boyfriend.

My parents couldn't understand my choices since I graduated though they support me whole-heartedly. Partly they want the best for me, partly they don't feel equipped enough to understand AIESEC and my ambitions. Now with an international relationship and my desire for international experiences, I brought more worries and uncomprehensible to them.

On the other side, I am ecouraging my parents to adopt some hobbies: to not focus their attention on me, also to enjoy the next 20-25 years of their life. They are learning a bit of English. And I will take them to travel abroad. Meanwhile, I am also trying to figure out, how I can take care of them when they cannot walk, cook and excercise.

It is almost funny how China has these 2 generations who have very different access towards opportunities thus have drastically different experiences. I don't think I am an extreme or exception. However, I really need to share ideas and support from others who face similar challenges. Maybe I should start a club called 'Bridge the divide of born in 50s and 80s'.

Source of energy

2008-01-27T12:31:00.000+08:00

Once again, I was invited to speak, of course by AIESEC, at its alumni event and national conference. I am always energized being with AIESEC - guess now it is my comfort zone. Being involved in another 2 NGOs, I still strongly feel no organization runs like AIESEC which engages and develops its members so much.

Now I am working on GMAT and waiting to be on board. I feel I need to force myself to open the GMAT book to study. I also feel scared of long working hours once I start.

This makes me wonder, I have not been fully charged with energy and inspiration ever since I finished AIESEC back July 2006. What is wrong with me now? Either I am trying to adapt to the world outside of AIESEC? Either I have not found what I am truly passionate about? Or both? Maybe I am overly negative now and should just wait and see once it starts.

On the other hand, I really dream about studying again - maybe MBA, maybe development science. And go into the field of poverty alleviation based on BOP theories. I can feel how much I will be driven by such a mission. And hopefully this long-term plan can well motivate me for my next 2 year's of work life.

The feeling of incompletedness

2008-01-23T11:55:00.000+08:00

I recently made a new friend called Jonathan Rowe, American, on the ambassadorial scholarship from Rotary Club studying international politics for 1 year in Shanghai. Last night, invited by him, I went to the Rotary Club weekly dinner. Honestly speaking, nothing was very impressive: a bunch of successful business people or entrepreneurs who appear too superior and important to spend their time contributing to the community, thus they donate.

Close to the end, Jonathan made a presentation about who he is with the story of hiking the appalachian trail for 5 months, which shook me! I have always had this slight arrogant feeling that, being a 25 yr old Chinese my life experience is richer than many others. I am also proud of who I am, what I believe and grateful towards what experiences have shaped me. Last night, I had the feeling of incompleteness:

There are always things that we want to do but for many 'practical (or bullshit) reasons', we never really did it. Keyue (one of my good friends in Shanghai) told me over lunch yesterday, she would like to take a 9 month break next year to study spanish fulltime and volunteer in West China. One of the partners from BAIN's Shanghai office is taking 6 month leave to hike in the Himalaya. These are fantastic ideas because we have much to gain through those experiences - follow our heart while our conscience is not taken away yet by our daily routine, be with ourselves, reflect and recharge ourselves, etc.

Another reason to feel incomplete is that though I have been to many countries, both extremely developed and poor, I am unsure that I can be that close to the nature and only be with myself for that much time. I am also extremely curious - how that will shape me?

All in all, I drew some new inspiration from my friends yesterday. I feel really grateful because these people help me to keep searching and enriching the meaning of my life.

Reverse cultural shock is over?

2008-01-21T23:29:00.000+08:00

After visiting 5 cities mostly for the 1st time, I realized that I wouldn't want to live anywhere else other than Shanghai in Mainland China. This is a fresh idea to me despite being born and brought up in this city. I used to be a big fan for Beijing though I have only spent 1 year of my life there. I guess eventually it is all about what adventures I am going through and where my family and friends are.

I realized that I do not feel horrified by the traffic that much nor am I utterly disgusted by political propaganda. I choose to take in from sources that I trust. And I am constantly watching out to avoid being run over. Maybe this is an end of reverse cultural shock though I do not wake up excited by the idea that I live in SH. At least, I am not ruled by the feeling to escape.

Now working on GMAT and going to Malaysia with Aron for Chinese New Year break! Will bring more updates.

Tourist guiding, Aikido class & Swedish dinner

2008-01-07T13:19:00.000+08:00

Aron's parents and younger sister were here in Shanghai for Xmas and New Year. So the two of us acted as the host of the city taking them to all kinds of touristy sites: the bund, french concession - our favourite, jing'an temple, people square, the old town & yu garden. We also went to Hang Zhou which is a beautiful garden city built around a huge lake called 'the west lake'. Luckily, we stayed at a youth hostel inside a big garden called 'Zhao Gong Di' which reminded me of the famous slogan for the city - as nice as heaven. =) Food is what you cannot afford to miss visiting China. According to the book 'China Inc.', due to the long-standing dictatorship, people are not taught to think and innovate around social topics, a lot of the energy of innovation was put into food. Each day, we took Aron's family to explore different cousines in Shanghai: Hotpot (in traditional version with coal pots), Uighur food (plus the singing and dancing), barbeque, cantonese dim sum, Thai, Japanese ramen and Korean. Most of all, my mum's fantastic home-cooking dinner which is always followed by ice cream and wisky drinking.

It was not easy to guide a big Swedish family which made Aron and me reflect on the differences between Chinese and Swedish personalities. As much as the Swedes are concensus based, each individual still voices out different opinions and choices. The key is to bring everyone to a sensible common ground. However, the Chinese who dares to voice out his/her opinion will get the decision making power because the rest might be stunned by his/her courage or aggression. Not understanding the difference often puts me in dilemma - what shall I do to make everyone happy?

While taking Aron's family around, I became more realistic to the environment I am living now, compared to how I feel during the first few months. I guess, in a way, living in China is about putting up with crazy drivers, pick-pockets and people trying to cheat you all day long. Not that I out of sudden fall in love with the dark sides, at least I can save some energy to not get upset by them.

Yesterday, I tried out an aikido class by a famous Singapore dojo's branch in Shanghai. People there were nice and warm. 4 of us were new comers. The teacher gave us some special attention which reminded me of the 2 trials I made in Rotterdam. However, I am a bit disappointed because the teacher did not connect the aikido philosophies with leadership development and daily situations - the sensei in Rotterdam often do so which inspired me a lot in continuing. However, the sensei (taiwanese) will be back tomorrow. I'll go and try out once more.

Last night, Aron and I cooked a Swedish dinner for my parents - meatballs with potato mash and lingonberry sauce. The dinner turned out nice though my parents did not like the glögg post dinner. For me, this reminded me a lot of the life and traditions I lived in Stockholm. To get some special ingredients of the dinner, I went to IKEA on Sat afternoon. IKEA itself reminded me how crazy the Swedes are for interior design. Most of all, the food section brought me some sweet memories of Sweden: ginger bread, knäckbröd, glögg, daim chocolate, dill flavoured chips, lingonberry sauce, etc. Though not sure if I'll ever be able to once again live in Stockholm - the most beautiful one I have ever lived so far, I was at least happy that IKEA brings back some good old taste.

The power of Jan 1st

2008-01-01T13:20:00.000+08:00

Waking up in the morning of Jan 1st, it seems like any other day. Shanghai is getting more and more international with more and more expats living here. So Christmas and New year celebrations are taken more and more seriously. Our flatmate came home at 8am this morning - seems like the NYE celebration rocked.

However, regardless how much Jan 1st is just a western thing for me, I cannot help to wonder, what if there is not calendar years. How people would have felt back then? Was every day just like every other day? Then we should feel nothing special about today or take every day seriously?

I cannot deny that I feel this is a new start. I feel like making goals and action plans for the new year. I feel charged with energy to be d1sciplined about my plans. Almost feel a bit silly just because on the calendar it marks today as the first day of 2008. My new year resolutions are:

1. Exercise: Aikido classes 1-2 times a week. Walk as much as possible.
2. Better emotion management: read, reflect & write, aikido practices should help.
3. Spend as much time with friends, my parents and Aron as possible: attend 1 gathering with AIESEC interns every week, spend weekends and holidays with Aron and parents.

The fun here is to challenge how disciplined I can be. I'll report on how things go with me! =) Peace out.

Amazing HK trip

2007-12-17T21:09:00.000+08:00

I have been to HK a few times but had not the chance to 'appreciate' the city. Thanks to the randomness of Aron's F visa - we went to HK for a 4 day trip at the end of Nov/early Dec. (Background story: he applied for a 6 months visa but got a multiple entry visa which lasts 90 days with each entry.)

HK is great for many reasons:

It is democratic! When we were in HK, the HK island was having its election after the 17th party congress which appoints the HK governor. Aron was simply excited because he can buy renowned newspapers like FT and WSJ at very affordable prices. Plus the Fa Lun Gong demonstrations downtown - not that we are fond of Fa Lun Gong, just that it is a healthy sign of a democratic society.

Hong Kong is crowded vs. well-organized. HK is chaotic during the daytime but very peaceful to take a walk in the middle of the night. Those contrasts make the city very attractive. And HK has extremely yummy food: not just Chinese food, but also cuisines from other parts of the world. And lower income tax plus better social welfare... Sounds like I have started to dream about relocating myself already. Hehe...

The highlights of the trip is as always about people! I got the great chance to stay with Rohit and his wife Louise, who took great care of Aron and me. And we spent quite some time with Paulie and getting his classic investigation on our relationship and genuine experience sharing on studying mandarin. And we spent a nice afternoon with Gary Wong who has sent his mind to join the HK government one day. It is fantastic to get Gary's positiveness and hopes about HK and Chinese government. It is also to have a proud HKer to show us around HK a bit. =)

2 months back home

2007-11-05T19:50:00.000+08:00

I have started to work since October. I usually work every single minute apart from a 20min lunch break to make sure that I can leave the office before 6pm. Now I am on a biz trip thus my evenings in the hotel give me some time to blog.

My job is intense but it is better to be busy and learn something. Last week I have been making cold calls for a whole week. I was regretting not doing enough cold calling in AIESEC. Luckily, there is a colleague passing on a lot of experiences and showcasing how to make cold calls requesting for information. This week's adventure is to carry out face to face interviews with farmers. I am quite concerned of personal safety though I know that I'll learn something and appreciate the exposure after the biz trip. The act will be on from tomorrow! =)

I am in a love and hate mood for living in Shanghai. I guess essentially every choice has its pros and cons. I love the fact that I have my parents and quite a few close friends living in this city that I can always hang out with. Having Aron here helps me to know my own city better - one night, he found out that Shanghai was called 'the Paris of the far east' in the 1930s and raised great interest to know more about this city.

Life here is definitely more exciting and busier: I spend more time and energy in the traffic every morning and evening, I have friends to hang out with on workday evenings as well as weekends, I try to have dinner at my parent's place at least 2-3 times a week. I realized that I have not got much time for myself - to sit down and read, to go shopping alone or reflect about the past, current and plan a bit for the future... I guess the busy-ness of the city has grown on me. I need to set some personal goals apart from running between work and social life.

An interesting policy on our demographics

2007-10-13T08:49:00.000+08:00

I recently noticed (or assumed) a few actions on how my 'most correct and greatest' government is foreseeing the huge burden of an aging population: e.g. We have increased the personal income tax; I personally see the controlled high real estate price also has to do with 'gathering' more fund for the old. Our 4-2-1 family shape has already put enormous burden on the young generation. (Note: 4 parents, 2 people as a couple, 1 kid)

Both Vietname and India are fast growing developing countries with a very low average age at about 26 years old while China's average is above 40. So giving birth is once again encouraged: when a couple is of 2 single kids, they can have 2 kids. But today, I am not really talking about the aging demographics, neither the out-numbered man population: if they should be gay or join the army, I am talking about the minorities!

I recently learnt that (forgive my ignorance) if a majority Chinese marry a minority Chinese, you can have 2 kids. For me personally, this is a very controversial and even scary policy being implemented, especially meanwhile we have been constantly relocating more and more majority Chinese to the west. Yes, we want to be a unified country together. But, how about diversity?

This policy is again slightly different from when Qin Empiror unified China in B.C. 221. Because he drove the minorities out of China: e.g. Thai, Vietnamese, etc. So today they have established their own country with their people, their culture and great heritages. But what will happen when the Chinese majority and minority marriages are encouraged with favorable policies? I do not dare to imagine that, I am afraid.

When I lived in Sweden and Holland, I can see the divides between different ethnical groups though living in the same city. A lot of the western societies today are learning how to create harmony while encouraging interaction between different ethnical groups. I guess though China does not have a lot of foreign immigration, we are facing the same kind of challenges in the past 2000 years of how to accomondate different 'races' in a peaceful and interactive way. However, eliminating difference or even eliminating races is NOT a solution.

The minimum/basic I can propose here are is: for the majority to learn more about the different minorities existing together with us. Then at least, we don't maintain the mentality that we are the only one existing in this country.

The day when we don't need to explain AIESEC

2007-09-30T12:56:00.000+08:00

I have had a few networking experiences in Shanghai which are quite interesting:

I by chance met a lot of McKinsey BAs (business analysts) at a gathering 1 week ago. Naturally, we ask each other what we have been doing and what we are doing today. When I mentioned AIESEC, no explanation needed, they all know about it!

Wed evening, I was with Aron attending Nova100's networking event. Nova100 is an organization building connections between top university talents and top organizations. They are currently Scandinavian but with ambition to go global. The Nova100 students, alumni and organizer all know about AIESEC. More encouragingly, they are thinking of cooperating with AIESEC to access top talents all over the world.

Friday I went to BAIN's office to sign contract. (Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I will be working for BAIN & Company, one of the premium strategy consulting firm's Shanghai office as an associate consultant.) The moment I walked in, one of the associate consultant said 'I have seen you! I was at a conference when you were on the stage giving a speech!' Another one said 'I have seen your picture on AIESEC's posters when I joined AIESEC!' Not only was there no need to explain AIESEC, my 2 year's fulltime experiences after graduation was very much recognized.

After all, we are all waiting for such a day that when we say: I worked/am working for AIESEC is nothing different from I worked/am working for P&G, Microsoft, McKinsey, etc. - no explanation is needed! =) Very proud!