The Moon and The Nomads

October 6th is the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival of this year. Mid-Autumn festival is the 15th of August according to the Chinese lunar calendar (just in case there are other versions of lunar calendars). For those abroad, feel free to wikipedia what is 'Mid Autumn Festival'. It is in the middle of a lunar month so the moon is round, which means that family members should go back home to gather together (to form a circle - sounds like hashrun, hahaha...), eat mooncakes and watch the moon together (which is not the most romantic thing but definitely the tradition, and only if you can see the moon that day).

This year is the 1st time after 6 years not spending this day at home. Last year in Rotterdam, Cliff reminded me that it was Mid Autumn Day but we couldn't find ourselves a mooncake cuz the Chinese supermarkets closed on Sundays in China Town. (Lame!)

Though Mid Autumn Festival is not comparable to Chinese New Year in terms of family members having to gather together. Still it is a very symbolic thing to have dinner with your parents and then eat mooncakes. Now I have matched to Sweden and probably will leave in a few weeks. Mum has already started to talk about how happy she is when I am at home, which in a subtle way means that how sad she is that I am leaving again so soon. I know I cannot avoid this topic with my mom though dad and my grandpa haven't been very vocal yet.

Family and seeing the world, do they have to be different sides of a trade-off? So how do you as a nomad make your decisions? And how do your family feel?

Cross cultural marketing?

Hey, ladies and gentleman! A very fast update about my job hunting front - I am going to work on Brand and Marketing for Electrolux in Europe. So soon I'll be leaving for Stockholm. Can't give a good justification about why I decided to return to Europe, why I chose marketing over CSR right now. (I'll save those for a press conference later in the comments section. ;p)

So...I'll blog about short day time, freezing weather, slow and cold society, and most of all cute Scandinavian boys! Hehehe... ;-)

Devrim, it was a lie when I said I never move for guys.

World Economy and Cricket, China wants it all!

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/article1726102.ece

We'll only leave the world's larget population to our dearest neighbour. ;-)

Confessing my Indian Fetish :)

Most of my friends know that I am a big fan for India and Indians. Some obvious facts:
- I have been to India 3 times and visited 6 different cities - more than I have done in any other countries apart from China.
- I wrote my graduation thesis on economic comparison between India and China post their open and reform policy era.
- My favorite TVC on BBC is Incredible India! I froze when I was watching it each time.
- India left a permanent mark on me - the scar I got after passing out due to diarrhea at IC'05. Yet I still went back after 2 months.

I have planned to go back to India once again for some traveling along Gangi River and some meditation in the mountains (they shall be covered by snow already now) though it feels like a luxury for me at this moment. Then this morning, once again India came to my mind, just makes me smile like every other time.

Top reasons why I fanscinate this country so much:

No. 1 reason is dedicated to CHAOS.
It's so different from the busy cosmopolitans because it is more original and more authentic. India's chaos is about the sound (imagine people driving with one hand on the honk), the color (I always think about those colorfully painted trucks running in between the cities), the creatures on the street (camels, cows, elephants, you name it!), the traffic (I have never sit at the front seat in a car yet), the dust (on the floor as well in the plates sometims), and the one million things people are doing on the street. Indeed, the country got its vibe which I will never get over with.

Indians are the happiest people I have ever seen.
I was so lucky in Mumbai in early September last year and got to see 'Ganesh into the sea' festival. There were huge trucks with Ganesh's statue inside, and people dancing and singing around it on the street everywhere. I was totally amazed. I couldn't help joining them clapping and chanting a few times. I felt complete cheered up and indeed happiness is a valuable and simple thing.

I still really want to attend 1 Indian wedding because I heard it's usually with thousand people dancing and singing for 3 days. And this will be the best reason for me to see India once again.

Inspiring conversations:
I found Indians very phylosophical (no wonder they originated so many religions) when I met my first Indian in my life (sounds a bit weird, anyways!) - he made me stronger during my first time abroad. Since then I have made quite a few friends who are Indians. Some of them I always turn to whenever depressed.

After all, I enjoyed the most my interaction with Indian parents. Once in Hynderabad, I talked to a Deepti's parents till 2am about religion, world issues, their life paths, China and India (of course!) I was defending for India while they were for China! Another time I shared VK's dad's coin collections. He had some ancient Chinese coins which surprised me. (I have collected a lot of coins for him while traveling.) His mum made me different Indian sweets. Rajiv's mum taught me how to be stronger after I told her how much I miss my parents crying (hehe...that was just 3 months into my AI term). Afterwards, she took me to the Lotus Temple in Dehli which was a very calming and refreshing experience. Abhinav's dad taught me the most regarding religion's power on an individual though he is a scientist! And his mum took me everywhere in Mumbai to see the Ganesh festival though she disliked me at the 1st site thought I was Abhinav's girlfriend.

Then, it is MUMBAI!!!
In all my visits to India, I have visited Mumbai. I wouldn't want to compare Mumbai to any other financial capitals I have been to or currently living in. Mumbai is Mumbai. It is simply unique!

The first time I landed in Mumbai, Kartik took me to a midnight buffet in a 5 star hotel at EUR 5! I love India for that! Hehehe...

During my very last visit, I spent Eit (the 1st day after fasting) eve downtown Mumbai. Everyone was out eating the best Muslim food. It was so crowded that our taxi left us hundred metres away and we had to walk into the city centre. I was simply overwhelmed by the atmosphere so I kept looking around and smiling when Parthiv was so worried about my safety. ;p

I have watched the silly Indian MC boys singing Karaoke on the stage in 'Starters and More'. I have got drunk in a car with Abhinav and his friends, because it is too expensive to drink in the pubs. I have danced with cute Indian boys in the club 'By the way, it's not just jazz'. And followed by the quiet and romantic 'Marine Drive' right outside the club after 2am.

I loved the cafe chain called Moca not due to the coffee but the shisa! ;p It'll be ideal if I can see belly dancing. Then if kissing is considered pornographic, let alone belly dancing in public!

Living with 8 Indian MC boys in their shithole 4 room apartment was like hell but with great fun. Rishabh even flooded 1 of the apartment cuz he forgot to turn off the tap! Flood doesn't make the apartments much worse. ;p Then I forgave him cuz he took me to breakfast for Southern Indian cousine every morning!

Most of all, I loved the train ride from Vekhroli to downtown Mumbai because I could observe the couples, parents, men, women, kids, both inside the train and outside on the streets. Then of course, I enjoyed my privilidge to sit in the 'women only' compartments some times especially when people passing by selling cheap earings! ;p How smart!

Speaking of India, I simply cannot stop. Thinking of the people I have met, the love they generously granted me... I'll go back soon! ;-)

Got schooled while schooling others :)

The only reason I don't say No to any AIESEC activity is 'to give back to this organization'. Only after 1 involvement, I realized that it is too arrogant of me talking about 'giving back'. Because it is simply a never ending learning for me.

I supported Regula (LCP Geneva 0506 and now a CEEDer in the Chinese MC) to run a TTT in Shanghai yesterday. After all the conferences I have run, chaired or attended, also being a good public speaker (hopefully most of you will agree), I thought it was a moment to share what I know and help others to learn and improve.

I did share and give feedbacks again and again. The processes to share and to feedback hit my nerve - Was it too easy for me to be theoretical about being a good trainer? Was it too easy to look critically into others? I was blown away by member's attitudes - everyone finished their presentations stretched their neck, looked at Regula and me, keen for feedbacks. They smiled and nodded, took some notes, no frustrations at all. Right away, they incorporated the learning points into next round of presentations.

Ironically I was the trainer. How many of my sessions impressed the audience? Have I ever designed a session concerning all the different aspects to make it as perfect as possible? How consciously I learnt from other trainers & speakers? Obviously, I still have a long way to go - to observe, be feedbacked and practise. Luckily that I got schooled while trying to schooling others.

Where is my 'superman robe'?

Ori complained that I put some 'no-brainer' on the blog. Up to her challenge, I have 1 more reflection to share here to let her understand that my life in Shanghai is nothing less inspiring compared to hers in Mumbai! ;-) I love you too, darling!

At our Jan's team day, Brodie talked about how 0506 was the last year for most of us to wear our superman robe and do 'incredible' things. I doubted at that moment. I told myself I would have always acted that way. Indeed, it was at that time!

A recent MSN conversation with Ali (MCP Indonesia 0506 and now on the Iceland MC) made me realized that I have lost part of my spirit to make changes - or I shall say I don't believe in fundemental changes but more 'crucial leverages' today. I was a hardcore 'change maniac' who believed that everything not completely right should be changed right away! Now you must start to sympathize those who've worked with me in the past. Hehe...

1 minute ago another friend asked 'what's waiting for you in life?'

Life ahead of me at this moment seems like a blackhole to be honest. Because I start to believe whatever choices I deliberately make at this moment, life always comes to me in an unexpected style. (God, I never believed such 'crap' before. Life was always well under control as much as I believed so!)

Worse than this black hole, I felt like I am going against a natural flow - come'on, I am just waiting for an internship to start the next chapter of my life. I should have felt this way when I firstly chose fulltime AIESEC life 2 years back.

Indeed, did I leave my guts in the AI office? Isn't AIESEC supposed to make me stronger? ;-) Hell yes!

Tell me what do you think?!

Your Life Path Number is 4

Your purpose in life is to build your vision. You are practical and responsible. You work hard, knowing that there are no shortcuts in life. You work for a better life for yourself and those you love, but you are not an idealist. Trustworthy and honest, you also demonstrate great courage. People can count on you. In love, you are a loyal and committed partner. You are the ideal spouse. You don't give up easily, and sometimes you can be too stubborn and unwilling to change. You also can be too conservative at times. You sometime miss out on good opportunities. Also remember that not everyone can work as hard as you, as disappointing as that is!

What Is Your Life Path Number?

What is after 'reverse cultural shock'?

Torres talked about her 'post honeymoon and everything sucks' experiences in Mumbai. Personally, I always think 'reverse cultural shock' is even worse than cultural shock. Time flies that I am home for more than a month already. Now I start to like the feeling of being at home and living in Shanghai, which actually scares me a bit. Time to give some love and fear confession.

Family:
I can obviously feel how much livelihood I am adding to a dinner table when I start to crack jokes, give bold statements, run heated discussions. My dad loves to memorize the details of my childhood. My grandpa even has tapes of songs I sang and stories I told when I was about 5. Though we have moved into a new apartment, the memories of us living in that old house are still so vivid and sweet. ;-) Then, do all these make me want to stay? Or I am asking myself why I want to leave at the first hand.

Friends:
Adam once said that I am the most useless person to be in touch with. This statement might be true because I was hardly in touch with anyone over the last one year. Now I have all the time in the world to reconnect - reading friend's blog, emailing my friends and most of all, meeting those who are here - this becomes the only reason that I walk out of the door. I cannot remember since when I appeal to my friends instead of my parents at those tough moments of life. One thing makes me love Shanghai so much is the friends I made or reconnected in the past 1 month. It is quite funny because last year I was fighting for personal space and now I can't imagine not being able to meet or talk to those people I am so inspired by.

A recent dinner talk with Devrim made me think the importance of a physical network and reconsider 'distance doesn't matter' theory. It does. I feel so drastically far from my AI teammates and sometimes people are not within reach of an email. I am not scared of making new friends in a new place. I am scared of losing who I currently have.

Too settled?
This brings me confusion. After the desperation of running away, I started to question myself: why I want to leave at the first hand? Indeed, with the amount of informaiton and different schools of thoughts, I have very little clue to plan out my career. All I want is to get started. Then why can't I start from Shanghai?

I just finished the book called 'Mastery'. George Leonard talked about 'plateau' as an analogy of practices and the persistence of sticking to boring practices as the way to mastery. Then I looked at myself and wondered - what the hell am I practicing now?

Gender (In)Equality?

I am not a feminist because I cannot understand feminism. So what is more equal? When a man offer a hand while we needed or when a man is too scared to offer a hand in case we'll slap them for discrimination?

China got me more confused about gender equality. Whenver I see a couple on a bus, if there is only 1 seat left, the woman always lets the man have it. So this equality of inequality?

Here is a real but very sad story happened in my university:
A girl and a guy were having sex in one of the offices and got taken into video by a random visitor from distance. The random visitor shared the video across internet. Out of sudden, all universities in China knew about this video - hehe...a good promotion for porn stars. Then the girl committed suicide. Why she was so ashamed to death but not the guy?

Back from Xi'An

The trip to Xi'An is a good lesson for me to know more about my own country - China, about yesterday and today. It is the 1st capital when China was put together as one piece by the 1st Empiror of Qin (Chin) Dynasty at 221 B.C. According to the book 'Guns, Germs and Steel' that the fact that he burnt all the hisotry books as well as the intellectuals, is a very big reason why such a big country like China can remain united as 1 piece speaking 1 language (sino-tibetan) for such a long time. It is also a reason why a lot of southern Chinese went down to South East Asia and the languages they are speaking today has links to the ancient languages once spoken in China before 221 B.C. Obviously, diversity is never appreciated in such an important journey of being united. I have also heard that, the government started to change history books which will delete the part that books and people are burnt when we just united China back then. Hm...interesting! Really cannot figure out any valid reason why we want to wipe out such an important incident - kinda similar to cultural revolution?

Xi'An was the capital for 6 different dynasties. So there are many stories to tell, many palaces around and even tumbs. I am definitely interested in those stories though most of them sound like a juicy gossip to me but NOT the tumbs. I consider it unlucky to visit tumbs. And indeed, what you can see? Not even the dead body! However, Tara-cotta Warriors which is considered as the 8th wonders in the world is also part of the tumb for the 1st empiror of Qin Dynasty. The warriors make the entire tumb truly significant which also revealed the level of technology development in terms of weappons, vichels, tools, etc back then.

Xi'An seems have a lot of muslims. I was only offered muslim food on the flight. And there are very Chinese looking mosques which look very bizzare - either the Muslims robbed one of those Chinese temples and make it their own mosques, either I discovered some chinese version mosques.

I have never considered myself a hardcore Shanghainese especially after living in Beijing for 1 year and absolutely loved it. However, I have to admit that I might not be able to live in Xi'An for the following reasons (now I am more than a hardcore Shanghainese, I am a hardcore critic):

1. You never see the sky nor the sun. Basically everyday is cloudy and everyday is grey. Though I climbed to the top of Hua Shan (literally means The mountain of China), above 2000m, I didn't even see the sunrise nor the sun.) So you cannot distinguish it is morning or afternoon but just daytime and nighttime. A bit strange indeed.

2. Food: no variety and not very healthy either. Northern China is indeed a lot rougher than Southern China which is clearly shown through the food culture. The noodles don't look like any noodle I've seen or had - they are literally random dough slices. Needless to mention the amount of oil in all the dishes. When it comes to choices, you'll most likely end up eating local food or some other northern western style. The only foreign food is Korean which is no less rough than other Chinese choices available.

3. Lacking entertainment: there isn't much going on usually because Xi'An is not one of the culture centres in China apart from its long history. Not many pubs or bars to hang out with friends at. Probably it is a matter of life style. I would have been bored if I have only stayed in Rotterdam all the time despite that my AI teammates were all fantastic.

Interestingly, people are very interested in comparing how much they earn and how much people in Shanghai earn or even how much you can earn abroad. People in Xi'An definitely have a good enough life style with their salary level because by the end of the day, what matters is how easy it is to get around and where I am staying. Real estate in Xi'An is not expensive (yet). And overall, the city has easy and cheap traffic system and nice housing (better than those Shanghainese stay in slums or poor conditioned houses). Though life might not be as exciting, but on a daily level and about what really matters, it seems good.

In the trip, climbing Hua Shan was the nicest part. It reminded me of 'walking meditation' I had in the Zenriver monestry - I was just walking, listening to the water fall and birds, smelling the nature, trying not to be bothered by my nagging thoughts and hoping Adam will stop talking soon (oops, hehe...). The difference is that, this 'walking' is actually climbing a 2000m mountain - really difficult because how steep the paths are sometimes and above 1500m, I start to feel my heart beat and needed more stops to catch up with my breath. It was a very calming view seeing the peaks are hiding in the clouds - it fits the picture I had about wonderlands from the Chinese fairytales I grew up with.

Though I got very sick afterwards, I think this mountain climbing experience was the best among the entire Xi'An trip. But then is it because I live a busy life in a busy city thus I love peace and nature (plus some excercise) so much? Is it just something good for a change or something I would like to have at the cost of what I am currently having? I hope I'll give this an answer soon.