I made it back from Shanghai last night and finally got a chance to write down my reflections. I probably could of written on the plane since the memory was fresher to me back then. But I had to force myself to sleep so I can adjust my body clock back to the way it was. Upon my return back, I realize that I am very glad that I took this trip to Shanghai. Many things happen that I didn't get a chance to log, but I hope I remember them forever. There are some things that are worth to mention though. The last day before my return home, I had lunch with my step-dad at an international buffet his friend manages. Apparently it is pretty famous among China major cities and I could easily see why. This was not your ordinary buffet. It had all sorts of food with its focus on seafood from all the major countries that we identify with. They were well prepared with the fresh ingredients and above average flavoring that you would not expect from a buffet. Some of the example dishes included fresh cut sushi, shark fin soup, giant king crab from coast of Japan, assortment of Indian dish, an extensive dessert bar, and much more. The staff for the place was about 300 people according to the head captain. That was one meal worth remembering and of course our 3 hours lunch-to-dinner may broke the buffet sitting record. Latter that day, my dad and his friend insisted on taking me to a spa that they claim to be an experience worth having while in China. I was not sure what to expect, but apparently this is pretty prevalent across Asia and of course China has its own rendition. The spa offers many a la cart spa services and the bracelet you wear help you track which you purchase. You pay an entrance fee that includes the right to eat at the all you can eat buffet. Instead I started by going to get a table massage and a salt scrub that exfoliated my skin. They kept the salt on my skin and ask me to go to a toaster like heater that dries the salt onto the skin. Essentially the residue from the salt scrub is on your skin for about 5 minutes and then they ask me to rinse off the salt with a warm shower. Afterwards, they instructed me to sit in the hot tub that surprised me with fish swimming in them. Apparently the idea is that the fish would eat off the bad skin or any residue and by doing so would improve your skin. I've heard this before but never experience it until now. It tickles and extremely relaxing at the same time. Amazing how the fish can stay in a hot spa for so long. That was just the introduction. Then we had to leave the spa because they also offered a show that you have the option to attend. I must say the show was really good as well. The have performances that were equivalent to cirque du soleil and singer that were way above your typical stage singers. They packed the two hours show with none stop acts that you would have to pay well over $100 for here in the states. After the show, we went up to the next floor where they offer massage and a sleep room where you have the option to rest overnight with you own TV and butler upon request. Food can be order anytime. I decided to get another massage that lasted 90 minutes. Rested on my personal couch, watch a little TV, while I wait for my dad to complete his treatment or using fire bottles. We didn't stay overnight since I have a plane to catch the next morning, but I left that evening extremely relaxed and wondering why we don't have one at the states.
One of the last memorable moments before I left Shanghai was right before I arrive at the airport. My dad decided to accompany me to the airport and he decides to buy me a bag of tiny orange that were about the size of three grapes. They were extremely sweet and he peeled it for me before when I went to his house. He liked them and he figure I would need the oranges for the long plane ride back. Actually that touched me greatly, because as I mentioned before he is not a wealthy man and he struggles month to month I'm sure. I offered each time to pay for things and yet he refused even though he knew that I have enough to take care of all that is need for him and I. I know about his string of bad luck with the restaurant business and of course other financial troubles that he got himself into. Aside from all those shortcomings that he needed to deal with, during this trip he paid for the 3 hour massage at his place, the drivers that took me to places, the fabulous buffet lunch, bought me a wallet, gave me a note book, treated me to the most amazing spa experience, and made the time to stop by the market to buy me this bag of oranges that he knew I liked. I had a lump in my throat when he gave the oranges to me. He did something that I usually don't expect from a man let along an Asian man. He peeled the oranges for me the other day while I was at his place. That says a lot since in Asia being the most male dominant society you can find. To have him do what he did showed tremendous amount of love and set aside the status quo that often many people would not do. He did not have much, but while I was there he gave what he could. I had never found fruit to be that precious before. Sadly I had to eat them all before I got back to the states, but I wished I would of brought them back with me.
To look back, I think the most rewarding and blessing thing about this trip was the time I spent with my step-dad. To be honest I didn't really know what I would expect before this trip began. I was concerned I would be somehow be sad or disappointed. But instead I left Shanghai moved and fortunate to be able to do what I did and be able to spend time the holidays with him. Life brings you unexpected moments that sometime accompany with heart ache and if you are lucky sometime life give you oranges.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
11/28/2008 - Chinese Mcdonald's
It is raining here this morning. I just step into a resting stop area to avoid the rain and hopefully get dry before I head out again. Despite the rainfall the people's square is packed with people. Hard to imagine there is any downturn in global economy if you were here right now. But this cafe I just got to is ingenious. It is a fast food joint for all the common dishes of the Asian decent. I just tried a cup of corn milk drink. Not sure if I like it or not, but the other stuff are things that I would ordinarily crave for but I have to sit down for an hour to eat. Things such as the different deserts that you would may get after a banquet meal, there were hearty dishes like the glazed beef over rice, and the wonderful assortment of noodle soups when the weather is cold like today. The states can use something like this. Pretty this is like a McDonald's of China. Dfjb.com.cn is their website for future reference of locations. The shrimp noodle gravy looks so good, but I have to meet my dad for Japanese food in about an hour.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
12/27/2008 - 2 days of reflection
Finally got a chance to write after my flight to Shanghai. Current location is on a train ride from Shanghai South train station to Hangzhou. So since I've landed it has been a none-stop 2 days. It is filled will many different emotion. Some are preconception of what coming to this place is like and also the thought of finally meeting my dad after 10 plus years later. To know what to comment is difficult since I wish I started to type my thought when I had them. It is funny how emotionally energized I get at that moment in time and then I the thought would escape me a few hours later. But I will try to reflect on what has happen so far. To begin, my step-dad picked me up from the airport. We didn't find each other until 40 minutes after I clear custom. Apparently a whole village of Chinese people were waiting outside holding signs and have the eyes starring at each person coming through the door. It is funny how everyone looks the same. Plus I did not recognize him right away since it has been so long since I've seen him and nor he recognize me for obvious reasons. Finally I found him because he apparently like to standout from everyone else by wearing a brown leather jacket. At first sight, I was amazed and shocking how a person ages after so many years. Before he illustrated confidence and a sense of know how when I am around him. Now I can see that the passing of time reflected on his physical appearance. His past struggles showed in his hunched over stature, the growing wrinkles on his face, and the bags below his sagging eyes. To be honest and a bit morbid, I was glad that I got to see him because I can literally see the dying of a man. Since there is no way of putting it so that I can avoid being disrespectful I should just say that the man is this way because he spent nights of staying up playing Mah Jong or poker, hustle to make a living in the restaurant business and his continuous desire to be a friend to everyone are the catalyst that took a chunk of life away from him. But that same fault can in a way be a person's valor. One thing that never changed is my step dad's ability to make friends with everyone wherever he goes. But I can tell from the hustle of Shanghai, he's become less friendly. Nevertheless, he seems to know more friends than you can fill an entire Rolodex. He always surrounded himself with people and the time that I spent with his showed me his popularity is mainly due to his innocent belief in brotherhood and friendship. That innocence has hurt his as well. I just hope that he learn from history that a friend is not too far away from an enemy. The difference is that when life throws you a rotten egg, they are there to help you wipe your face.
I can't help but to feel sorry for him. Because I feel that the people who I care about should always deserve a better life. I feel it is foremost their responsibility to maximize their potential and second my desire that they deserve to get more of what they have now. Then on the other hand, everyone needs to make their own story of their life and who am I to judge. So far the time that I spend with him I can tell he continue to manage his daily chaotic life while still present himself to me as the man (dad) that he once was. Life is not easy for him, but like a father he present the best of him to me while I am here. For that I am grateful and honor for him to given me what he has and more so I feel lucky just to be able to see him. Aside from that, I hope he understands that by me coming over to visit him was just a reminder to him that the world is not that alone and tough. Sometime maybe we don't get everything we wanted, but sometime what we got was what we are supposed to work with. Well there are many more things that can be comment on this. One thing I wish that could of happened is for E to visit his dad. I already know the sense of resentment and anger that's in him, but at some point he needs to make peace with it. We all get our share of unfairness, even those people who done the deed to us that we still have the scares for also at one point got their share. Maybe life is about putting away things than to always look to take things from life.
So here are my comments about Shanghai, China so far since I've been here for the past 48 hours. I have this analogy. I see this place as young man that still needs to find its identity. He accomplished a great deal, learned a lot from different people, and yet try to hold on to it roots. This "fusion effect" that people are seeing is really a residue of trying to seek to a better future while have the knowledge it will need to maintain its history. In doing so conflict occurs between the east and the west from the north to the south. Other countries are critical of the booming nation. From my observation of other people, such hostility is also brewing between the Chinese and other Asians. One common things that I hear people who been to China claim its people are uncivilized. Well they can be right or they can look at once they were views as uncivilized when their forefathers came to seek a better future and to a claim a part of the new found land. With that said, I had more than once said to myself that people are so rude. I am a byproduct of how I am raised by my mom and my environment. A person can struggle for years to shave away their old habits, lets imagine how to do that with a few billion people. This place right now reminds me a lot of Japan of the old. It is learning a balancing act. While prosperous for the past decade, it will encounter its roadblocks. It also has its critics expecting an expedience transformation with their bias opinion of how China should do it. With that said, everyone will continue to have their opinion about China. You love it or you hate it. But I think don't expect to have that same opinion 5 years later. The one thing that this place has going for itself is the uncertainty in what the change will led them to.
A quick comment on other things I saw. Actually these are thoughts more than facts. I am done with shaw long bao. Both days I had the local bun as a part of my daily meal. It is good, but its heaviness just too much for me. The texture of the skin is what makes it so tasty. Food here is relatively cheap it you eat local food. On the other hand, nothing is missed here as all the western products and services got imported to this place. I went to a wine bar on my first night and I felt like I was in NY or SF. They had all sorts of martini and even some that I have never heard before. It is very NY, but yet added other additions to the menu and decor. Imagine the fusion pagoda design with the western vibe. The only difference is that the table next to us was a couple making out will full on tongue action. Something like that you would not see in a lounge. Of course aside from food and drink, a person need to experience some further pampering. Last night my dad offered to pay for a massage that last for 3 whole hours. It was a Chinese massage where they apply heavy pressure on your entire body. My god that was amazing. Super cheap since I didn't have to pay for it. But from what I understand the amount is 1/3 of what the tourist would pay. I got done by 2:30 AM while my dad and his friend played poker in the other room. I felt super relaxed afterward. Half asleep, my dad called me a cab that drove back to my hotel and needless to say, I had a good night sleep last night. Only in China can this happen.
Finally I am getting to what I am doing now. I got up at 7:30 this morning and making my one and a half hour train ride. So far my train ride has gone through the countryside. It's vast amount of farmland, bicycles, trucks, and cell phones. I just saw a farmer working in the rice field while talking on his phone that probably has more interactive feature than my cell phone back home.
****
Right now awaiting my train back to Shanghai. I decided to take a break and make some time for dinner here in Hangzhou. First time ever I had to write in a restaurant while waiting for my dinner to arrive. The chef use to work at the Marriott, maybe he thinks I am a food critic. My god I amuse myself. Anyways, this afternoon's experience as it turns out left me with mix feeling about this place and my previous view about how much China has changed over the years. Needless to say when I first got to my destination I was a little fluster of all the activities within the train station. Countless vendors will offer you every possible gimmick and deals to make your trip to the West Lake that much more special. I probably took a good 15 minutes to get myself situated and get my mind to understand where am I or what my plan of action is. I notice here you have to plan before you venture out to your intended destination. Because every turn bring you to another location that just so much alike the one you just passed 10 minutes ago. Of course everyone look the same. Well I digress a little. I finally found out that I had to get on the K7 train. Obviously, me looking like a tourist (plus carrying a tourist book does not help) I attracted more attention then I would like. Well one old lady approached me and told me the train to get on and also advised that I get the exact change. She offered the location to get change and also some suggestion on the location to stop at. The reason is because West Lake is huge. The nice old lady asked about me and shared a little bit of who she is. She advised where to look and finally offered the best place to stop first as well as which connection (K27) to take to my final destination. I went along with it since what can a nice old lady do right? Did I mention she had a kicking breath that needed a whole pack of "Tick Taks". A way to improve a country's tourist industry, make sure your countrymen have fresh breath. Through our trip she suggested a stop and then suggest another stop. Her killer breathe distracted my attention to understand which stop she meant. Finally she said she will get off at the same destination and then guided me to get on K27. She did not get on, but she did left saying where she recommended me to get the best tea. As I ride this connection it would take me to the other side of the lake. It showcased some beautiful farmlands. Imagine a Napa valley like place but just with tea and then step back to the old Chinese movies where they have tea huts build in front of the rice fields. Every few kilometers the bus ride took you to another farm with its own tea house and unique decoration to entice the visitor to come in. As I sat on K27, another old lady approached me and asked where I was planning on going. I shared my destination and she said she would also stop by there as she makes her way home. I am getting suspicious, but the beauty of the land sold me and I let her give me some facts as I rode this bus through the mountains. It is truly beautiful. Upon arriving at my destination she started walking with me. I continue to enjoy and try to capture every frame of what I am seeing right then and there. We walk further up the hill and I started to notice the trend. Every person or couple that got off the bus had a helpful old lady chatting with them. The also had that dumb struck look on their face as probably I did too. So I knew I have to pull the plug soon and plus she is starting to lead me further down the ally along with other stray dogs that got off the bus. So people came up down the hill with bags of tea and I knew if I go any further I would be buying tea for people who don't even like tea. Well I said my goodbyes and turn the other way. Needless to say, she followed behind yelling at things that I had no idea what she was saying. As I trek my way back to the bus stop I saw the nice old lady that first helped me. She even greeted me with a surprise how come I was here too. Man, I can't believe she can still hold that sweet smile. Well I got on the bus and in the rear of the bus K27 is the second lady that I escaped. Man they got a system working for them and I saw many people leading down further to the road and many people on the return bus with bags of tea. I was mad at first, and then I find the entire experience rather amusing also in a way sort of sad for the ladies that have to do this. Life must be tough to keep up with the Wongs around here. You have to use tactic to draw people up the mountain because everyone below the mountain is booming with new buildings and fashionable clothes. I think China prosperity is also it own Achilles heel. I think Asian in general has a very focus sense of getting what they set out to do. At time they do get tunnel vision and their own stubbornness make them very inflexible in adopting to change and of course the opportunities that arise with things are different. But when it come to money, the have laser like focus and tenacity. I think they abandon their own morals in order to grab the dream that they seek. It is probably hard for me to understand, but my dad tried to explain this to me. He said that some of the people are so poor their entire life were raised without ever being able to be fulfill. That lack of basic fulfillment of life's most simple necessities leaves you empty. Our basic needs in our civilized culture are unimaginable luxury items to many people in China until now. But my experience with Hangzhou and its people makes me wonder that such harsh life also makes it very difficult to associate in a society where our protocol is completely different. Hangzhou is filled will many amazing history and many fantastic stories were written about this place. Writers came here to be inspired by the plush green mountains and the grand lake that is centered reference point for this town. They said during the spring, there is a type of flower that will blooms which created a scent that is unnanimously make this place mystical and amazing. No wonder Marco Polo once called this place the most beautiful place he ever seen. But now this place is polluted with 20th century architecture. People are caught in getting to claim their wealth that they probably felt they missed in the past. They are looking to go somewhere. In the mist of going somewhere I am experiencing people who bump into you and do not care to apologize, people who compromise a person's integrity in order to make a buck, and the annoying cutting in line without giving it a second thought. All of this and many more made me understand the reason why there will always be the concept of class. No matter how you want to be politically correct, but it seems to me that you can be rich and take a person out of the country, but it is harder to take the country out of the person. China is a country that went through a dynasty much like it did in the past. It's history shows you that a dynasty rules over another, political party reign while another fall, the poor ran out the elite, the communist rise and then fall. Now communist fall, the poor rise, and the capitalism flourish, it is a bit chaotic in my opinion. In the midst of this change a person can become a rich jackass or a rich senex.
I can't help but to feel sorry for him. Because I feel that the people who I care about should always deserve a better life. I feel it is foremost their responsibility to maximize their potential and second my desire that they deserve to get more of what they have now. Then on the other hand, everyone needs to make their own story of their life and who am I to judge. So far the time that I spend with him I can tell he continue to manage his daily chaotic life while still present himself to me as the man (dad) that he once was. Life is not easy for him, but like a father he present the best of him to me while I am here. For that I am grateful and honor for him to given me what he has and more so I feel lucky just to be able to see him. Aside from that, I hope he understands that by me coming over to visit him was just a reminder to him that the world is not that alone and tough. Sometime maybe we don't get everything we wanted, but sometime what we got was what we are supposed to work with. Well there are many more things that can be comment on this. One thing I wish that could of happened is for E to visit his dad. I already know the sense of resentment and anger that's in him, but at some point he needs to make peace with it. We all get our share of unfairness, even those people who done the deed to us that we still have the scares for also at one point got their share. Maybe life is about putting away things than to always look to take things from life.
So here are my comments about Shanghai, China so far since I've been here for the past 48 hours. I have this analogy. I see this place as young man that still needs to find its identity. He accomplished a great deal, learned a lot from different people, and yet try to hold on to it roots. This "fusion effect" that people are seeing is really a residue of trying to seek to a better future while have the knowledge it will need to maintain its history. In doing so conflict occurs between the east and the west from the north to the south. Other countries are critical of the booming nation. From my observation of other people, such hostility is also brewing between the Chinese and other Asians. One common things that I hear people who been to China claim its people are uncivilized. Well they can be right or they can look at once they were views as uncivilized when their forefathers came to seek a better future and to a claim a part of the new found land. With that said, I had more than once said to myself that people are so rude. I am a byproduct of how I am raised by my mom and my environment. A person can struggle for years to shave away their old habits, lets imagine how to do that with a few billion people. This place right now reminds me a lot of Japan of the old. It is learning a balancing act. While prosperous for the past decade, it will encounter its roadblocks. It also has its critics expecting an expedience transformation with their bias opinion of how China should do it. With that said, everyone will continue to have their opinion about China. You love it or you hate it. But I think don't expect to have that same opinion 5 years later. The one thing that this place has going for itself is the uncertainty in what the change will led them to.
A quick comment on other things I saw. Actually these are thoughts more than facts. I am done with shaw long bao. Both days I had the local bun as a part of my daily meal. It is good, but its heaviness just too much for me. The texture of the skin is what makes it so tasty. Food here is relatively cheap it you eat local food. On the other hand, nothing is missed here as all the western products and services got imported to this place. I went to a wine bar on my first night and I felt like I was in NY or SF. They had all sorts of martini and even some that I have never heard before. It is very NY, but yet added other additions to the menu and decor. Imagine the fusion pagoda design with the western vibe. The only difference is that the table next to us was a couple making out will full on tongue action. Something like that you would not see in a lounge. Of course aside from food and drink, a person need to experience some further pampering. Last night my dad offered to pay for a massage that last for 3 whole hours. It was a Chinese massage where they apply heavy pressure on your entire body. My god that was amazing. Super cheap since I didn't have to pay for it. But from what I understand the amount is 1/3 of what the tourist would pay. I got done by 2:30 AM while my dad and his friend played poker in the other room. I felt super relaxed afterward. Half asleep, my dad called me a cab that drove back to my hotel and needless to say, I had a good night sleep last night. Only in China can this happen.
Finally I am getting to what I am doing now. I got up at 7:30 this morning and making my one and a half hour train ride. So far my train ride has gone through the countryside. It's vast amount of farmland, bicycles, trucks, and cell phones. I just saw a farmer working in the rice field while talking on his phone that probably has more interactive feature than my cell phone back home.
****
Right now awaiting my train back to Shanghai. I decided to take a break and make some time for dinner here in Hangzhou. First time ever I had to write in a restaurant while waiting for my dinner to arrive. The chef use to work at the Marriott, maybe he thinks I am a food critic. My god I amuse myself. Anyways, this afternoon's experience as it turns out left me with mix feeling about this place and my previous view about how much China has changed over the years. Needless to say when I first got to my destination I was a little fluster of all the activities within the train station. Countless vendors will offer you every possible gimmick and deals to make your trip to the West Lake that much more special. I probably took a good 15 minutes to get myself situated and get my mind to understand where am I or what my plan of action is. I notice here you have to plan before you venture out to your intended destination. Because every turn bring you to another location that just so much alike the one you just passed 10 minutes ago. Of course everyone look the same. Well I digress a little. I finally found out that I had to get on the K7 train. Obviously, me looking like a tourist (plus carrying a tourist book does not help) I attracted more attention then I would like. Well one old lady approached me and told me the train to get on and also advised that I get the exact change. She offered the location to get change and also some suggestion on the location to stop at. The reason is because West Lake is huge. The nice old lady asked about me and shared a little bit of who she is. She advised where to look and finally offered the best place to stop first as well as which connection (K27) to take to my final destination. I went along with it since what can a nice old lady do right? Did I mention she had a kicking breath that needed a whole pack of "Tick Taks". A way to improve a country's tourist industry, make sure your countrymen have fresh breath. Through our trip she suggested a stop and then suggest another stop. Her killer breathe distracted my attention to understand which stop she meant. Finally she said she will get off at the same destination and then guided me to get on K27. She did not get on, but she did left saying where she recommended me to get the best tea. As I ride this connection it would take me to the other side of the lake. It showcased some beautiful farmlands. Imagine a Napa valley like place but just with tea and then step back to the old Chinese movies where they have tea huts build in front of the rice fields. Every few kilometers the bus ride took you to another farm with its own tea house and unique decoration to entice the visitor to come in. As I sat on K27, another old lady approached me and asked where I was planning on going. I shared my destination and she said she would also stop by there as she makes her way home. I am getting suspicious, but the beauty of the land sold me and I let her give me some facts as I rode this bus through the mountains. It is truly beautiful. Upon arriving at my destination she started walking with me. I continue to enjoy and try to capture every frame of what I am seeing right then and there. We walk further up the hill and I started to notice the trend. Every person or couple that got off the bus had a helpful old lady chatting with them. The also had that dumb struck look on their face as probably I did too. So I knew I have to pull the plug soon and plus she is starting to lead me further down the ally along with other stray dogs that got off the bus. So people came up down the hill with bags of tea and I knew if I go any further I would be buying tea for people who don't even like tea. Well I said my goodbyes and turn the other way. Needless to say, she followed behind yelling at things that I had no idea what she was saying. As I trek my way back to the bus stop I saw the nice old lady that first helped me. She even greeted me with a surprise how come I was here too. Man, I can't believe she can still hold that sweet smile. Well I got on the bus and in the rear of the bus K27 is the second lady that I escaped. Man they got a system working for them and I saw many people leading down further to the road and many people on the return bus with bags of tea. I was mad at first, and then I find the entire experience rather amusing also in a way sort of sad for the ladies that have to do this. Life must be tough to keep up with the Wongs around here. You have to use tactic to draw people up the mountain because everyone below the mountain is booming with new buildings and fashionable clothes. I think China prosperity is also it own Achilles heel. I think Asian in general has a very focus sense of getting what they set out to do. At time they do get tunnel vision and their own stubbornness make them very inflexible in adopting to change and of course the opportunities that arise with things are different. But when it come to money, the have laser like focus and tenacity. I think they abandon their own morals in order to grab the dream that they seek. It is probably hard for me to understand, but my dad tried to explain this to me. He said that some of the people are so poor their entire life were raised without ever being able to be fulfill. That lack of basic fulfillment of life's most simple necessities leaves you empty. Our basic needs in our civilized culture are unimaginable luxury items to many people in China until now. But my experience with Hangzhou and its people makes me wonder that such harsh life also makes it very difficult to associate in a society where our protocol is completely different. Hangzhou is filled will many amazing history and many fantastic stories were written about this place. Writers came here to be inspired by the plush green mountains and the grand lake that is centered reference point for this town. They said during the spring, there is a type of flower that will blooms which created a scent that is unnanimously make this place mystical and amazing. No wonder Marco Polo once called this place the most beautiful place he ever seen. But now this place is polluted with 20th century architecture. People are caught in getting to claim their wealth that they probably felt they missed in the past. They are looking to go somewhere. In the mist of going somewhere I am experiencing people who bump into you and do not care to apologize, people who compromise a person's integrity in order to make a buck, and the annoying cutting in line without giving it a second thought. All of this and many more made me understand the reason why there will always be the concept of class. No matter how you want to be politically correct, but it seems to me that you can be rich and take a person out of the country, but it is harder to take the country out of the person. China is a country that went through a dynasty much like it did in the past. It's history shows you that a dynasty rules over another, political party reign while another fall, the poor ran out the elite, the communist rise and then fall. Now communist fall, the poor rise, and the capitalism flourish, it is a bit chaotic in my opinion. In the midst of this change a person can become a rich jackass or a rich senex.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
12/24/2008 - to China
So my trip to shanghai began with getting business class on seat 11G. This will be my first Christmas away from by mom and brothers since I was about 7 years old. I hope they have a great holiday while I am away. I got to admit that it is a bit strange and I will miss them during these 5 days. This is a change or in way a certain metamorphism of my relationship with my family. This trip may be a start of the changes to come and just a symbol of what will not be the same. Whether that is a positive change or a negative change is uncertain, but if I've learned anything from the past is that it is inevitable. One aspect of this trip is different than the usual would be me meeting my step-dad since he moved to Asia. It is well over 10 years since the last time I saw him. It will be strange because most of my memories are when I was a kid and my perception of him is just but a bunch of past memories. I think about this trip and I realize that it sets up certain disappointments given that one's memories can but disappointment since you can never go back to the past or what it was before. Often what disappoint people are the nostalgia and almost always the attempt to compare the past with the present that lead to sadness. So this led to me to try to prepare myself for it. I have to make a little less of what this is about and not read too much into everything. But that uncertainty also signal me to expect the unexpected and everything should be fine. Maybe that is a little naïve or lack the awareness to be prepared a bit emotionally irresponsible, but isn't it what hope is? Isn't that "Hope" that we as a nation used as a premise to elected our next president? Maybe the current unknown of things are what lead to surprises, disappointments and often a new direction. Whatever it is and however it comes, what is most important for now is that I enjoy getting fat sitting on a 12 hr flight.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Thoughts
A part of being human is that you are required to be aspired to greater things. But being aspired to greater things does not mean you reach all great things. Being aspired to new things may require making the tough choices in life. Sometime that leads to mistakes and sometime it just means that aspiration led to different things. Life makes things tough and my life seems programmed to force me to learn to swing with the unknown.
Nostalgia is bitter sweet. This season, the past years, and the year to come brings nostalgia. It bring moments of bad memories that are sometime left unanswered. Then when look a little deeper, some of those past memories also brought different experiences and new memories. I am not saying that I have the answers for everything or anything at all. All I know is that things happen in life and all I know at this moment is to hopefully live through it with a little bit more aspiration.
I don't pray very often. But I pray that all the people in my life get aspired in the coming year and to get all the great things that they are seeking.
Nostalgia is bitter sweet. This season, the past years, and the year to come brings nostalgia. It bring moments of bad memories that are sometime left unanswered. Then when look a little deeper, some of those past memories also brought different experiences and new memories. I am not saying that I have the answers for everything or anything at all. All I know is that things happen in life and all I know at this moment is to hopefully live through it with a little bit more aspiration.
I don't pray very often. But I pray that all the people in my life get aspired in the coming year and to get all the great things that they are seeking.
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