there is only now
...and only 24 hours in a day (that fly by in distracted lives). "So much to do, so little time." I'm one of the worst at making endless lists of activities, goals, plans, guinea pig projects, desires...many of which never come to fruition aside from a source of heartache or disappointment. To live is to learn. So I try to think of "now"--where I am, what I am capable of doing, what I'd love to nurture and whom I would want to spend time with for inspiration.
where I am: shanghai (the paris of asia, whore of the orient, new york of the east)
Since graduating from high school in Hong Kong, sitting atop one of the tallest buildings in mid-levels and watching one of the world's most expensive and spectacular fireworks displays on the city's handover to China, I've been fascinated with Shanghai--the predicted "next hub" of Asia. At the time, what fascinated me was Shanghai's status as a center for fashion, design and international brand presence and it has indeed filled big shoes. What interests me now is how this city will cope with its massive growth spurts during a sensitive era for the planet and how its people's bodies will cope with the drastic stress through hopeful promise, extensive growth and building, pollution and sleeplessness this city is dealing with.
Here are some of my favourite sites for understanding this town
and getting acquainted with it from different angles:
WEBSITES
www.allroadsleadtochina.com
www.theeconomist.com/countries/china
www.sbr.net
www.media.com.hk
www.atimes.com
www.accessasia.co.uk
www.chinaknowledge.com
www.chinadaily.com
www.danwei.org
www.talktalkchina.com
www.enjoyshanghai.com
www.smartshanghai.com
www.cityweekend.com.cn
www.talkmagazines.cn
www.thatssh.com
www.superfuture.com
www.likealocal.com
www.shanghaidiaries.com
www.thechinabusinessreview.com
BLOGS
responsiblechina.com
allroadsleadtochina.com
shanghaiist.com
what now and later: a reflection of learning
hard & soft skills:
sales and marketing
people management
set-up operations
creating cultures and connections
innovating products/services
mandarin chinese
intermediate french
business plan writing
the usual computer competencies
licensed in make-up artistry and yoga teaching
things i'd love to strengthen as hobbies:
massage therpy
singing bossa nova
cooking/creating pure food concepts
tango & cabaret dance
design: graphics & web
steel drumming
archery
what i'm reading right now:
The Dancing Wu LI Masters (An Overview of the New Physics) by Gary Zukav
Affluenza by Oliver James
The Diamond Cutter by Geshe Michael Roach
Ayurveda For Health & Well-Being by Shanti Gowans
who could teach me a thing or two: inspiring people
aside from the obvious teachers in life, i've always admired those whom have
taken the path less traveled by. artists, performers, heroes of the peace...
writers, warriors, vagabonds...poets, muses, tight-rope walkers...singers,
spiritual leaders, monkey hunters...i tend to
attract the altruistic, the brave and the bizarre.
they teach risk, passion, intuition and compassion.
elements i find necessary in living a meaningful life.