China these days... sigh

I guess I have been mostly disturbed by the news last week of a six year old boy who got his eyes gouged out by a stranger while playing.  This indeed is a horrific thought.  We all take our sight, and other bodily functions for granted somehow.  Yet this basic necessity can be taken from all of us, violently for some with no reason.  Although there is no clear background as to what really happened, was this from a crazy mental patient, someone who did this for organ trafficking, or as a revenge of an event that happened between adults (knowing that the child's aunt committed suicide by jumping into a well during the investigation).  Strangely enough, the child's sister also died from jumping into a well six years earlier.  This is turning out like plot from a horror drama.  I can only focus on my life and my surrounding.  Shit happens.  I guess he could have been hurt by some other ways, though this is really quite malicious.

Otherwise, plenty of news on the political scene.  It makes me being a researcher quite interesting.  I am kept in the loop of what is happening at the highest levels of a country/companies by doing what I do.  The characters involved and their rise and fall.. I wonder how much an individual really has control over his or her life.  Most of the time, you're already born into a circumstance, and your path is somewhat predetermined, from your projected path of your country, family, and the group of people you follow and depend on.  And that, is out of your control.  You can be chosen, but then how much do you really choose?  I guess the most one could do is be as prepared as one possibly can.  Then one is chosen.  By the company interviewers, for promotions.  If those above you get in trouble, no matter how high you climb, you can still be in trouble.  This is society, the same in China as anywhere else, though the ending can be a lot more dramatic for Chinese leaders than American leaders.  One cannot really be left alone.  One is promoted, or put into house arrest, or accused of affairs and corruptions and whatever else.  

Apt or no apt?

I've been thinking quite a lot to make Shanghai one of my bases, if not one of the main ones.  I do feel better here most of the time, more so than Hong Kong.  It is a great feeling to be connecting with my roots.  Then begs the question:  Is it worthwhile to get an apartment in Shanghai?

Prices are quite high now and to get a 100 sq. m apartment in my desired location, it would cost somewhere around US$1m.  With the 30% down payment requirement and rather high interest rate, this can be a burden to take on.  I would very much like to have a place to call home here though, a base where I can explore more of Shanghai.

At the same time, as an investment decision, it makes more sense to buy in the US, before QE ends.  When it ends, the USD may gain in value, making an RMB purchase relatively cheaper.

Price in Shanghai is not cheaper than Hong Kong but it has a much lower interest rate, which makes monthly payment thereafter more affordable as well.  Plus, I can rent it out on airbnb or anyone that covers the mortgage plus extra free cash flow.  I shall think about this more.

Time wasted for being sick again

I felt I had a sore throat Thursday, probably from the extreme temperature difference between a super air-conditioned workplace and the hottest summer in Shanghai in 140 years outside.  This soon developed into runny nose, lasting for three days.  Latest symptom is coughing.  Though I see signs of recovery on the horizon.  Mostly I feel it was valuable time wasted.  I was supposed to go to church in Shanghai and meet more people and practice my new approach - the more groomed and attitude without sharp edges.  All advices from the relationship books.  Oh well, I guess that would have to wait.

I did meet up with my bunch of MBA friends for dinner this weekend.  I hadn't seen one of them for a really long time, say 3 to 4 years, and found him just as annoying as I always found him.  Time didn't make a difference.  There was just a sense of arrogance and superiority oozing from him being a Taiwanese American in Shanghai.  I originally thought the Taiwanese American category may be the most workable for me, being mandarin speaking, but also more international.  But I can't ignore that some do have a sense prejudice inside them against my very core.  They profited from China's opening up, with their factories and manufacturing facilities employing cheap Chinese labor.  They had the education and capital a decade or so ahead of China's opening up and therefore could use it to accumulate much more.  This just teaches me that money is not such a tipping scale sort of thing.  Yet, at this stage, without the help from marriage, our financial status is more or less status quo.  Accept the lot?

Getting on with the game plan - Fitbit and relationship-strategy books

Even though it has been the hottest summer in 140 years, I am still loving being here.  I feel hopeful.  Shanghai is a full society with more real people.  I feel a sense of belonging that was lacking with a lot of people I interact with in Hong Kong.  Having the extra cash to spend from my airbnb earning definitely helps.

Third day back, I already went to a concert for Jamroquai at the Shanghai stadium last night and enjoyed a few very nice lunches and dinners with coworkers and family.  It is blissful to come back to a home-cooked meal at the end of the day, so the extra commute time may in fact be worth it.

In other matters, I am reading a few books on Kindle like "How to get married after 35" and "Have him at hello."  I think if I am serious about finding love, I should follow a game plan.  I will read more of these books.  Also I plan to get in shape.

A guy friend before I left this weekend told me that honestly if I am interested in dating Asian guys I need to lose a few pounds.  Non-Asians care about curves, but Asians just care about being skinny.  This is an HBS-educated guy with a reasonable family background in Hong Kong.  I suppose one should take his word.

This is just the reality.  I plan to get in shape anyhow.  I want to buy one of those fitbit things that can track my activity levels.  Watch my diet.  Become serious.  If I was determined enough to attain most of my educational and work goals in the past, hitting all the milestones, I should approach my fitness and relationship in the same determined fashion.  The goals and the landscape have changed.  I need to really discipline myself and work on that.  That should take the utmost priority.  I will do it.

Bracing for the hottest summer in 140 years

I'm leaving for Shanghai soon.  I am excited.  Going out in Hong Kong just reminds me how disconnected I am from every single group, the Hongkies, the expats, and the new wave of mainland Chinese.  I want a place where I belong, where I feel at home.  So far Shanghai has given me that.  I have also accomplished everything I set out to do in the three weeks in Hong Kong - doctor's appointments, immigration appointments... Shanghai is experiencing the hottest summer in 140 years.  It is an experience in itself.  I am ready for it.

"I'm onto my third guy in my one and half year in Hong Kong" she says...

I just came back from marketing event where I went to see a big American fund here in Hong Kong.  The guys I met were sharp and presented themselves well.  They did not have any obvious issues - like bald head, fat tummy, bad English or general lack of charisma and energy.  Yes, they were quality candidates. Chinese, western, highly educated probably with an obvious good job with good pay.

But there was almost no chemistry between us.  One guy was being aggressive in his questioning while the other guy toned him down a bit.  When the meeting finished, the salesgirl walked in.  She is a pretty girl from southern California who knew and flaunted her beauty.  She was kind of flirtatious and chatted with the two investment managers.  One smiled at her warmly as we walked out.  Such a different attitude.

She later revealed to me and the other analyst that she used to date the portfolio manager, who is still her friend.  He's too Chinese (mainland), she says.  He's from Guangzhou.  Oh, so like xxx?  I asked.  Yes, just like my crush.  I've been in Hong Kong for a year and half, and I am already on my third guy.  She quipped. I looked up her current boyfriend, who is the son of a big family business in Hong Kong.  He also went to school in southern California.

I guess she is the type of girl everyone wants, especially when you can take your pick of the lot.  She's young, pretty, given the chance to a decent education, well groomed.  I already have a lot of the qualities that most people don't have a chance and resources to get.  But in the face of this girl and the guys' reaction, I felt bad about myself.  As an older single girl, I am just going to be ditched by many of my guy peers for young girls like that.  Anyway, I need to take a positive light to this.  I like the girl.  I would probably pick her myself.  But the lesson is that she always remained sunny.  The other girl who chased after my crush also has been dressing up a lot lately.  She ditched her glasses for contacts after I mentioned it.  I need to keep these tips to myself.  I find that whenever I mention it to fellow girls, they instantly take it.

Feminine mystique.  Feminine power. I need to grasp it.  I also need to lighten up and keep all that philosophical thoughts to myself.  It is a lesson and an art I should have learned.  Just like money, it was not taught in school, as Rich Dad Poor Dad Robert Kiyosaki would have said.  Same goes with the feminine part.  Also, I should not save money as much.  Looking good pays and is a better investment than many other asset classes out there.

"You're not in the West Coast any more. Wear makeup"

I have been going to the new Yoga place these days. After a long day meeting investors and a yoga session, I went to meet up with a local who went to the same business school as me.  He is a simple and honest guy. I told him that I am currently expanding my search for that special one, and that Hong Kong may not ultimately be the place for me.  Other than mentioning that some others in our class who settled in Hong Kong despite not being from Hong Kong (my bad), he suggested that I wear makeup.  I am not in west coast any more.

I do, I contested.  In fact, I do put a fair amount of effort in looking nice everyday, putting makeup on.  I did not at that point because it was at the end of a long day and I had just come out of a yoga session and a shower.  But, he argued, the right guy could just be sitting there.  For the sake of all the potential guys, I should put makeup on.  He wouldn't bring his wife out if she doesn't have makeup on.  They make a lot of difference.

But isn't it a prisoner's dilemma?  I mean, if everyone has makeup, then how special would you be if you too have it on?  Not to say that I don't make the effort.  But if you don't, he argued, you would be eliminated.  Girls at his work go out of their way to extend their eyelashes etc.  He also commented that a girl we both know who went to business school with us is not having any luck in Hong Kong because she does not look too pretty and dresses old.

I appreciate the honesty.  I mentioned to him the possibility of my friend and I getting together since he knows us both and had recommended years ago that I date the guy.  It would be like Mars attacking earth, he said.  I am too outgoing and the guy is inwardly conservative.  Of course, it is always worth a try.