Where is David?

I never understood why Shanghai’s girls get such a bad rap as money grubbing, conniving, demanding, jealous, evil, boring, petty, and greedy. Girls from Beijing seem just as bad, but you never hear anyone bad-mouthing them. Here’s an ad I came across from written by a girl from Beijing.

“Seeking boyfriend: Janet, 24 years old Chinese girl. Seeking a boyfriend who owns (or rents a long time) a big apartment (90 square-meters or above), located [in a] nice area in Beijing. Believe me, something magic may happen in life. Contact pedcjanet@hotmail.com.”
-City Weekend, Sept. 2-15, 2004

I wonder what this ‘magic’ event will be. If you find out, please let me know.

I’ve had the pleasure of making many friends here in Shanghai, and my family and friends back in L.A. are always wondering when I’ll be coming home, so this is an excerpt of an e-mail I sent to one of my friends (Helen) explaining my reasons for leaving Shanghai specifically, and a bit more insight into the oddity of a brain that is mine.

“Hey Helen,

I’m living quite a borgeois (sp?) lifestyle right now, grabbing a coffee or a caesar salad in the morning, reading books, checking e-mail and my stocks on the net, spending some time in the steam room at the gym, then hanging out with friends for dinner and drinks. It’s pretty nice, kind of makes me doubt why I’m leaving Shanghai. But, in a way, it also makes me realize that it’s my shitty job (English teaching) here that is really lame.

Another thing it’s made me realize is just how important it is to be happy in a job in your life. Think about it, 8 hours (approx.) a day sleeping, 8 hours working. Throw in a couple hours here for commuting, another for getting ready, another for a lunch break. That’s pretty much your entire life, working and sleeping. Kind of sad, but it’s made me realize that I HAVE to be happy in my job. I WON’T wake up a fat, bald, middle manager, salesman, lawyer, English teacher, whatever, unless I really love what I’m doing.

So, this is my quest. BUT, you’re saying, what’s that got to do with Shanghai, right? I mean, I’m sure whatever my passion is, I can probably find it in Shanghai, I agree. My only beef with Shanghai is this:

You know me. I’m a pretty humble guy, down with the common man. Walking around Shanghai, I feel such a divide between me and the average Chinese person walking down the street. I honestly don’t like this feeling, I like to be one of those common people, feel in common with those people. Even in a developed country like Japan, it’s difficult (actually, I’ve found impossible) for me to blend in with society. Probably because everyone is Japanese there, I’ll always be an oddity. (don’t get me wrong, sometimes this has plenty of benefits, I’m not complaining!)

If you mix this with me coming from a totally different background (educationally, financially, etc.) than Chinese as well, it just shows me that I’ll always be stuck in this expat bubble in Shanghai, and frankly, I’ve grown tired of that bubble.”

I guess I’ve disappeared from the internet universe for a minute, but I’m back in that geeky away again. I haven’t heard many complaints about not writing anything recently, so I’ll imagine that you all don’t mind. Here’s what’s happening lately with me:

1. My older brother got married - to a beautiful and wonderfully kind sweetheart named Valeska Donoso. When I turn 50 and am finally ready to settle down, I hope I marry a 20 year old at least half as sweet as Valeska. I hope to have many neices and nephews soon so I can begin to be known as ‘Crazy Uncle David’ or something like that.

2. I retired - from English teaching that is. Unfortunately, I didn’t work long enough in this profession (I’m being very kind to describe it as that), so the Worldwide English Teacher’s Union didn’t offer me a pension.

3. I’ve been lazy - no new articles written. I think my title as a journalist must be rescinded. I’m officially unemployed. Thanks a lot Bush. It’s your fault I’m lazy. Four more months, dude.

4. I’m leaving Shanghai, going home. - Yup, had enough of the middle kingdom. Of course, I have plans to go to another country, but that’s top secret for now. HINT: It’s in the Southern Hemisphere.

I’ll be back in Los Angeles around the end of Sept., maybe end of October at the latest. I plan to spend a couple weeks with my family before going to my new top secret destination.

ok, much love to everyone.

david