Hello Shanghai

It's official - I'm in Shanghai for what should be "going forward". I'm with one of our retail clothing brand groups to be part of their marketing efforts. I'm seeing a Chinese tutor 3 times a week to get my language up to speed and at work have been learning about how Chinese consumers think. Also I have a great and supportive team to learn and grow with. Couldn't have asked for a better situation.

Must mention that I got a lot of advice about how to "work in China", but I have really just been myself and feel like it's worked out better than well. Think all this time abroad and being around people of different cultures and expectations has helped me have an open mind. I ask questions, listen and treat people with respect - this has been a successful formula regardless of situation. Also, never underestimate the power of a smile to diffuse a situation and a written thank you card to show appreciation.

A present my team gave me. It sits on my desk right next to the computer monitor =)

On the lifestyle front, I've been here one month now and it already feels like home. I actually unpacked my bags for the first time in almost a year! It's calming to open my closet and see shirts hanging and pants folded. I even picked up a bike (only $50US!) to get around on. My first time riding a bike in years and I will honestly admit I felt joy like a kid riding it - think Jerry Maguire singing in the car.

Ain't she a beauty? Came with a basket and bell too!

And I joined a friend's basketball team called - the Crazy 88's - so I get to play 2-3 times a week now. I'm within walking distance to the office and just a 30 minute subway ride to the city. Not shabby at all. The weather in Shanghai is perfect right now and, between nights out on the town and days at the office, we find time to picnic at the park!

Keeping it together long enough to take a guys picture. Yes, that is a Salmon-colored shirt.

As for the Lee family, my dad not too long ago moved to South China for a project, my sister is in NYC working for a fashion group, and my mom is still home in Northern California holding down the fort. It's tough for us being all scattered about the world, but we've found ways to stay in touch. Now, every time we see each other, we appreciate one another that much more.

Funny that whenever I call my parents, the inevitable advice about relationships comes. It's all good though. If you know me well, you know that I'm a family-first guy at heart, and would like nothing more than to settle down. But I'm in no rush. Last week, I actually obliged to a family friend's request and went on a blind date. Good story and will share with anyone who asks!

Realized some random habits I've started such as taking vitamins everyday and wearing face moisturizer. I read the paper and take walks at lunch. I guess I'm starting to act my age - or at least more my age. 29 now and hoping there won't be any mental breakdown when I turn 30!

All in all, life's pretty damn good. I enjoy work, appreciate having the great friends that I do, and most of all am thankful everyday for having a wonderful and supportive family. I know this has sounded a bit like a wrap-up post, but it does feel like a new chapter has begun. And the best part about it is that the story has only just begun. Cheezy, yes. But those who know me know that I've no hesitation to cheez-it. HA!

Fun times with new friends at Mr. X! That's a game room out here.

Lastly, if anyone's worried about me and the h7n9 virus in China, I'm in good shape and have been able to outrun the zombies. I've put to practice everything I learned in Zombieland and always stretch before I leave the house + double tap when necessary. Thanks for your concerns though. I'll be fine!

Peace out, India.

Three months passed by both quickly and slowly. For as much as I've traveled, I actually don't like traveling in the traditional sense: vacationing and sightseeing. What I do enjoy is being in another country and living there as if I'm a resident. I decided to take the subway and collect subway cards at each place as a keepsake and also as a little badge of being a local.

From left to right: Delhi, Seoul, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei + SIM cards

Of the little sightseeing that I did, I must say that the Taj Mahal truly was beautiful and amazing and well worth the 4 hour drive. And I'll also definitely miss having "real Indian food". Kudos to Ankit, my HKUST classmate, who invited me to his place in Delhi for a family bbq.

BBQ smoker!

Ankit and Andrew

Must say that to be truly on your own for a such an amount of time has been fun in its own way. Not  depending on others for company or having avenues to vent made me confront and come to peace with a lot of things. I'd imagine everyone has memories they suppress because of immaturity or embarrassment or even shame, but with all this time to myself I've found the learning points or silver linings in those (by the way, Silver Linings Playbook was excellent!). As I've gone through my 20's, I'm happy that I make fewer excuses and take more ownership over life's events.

I'm certain that I will miss having the simplicity of not having social pressures or deciding what to do on a Saturday night. With that said, I'm ready to unpack my suitcase and start calling a place home again. I'll be in Hong Kong for a few days, then to NYC for two weeks, and finally back to Hong Kong to figure out where home will be.

Don't know who said it, but it applies:

To travel is better than to arrive.

It's been a good run; I'll remember these past two years fondly. On to the next.

After 2 months in India...

I've been scolded by some for not having yet visited the Taj Mahal or other attractions, but really it's like asking those of you working in Shanghai if you've visited the Great Wall. True it's certainly worth seeing, but I'm not here for vacation nor can I just roll out of bed and walk over to see it. The Taj Mahal is a 5 hour drive from here and I do plan to see it before I leave next month, but for now I'll really be talking about life as a normal working Indian resident.

First, I must say that while English is the national language, it is often mixed in with Hindi. In my experiences outside of the office, about 50% of people speak English well enough to hold a coherent conversation. So it can be a challenge to get around. 

Another aspect of living here is that the power really does go out several times each day. Sometimes it's out just for a minute; other times, up to 30 minutes. However, everyone just goes about their business as if nothing is wrong. Really makes me appreciate the little things we usually take for granted such as clean water and available electricity!

Contrary to popular belief, I do NOT eat curry every meal! And I'm happy to say that so far, I haven't gotten sick in India (knock on wood). With that said, I've probably been overly conservative about food.

If you look up Gurgaon on a map, you'll see that I'm a 40 minute drive from Delhi proper, and that the surrounding area really just consists of some office parks and otherwise undeveloped space. Just a few years ago, most of this area was farmland. There is no public transportation around me, so to leave I have to call several hours in advance to reserve a taxi. For food and supplies, I go to the nearest market which is a good 30 minute walk. Because of this, outside of work I usually just stay home and hit the gym, watch TV, read, or sleep. 

Speaking of time, my Indian co-workers laugh and shake their heads disapprovingly when I joke around about everything here always running late. When people say "5 minutes" it typically means 30; when they say 15, it typically means an hour. During my first several weeks, this was probably my largest source of frustration. I've since adjusted the way I schedule meetings, taxis and other things. 

I realize that this account could come off sounding a little depressing, but this is far from the case. While I haven't exactly been a social butterfly, I really have come to appreciate the simple livelihood afforded by this arrangement. I believe everyone has, to varying extents, a need for attention, companionship, and distractions. Not having easy access to any of it has actually been nourishing for my soul (and probably my body). 

While I may never want to live here long term, I very strongly believe this is and will continue to be a fully worthwhile experience. I definitely have a better understanding of the Indian culture and mindset now. And I've certainly learned a lot at work about the business. Most importantly, I've had a lot of time to be introspective and settle myself. After I leave next month, I may end up missing the simplicity of it all. 

Local Saturday afternoon pick-up cricket game near my place

The streets of Bangalore

Sad: one of many billboards protesting sexual assault/attack in response to a recent well-publicized gang rape 

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In other news, I'll be back in Hong Kong from February 19-23, then spending two weeks in New York through March 9. After that, two more weeks in Hong Kong, then taking some much needed vacation in California for the week of March 25.

The Lee's in Taipei during the holidays for Irene and Will's ceremony

Happy 2013!